Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution Implementation

This chapter describes how to implement the Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution by installing and configuring the components. The following sections describe the tasks:

• Implementation Task List

• Hardware Installation

• Signaling Controller Software Installation

• Signaling Controller Software Configuration

• Network Access Server Installation and Configuration

• Operation and Maintenance

Implementation Task List

To implement your Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution, you must:

Step 1 Design your network by identifying the physical configuration and components of your network. This network design should be based on assumptions that meet your network requirements. Plan your design to include the following:

a. Signaling routes to external switches

b. Signaling links to signaling points

c. Network access server control links

d. Trunks, trunk groups, and QoS packet network routes

See the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 Provisioning Guide for details.

Step 2 Create a dial plan. See the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 Provisioning Guide for details.

Step 3 Connect the Cisco Signaling Controller hardware. See the "Hardware Installation" section for details.

Step 4 Connect the Cisco SLT and LAN switch to the signaling controller. See the "Hardware Installation" section for details.

Step 5 Install the operating system software and Cisco SC software on the signaling controller host. See the "Signaling Controller Software Installation" section for details.

Step 6 Configure the software on the signaling controller. See the "Configuring the Signaling Controller" section for details.

a. Assign IP addresses to the signaling controller and then create and deploy the configuration file on the signaling controller.

b. Configure the TCM server and assign an IP address to the server.

Step 7 Configure the software on the Cisco SLT. See the "Configuring the Cisco SLT" section for details.

Step 8 Configure the software on the LAN switch. If you are using a Cisco Catalyst switch, see the "Configuring the LAN Switch (Optional)" section for details.

Step 9 Install the network access server. See the "Network Access Server Installation and Configuration" section for details.

a. Connect the network access server to the LAN switch.

b. Connect the network access server to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

c. Configure and assign IP addresses to the network access servers. See the section "Network Access Server Installation and Configuration" for details.

Step 10 Configure the network management server. See the "Operation and Maintenance" section for details.

Step 11 Make sure that all the devices can talk to each other by pinging one device from another.

Hardware Installation

This section provides an overview of the recommended hardware connection sequence. For details, refer to the appropriate hardware installation guide. Make sure that you have the hardware installation guides handy for all the devices you are connecting in your system.

Signaling Controller Installation

Installing the signaling controller hardware involves wiring the signaling controller in this sequence:


	Task	Reference
Step 1	If using dedicated DC power, connect the power supply to the signaling controller.	Cisco Media Gateway Controller Hardware Installation Guide
Step 2	Connect the LAN switch to your LAN. Note The switch is not provided with the signaling controller.
Step 3	Connect a console terminal to the signaling controller using an EIA/TIA-232 cable.
Step 4	Connect the signaling controller to the IP network to which the network access servers will be connected.

Cisco SLT Installation

Installing the SLT hardware involves connecting the Cisco SLTs in this sequence

Note Cisco Systems recommends that the Cisco SLT not be deployed in a remote configuration from the Cisco SC2200. Remote configurations include, but are not limited to, configurations based on dedicated ATM connections or other similar dedicated facilities. Installing the Cisco SLT remotely from the Cisco SC2200 compromises SS7 link stability and can eventually cause the SS7 link to fail during high traffic.:


	Task	Reference
Step 1	Connect serial ports through the T1/E1, V.35, RS-449, or RS-530 interfaces to the STPs.	•Cisco Media Gateway Controller Hardware Installation Guide •Cisco IOS Release 12.0(7)XR documentation, Cisco Signaling Link Terminal
Step 2	Connect Ethernet ports through the Ethernet 10BaseT to the signaling controller or the LAN switch.

Network Access Installation

Installing the network access hardware involves the following:


	Task	Reference
Step 1	If you have one IP network, connect the network access servers to the LAN switch. If you have two IP networks, use the network access server Ethernet port to connect each network access server to the POP management network, and use the network access server Fast Ethernet port to connect each network access server to the IP data network.	•Cisco Media Gateway Controller Hardware Installation Guide
Step 2	Connect the bearer channels to the network access server using RJ-48 connections for the E1 and T1 interfaces.

