STINGA ISDN PRA Simulator - low-cost portable protocol simulator

Test instrument for ISDN Primary Rate Access (30B + D)
ISDN PRA protocol simulator/protocol tester
Notebook based technology
Simulator software module
Monitor (protocol analyser) software module
Script packages for Interconnect testing available

The software for protocol analysis (monitoring) is supporting:

Complete decoding of layer 1, 2 and 3
Decoding of supplementary services
Full support for D/B channel X.25 and B-channel PPP (carrying IP/IPX)
Monitoring on one link per PCMCIA card (max two cards)
Software for protocol simulation - both network and terminal side:
- Complete decoding of layer 2, 3 and 6/7
- Arbitrary manipulation of message content and order
Simultaneously monitoring on one link and simulation on the other
Fully remote controlled via RAS and split Graphical User Interface
Based on standard notebook with Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional operating system
Expandable to SS7 monitoring/simulation by adding software modules only
Script suites for Interconnect Testing according to Q.78x-series (ISUP) or Eurescom P.412 (ISDN end-to-end) available

Error tracking: Comprehensive protocol decoding of all protocol layers enables the user to track and search for protocol irregularities. Recorded irregular messages may be regenerated using the simulator. This is a very convenient way of reproducing errors in the network.
Remote control: The ISDN PRA instrument can be controlled remotely using ISDN or LAN. For example: The user can from a local PC control 2 separate ISDN PRA instruments using 2 B-channels on a single ISDN Basic Access.
Regression testing: Building libraries of scripts enables the user to do automated and fast regression testing.
Simultaneous protocol simulation and analysis: Having two 2Mb PC-Cards installed the user is able to simulate on one link and concurrently monitor a different link. This enables the user to simulate on one side of a switch and monitor on the "other" side. This feature also applies if the software module for simulation on SS7 is installed.
Interconnect testing: Automated SS7 and ISDN end to end interconnect testing using optional script packages.

The simulator behaviour is controlled by means of a powerful and easy to use script language. The script language makes it possible to set up a required/ desired (protocol/terminal) state, both normal and error states. There are no restrictions on either format or contents of the protocols transmitted/received. Arbitrary manipulation of messages, information elements and message sequence on the different protocols is allowed.

The scripts may be started in three different ways; keyboard input (by user), predefined date and time or event triggered/message triggered. The Windows NT based version supports two independently, simultaneously running simulators which gives the user the opportunity to simulate both ISDN line- and packet switched services in parallel.

Using the simulator over time, the user builds up different libraries of scripts. Examples of this is scripts for testing switch functionality, conformance testing, regression testing or interconnect testing. For network operators having to perform such interconnect tests, Utel Systems has developed a comprehensive package for testing according to the Eurescom P.104/P.412 recommendations. The test package comprises numerous scripts for ISDN end-to-end testing.

By using the ISDN PRA simulator, such Interconnect Tests may be carried out in an efficient way, reducing the time of testing. All test results are used as a documentation of the individual test. A script package for ISUP testing according tot the ITU-T Q.87x series is also available. This requires the SS7 simulator software module (optional).

The PRA protocol analyser, or monitor, analyses and decodes the signalling and displays it for the user in English. The degree of details is user controlled, from INFO frames on Layer 1 to detailed decoding of Supplementary Services on Layer 6/7 (ASN.1 decoding).

A monitored signalling sequence can be stored on hard disk either as screen dumps (ASCII) or binary files holding the complete detailed decoding. The stored information can be retrieved at any time using the same monitor or an ASCII editor.

Long duration monitoring by automatic storage to hard disk is also possible. The amount of information that can be collected is then only limited by the size of the hard disk. To find errors and signalling problems, it is possible to search for a text. If the simulator is installed, it is possible to copy data from a monitored sequence into the simulator in order to re-generate the sequence. This is useful in situations where rare and difficult error needs to be reproduced.

The simulator and monitor applications are both constructed to be used over a LAN/WAN access. The graphical user interface can be installed on one PC and the simulation or monitor "agent" run on another PC connected to the test object. The WAN connection can be a standard mechanism such as RAS in Windows.

The ISDN PRA simulator and monitor supports the following protocols:

DSS1 layer 1 (Framesync, AIS, loss of layer1, i.e)
DSS1 layer 2 (Q.921/I.441)
Euro-ISDN layer 2, LAPD, LAPDE, LAPB, LAPBE
DSS1 layer 3 (Q.931/I.451)
Euro-ISDN layer 3
X.25 (B- and D-channel, layer 3)
Layer 6 and 7, ASN.1 (Supplementary Services)
PPP, IPX and IP in the B-channel

Feature	Benefit
PCMCIA based instrument	Highly portable and cost efficient technology
All-in-one concept	Many applications - one notebook
Similar user interface for all applications	Easy-to-use applications and reduced training costs, easy to move between monitor and simulator applications
Windows 2000/XP Pro platform	Cost-efficient IT service, fast access to replacement units and familiar user interface
Open script format	Content and order of any message or information element can be changed. The simulator can therefore simulate any regular or irregular/incorrect protocol implementation and be adapted to new protocol elements
Script packages	Cost effective script packages according to international specifications (ITU-T Q-specs) for interconnect testing
Remote control	Efficient use of central expert competence/know-how and reduced travelling and training costs
Same decoding format for monitor and simulator	Time efficient testing

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