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Message Transfer Part

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Message Transfer Part (MTP) is part SS7 protocol suite

of the Signaling System 7 (SS7) used for OSI Layer SS7 Protocols
communication in Public Switched Telephone
Application INAP, MAP, IS-41...
Networks. MTP is responsible for reliable,
unduplicated and in-sequence transport of
TCAP, CAP, ISUP, ...
SS7 messages between communication
partners.
etwork MTP Level 3 + SCCP
MTP is formally defined primarily in ITU-T Data link MTP Level 2
Recommendations Q.701 Physical MTP Level 1
(http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.701/en/) ,
Q.702 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-
Q.702/en/) , Q.703 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.703/en/) , Q.704 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.704/en/)
and Q.705 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.705/en/) . Tests for the MTP are specified in the ITU-T
Recommendations Q.781 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.781/en/) for MTP2 and in Q.782
(http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.782/en/) for MTP3. These tests are used to validate the correct implementation of
the MTP protocol.

Different countries use different variants of the MTP protocols. In North America, the formal standard followed is
ANSI T1.111. Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOC) usually follow the Telcordia Technologies (formerly
Bellcore) Generic Requirements document GR-246-CORE (http://telecom-info.telcordia.com/site-cgi/ido/docs.cgi?
ID=SEARCH&DOCUMENT=GR-246&) . In Europe, national MTP protocols are based on ETSI EN 300-008-
1 (http://webapp.etsi.org/workprogram/Report_WorkItem.asp?WKI_ID=19130) .

Contents
1 Functional Levels
1.1 Signalling Data Link Functional Level
1.2 Signalling Link Functional Level
1.3 Signalling Network Functional Level
1.4 MTP Users
2 References
3 External links

Functional Levels
The SS7 stack can be separated into four functional levels:[1]

Level 1 is the Signalling Data Link Functional Level (Data Link Level).
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Level 2 is the Signalling Link Functional Level (Link Level).
Level 3 is the Signalling etwork Functional Level (Network Level).
Level 4 is the MTP User and consists of SCCP, ISDN, TUP, or any other MTP User.

Level 1 through Level 3 comprise the MTP, and Level 4 the MTP user. MTP Level 3 is sometimes abbreviated
MTP3; MTP Level 2, MTP2.[2] MTP and SCCP are together referred to as the etwork Service Part (SP).[3]

There is no one-to-one mapping of MTP Levels 1 through 3 onto the OSI model.[4] Instead, MTP provides the
functionality of Layers 1, 2 and part of Layer 3 in the OSI model.[5] The part of Layer 3 of the OSI model that
MTP does not provide, is provided by SCCP or other Level 4 parts (MTP users).[6][7]

Signalling Data Link Functional Level

MTP Level 1 is described in ITU-T Recommendation Q.702 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.702/en/) , and
provides the Signalling Data Link functional level for narrowband signalling links. For broadband signalling links,
ITU-T Recommendation Q.2110 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2110/en/) or Q.2111 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-
REC-Q.2111/en/) describe the signalling data link function.

MTP1 represents the physical layer. That is, the layer that is responsible for the connection of SS7 Signaling Points
into the transmission network over which they communicate with each other. Primarily, this involves the conversion
of messaging into electrical signal and the maintenance of the physical links through which these pass. In this way, it
is analogous to the Layer 1 of ISDN or other, perhaps more familiar, protocols.

MTP1 normally uses a timeslot in an E-carrier or T-carrier.

Signalling Link Functional Level

MTP Level 2 is described in ITU-T Recommendation Q.703 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.703/en/) , and
provides the Signalling Link functional level for narrowband signalling links. For broadband signalling links, ITU-T
Recommendation Q.2140 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2140/en/) and Q.2210 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-
Q.2210/en/) describe the signalling link function referred to as MTP3b. The signalling link functional level may also
be provided using the SIGTRAN protocol M2PA described in RFC 4165.

MTP2 provides error detection and sequence checking, and retransmits unacknowledged messages. MTP2 uses
packets called signal units to transmit SS7 messages. There are three types of signal units: Fill-in Signal Unit
(FISU), Link Status Signal Unit (LSSU), Message Signal Unit (MSU).

Access to the signalling link functional level's service interface can be provided over SCTP by the SIGTRAN
protocol M2UA, described in RFC 3331.

MTP Level 2 is tested using the protocol tester and test specifications described in Q.755 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-
REC-Q.755/en/) , Q.755.1 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.755.1/en/) , Q.780 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-
Q.780/en/) and Q.781 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.781/en/) .

Signalling etwork Functional Level

MTP Level 3 is described in ITU-T Recommendation Q.704 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.704/en/) , and
provides the Signalling etwork functional level for narrowband signalling links and, with only minor modifications
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described in ITU-T Recommendation Q.2210 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2210/en/) , for broadband
signalling links. The functions of MTP Level 3 may also be replaced with the Generic Signalling Transport
Service described in ITU-T Recommendation Q.2150.0 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2150.0/en/) as provided
by MTP3b (Q.2150.1 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2150.1/en/) ), SSCOP or SSCOPMCE (Q.2150.2
(http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2150.2/en/) ) or SCTP (Q.2150.3 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2150.3/en/)
). MTP Level 3 functions can also be provided by using the IETF SIGTRAN M3UA protocol, described in RFC
4666, in IPSP mode.

MTP3 provides routing functionality to transport signaling messages through the SS7 network to the requested
endpoint. Each network element in the SS7 network has a unique address, the Point Code (PC). Message routing
is performed according to this address. A distinction is made between a Signaling Transfer Point (STP) which only
performs MTP message routing functionalities and a Signaling End Point (SEP) which uses MTP to communicate
with other SEPs (that is, telecom switches). MTP3 is also responsible for network management; when the
availability of MTP2 data links changes, MTP3 establishes alternative links as required and propagates information
about route availability through the network.