Signaling Controller Software Installation

This section provides an overview of the recommended software installation sequence. For details, refer to the appropriate software installation guide.


	Task	Reference
Step 1	Install the operating system on the signaling controller: 1. Verify SC host firmware. 2. Install the Sun Solaris operating system. 3. Install the Volume Manager. 4. Create the Log and Spool volumes.	Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 Installation and Configuration Guide
Step 2	Install the Cisco SC host software: 1. Install the software for a single-host or dual-host configuration. 2. Configure the execution environment. 3. Terminate the signaling links. 4. Configure the SNMP support resources.
Step 3	Install IOS Release software on the Cisco SLT. To determine the correct software release version, refer to Release Notes for Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7.	•Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 Installation and Configuration Guide •Release Notes for Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7

Signaling Controller Software Configuration

Configuring the signaling controller software consists of three tasks:

• Configuring the Signaling Controller

• Configuring the Cisco SLT

• Configuring the LAN Switch (Optional)

Configuring the Signaling Controller

Caution

Always use the signaling controller TCM tool or MML commands to create, modify, manage, and deploy your configuration files on the signaling controller. We do not recommend modifying the configuration files directly on the signaling controller.

Configuring the signaling controller includes these steps:


	Task	Reference
Step 1	Prepare the following: •Bearer routes to other switches •Signaling point links •Network access server control links •Trunks, trunk groups, and routes •Dial plans	Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 Installation and Configuration Guide
Step 2	Configure the SS7 signaling routes to external switches by completing the following tasks: •Add the OPC in your network. •Add the DPC to identify the destination switch. •Add the APCs to identify the STPs with which the signaling controller communicates signaling information. •Add linksets to connect the Cisco SLTs to the STPs. •Add the SS7 subsystem to identify the mated STPs. •Add the SS7 routes for each signaling path from the signaling controller to the destination switch •Add the SS7 signaling service from the signaling controller to the destination switch.	Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers and Voice Gateways Solutions Provisioning Guide
Step 3	Provision the signaling links by completing the following tasks: •Add the Ethernet adapters (cards) in the SC host that carry signaling to and from the Cisco SLTs. •Add Ethernet interfaces for the cards in the host. •Add C7 IP links for each SS7 link from the signaling controller to the SS7network (through the Cisco SLT).
Step 4	Configure the network access server control links by completing the following tasks: •Add external nodes for the NASs in your network. •Add NAS signaling services for each NAS. •Add IP links for each NAS to each Ethernet card in the SC host.
Step 5	Configure trunks, trunk groups, and routes
Step 6	Provision black and white trunk screening
Step 7	Build and deploy the configuration

Configuring the Cisco SLT

Configuring the Cisco SLTs includes these steps:


	Task	Reference
Step 1	Identify the serial WAN interface card on your Cisco SLT and connect cable to card as described in Steps 1 and 2 of the "Cisco SLT Installation" section.	Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 Installation and Configuration Guide
Step 2	Install the Cisco SLT image software.
Step 3	Configure the basic parameters and SS7 links for the Cisco SLT.
Step 4	Configure Session Manager and RUDP.
Step 5	Save the new configuration as the startup configuration, and then reload the Cisco SLT.

For additional details, refer to the following documents:

•Quick Start Guide Cisco 2600 Series Cabling and Setup

•Cisco 2600 Series Hardware Installation Guide

•Cisco Network Module Hardware Installation Guide

•Cisco WAN Interface Cards Hardware Installation Guide

•Software Configuration Guide for Cisco 2600 and 3600 Series Routers

•New and Changed show Commands for Cisco 2600 Series Routers

•Cisco 2600 Series Configuration Notes

Tips The Cisco publications are available online on the Cisco web site or on the Cisco Documentation CD-ROM that arrived with your system.

