scope:

This standard addresses the testing required for internetwork connections employing Common Channel Signalling (CCS) based on Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) protocol used in North America. The internetwork connection may be either within or between North American countries. This standard provides a list of test scripts for testing compatibility between the interconnecting networks of the Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP) Class 0 of the SS7 protocol. This standard references material in T1 SS7 protocol standards. (See clause 2.)

Purpose

This standard provides a uniform methodology for testing the compatibility of the SCCP Class 0 of the SS7 protocol associated with the implementation of Signalling Points (SPs) of interconnected networks.

Application

The nature of Common Channel Signalling makes it imperative that the SPs within interconnecting networks be compatible.

The primary application of this standard is to ensure that the SCCP compatibility of SPs used for interconnecting SS7 networks in North America is addressed appropriately. It is assumed that the MTP levels 2 and 3 compatibility tests have been performed successfully between interconnecting networks.

The interconnecting network providers may have additional SCCP tests they wish to perform. In that case, those tests would be outside the scope of this standard and should be part of a bilateral agreement developed for SS7 network interconnection.

Some compatibility testing may disrupt the normal operation of the SPs of the interconnected networks. Companies engaging in the application of these tests should ascertain which tests might disrupt the normal operations prior to application. Mutual agreement should be reached prior to proceeding with testing.