Editing Intelligent Network (section)

==SS7 architecture==
The main concepts (functional view) surrounding IN services or architecture are connected with [[Signaling System 7|SS7]] architecture:

* ''Service Switching Function'' (SSF) or ''[[Service Switching Point]]'' (SSP) is co-located with the telephone exchange, and acts as the trigger point for further services to be invoked during a call.  The SSP implements the Basic Call State Machine (BCSM) which is a [[finite-state machine]] that represents an abstract view of a call from beginning to end (off hook, dialing, answer, no answer, busy, hang up, etc.).  As each state is traversed, the exchange encounters ''Detection Points (DPs)'' at which the SSP may invoke a query to the SCP to wait for further instructions on how to proceed.  This query is usually called a trigger.  Trigger criteria are defined by the operator and might include the subscriber calling number or the dialed number. The SSF is responsible for controlling calls requiring value added services.
* ''Service Control Function'' (SCF) or ''[[Service Control Point]]'' (SCP) is a separate set of platforms that receive queries from the SSP.  The SCP contains service logic which implements the behaviour desired by the operator, i.e., the services.  During service logic processing, additional data required to process the call may be obtained from the SDF.  The logic on the SCP is created using the SCE.
* ''Service Data Function'' (SDF) or ''[[Service Data Point]]'' (SDP) is a database that contains additional subscriber data, or other data required to process a call.  For example, the subscriber's remaining prepaid credit may be stored in the SDF to be queried in real-time during the call.  The SDF may be a separate platform or co-located with the SCP.
* ''Service Management Function'' (SMF) or ''Service Management Point'' (SMP) is a platform or cluster of platforms that operators use to monitor and manage the IN services. It contains the management database which stores the services' configuration, collects the statistics and alarms, and stores the Call Data Reports and Event Data Reports.
* ''Service Creation Environment'' (SCE) is the development environment used to create the services present on the SCP.  Although the standards permit any type of environment, it is fairly rare to see low level languages like [[C (programming language)|C]] used.  Instead, proprietary graphical languages are used to enable telecom engineers to create services directly. The languages are usually of the [[Fourth-generation programming language|fourth-generation]] type, and the engineer may use a [[graphical interface]] to build or change a service.
* ''Specialized Resource Function'' (SRF) or ''Intelligent Peripheral'' (IP) is a node which can connect to both the SSP and the SCP and deliver special resources into the call, mostly related to voice communication, for example to play voice announcements or collect [[DTMF]] tones from the user.