On the efficacy of using the transfer-controlled procedure during periods of STP processor overload in SS7 networks

The author examines call completion performance, rather than message throughput, in a common channel signaling network in which the processing resources, and not transmission resources, of a signaling transfer point (STP) are overloaded. Specifically, he performs a transient analysis, via simulation, of a network consisting of a single central processor-based STP connecting many local exchanges. He considers the efficacy of using the transfer controlled (TFC) procedure when the network call attempt rate exceeds the processing capability of the STP. He finds the following: (1) the success of the control depends critically on the rate at which TFCs are sent; and (2) use of the TFC procedure in the event of processor overload can provide reasonable call completion rates