SS7 probe
SS7 Probe is a physical device to obtain signalling and/or bearer information from a telecommunications network, such as the PSTN or a corporate telephone system. The probe passively monitors the E1/T1 or SDH/SONET bearers, and extracts the signalling information for onward presentation to a network application. A passive probe does not affect the network under observation, and this is achieved through use of protected monitor points on the network distribution frames.
Applications
The network application may be Lawful Interception [1] or a revenue-generating application such as Missed call. Probes are also extensively used in Operational support systems (OSS).
Passive monitoring probes provide a network and switch vendor-independent solution for network applications.
Lawful Interception
Lawful interception concerns the delivery of calls and data to government approved reception centers. Interception is authorized through a legal framework, such as UK RIPA [2] or US CALEA [3] or Russia SORM.
Technology
SS7 probe technology provides the correct physical interface to the telecommunications network. Opportunities for probing occur in both traditional TDM infrastructure as well as in 3G networks. The different characteristics and infrastructure used for these interfaces is reflected in the types of interfaces to be monitored. These range from E1 or T1 2Mb/s or 1.5Mbs to SDH and SONET STM-x OC-x multiplexes.
Vendors
Probe Vendors such as BTT Ltd, Corelatus, Dialogic, ecTel, GL Communications, Septier Communication , Tekno Telecom's and Telesoft Technologies provide APIs and options for software vendors to implement applications.
Applications served by probes include solutions for Inter-Carrier Billing, Revenue Loss (ByPass/Phantom Traffic and Analysis Services), Fraud Prevention, Billing, Local Number Portability, Quality of Service, Surveillance (Global Call Trace), Maintenance (Protocol Analysis), Traffic Engineering (Link and Trunk Forecasting) Alarming and SS7, Sigtran and IS-41 monitoring.
Some probe vendors also offer the applications as well as the probes.
Notes
- ↑ Hoffmann, Paul; Terplan, Kornel (2005). Intelligence Support Systems: Technologies for Lawful Intercepts. AUERBACH. pp. 123, 124. ISBN 978-0-8493-2855-8.
- ↑ UK Government (2008-07-28). "RIPA". Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ↑ US Government (2008-07-28). "CALEA". Retrieved 2008-07-28.
