INTRODUCTION

The flow of cells between the end stations via one or several

ATM switches doesn't require any routing decision in any of the nodes along the virtual connection. The cells are switched according the cell labels (VPI,VCI) and the cell flow enjoys the agreed QoS. This means virtual channels must be set up before any data cells can be sent on the channel. How is a virtual connection established and how is QoS negotiated for that connection? This is done through the process called signaling. Signalling is used dynamically to establish, monitor and release connections.
Call setup, call clearing and many other functions. To exchange call related information between communicating

entities.

CLASSIFICATION
Inband Signalling: Use of same virtual channel to carry signalling information as that used to carry data. Use of same frequency band to carry signalling information as that used to carry voice (i.e. 300-3400 Hz). Outband Signalling: Signalling information and data are carried on different channels.Use of frequencies above voice band (but below upper threshold of 4000 Hz) to carry signalling information. Inchannel Signalling: Same physical channel carries signalling information as well as voice and data. Common Channel Signalling: Separate channel is used solely to carry signalling information for a no. of connection. Associated Signalling: Signalling channels and data paths pass through same network element. Non-associated Signalling: No correspondence between signalling channels and data paths.

ISSUES
Acknowledgement: Used by receiver to inform the sender of the receipt of signalling message. Timer protection: Used by sender to avoid inordinate delays in case the signalling messages or the acknowledgement gets lost or corrupted. Handshaking: Two-way or three-way handshaking protocol for deciding the connection parameters through the exchange of signalling information. Call Identification: Means to identify a particular signalling connection when more than one connection exist between two signalling entities. Finite State Modelling: Model through which states, events and outcomes of signalling are depicted.

MODELS
Point-to-point signalling: Signalling for establishment and release of connections between two entities. Point-to-multipoint signalling: Signalling for establishment and release of connections between a root and multiple leaves.

Multipoint-to-multipoint signalling: Signalling for establishment and release of connections between multiple entities.

Basic Signalling Operation

Connection requests proceed hop-by-

hop through the switches of the network en route to destination Switches perform Call Admission Control (CAC) based on traffic descriptor, QOS requirements, and available resources at that switch

Basic Operation (Contd)

If connection is acceptable, then request is forwarded

on, otherwise reject is returned If destination accepts connection, then accept is returned VPI and VCI assigned

Example: ATM Signalling

ATM Network

Example: ATM Signalling

ATM Switch

Example: ATM Signalling

UNI

Example: ATM Signalling

NNI
UNI

Example: ATM Signalling

NNI
UNI

UNI

Example 1: ATM Signalling

CR

CR: Connection Request

Example 1: ATM Signalling

CR

CR: Connection Request

Example 1: ATM Signalling

CR

CR: Connection Request

Example 1: ATM Signalling

CR

CR: Connection Request

Example 1: ATM Signalling

CR

CR: Connection Request

Example 1: ATM Signalling

OK
(VCI = 12)

CR

CR: Connection Request OK : Connection Accept

Example 1: ATM Signalling

OK
(VCI = 12)

CR
(VCI = 4)

CR: Connection Request OK : Connection Accept

Example 1: ATM Signalling

OK
(VCI = 12)

CR

(VCI = 104) (VCI = 4)

CR: Connection Request OK : Connection Accept

Example 1: ATM Signalling

OK
(VCI = 12)

CR
(VCI = 4)

(VCI = 104) (VCI = 4)

CR: Connection Request OK : Connection Accept

Example 1: ATM Signalling

OK
(VCI = 12)

CR

(VCI = 104) (VCI = 4)

(VCI = 77) (VCI = 4)

OK

CR: Connection Request OK : Connection Accept

Example 2: ATM Signalling

CR

CR: Connection Request

Example 2: ATM Signalling

CR

NO
CR: Connection Request NO: Connection Reject

Example 3: ATM Signalling

CR

CR: Connection Request

Example 3: ATM Signalling

CR

CR: Connection Request

Example 3: ATM Signalling

CR

CR: Connection Request

Example 3: ATM Signalling

CR

NO

CR: Connection Request NO: Connection Reject

Example 3: ATM Signalling

CR

NO

CR: Connection Request NO: Connection Reject

Example 3: ATM Signalling

CR

NO

NO
CR: Connection Request NO: Connection Reject

ATM SIGNALLING PROTOCOL STACK

There are two sets of standards for ATM signaling: UNI signaling NNI signaling UNI signaling : Performed between an end station and a private ATM switch, or between a private ATM switch and the public ATM network. Simpler because it doesn't involve routing. NNI signaling : Performed between the switches of a public ATM network. Since a public network generally involves several (or many) switches the routing becomes very important component of the NNI signaling. Two major standards:
IISP (Integrated Interswitch Signaling Protocol) PNNI (Private Network-to-Network Interface). IISP is a simple signaling protocol which uses static routing and is designed for small private ATM networks. PNNI is a signaling protocol that uses very elaborate dynamic routing algorithms which can easily handle small to large ATM networks which can have hundreds, thousands and even tens of thousands of ATM switches.

