EIR (EQUIPMENT IDENTITY REGISTER)
Mobile communications has been very popular nowadays. More and more people use this service to makes their live more comfortable and productive. To enhance mobile communication services’ usage, service and technology providers in this field introducing more features lately. Instead of only provides voice communication as in the beginning of mobile technology, service providers now also combine mobile services with data and multimedia features.
As features in mobile communications became more various then the service providers need to make sure that user can use and utilize this various advance services and one of many important information needed by service providers is what kind of mobile handset that every subscribers use. By knowing the type of mobile handset operated by user then service providers can decide what kind of service can be utilize by every particular user
GSM networks provides information about what kind of device operated by its users by identifying IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identification). Since at the same time mobile service providers also have IMSI (International Mobile Subscribers Identity) then mobile service providers know which features needed by every mobile subscribers.
IMEI and IMSI information is provided by GSM protocols in Gf interface so that to get IMEI and IMSI information mobile operators simply can operate a device that captured this information from Gf interface.
Objective
The objective of this solution is to provide a server that can emulate EIR’s function in capturing IMEI and IMSI information in Gf interface and then send it to another server specified by Celcom through FTP (File Transfer Protocol) on IP network.
EIR (EQUIPMENT IDENTITY REGISTER)
The Equipment Identity Register is a database employed within mobile networks. The database holds records for 3 types of mobile; namely black, grey and white.
When a mobile requests services from the network its IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) may be checked against the EIR, to assess which category of mobile it falls into. Black mobiles are those reported stolen or whose operation on the network will adversely affect network operation. These mobiles will not be allowed to access the network. Grey mobiles are classed as non-conforming, but may be used on the network. White mobiles are those that conform to requirements set down by the network operator
Usually EIR connected with SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) via Gf interface. SGSN will send MAP messages contains information about IMEI and IMSI of mobile users every time mobile users start to use GPRS networks
TEL-ACCESS MAP SERVER
Tel-Access EIR solution is based on Tel-Access MAP Server. Tel-Access MAP Server is a dedicated, boxed solution that provides an external, self contained GSM MAP (Mobile Application Part) signaling unit.
Tel-Access MAP Server is Solaris or Linux Server with Telesoft’ SS7/Sigtran stack with MAP protocol and Oracle database engine. The system was designed as open platform by using industrial standard component to make it easier to be connected with other devices later. Since this solution is a computer based solution then it is also customizable to fit operator’s requirement
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
EIR System consists of two main components as follows
Sigtran Server
A Server that handle Sigtran data communication, this server will be connected with STP and handle MAP communication over Sigtran to get information from SGSN.
Information captured from Sigtran Protocol will be stored in the database system in Data Server to be processed later
Data Server
A server that handle database system to manage information captured by Sigtran Server. Data Server also have some applications functioned to transfer information to DMS.
There will be two redundant Data Servers implemented to provide redundancy so that if one server fail then another server still be able to handle data processing functions
Data Flow
Information captured from SGSN by MAP protocol messaging and by FTP. Every IMEI and IMSI information captured will be processed by a data processing application to find out whether that IMEI and IMSI information is already stored in the database.
In case of IMEI and IMSI is already in the database then data processing application will ignore that information since there is no need to do further processing of that data because that data is already stored in the database.
In case of data processing application find that IMEI and IMSI information is not listed in the database then the system will insert IMEI and IMSI to the database table and then send that data row to DMS using FTP.
Here are some advantages of Tel-Access MAP Server:
1. Open Platform, this solution can be connected and integrated with other devices whenever needed since it is based on industrial standard server with TCP/IP link and Solaris or Linux operating system
2. Based on Telesoft Technologies SS7/Sigtran stack. Telesoft Technologies is a leader in SS7 stack and mobile networks protocol with worldwide implementations
3. Customizable. Tel-Access MAP Server has API as open programmable interface so this solution can be customized based on user’s need
4. Local Support. Tel-Access provides local support and engineering service so that user can be supported locally to provide faster problem solving