Version 1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

SS7-SP-PC-WIN

Installation Manual

For Windows® 98, 2000, XP, 2003

Document # - SS7-SP-PC-WIN-DOC-1.01.01

Copyright © 2004 - Teleprime Inc. all rights reserved

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction Section………………………………………………………........ 3

2. Installation………………………………………………………………………. 4

4

3. SS7 Decoder Application……………………………………………………… 10

4. User Section…………………………………………………………………….

4.1 Input Data Files………………………………………………………..

4.2 User Interface………………………………………………………….

Menu

4.2.2.1

14

14

14

4.2.1 15

15

15

15

4.2.2.1.3

17

Exit……………………………………….

18

18

File

4.2.2.2.3

4.2.2.2.5 Configuration on Exit…………….

18

18

19

19

19

20

4.3 Configuration File……………………………………………………..

5. Decoding………………………………………………………………………...

5.1 Supported Protocols…………………………………………………..

5.1.1 Supported Message Types………………………………...

5.1.2

5.2.1

25

25

6. References……………………………………………………………………… 26

20

21

21

21

22

2

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

The SS7 Decoder, Model SS7-SP-PC-WIN, is a user application program that runs on Windows based PC workstations for decoding SS7 signaling messages derived from signaling gateway systems into user friendly text meaning display via a user’s web browser.

Signaling gateway system craft port hexadecimal data output can be difficult and time consuming to manually decode but the SS7 Decoder simplifies this process by using text meaning display of the data saving the user valuable time in performing call analysis.

The program comes supplied on a CD disk that is self installing in the user’s PC with the supplied license key. After installation, the user executes the program via desk top icon selection or via program file selection.

Signaling gateway systems, such as the Encore Model SP201 and SP230 series products provide SS7 message outputs to the user craft port interface for analysis by systems technicians to isolate issues related to call placement or link connections between the signaling gateway and the Telco service providers. These message outputs are numerical hexadecimal code sequences of SS7 message type and associated parameters.

SS7 messages, at the user interface layer in the gateway consist of the Integrated

Services User Part (ISUP) message data. The message type may be one of call origination (such as the Initial Address message or IAM), release, block, unblock or other call processing related messages. Each message contains information relating to the circuit identification, function, called/calling number and other call related information, including the status or results of the call.

As the chain of message events occur, groups of the hexadecimal messages can be captured into a text file on the PC (via the signaling gateway craft port) for service personnel to analyze, especially in situations of call failure or difficulty. To facilitate prompt analysis, the SS7 Decoder is used to convert difficult to read sequences of hexadecimal information into user friendly message type and parameter text information.

The user would use the captured information from the craft port interface (previously stored as a text file on the PC) and execute the SS7 Decoder. Upon execution, the

SS7 Decoder would open the user’s web browser’s interface and display the applicable hexadecimal code information along with the converted user friendly text meaning of the message data. The user can store the message data in a HTML format for future reference thereafter.

3

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

2.0 INSTALLING THE SS7 DECODER APPLICATION FOR PC ONTO THE

TERMINAL PC

2.1. Overview

The following steps are required to install the application on the PC. The

Application resides on a CD disk as an application to be installed on a PC that connects to a signaling gateway protocol.

1. Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive located in the Terminal PC.

2. It starts automatically installing the application.

Note: If your CD-ROM drive does not have an Auto play option: a. Click Start on your Windows desktop. Select Run b. Enter D: TeleprimeSS7Decoder 1.00.03.exe where‘d’ represents your CD-ROM drive. c. Click OK.

3. The setup program will begin to execute

4. The application requires that your Terminal PC have previously installed a JAVA run time module. If it is not installed, the following message appears.

4

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

5. Download the executable from http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.htm

and install J2SE JRE 1.4 or higher.

6. After installing the Java Runtime Environment, double click on the

SS7 decoder application for PC Software setup.exe file

7. The setup program will begin to execute and the SS7 Decoder

Setup Installation screen similar to the one below will be presented.

Figure - 1

5

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

8. If you agree with the terms of the License Agreement, then click on

I Agree button to accept all the terms of the License Agreement.

You must accept the agreement to install SS7 Decoder.

