GL Announces SIGTRAN Protocol Simulator for ISDN over IP

GL Communications Inc. announced today the release of its newest product SIGTRAN Protocol Simulator for ISDN over IP- An advanced protocol simulator/tester used for simulating SIGTRAN ISDN. Speaking to media, Mr. Vijay Kulkarni CEO of the company said, "SIGTRAN, shortened form of Signaling Transmission, is the standard for conversion, transport, and encapsulation of SS7 and ISDN over IP. It is one of the most important transition components in moving from legacy TDM to NGN IP networks."

He added, "ISDN is a very common protocol in the legacy network. The two types are PRI for T1 E1 lines and BRI for lower speed digital lines. As PSTN networks migrate to Then Generation Networks, a need for conversion and transport of signaling and media is necessary. NGNs are IP based systems, conclusively protocols have been developed to reliably transport/adapt Q.920s and Q.930s TDM protocols. This adaptation is performed by two IP based protocols within SIGTRAN, called SCTP and IUA."

Mr.Kulkarni furthermore added, "As shown in the enclosed picture, a Signaling Gateway on the TDM side connects to standard PRI T1 E1 lines and translates the ISDN messages to SIGTRAN IP format. It supports the same application and call management functions as ISDN nevertheless uses two protocol layers on top of Internet Protocol: Stream Control Transport Protocol and ISDN Q.921-User Adaptation Layer. The SG talks to a Media Gateway Controller, which in turn performs furthermore routing and signaling decisions within the NGN."

He furthermore added, "MAPS™ SIGTRAN is a powerful tool that can be used to perform detailed testing of ISDN protocol messages over IP, and offers a complete solution for testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance of SIGTRAN devices and networks implementing PRI ISDN."

Founded in 1986, GL Communications Inc. is a leading supplier of test, monitoring, and analysis equipment for TDM, Wireless, IP and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) networks. Unlike conventional test equipment, GL's test platforms provide visualization, capture, storage, and convenient features like portability, remotability, and scripting.

GL's VoIP and IP products generate / analyze thousands of calls and traffic simultaneously with traffic types just as frames, packets, voice files, digits, video, tones, noise, and fax. Nearly all codecs are supported including G.711, G.729, AMR, EVRC-A,B,C, GSM, iSAC, and many more. Additional features include visual analysis, real-time listening, and recording. The product line as well includes Ethernet / IP Testing capability that simulates and checks frame transport and throughput parameters of Ethernet and IP networks, including delay, errors and other impairments.

GL's Voice Quality Testing product line complements all of GL's products. Using ITU-standard algorithms, GL's VQT provides a widely accepted solution for assessing voice quality in the telecom industry. Voice Quality Testing across multiple networks are all available.

GL's Wireless Products perform protocol analysis and voice quality assessment on GSM, CDMA, UMTS, and LTE (Long Term Evolution, latest standard in the mobile network technology) networks. Connections can be made to any wireless phone with automated call control, GPS mapping and real-time signal measurements.

The broadest range of simulation

GL's Echo Canceller testing solutions provide the broadest range of simulation and analysis, including line and acoustic echo. GL's compliance testing per G.168. G.167 and P.340 across TDM, IP, VoIP and Wireless networks is widely accepted in the industry.

GL's wireless VQT solutions help assessing impairments to voice quality just as poor mobile phone quality, voice compression and decompression algorithms, delay, loss and gain in speech levels, noise, acoustic and landline echo, and other distortions are easily assessed and accurately measured.

Wide variety of communications facilities

GL's Handheld data testers can test a wide variety of communications facilities and equipment including T1, fractional T1, E1, fractional E1, T3 and E3 modems, multiplexers, CSU, DSUs, T1 CSUs, DTUs, NTUs and TIUs and more. The testers provide convenience, economy, and portability for nearly any interface, including RS232, RS-422, RS-530, X.21, T1, E1, T3, E3, and many others.

GL's Network Surveillance and Monitoring products include Probes for TDM, IP, VoIP, ATM, and Wireless networks. An open standards based approach provides a scalable, feature rich, real-time access to network characteristics. Centralized or distributed access, efficient transport and database loading allow compatibility with 3rd party and standards based monitoring systems.