Implementation of SS no. 7 functions in a large-capacity switching node with distributed configuration

Methods fur implementing SS7 functions are proposed for a large-capacity de centralized switching node; they satisfy the condition of hiding distribute d configurations from adjacent nodes. First, line accommodation and acquisi tion methods are clarified fur a large-capacity switching node in which mul tiple modules are used to realize trunk circuits and SS7 signaling links. T wo methods are then proposed for allocating SS7 functions within the switch ing node. One distributes the functions over multiple circuit-switched modu les (distributed allocation) while the other centralizes the functions in d edicated signaling modules (centralized allocation). We quantitatively eval uate both methods in terms of node scale versus the number of modules and s ignaling links required, the inter-module data transfer rate required, and the node traffic handling capacity when a particular module fails. From the evaluation results, we show that the distributed allocation should be empl oyed fur small-scale nodes and the centralized allocation for large-scale n odes. We also show the effectiveness of a method for avoiding a characteris tic problem that arises when a particular module fails. Finally, we impleme nt an experimental system as an example.