Implementation of linkset-related SS7 network functions based on M3UA messages

1. A method for performing linkset-related SS7 network functions based on messages in accordance with M3UA, the method comprising the following steps:

a) mapping M3UA connections to pseudo linksets, a pseudo linkset being defined as the set of M3UA connections between a signaling gateway and an application server and being uniquely determined by a set of SS7 parameters and parameter values, the parameters and parameter values uniquely laying down the scope of the traffic processed by the application server;

b) storing the data describing the pseudo linksets as linkset data in a database; and

c) performing the linkset-related SS7 network functions by determining an assigned pseudo linkset and by applying the SS7 network functions to the messages of the M3UA connection determined by the database, wherein

for user part messages the screening parameters Origination Point Code OPC, Destination Point Code DPC, Service Indicator SI, Network Indicator NI or Signaling Link Selection SLS are taken from the M3UA protocol data parameter of an M3UA message and all other screening parameters are taken from the user protocol data field of the M3UA message, and wherein for SS7 management messages determination takes place on the basis of the M3UA message class, and the Screening Parameter Origination Point Code OPC or Destination Point Code DPC are determined on the basis of the data of the pseudo linkset stored in the database.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the steps a) and b) are performed in a setup phase and the step c) is performed in an operating phase.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, if the messages are screened on the basis of the affected point code, an M3UA message that contains several affected point codes is first separated into individual M3UA messages, each of which contains only those affected point codes which are subject to an identical screening rule.

4. A signaling gateway adapted for performing linkset-related SS7 network functions based on messages according to M3UA, comprising:

means for mapping M3UA connections to pseudo linksets in a setup phase of the signaling gateway, a pseudo linkset being defined as the set of M3UA connections between a signaling gateway and an application server and being uniquely determined by a set of SS7 parameters and parameter values, the parameters and parameter values uniquely laying down the scope of the traffic processed by the application server;

database means for storing the data describing the pseudo linksets as linkset data;

means for implementing the linkset-related SS7 network functions by determining an assigned pseudo linkset and applying the SS7 network functions to the messages of the M3UA connection determined by the database means;

means for determining the screening parameters Origination Point Code OPC, Destination Point Code DPC, Service Indicator SI, Network Indicator NI or Signaling Link Selection SLS from the M3UA protocol data parameter of an M3UA message and all other screening parameters from the user protocol data field of the M3UA message; and

means for determining the SS7 management messages on the basis of the M3UA message class plus means for determining the screening parameters Origination Point Code OPC or Destination Point Code DPC on the basis of the data of the pseudo linkset stored in the database.

5. The signaling gateway according to claim 4 , wherein the means for determining the screening parameters are used for screening user part messages, and wherein the means for determining the SS7 management messages are used for screening SS7 management messages.

6. The signaling gateway according to claim 5 , suitable for implementing the linkset-related SS7 network function of message screening, further comprising means for implementing screening of the messages on the basis of the affected point code, these means including means to separate an M3UA message containing several affected point codes into individual M3UA messages, each of which contains only those affected point codes that are subject to an identical screening rule.

7. The signaling gateway according to claim 4 , further comprising: means for implementing screening of the messages on the basis of the affected point code, these means including means to separate an M3UA message containing several affected point codes into individual M3UA messages, each of which contains only those affected point codes that are subject to an identical screening rule.

8. The signaling gateway according to claim 4 , suitable for implementing the linkset-related SS7 network function of message screening, further comprising means for implementing screening of the messages on the basis of the affected point code, these means including means to separate an M3UA message containing several affected point codes into individual M3UA messages, each of which contains only those affected point codes that are subject to an identical screening rule.