Linkbit Simulation Studio - dhs ELMEA tools

Linkbit Simulation Studio: Toolbox for Testing Converging Networks 

Linkbit Simulation Studio (LSS) is a powerful IDE that 

enables rapid development of tests for modern communications 

networks. LSS tests can simulate and analyze a variety of PSTN, 

SS7, Mobile, and VoP protocols. It allows engineers to develop 

multi-protocol, multi-technology tests with power and flexibility 

provided by industry standard scripting languages (VBasic, JScript, 

Perl, Python, PHP). 

Linkbit Simulation Studio toolbox includes Linkbit 

Template Library (LTL) containing the entirety of messages for 

each supported standard, Linkbit Message Wizard (LMW) tool to 

interactively build protocol messages using LTL, Linkbit Message 

Sequencer (LMS) for building test sequences with LMW, and an 

API to Linkbit Simulation Kernel. LSS seamless integration of well 

known MS Windows (tm) scripting engines (Perl, Python, PHP, 

JScript, VBasic) delivers the capability for creating tests of any 

complexity. 

Test sequences source code is auto-generated in a selected 

scripting language and can be executed immediately with a click 

of the mouse. If non Windows (tm) native scripting language is 

chosen, the appropriate freely available software engine has to be 

downloaded and installed. In cases where non-linear test logic is 

required, the script code can be edited to modify the control flow. 

Creating packets with erroneous headers, sending messages out 

of stack order, and even implementing complete test suites is easy 

with the tools included in LSS. Novices will be surprised at the 

simplicity afforded by the studio's helpful tools and experts will 

marvel at the flexibility and power of testing in their favorite 

scripting language. 

Key Features 

• IDE with advanced debugging capabilities 

• Support for CDMA, GSM, SS7, ISDN and VoP 

• Voice/Media simulation/recording supported 

• Support for IP, TDM, Media in the same test 

• Scripting with Perl, Python, PHP, VBasic, JScript 

• Script source code can be directly edited 

• Auto-build syntactically correct messages 

• Auto-build test message sequences 

• Packets are auto-parsed and checked for errors 

• Support for any header/data corruption 

• Trace logs can be edited and replayed 

Key Applications 

• R&D testing 

Linkbit Simulation Studio 

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• Regression testing 

• Conformance testing 

• Functional testing 

• Interoperability testing 

• Terminal simulation 

• Server simulation 

• IMS Core simulation 

Questions? Please contact Linkbit Sales at sales@linkbit.com or call us at +1.408.969.9940 ext. 102 Page 1

Supported Protocols and Interfaces 

Linkbit Simulation Studio can simulate multiple application protocols running over the same data link layer in a 

single test. For example, a test can run INAP, CAP, and ISUP together. TCAP application traffic can run over ITU-T or 

ANSI SCCP/MTP signaling links. LSS supports simulation of GSM/3GPP MAP applications over ANSI networks and 

IS41/3GPP2 MAP over ITU-T SS7 networks. 

Pic 2: Linkbit Simulates GSM MSC 


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LSS tests can utilize TDM and Ethernet interfaces simultaneously. A single test can send/receive and manipulate both 

CCS (SS7, PRI) and IP messages. Simulating PRI to IP (IUA) and SS7 to IP (M3UA, M2UA, M2PA, SIP-T etc) gateways is 

quite simple. For example, SS7 ISUP messages can be received on a TDM port, repackaged, and sent via SIP and vice 

versa. Similarly, SIGTRAN messages of various adaptation layers of SIGTRAN (M3UA, SUA, IUA, DUA, M2PA, etc) can be 

received on an Ethernet port , their SS7 payload repackaged and sent out over a TDM data link. H.323 is supported in a 

similar fashion. Linkbit Message Sequencer allows Ethereal IP logs to be imported, edited and played. 

LSS supports voice path simulation for TDM and RTP with a large variety of voice codecs. SIP voice calls can be 

simulated alongside SS7 and PRI ones. 

Pic 1: How tests are created with LSS 


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Message Sequencer 

The Linkbit Message Sequencer is a tool within Linkbit Simulation Studio that allows for rapid creation of basic 

simulation sequences. A point-and-click interface allows the user to create test sequences without writing a single line 

of code. Users simply select one of three steps (Send, Receive, Sleep) and then follow the interactive dialogs. All the 

underlying code is generated automatically in one of five supported scripting languages and can then be used as a 

starting point and extended to include more demanding logic. 

Pic 3: Mixed text sequence of SIP, INAP and ISUP protocols 


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Any trace logs made with Linkbit monitoring tools or Ethereal can be automatically imported, edited and replayed 

with message sequencer. 

Pic 4: Test sequence for SIP only 


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Template Library 

Linkbit Simulation Studio includes a template library containing the entirety of messages for each supported 

standard. Each message's corresponding data structure is described in full, including all mandatory and optional fields, 

data types, and value constraints. The information is presented in a user-friendly, multi-layer tree format. All fields, 

their types, and their constraints can be looked up instantly. Users can copy-paste templates for complete messages or 

individual fields directly into their scripts and Linkbit Simulation Studio will automatically generate the necessary code. 

Pic 5: SIP INVITE message template 


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Message Wizard 

The message wizard further simplifies test creation by allowing users to manipulate messages and their 

corresponding data structures via simple, verbose dialogs. Users select the protocol, the type of message they'd like to 

create and then fill out the appropriate fields while message wizard generates and initializes all needed SIP data 

structures. 

Pic 6: Message Wizard for SIP INVITE 


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Pic 7: Message Wizard for SS7 ISUP 


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Adding GUI 

Extend your tests further by adding easy to use GUI's. Let your end-users interact via simple dialogs without having 

to deal with test logic or command line prompts. Tailor your interface to your organization's needs with the power of 

industry standard languages. 