Configuring the LAN Switch (Optional)

This section describes the task of configuring LAN switches (Cisco Catalyst Switch family) for your solution. The LAN switch connects the SC hosts to the network access servers or the Cisco Signaling Link Terminals (SLTs). The LAN switch is used in the SC node to extend VLANs across platforms through backbone Fast Ethernet, Gigabit, or ATM connections, when necessary. The LAN switch is not provided with the signaling controller. Configuring the LAN switch includes these steps:


	Task	Reference
Step 1	Make sure that you have virtual LAN assignments and IP address assignments for solution devices.	Cisco Media Gateway Controller Software Release 7 Installation and Configuration Guide
Step 2	Configure basic system information.
Step 3	Configure the logical interface.
Step 4	Configure SNMP information.
Step 5	Configure the virtual LANs (VLANs).
Step 6	Configure module and port parameters.
Step 7	Configure spanning-tree parameters.
Step 8	Configure the standby ports.
Step 9	Configure the ISL connections between switches.
Step 10	Configure the Switch Port Analyzer.
Step 11	Configure the Route Switch Module.

Network Access Server Installation and Configuration

To install the network access server, perform the following tasks:


	Task	Reference
Step 1	Rack-mount the network access server chassis.	Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers and Voice Gateways Solutions Media Gateway Guide
Step 2	Connect the network access server to the network as described in Steps 1 and 2 of the "Network Access Installation" section.
Step 3	Connect a console terminal and auxiliary ports.
Step 4	Supply power to the network access server.

For each network access server installed in your Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution, configure the network access server by performing the following tasks:


	Task	Reference
Step 1	Configure the switch type to NI2, using the isdn switch-type primary-ni command. (This command enables the connection between the network access server and the virtual switch controller.)	Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers and Voice Gateways Solutions Media Gateway Guide
Step 2	Configure the access server for channelized T1 or E1 lines.
Step 3	Configure the D channels for modem signaling and receiving calls using the RLM-group command.
Step 4	Set ISDN timers T309 and T321 to 0.

To install the optional network access server software features supported on your Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers Solution, perform the following tasks:


	Task	Reference
Step 1	Configure Continuity Testing (COT)	Cisco IOS Release 12.0 documentation •Continuity Testing (COT)
Step 2	Configure the Redundant Link Manager (RLM)	•Cisco SS7 Interconnect for Access Servers and Voice Gateways Solutions Media Gateway Guide Cisco IOS Release 12.0 documentation •Cisco SS7 Dial Access Solution
Step 3	Configure the Resource Pool Manager (RPM)	Cisco IOS Release 12.0 documentation •Cisco SS7 Dial Access Solution
Step 4	Configure the Resource Pool Management Server (RPSM)	Cisco IOS Release 12.0 documentation •Cisco SS7 Dial Access Solution

Operation and Maintenance

Under normal conditions, the primary (active) signaling controller application (which includes MTP3 and the Call Processing Engine) processes calls. In addition to normal call processing, in a fault-tolerant configuration the primary signaling controller updates the standby signaling controller with call state information when a call enters the establish phase (an answer message has been received). This ensures that the call state is maintained in case of failure.

The following are normal operating procedures for the signaling controller:

•Managing signaling channels and lines

•Managing traffic channels

•Managing switchover

The following are operating procedures under various equipment failure scenarios:

•Signaling link termination failure

•Signaling controller failure

•Operating system failure

•LAN switch failure

The following are maintenance tasks necessary for each component in your Cisco SC2200:

•Checking equipment status

•Preventive maintenance

•Removing the component from your system

•Replacing the component

Note For detailed instructions on these operation procedures and maintenance tasks, see the Cisco Media Gateway Controller Release 7 Operations, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting Guide.

You can also initiate your case online through the Internet at www.cisco.com. Outside these locations, contact the Cisco regional sales office nearest you, or contact your local authorized Cisco distributor.

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