Access to the signalling network functional level's service interface (as described in Q.701 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-
REC-Q.701/en/) ) can be provided over SCTP by the SIGTRAN protocol M3UA, described in RFC 4666.

MTP Level 3 is tested using the protocol tester and test specifications described in Q.755 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-
REC-Q.755/en/) , Q.755.1 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.755.1/en/) , Q.780 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-
Q.780/en/) and Q.782 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.782/en/) .

MTP Users

Level 4 consists of MTP Users. The remaining components of the SS7 stack are all directly, or indirectly, MTP
Users. Some examples of parts at Level 4 are SCCP, ISUP and TUP.[7] The services provided to MTP Level 4
by the MTP (that is, MTP to MTP Users) is described in ITU-T Recommendation Q.701 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-
REC-Q.701/en/) .

References
1. ^ ITU-T Recommendation Q.700 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.700-199303-I/en/) , Figure 3/Q.700, SS o. 7
functional levesl, p. 8.
^
2. See for example, RFC 3331 and RFC 3332 for the usage MTP2 and MTP3.
3. ^ ITU-T Recommendation Q.711 (03/2001) (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.711-200103-I/en/) , Figure 1/Q.711,
Functional diagram for the SCCP in Signalling System o. 7, p. 2.
4. ^ ITU-T Recommendation Q.700 (03/1993) (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.700-199303-I/en/) , Clause 4, OSI
layering and SS o. 7, p. 9.
5. ^ ITU-T Recommendation Q.700 (03/1993) (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.700-199303-I/en/) , Figure 2/Q.700,
Architecture of SS o. 7, p. 7.
6. ^ ITU-T Recommendation Q.1400 (03/1993) (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.1400-199303-I/en/) , Clause 2.2,
OSI layering and SS o. 7", p. 4.
7. ^ a b ITU-T Recommendation Q.1400 (03/1993) (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.1400-199303-I/en/) , Figure
1/Q.1400, Relationship between SS o. 7 Functional Levels and OSI Layering, p. 5.

ITU-T Recommendations

ITU-T Recommendation Q.700 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.700/en/) , Introduction to CCITT

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Signalling System o. 7.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.701 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.701/en/) , Functional description of the
message transfer part (MTP) of Signalling System o. 7.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.702 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.702/en/) , Signalling data link.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.703 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.703/en/) , Signalling link.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.704 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.704/en/) , Signalling network functions
and messages.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.705 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.705/en/) , Signalling network structure.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.706 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.706/en/) , Message transfer part
signalling performance.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.707 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.707/en/) , Testing and maintenance.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.708 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.708/en/) , Assignment procedures for
international signalling point codes.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.709 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.709/en/) , Hypothetical signalling
reference connection.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.710 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.710/en/) , Simplified MTP version for
small systems.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.750 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.750/en/) , Overview of Signalling
System o. 7 management.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.751.1 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.751.1/en/) , etwork element
management information model for the Message Transfer Part (MTP).
ITU-T Recommendation Q.751.3 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.751.3/en/) , etwork element
information model for MTP accounting.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.752 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.752/en/) , Monitoring and
measurements for Signalling System o. 7 networks.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.755 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.755/en/) , Signalling System o. 7
protocol tests.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.755.1 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.755.1/en/) , MTP Protocol Tester.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.780 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.780/en/) , Signalling System o. 7 test
specification General description.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.781 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.781/en/) , MTP Level 2 test
specification.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.782 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.782/en/) , MTP Level 3 test
specification.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.1400 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.1400/en/) , Architecture framework
for the development of signalling and OA&M protocols using OSI concepts.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.2110 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2110/en/) , B-ISD ATM adaptation
layer Service specific connection oriented protocol (SSCOP).
ITU-T Recommendation Q.2111 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2111/en/) , B-ISD ATM adaptation
layer Service specific connection oriented protocol in a multilink and connectionless environment
(SSCOPMCE).
ITU-T Recommendation Q.2140 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2140/en/) , B-ISD ATM adaptation
layer Service specific coordination function for signalling at the network node interface (SSCF at
I).
ITU-T Recommendation Q.2150.0 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2150.0/en/) , Generic signalling
transport service.
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ITU-T Recommendation Q.2150.1 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2150.1/en/) , Signalling transport
converter on MTP3 and MTP3b.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.2150.2 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2150.2/en/) , Signalling transport
converter on SSCOP and SSCOPMCE.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.2150.3 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2150.3/en/) , Signalling transport
converter on SCTP.
ITU-T Recommendation Q.2210 (http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-Q.2210/en/) , Message transfer part level
3 functions and messages using the services of ITU-T Recommendation Q.2140.

IETF RFCs

RFC 2719, Framework Architecture for Signaling Transport.

RFC 4165, Signaling System 7 (SS7) Message Transfer Part 2 (MTP2) User Peer-to-Peer
Adaptation Layer (M2PA).
RFC 3331, Signaling System 7 (SS7) Message Transfer Part 2 (MTP2) User Adaptation Layer
(M2UA)
RFC 4666, Signaling System 7 (SS7) Message Transfer Part 3 (MTP3) User Adaptation Layer
(M3UA)

External links
SS7 Tutorial (http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/ss7/) - SS7 Tutorial, including MTP description.
Telcordia GR-246-CORE, - Telcordia Technologies Specification of Signalling System Number 7
(http://telecom-info.telcordia.com/site-cgi/ido/docs.cgi?ID=SEARCH&DOCUMENT=GR-246&)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message_Transfer_Part"
Categories: Signaling System 7

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