UNI

NNI

NNI

Call Control
UNI Signalling (Q.2931) SSCFUNI (Q.2130) SSCOP (Q.2110) AAL5 (I.363.5) SAAL

Call Control
UNI Signalling (Q.2931) SSCFUNI (Q.2130) SSCOP (Q.2110) AAL5 (I.363.5) SAAL UNI Signalling (Q.2931) SSCFUNI (Q.2130) SSCOP (Q.2110) AAL5 (I.363.5) SAAL

ATM Networ k

ATM Layer (I.361)

Physical Layer End-point

ATM Layer (I.361)

Physical Layer ATM

ATM Layer (I.361)

Physical Layer

 The user initiating a call uses signalling procedures

applicable at UNI. Within the network , the signalling information is exchanged using procedures of PNNI specification. Again at destination interface, the UNI signalling procedures are used to exchange signalling information. 3 main components of ATM signalling protocol stack,:
SAAL,
UNI signalling PNNI signalling

Signalling ATM Adaptation Layer(SAAL)

Divided into 2 parts: Segment and Reassembly (SAR) Convergence Sub-layer(CS)

Common Part Convergence Sub-layer(CPCS) Service Specific Convergence Sub-layer(SSCS) Service Specific Connection oriented part(SSCOP) Service Specific Co-ordination Function(SSCF)

In figure, SAR + CPCS = AAL5

Service Specific ConNECTION ORIENTED PART(SSCOP)

Prominent adaption layers are AAL2 and AAL5.

AAL2 carries voice; AAL5 carries data.

SAAL carries signalling information. Peculiar characteristic of SAAL: Provides reliable

delivery. SSCOP is core sub-layer of SAAL. Provides connection-oriented transfer of PDUs. The only layer that allows retransmission.

 Transfer of user data: Between SSCOP users. Support of both assured and unassured data transfer. Sequence Integrity: Order must be same at both receiving end as well as transmission end. Error correction by selective retransmission:(Sequence Nos) Missing PDUs are detected and are selectively retransmitted. Flow control: To control the rate at which SSCOP entity may send information. Keep alive: Ensures connection is still alive in prolonged periods of no data exchange. Connection control: Establishment, release and re-synchronization of SSCOP connection.

Service-Specific Co-ordination function for UNI Lightweight protocol. Provides mapping between primitives/services provided by SSCOP to that required by specific user application or to UNI signalling.

FUNCTIONS
Transfer of data: Unacknowledged transfer and Acknowledged transfer, Assured data transfer service of SSCF-UNI is provided with SSCOP. Establishment and release of SAAL connections: Used for exchange of assured data between peers. Transparency of transferred information: No restriction on content, format and coding of information.

UNI SIGNALLING
Refers to core signalling procedures for establishment

and release of an ATM SVC. Performed between an end station and a private ATM switch, or between a private ATM switch and the public ATM network. Simpler because it doesn't involve routing. Some important aspects are:-

1. Non-associated signalling
ATM provides support for both Channel-associated

signalling as well as Channel-non associated signalling. In Channel-associated signalling, all the signalling messages for each virtual path are exchanged on VCI = 5 of that virtual path. In Channel-non associated signalling, all the signalling messages of all the virtual paths are exchanged on VPI=0 and VCI=5. Currently, the standards support only t.he Channelnon associated signalling

2. Point-to-point and Point-tomultipoint Signalling

3. Supplementary Services
E.g. Line Identification supplementary services.
Line Identification provides features that can present

or restrict the identities of parties involved in the call. Four related services:
Calling Line Identification Presentation(CLIP) Calling Line Identification Restriction(CLIR) Connected Line Identification Presentation(COLP)

Connected Line Identification Restriction(COLR)

 CLIP: Enables subscriber to receive calling partys number along with the call setup request. Allows the subscriber to screen incoming calls before accepting them. CLIR: Prevents the calling subscribers entity from being presented to the called subscriber. COLP: Provides the facility to allow or restrict the presentation of connected subscriber number to the calling subscriber. If calling subscriber has subscribed to COLP, then only number can be presented. Call forwarding/call diverting to some other destination. COLR: Provides the facility to all restrict the presentation of connected subscriber number to the calling subscriber.

4. Anycast Capability
Allows a user to request a P2P connection to a single

ATM end system that is a part of ATM group. ATM group is formed by one or more ATM endsystems having a particular group address. The calling user initiates the connection request with ATM group address in the called party number. The network then establishes a P2P connection with any member of group. On receiving such request by any 1 member, it responds with its own address in connected party number.