9. You will be presented with a screen similar to the one shown below re asking to choose Components.

Figure - 2

10. The Base software and SS7_ITU options are selected by default, click on the Next button to go to the next step.

6

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

Figure -3

11. You will be presented with a Choose Install Location Dialogue box screen similar to the one shown above.

12. In the Destination Folder Area click on the Browse button to set the path to locate the software installation executable file.

13. Click Next to proceed further. You will get a screen Choose Start menu Folder Dialogue box, which will allow you to select the start menu Folder in which you would like to create the program’s shortcuts. You can also enter a name in the text field to create a new Folder.

7

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

Figure – 4

14. Choose Install Button to install only the selected components. The

Program will now set up system parameters and will start copying the required files to your hard disk. indicating completion of installation. Click on Close.

8

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

Figure – 5

16. Your system may now re-boot and the icon for SS7 Decoder will be created on your desktop.

9

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

3.0 SS7 DECODER APPLICATION FOR PC

1. Locate the SS7 Decoder icon on the Desktop and Double click on it. The user will be prompt on the first execution for the CD serial number and Security Code.

The CD Serial number is located on the supplied CD Disk and the security code is located on the rear of the CD Case.

Figure – 1

2. The top tool bar contains File, Configuration, and Help. Click on File menu to open the file into the Decoder to decode it. This is shown in Figure - 2

10

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

Figure -2

3. You will find Open, Save and Exit options when you click on File menu.

4. Select Open to open the file, which you want to decode and you will find a

Dialogue box with a title of Open to select a file.

11

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

Figure – 3

5. Select the file and click on Open button on the dialogue box.

6. You will be presented with a screen with a path of the file in the source directory field as shown in Figure – 4.

12

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

Figure – 4

7. Click on Decode Button. You will find the file will be opened in the Browser window. This will create the html file of the Decoded file as shown in Figure – 5.

Figure – 5

Refer to Section 5 – Decoding, for additional description of the decoded information.

13

4. 0 USER SECTION

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

4.1 Input data files from SP2xx signaling gateway

The SS7 Decoder uses disk files stored from trace captures derived from the SP2xx craft serial port (refer to the SP2xx documentation for trace capture procedures). Below is an example of the data captured from SP2xx device. icc/isdn2ss7/dmtp3.c,270:ISUP:UP:CIC=2198:Msg=MI_INIADDR q931/isdn2ss7/in_bdy9.c,5792:ISDN:DOWN: msg: qlen: 1 mlen: 38 2-->0 dat: 08 02 00 3e 05 a1 04 03 90 90 a3 18 03 a9 83 86 ...>............

1e 02 8a 81 70 10 91 30 31 31 35 32 38 31 38 33 ....p..011528183

6 39 35 32 35 32 695252 icc/isdn2ss7/dmtp3.c,217:ISUP:UP: msg: qlen: 1 mlen: 24 1-->2 dat: 66 08 01 00 21 00 0a 03 06 00 03 80 90 a2 09 04 f...!...........

10 10 31 78 63 57 23 57 ..1xcW#W icc/isdn2ss7/dmtp3.c,270:ISUP:UP:CIC=2150:Msg=MI_INIADDR q931/isdn2ss7/in_bdy9.c,5792:ISDN:DOWN: msg: qlen: 1 mlen: 37 0-->0 dat: 08 02 6d 5f 05 a1 04 03 90 90 a3 18 03 a9 83 96 ..m_............

1e 02 84 83 70 0f 91 30 31 31 33 38 37 33 36 37 ....p..011387367

33 32 37 35

4.2 User Interface

A user interface is part of the SS7 Decoder application that manages the location of source and destination files, and to allow a user to change the configuration of the SS7 decoder.

The main window contains a single frame with a menu bar and single control buttons to start the decode process.

4.2.1 Main Window

The main application window contains the menu bar (section 2.2), three text input fields for “Source Directory”, “Source File” and “Decoded File” names, and a “Decode” button.

14

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

A user may edit “Source Directory” and “Source File” text fields.

The decode process is started by the user pressing the “Decode” button. If source directory and file contain a valid SP2XX captured data file, the result of this operation is saved into an output file in the same directory as a source file and keeps the same name but with a different extension. The extension is depending on a type of output format chosen in the “Options” menu. If the HTML format is selected, then the output file’s extension will be “.html”. For plain text output files, the “.dcd” extension is added.

