Abstract: A method of transmitting signalling information in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) between a pair of peer application part. An adaptation layer is interposed between the SCCP of an SS7 network and a TCP/IP part to allow signalling data to be transmitted to and from the SCCP via an IP based network. The adaptation layer provides for translation between Destination Point Codes (DPCs) and or global titles, used as addresses in the SS7 network, and IP addresses/port numbers for use in the IP network. The adaptation layer also provides for formatting of SCCP messages suitable for processing by the TCP/IP layers, and also for formatting signalling information flowing in the reverse direction.

Abstract: Method for transmitting signaling information in a telecommunications network between a pair of application parts, the method comprising the steps of: generating signaling information at a first application part, including addressing information associated with the second application part, passing the signaling Information from the application part to a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP); passing the signaling information from the TCAP to an adaptation layer arranged to determine an IP address and port number associated with the addressing information; passing the signaling Information and the IP address and port number to an Internet Protocol (IP) part and transmitting the signaling information over an IP network to the destination IP address in one or more IP datagrams; decapsulating the signaling information at the destination associated with the IP address and at an adaptation layer identified by the port number; and routing the signaling information to the second application part.