What is SS7 or C7?

An A-link interconnect provides connections directly into the SS7 network generally via redundant STP pairs. STPs or Signalling Transfer Points provide a secure and fully redundant signalling only network, in diagram opposite showing a typical softswitch deployment.

The SS7 gateways connect directly to the two STPS (or adjacent points) and terminates directly the signalling links

In general no voice circuits are present on the TDM interfaces that are carrying the signalling links. The STPs direct the signalling information generated at the originating point [1] through the redundant network to the appropriate SSP. The SSP terminates the voice circuits associated with the call and presents them to the media gateways via the voice only TDM interface [2]. The SSP interconnects can be many miles from the STP SS7 interconnect allowing for centralised routing of traffic over many different territories.

A-Link - Typical Softswitch Deployment

SSP interconnect - F-Link

SSP = SS7 Signalling Points

An F link interconnect provides an SS7 connection where the signalling and all TDM traffic is terminated on the same equipment.

TDM interfaces will usually carry both voice and signalling links.