Client Success Story  > Performance Testing of Signaling Transfer Point (STP) using Regal RCC

Performance Testing of Signaling Transfer Point (STP) using Regal RCC

The Signaling Transfer Point (STP) is a node in an SS7 network that routes signaling messages based on its destination point code. It works as a router that relays SS7 messages between Signaling End Points (SEPs) and other Signaling Transfer Points (STPs).

In a highly loaded production environment, each STP should be able to handle multiple links and high transactions per second. Performance testing is very critical for the success of STP products.

The Challenges

The deployment of STP in a cluster was a complex process due to the following:

  • Multiple link configurations
  • Routing configurations
  • Firewall and Number Portability Configurations

Running multiple simulators (264 instances handling 528 links) and monitoring them manually was cumbersome. It was challenging to monitor various touch points during performance testing.

Difficulty in measuring the performance metrics, reproducing, and fixing bugs. Unavailability of automated regression tests to release bug fixes and patches with confidence.

Simulation of different scenarios by varying the hardware and application configurations:

  • Different links tests - 1/ 48/ 96/ 192/ 264/ 528
  • Different link types - M2PA, M3UA, M2PA + M3UA
  • Different configurations of the heap, number of threads, Hyper-Threading (HT), Receive Packet Steering (RPS), Various SCTP Buffer Sizes, and Huge Pages.
The Solutions

Integrated Regal with the customer’s Titan Platform, STP, Simulator (SS7 perf tool), and supporting applications.

Automated the platform, applications, and simulator setup deployment and configurations.

Integrated test cases for different scenarios and automated the test execution lifecycle.

Created dashboards to visualize test failures and graphical representation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to enable performance tuning.

The Outcomes

Telaverge’s solution and timely deployment help the customer in cost reduction:

  • Reduced Test Engineers from 15 to 2
  • Reduced time to market

Reduced the deployment and configuration time from 2 days to <1 hour.

Reduction of test execution cycles significantly.

Achieved Zero Touch Automation, which includes deployment, configurations, test cases execution, and publishing the results (End to End).

Ensured delivery of a high-performing quality STP product on time.