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Chapter 1. Introduction to JBoss Communications TCAP Stack

Important

For better understanding of this chapter please read ITU-T Q.771 to Q.774.

TCAP supports the exchange of non-circuit related data between applications across the SS7 network using the SCCP connectionless service. Queries and responses sent between SSPs and SCPs are carried in TCAP messages. For example, an SSP sends a TCAP query to determine the routing number associated with a dialed 800/888 number and to check the personal identification number (PIN) of a calling card user. In mobile networks (IS-41 and GSM), TCAP carries Mobile Application Part (MAP) messages sent between mobile switches and databases to support user authentication, equipment identification, and roaming.

TCAP messages and parameters are refered as primitives. Primitives are exchanged within logical entity called dialog. There are two types of dialogs:

TCAP defines following message types:

TCAP messages convey two types of information: