Signaling Network
A signaling network is a system that receives, processes, and distributes messages that control a system. A signaling network may be an independent communication system or it may share some or all of the resources of the communication system it controls. An example of a signaling network is the Signaling System 7 (SS7) network. The SS7 network is a packet data communication network that is used to control public switched telephone networks. The SS7 system consists of signaling points that create or receive control commands (such as switches), signaling transfer points (for distribution of control messages), and control points that can receive and process requests for more advanced control features (such as toll free call routing information).