Skip to content

Mobile Application Part (MAP)

Overview

MAP (Mobile Application Part) is a crucial SS7 protocol that enables mobile networks to provide core services and roaming capabilities. It operates on top of the TCAP layer and is essential for mobile communications.

Key Features

  • Location management and mobility
  • Authentication and security procedures
  • Short Message Service (SMS) handling
  • Supplementary services
  • Roaming support
  • USSD operations

Protocol Versions

Version Features Use Cases
MAP v1 Basic mobility, SMS Legacy GSM networks
MAP v2 CAMEL Phase 1, Supplementary Services 2G networks
MAP v3 CAMEL Phase ⅔, GPRS support 3G networks
MAP v4 LTE roaming support 4G integration

Common Operations

Authentication

# Authentication Info Request
response = client.map.send_authentication_info(
    imsi="123456789012345",
    requested_vectors=3,
    supported_algorithms=["MILENAGE", "COMP128v3"]
)

Location Updates

# Update Location
response = client.map.update_location(
    imsi="123456789012345",
    msc_number="441234567890",
    vlr_number="441234567891"
)

Vendor Integration

Nokia HLR/HSS

  • Product Line: Nokia NetAct Mobile Core
  • Supported Versions: MAP v2/v3/v4
  • Integration Methods:
  • Direct SS7 connection via SIGTRAN
  • Diameter interworking for EPC integration
  • REST API gateway for cloud deployment
  • Key Features:
  • Enhanced security with IPSec support
  • Geographic redundancy
  • Load balancing with active-active configuration
  • Real-time subscriber management
  • Configuration Example:
    nokia_hlr_config:
      connection:
        type: sigtran
        local_point_code: "1-1-1"
        remote_point_code: "2-1-1"
        network_indicator: international
      security:
        ipsec_enabled: true
        certificate_path: "/etc/certs/nokia.pem"
      redundancy:
        mode: active_active
        peer_address: "10.0.0.2"
    

Ericsson Mobile Switching

  • Product Line: Ericsson Mobile Softswitch Solution
  • Integration Options:
  • M3UA/SIGTRAN connectivity
  • Diameter interface for 4G/5G
  • SOAP/REST APIs for OSS integration
  • Advanced Features:
  • Automated failover
  • Traffic-based routing
  • Integrated fraud detection
  • Performance monitoring
  • Configuration Example:
    ericsson_mss_config:
      connectivity:
        protocol: m3ua
        asp_id: 100
        routing_context: 200
      traffic_control:
        max_transactions: 5000
        throttling_threshold: 80
      monitoring:
        stats_interval: 60
        alert_threshold: 90
    

Huawei UMG (Universal Mobile Gateway)

  • Product Line: Huawei Mobile Softswitch
  • Deployment Options:
  • Physical appliance
  • NFV-based deployment
  • Hybrid cloud integration
  • Core Capabilities:
  • Protocol conversion (MAP/Diameter/SIP)
  • Flexible routing policies
  • High-performance transaction handling
  • Real-time analytics
  • Configuration Example:
    huawei_umg_config:
      deployment:
        mode: nfv
        virtualization: openstack
      routing:
        policy: least_cost
        alternate_routes: 2
      performance:
        max_sessions: 10000
        timeout_ms: 500
    

Oracle Communications HLR

  • Product Line: Oracle Communications SDM
  • Deployment Models:
  • Cloud Native (Kubernetes)
  • Bare Metal
  • Hybrid Cloud
  • Integration Features:
  • REST API gateway
  • Diameter integration
  • SIGTRAN connectivity
  • Database replication
  • Configuration Example:
    oracle_sdm_config:
      deployment:
        type: kubernetes
        namespace: telco
        replicas: 3
      database:
        replication: true
        backup_interval: 3600
      api_gateway:
        enabled: true
        rate_limit: 1000
    

Integration Best Practices

Nokia Integration

  1. Connection Setup

    # Nokia HLR connection
    nokia_client = client.map.create_connection(
        vendor="nokia",
        connection_type="sigtran",
        config={
            "local_pc": "1-1-1",
            "remote_pc": "2-1-1",
            "network_indicator": "international"
        }
    )
    

  2. Subscriber Management

    # Update subscriber data
    response = nokia_client.update_subscriber_data(
        imsi="123456789012345",
        services=["camel", "sms", "gprs"],
        roaming_allowed=True
    )
    

Ericsson Integration

  1. Traffic Management

    # Configure traffic routing
    ericsson_client.configure_routing(
        primary_route={
            "point_code": "3-1-1",
            "weight": 60
        },
        backup_route={
            "point_code": "3-1-2",
            "weight": 40
        }
    )
    

  2. Performance Monitoring

    # Set up monitoring
    ericsson_client.enable_monitoring(
        metrics=["transactions", "latency", "errors"],
        interval=60,
        alert_threshold=90
    )
    

Huawei Integration

  1. Protocol Conversion

    # Configure MAP to Diameter conversion
    huawei_client.setup_protocol_conversion(
        source_protocol="map",
        target_protocol="diameter",
        mapping_rules={
            "authentication_info": "air",
            "update_location": "ulr"
        }
    )
    

  2. Route Management

    # Define routing policy
    huawei_client.set_routing_policy(
        policy_type="least_cost",
        max_routes=3,
        failover_timeout=30
    )
    

Oracle Integration

  1. Cloud Deployment

    # Deploy Oracle SDM instance
    oracle_client.deploy_instance(
        deployment_type="kubernetes",
        replicas=3,
        resources={
            "cpu": "4",
            "memory": "8Gi"
        }
    )
    

  2. API Gateway Configuration

    # Configure API gateway
    oracle_client.configure_gateway(
        rate_limit=1000,
        timeout=30,
        security={
            "oauth2_enabled": True,
            "api_key_required": True
        }
    )
    

Best Practices

  1. Security
  2. Implement MAP filtering
  3. Use anti-spoofing measures
  4. Enable fraud detection
  5. Regular security audits

  6. Performance

  7. Connection pooling
  8. Load balancing
  9. Transaction rate limiting
  10. Monitoring and alerting

  11. Reliability

  12. Redundant connections
  13. Failover mechanisms
  14. Transaction persistence
  15. Error handling

Error Handling

Error Code Description Resolution
34 System Failure Check system resources
35 Data Missing Verify mandatory parameters
36 Unexpected Data Value Validate data format
71 Unknown Subscriber Check IMSI/MSISDN

Monitoring

Monitor these key metrics:

  • Transaction success rate
  • Response times
  • Error distribution
  • Network latency
  • Resource utilization

Example Configurations

Basic Setup

map_config:
  version: 3
  routing_context: 100
  network_indicator: international
  point_code_format: ITU
  security:
    authentication: true
    encryption: true

Advanced Configuration

map_config:
  version: 3
  routing_context: 100
  network_indicator: international
  point_code_format: ITU
  security:
    authentication: true
    encryption: true
  performance:
    max_transactions: 1000
    timeout: 10
    retry_attempts: 3
  monitoring:
    enable_alerts: true
    metrics_interval: 60