Importance

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Abstract

An enhanced frame relay access device (FRAD) capable of bidirectional interfacing between Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) protocol and Frame Relay protocol is utilized to economically transport SS7 signaling and link management information between SS7 networks via a Frame Relay protocol digital communications network. In an outgoing data transfer, the enhanced SS7 FRAD interface determines and eliminates redundant signaling unit information found in an SS7 data stream before packaging the essential information into a frame 'payload' and introducing the frame into the Frame Relay network. For incoming data transfers, the SS7 FRAD extracts the frame payload data and regenerates the appropriate SS7 signaling units to maintain a continuous and synchronous data stream on the SS7 network. In the event communications with an SS7 facility is not possible (for example, an SS7 network or facility is down), the SS7 FRAD communicates its operational status to other SS7 FRADs by sending a proprietary coordination and status information frame across the Frame Relay network. A plurality of SS7 FRADs are configurable to provide multiple efficient links between different SS7 facilities over the Frame Relay network. In addition, each FRAD is individually customized to provide special functions such as encryption/decryption and data compression/decompression.

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First Claim