The “Menu” bar is located at the top of the main window and it consists of three drop-down menu items: “File”, “Configuration” and “Help”.

4.2.2.1 File Menu

15

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

Selecting the “Open” item in the “File” menu results in opening a complex dialog box similar to the Windows

Explorer and Unix File Manager programs. The starting location of this dialog box matches the value of the configuration item “File Locations” (Section 4.2.2.2.2)

16

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

4.2.2.1.2 Save

Selecting the “Save” item from the “File” menu causes the application to save its current configuration.

4.2.2.1.3 Exit

Selecting an “Exit” item in the “File” menu results in termination of this application.

The application may open a dialog box and ask a user to save a current configuration before exiting. This feature is configurable in the “Configuration” menu (Error!

Reference source not found.). If the “save” option is chosen all configuration options are saved for the next session.

17

4.2.2.2 Configuration

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

4.2.2.2.1 Decode

Choosing this menu item initiates a decode operation on the currently selected file.

4.2.2.2.2 File Locations

To simplify a user’s navigation through a file system the default File location is configurable. After installation, this location will be pointing to the application’s installation directory, for example “C:\dev\Teleprime" to "C:\SS7”.

4.2.2.2.3 Show decode

This option allows a user to launch an application associated with a chosen decode format. For example, if

HTML format is selected, a default Web browser will be launched on a completion of a decoding process and the results are displayed in a browser window.

Note: all Windows based computers uses Internet

Explorer as a default browser.

18

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

4.2.2.2.4 Decoded File Format

This option selects a type of format for the decoded output file. A choice of HTML or “plain text” is available with radio-style buttons. All HTML tags comply with

HTML version 4.0 and CSS.

4.2.2.2.5 Save Configuration on exit

This option allows a user to choose if he (she) wants to be prompted to save a current configuration on exit.

Three choices are provided in a dialog box with radiostyle buttons.

• Save on exit without prompt.

• Save on exit with a prompt.

• Never save on exit.

•

4.2.2.3 Help

The “Help” menu has only one available choice: the “About” item.

19

4.2.2.3.1 About

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

Selecting the “About” item in the “Help” menu displays an informational dialog box with the name of this application, its version number and copyright reference.

All session configuration information is stored in the local directory and is used to initialize the Decoder application during start-up of the next session. The name of the file is “config.cfg”.

20

5.0 DECODING

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

5.1 Supported Protocols

The SP2XX SS7 Decoder supports ITU Q.763, Q.767 (C7) and ANSI T1.113 (SS7).

5.1.1 Supported Message types

Table 1 represents a complete list of all known message types. Only packets containing message type colored in red are fully decoded, for all remaining packets this application decodes all data fields up to the message type and then displays the hex dump of remaining bytes of this packet.

SS

7

01

02

07

08

Message Type

IAM

?

CON

FOT

Initial Address

Subsequent address (not for US)

Connect

Forward Transfer

SS

7

2A

2B

Message Type

CQ

M

CQ

R

CP

G

Circuit Group Query

Circuit Group Query Response

Call Progress 03 INR Information Request 2C

04 INF Information

05 COT Continuity 2E

UCI

C

Unequipped Circuit Identification

Code

06 ACM Address Complete 2F CFN Confusion

30

OL

M Overload (ITU only)

31

32

CR

G

NR

M

Charge Information (ITU only)

Network Resource Management 09 ANM Answer

0A ?

Reserved Code used in CCITT Red

Book

0B ?

Reserved Code used in CCITT Red

Book

0C

0E

10

REL

RES

0F ?

RLC

Release

0D SUS Suspend

Resume

Reserved Code used in CCITT Red

Release Complete

11 CCR Continuity Check Request

33

34

35 UPA User Part Available

36

37

39

3A

FAC

UPT

?

?

SG

M

?

?

Facility

User Part Test

Reserved

Reserved

Segmentation

Reserved

Reserved

Reserved 12 RSC Reset Circuit

13 BLO Blocking

14 UBL Unblocking

3B ?

3C ?

3D ?

Reserved

Reserved

15 BLA Blocking Acknowledgement

16 UBA Unblocking Acknowledgement

17 GRS Circuit Group Reset

18 CGB Circuit Group Blocking

3E

3F

40

41

?