Pic 8: Customizable HTML based GUI 


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Debugging 

Debugging is easy when you don't have to parse any messages. The Linkbit Simulation engine decodes all incoming 

and outgoing messages in real time. The results appear in the debug window as intuitive trees of neatly populated 

protocol fields. Any malformed messages will be automatically brought to the user's attention. This allows the user to 

concentrate on test logic and easily spot errors or other points of interest within messages. 

Pic 9: All incoming messages are auto-parsed and analyzed for syntactic errors 

Linkbit Simulation Studio also provides input and output methods that can be used directly in all of the supported 

industry standard scripting languages. So tests can be as verbose and interactive as you'd like. All script output and 

parsed messages are shown in order and in real time so the sequence of events is always clear. 


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Pic 10: Debug frame 


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What does a simple Linkbit Simulation Studio script looks like? 

Pic 11: Test script in Perl 


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Below is a fragment of a Perl script auto generated by Linkbit Message Sequencer with a sequence of Point-and- 

clicks. It sends a SIP INVITE message and waits 500 milliseconds for a response. The rest of the code (not shown) is 

generated with Linkbit Message Wizard Point-and-clicks to allocate and initialize the INVITE_Message, UdpLayerData, 

and IPLayerData variables. 

$sk->send($INVITE_Message, $UdpLayerData, $IPLayerData); 

The same function, but in Python: 


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if ($sk->receive($inINV = $sk->create(), 500, $sk->{SIP})) 

{ 

# Handle successful reception here; message contents is available in "$inINV" 

variable 

} else 

{ 

# Handle unsuccessful reception here 

} 

sk.send(INVITE_Message, UdpLayerData, IPLayerData) 

inINV = sk.create() 

if sk.receive(inINV, 500, sk.SIP): 

# Handle successful reception here; message contents is available in "inINV" 

variable 

pass 

else: 

# Handle unsuccessful reception here 

pass 


Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I simulate SS7 to IP signaling gateway? 

Yes, Linkbit Simulation Studio allows to receive a message from SS7 data link, repackage it and send over H.323, SIP or 

SIGTRAN. The same is true for the reverse direction. 

Can I send SMS over SIGTRAN? 

Linkbit Simulation Studio allows to form and send any GSM or IS41 messages, including SMS over SUA, M2UA, M3UA, 

M2PA adaptation layers. 

Do you support IMS? 

Yes, Linkbit Simulation Studio supports a number of IMS based standards from ITF, 3GPP, 3GPP2, ETSI and other 

standard bodies. IMS messages and test logic can be build quickly and easily with the help of Linkbit Message 

Sequencer and Linkbit Message Wizard. 

Can I simulate CAP InitialDP request and place an SS7 ISUP call based on the response? 

Yes, Linkbit Simulation Studio allows to mix and match protocols running over the same data link layers. You can 

create a simulation script working with all protocols running over the same MTP2/3 layer in the same time. More so, 

the IP protocol messages can be sent/received in the same script. 

Can I import, edit and replay an Ethereal log with LSS? 

Ethereal log can be converted to Linkbit format log with a couple of mouse clicks. A Linkbit log can be edited and 

imported into Linkbit Message Sequencer. In Linkbit Message Sequencer, the sequence can be modified, and replayed. 

Can I simulate an ISUP or SIP voice call? 

Yes, LSS supports a variety of media codecs for PSTN, GSM, IS41 and IP protocols. You can also send a voice frequency 

tone, a data file or DTMF digits into a voice path. 

Can I run the scripts from a batch file? 

Yes, once script is created and debugged with LSS, it can be added to a batch file, and run as part of regression test 

suite, for example. Linkbit's own regression testing process is build around this capability. 


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So, why Linkbit Simulation Studio? 

➔ LSS is the best price/performance test and simulation tool supporting in a single package the following protocols over 

TDM and Ethernet interfaces (partial list): 

• GSM (A, Abis, CAP, MAP etc) 

• UMTS (AAL5, IuB etc) 

• IS-41C/D/E 

• CDMA2000 (A1, A8/9, A10/11, WIN etc) 

• SS7 (ANSI/ITU ISUP, INAP etc.) 

• ISDN (EDSS1, NI2, 5ESS etc) 

• SIGTRAN (M2UA, M2PA, M3UA etc.) 

• SCTP 

• MEGACO/H.248 

• H.323 

• MGCP 

• SIP/SDP 

• RADIUS 

• DIAMETER 

• RTP/RTCP 

etc.... 

➔ LSS is data driven simulator. It's fully aware of messages data structures, field types, value constraints and syntactic 

rules associated with supported protocols. 

➔ LSS allows create and send any syntactically correct message or a sequence of thereof with a series of point-andclicks. 

Syntax is checked automatically. 

➔ LSS allows to create and send any corrupted message or a sequence of thereof for supported protocols. 

➔ LSS allows to automatically create tests involving multiple supported protocols on TDM and Ethernet interfaces 

simultaneously as long as there is no conflict in data link layer. This is essential for simulation of signaling gateways. 

➔ LSS allows a user to select one of five standard scripting languages (VBasic, JScript, Perl, Python and PHP) as 

simulation language. No proprietary languages to learn! 

➔ LSS automatically parse all received messages, check them for errors and display the results. 

➔ LSS supports multiple voice codecs. 

➔ LSS allows users to create their own GUI using supported scripting languages or HTML. 

➔ LSS allows to edit and replay its own protocol logs and convert Ethereal logs into LSS logs. 


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For more information or a live demo please contact us at sales@linkbit.com or call +1-408-9699940 ext 102.

Linkbit Simulation Studio - dhs ELMEA tools

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