Description
The Modulo Signaling Probe Unit (SPU) delivers real-time, high-performance, high-density protocol monitoring that enables applications to interrogate traffic between a mobile network’s active signaling points and trigger intelligent actions.
The SPU enables SS7 or DIAMETER messages carried over SCTP (IP) or MTP/MTP2 (TDM) to be monitored. SCTP messages from one or more Ethernet ports can be selectively passed to a user application in real time.
Applications that can take advantage of call-related monitoring activity include:
- Network management — Analyzers can produce comprehensive protocol traces, call statistics, CDRs, information on bandwidth utilization, and more.
- Missed call alert — Fixed-line subscribers can retrieve a list of missed calls.
- Advertising and marketing — Advertising and marketing executives can use location-based messages and location sensitive web pages to track behavior.
System Features
- Monitors traffic over an Ethernet hub, a managed switch or a tapping devide as defined by simple configuration settings.
- Monitors multiple Ethernet ports or/and TDM ports simultaneously
- Monitors user-selected types from M2UA, M2PA, M3UA, DIAMETER, SCCP and ISUP messages as well as those from specific network nodes.
- Parses SCTP packets into discrete messages
- Messages are delivered to user applications in configurable formats – with and without IP or SIGTRAN headers
- Detects traffic congestion and defers sending monitored messages until congestion abates
- Software solution installable on any system with Ethernet connectivity
- Various capacities are available to meet network density and throughput demands
Functional Specifications
| Host | General purpose server with Linux OS |
| IP Interface | Host Ethernet card or dedicated Ethernet Card |
| TDM Interface | PCIe card or telco applicance with E1/T1/J1 interfaces and MTP2 or ATM software |
| Supported Protocols | M3UA, M2PA, M2UA, DIAMETER over SCTP ANSI & ITU SCCP, TCAPIS.41, GSM-MAP & CAP 2/3/4 |
| Interface to User Application | Java or C Network API |
Operation modes
Co-located run-mode
The SPU can be co-located on the same host as the user application.
Standalone run-mode
The SPU can be deployed on dedicated virtual or physical machine and remained controlled by a user application through LAN.
Distributed run-mode
The SPU can be distributed in several geographical location and report to a central user application instance. It is also possible to configure the SPU to report filtered traffic to different application instances.