?

?

AP

Reserved

Reserved

Reserved

Application Transport

21

M

19 CGU Circuit Group Unblocking

1A

CGB

A

42

Circuit Group Blocking

Acknowledgement -

PRI

?

Pre-release Information

Reserved

1B

CGU

A

Circuit Group Unblocking

Acknowledgement . ? Reserved

1C

1D CMC Call Modification Completed

CMR

1E

1F

20

CMR

J

FAR

FAA

Call Modification Request

Call Modification Reject

Facility Request

Facility Accepted

.

.

-

E9

EA

?

?

?

CRA

CR

M

Reserved

Reserved

Reserved

Circuit Reservation

Acknowledgement

21

22

FRJ

FAD

Facility Reject

Facility Deactivated

EB CVR

Circuit Reservation (ANSI Only)

Circuit Validation Response (ANSI

Only)

Circuit Validation Test (ANSI

Only) EC CVT

ED

EX

M

- ?

Exit (ANSI Only)

Reserved

23 FAI Facility Information

24 LPA Loopback Acknowledgement

25

CSV

R CUG Selection and Validation Request

26

CSV

S

CUG Selection and Validation

Response

27 DRS Delayed Release

28 PAM Pass Along

29 GRA Circuit Group Reset Acknowledgement

.

.

.

FF

?

?

?

?

Reserved

Reserved

Reserved

Reserved

Table 1. ISUP message types

5.1.2 Supported Parameters

Table 2 represents a complete list of all known parameter types. Only packets containing parameter type colored in red are fully decoded; for all remaining packets this application decodes all data fields up to the parameter type and then displays the hex dump of remaining bytes of this parameter.

22

Access Transport

Automatic Congestion Level

Backward Call Indicators

Business Group (ANSI)

Call Modification Indicators (ITU)

Call Reference

Called Party Number

Calling Party Number

Calling Party's Category

Carrier Identification (ANSI)

Carrier Selection Information (ANSI)

Cause Indicators

ITU Cause Codes

ANSI Cause Codes

Charge Number (ANSI)

Circuit Assignment Map (ANSI)

Circuit Group Characteristic Indicators (ANSI) M

M

M

M

Mv

M

Circuit Group Supervision Msg Type Ind.

Circuit Identification Name (ANSI)

Circuit State Indicator

Closed User Interlock Code (ITU)

Circuit Validation Response Indicator (ANSI)

Connected Number

Connection Request

Continuity Indicators

Egress Service (ANSI)

End of Optional Parameters

Event Information

Facility Indicators (ITU)

Forward Call Indicators

Generic Address Parameter (ANSI)

Generic Digits Parameter (ANSI)

Hop Count Parameter (ANSI)

M

Mv

M

M

M

M

M

M

*

Information Indicators

Information Request Indicators

Jurisdiction Information (ANSI)

Nature of Connection Indicators

Network Transport (ANSI)

Notification Indicator (ANSI)

Optional Backward Call Indicators

Original Called Number

Originating Line Information (ANSI)

Outgoing Trunk Group Number (ANSI)

M

M

M

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

23

Optional Forward Call Indicators (ITU)

Range and Status

Redirecting Number

Redirection Information

Redirection Number (ITU)

Service Activation (ANSI)

Service Activation Parameter (ANSI)

Service Code (ANSI)

Signalling Point Code (ITU)

Special Processing Request (ANSI)

Subsequent Number (ITU)

Suspend/Resume Indicators

Transaction Request (ANSI)

Transit Network Selection

Transmission Medium Requirement

User Service Information

User-to-User Indicators (ITU International)

User-to-User Information (ITU International)

M = Mandatory Fixed

Mv = Mandatory Variable

Table 2. ISUP Information Elements.

M

M

Mv

Mv

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

24

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

5.2 Output formats

The SP2XX SS7 decoder supports two basic styles of the output format: HTML and text.

5.2.1 HTML Format

Below is a sample of a decoded message in the HTML output format.

25

6.0 REFERENCES

Version

1.00.0x

SS7 Decoder

1. ITU-T Specifications of Signaling System No. 7. Q.763 Format and codes of the

ISDN User Part. March 1993. [include q.767]

2. ANSI Specification T.113-1996 – Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) Integrated

Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part

26