Difference Between SCCP and MTP3


The networking interface for TCAP-based services is SCCP and MTP, working in combination. The subsystem is the collection of services SCCP offers its customers for each element within an SS7 network.

SCCP

The Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP), which is used in SS7 (SS7-Signaling System 7) Telecommunications Networks, acts as the terminal control for the usage of VoIP, or Voice (Communication) Channel over IP. Enhanced routing, connection orientation, flow management, segmentation, and infrastructure for repairing faults are only a few of the features that the SCCP, a network layer protocol, communicates.

MTP3

The Signalling System 7 (SS7), which serves as the framework to exchange information across Public Switched Telephone Networks, has the Message Transfer Part (MTP). MTP ensures that SS7 messages are reliably, instantly, and sequentially transmitted among the two parties involved in communication. The differentiation and propagation of messages for peer-to-peer links are defined using the Message Transfer Part Level 3 (MTP3B) technology.

Difference

SCCP MTP3
Utilized in the SS7 for services that regulate flow and fix errors. Narrowband signaling employs this protocol.
SCCP stands out from a conventional TDM. A conventional form of TDM is MTP3.
End-to-end routing is a feature of it. A point-to-point routing method is utilized here.
It uses MTP's features for connection-oriented routing, segmentation, and basic networking. The communications are routed by the PC SSN pairings using MTP3.
Certain applications located at the SCCP's signaling nodes can receive messages through the SCCP's ability to route them. Only specific user components and certain points can receive and receive messages from the MTP3.
SCCP is GTT (Global Title Translation) compliant. MPT3 is not GTT compliant.
SCCP is a network layer protocol. ATM adaptation layer is known as MTP3 (B-ISDN).
In SS7 communications networks, this protocol is employed. In 3G cellular networks, this protocol MTP3 is used.
The SCCP is an application that uses Tcap. MTP3 works by the transmission structure.

About SCCP Protocol

  • The network layer protocol, the Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP), provides an additional routing feature.

  • In Signalling System 7 (SS7) telecommunications networks, SCCP offers traffic control, segmentation, connection orientation, error identification, and failure repair features.

  • This SCCP protocol utilizes MTP protocols for basic routing and error identification.

  • Across VOIP cell phones or VoIP, this SCCP is a connection or Modern Controller.

  • The transport layer of Tcap-based operations uses the SCCP protocol derived from that layer implemented in the module's firmware via the MTP3 interface.

  • This SCCP protocol can forward messages sent to particular programs at its signaling nodes.

  • After MTP2 was formed and implemented, SCCP was incorporated into the MTP3 protocol. Together, they are used for managing non-circuits in precisely the same way as SCCP handled them.

  • Point-to-point routing does not constitute SCCP's focus; instead, it is end-to-end routing. For use with the SCCP regulations, sometimes known as the "Skinny" protocol, TCP port 2000 is set aside.

About MTP3 Protocol

  • Broadband signaling makes use of MTP3B.

  • The control of signaling links and sharing of load are additional features.

  • The switchover between connections among the connections set can be accomplished using the MTP3B protocol.

  • This MTP3B protocol is an ISDN-based broadband protocol frequently utilized in ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) system configurations.

  • AAL5, SSCF, and SSCOP are the three sub-layers that comprise the MTP3B protocol.

  • Radio transmission uses MTP3B.

SCCP Specifications

The ITU-T has outlined the basic SCCP standard in guidelines Q.711 through Q.714, and Q.715 and Q.716 give further details for implementors. But there are additionally local variances that regional standards organizations establish. Throughout the US, ANSI releases its Q.713 amendments as ANSI T1.112. The TTC and Europe ETSI published their adaptations to the ITU-T requirements in their publications, JT-Q.711 to JT-Q.714 and ETSI EN 300-009-1, respectively.

MTP3 Specifications

With only minimal adjustments detailed in ITU-T Recommendation Q.2210 for broadband signaling connections, MTP Level 3 offers the Signalling Network functional capabilities that facilitate limited-capacity transmission channel connections. MTP Level 3 has been outlined in ITU-T Recommendation Q.704 for narrowband signaling connections. According to Generic Signalling Transport Service, which is offered by MTP3b (Q.2150.1), SSCOP or SSCOPMCE (Q.2150.2) or SCTP (Q.2150.3) can additionally carry out the MTP Level 3's tasks. This service is detailed in ITU-T Recommendation Q.2150.0. The IETF SIGTRAN M3UA guidelines, outlined in RFC 4666, in the IPSP setting, may be utilized as well to deliver MTP Level 3 functionality.

Gateways that go between MTP and SCCP

SCCP permits routing via Pointer Coding, Subsystem-level identification, or Global Titles, unlike MTP, which only offers routes based on the Point Code. A Point Code identifies a different network node, while a Subsystem identification identifies a particular application access to that node.

To obtain point codes from global headers and provide information to MTP on how to route messages, SCCP employs a process known as global title interpretation. The IP address structure and type to be used and the communication's route are specified by attributes in SCCP messages.

Functionalities involving MPT3

  • Status monitoring for remote point codes.

  • Alignment of links.

  • The transfer is prohibited (TFP).

  • Using the SLS that it receives from the client, the load sharing distributes the load among links across the link set.

  • Change Over transfers traffic from a failing link to a working one.

  • Traffic is returned to a failing link once it comes back online under the Change Back protocol.

Functionalities involving SCCP

  • Connection Request (CR) initiates an SCCP connection request to the distant node.

  • Remote SCCP users submit Connection Confirmation (CC) primitives to SCCP to transmit connection request responses.

  • Whenever a connection needs to be closed, the user requests a connection release.

  • Confirmation of Connection Release, used to validate a connection release request.

  • A user receives a data request to send data (such as RANAP) to a distant peer.

  • Data Indication notifies the user when data has been received through the network.

Conclusion

The SIGTRAN collection of protocols includes two methods for transferring SCCP services across network connections: Through MTP level 3 User Adaptation protocol (M3UA), SCCP can be remotely supplied. This protocol supports additional MTP-3 applications and SCCP.

Updated on: 09-Oct-2023

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