RFC 3332 (rfc3332) - Page 3 of 120
Signaling System 7 (SS7) Message Transfer Part 3 (MTP3) - User Adaptation Layer (M3UA)
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 3332 SS7 MTP3-User Adaptation Layer September 2002
1. Introduction
This memo defines a protocol for supporting the transport of any SS7
MTP3-User signalling (e.g., ISUP and SCCP messages) over IP using the
services of the Stream Control Transmission Protocol [17]. Also,
provision is made for protocol elements that enable a seamless
operation of the MTP3-User peers in the SS7 and IP domains. This
protocol would be used between a Signalling Gateway (SG) and a Media
Gaway Controller (MGC) or IP-resident Database [11], or between two
IP-based applications.
1.1 Scope
There is a need for Switched Circuit Network (SCN) signalling
protocol delivery from an SS7 Signalling Gateway (SG) to a Media
Gateway Controller (MGC) or IP-resident Database as described in the
Framework Architecture for Signalling Transport [11]. The delivery
mechanism should meet the following criteria:
* Support for the transfer of all SS7 MTP3-User Part messages (e.g.,
ISUP [1,2,3], SCCP [4,5,6], TUP [12], etc.)
* Support for the seamless operation of MTP3-User protocol peers
* Support for the management of SCTP transport associations and
traffic between an SG and one or more MGCs or IP-resident
Databases
* Support for MGC or IP-resident Database process failover and load
sharing
* Support for the asynchronous reporting of status changes to
management
In simplistic transport terms, the SG will terminate SS7 MTP2 and
MTP3 protocol layers [7,8,9] and deliver ISUP, SCCP and/or any other
MTP3-User protocol messages, as well as certain MTP network
management events, over SCTP transport associations to MTP3-User
peers in MGCs or IP-resident Databases.
Sidebottom, et. al. Standards Track