MAP

The purpose of MAP is to provide all the added signaling functionality required for mobility management in core networks and for several services.MAP has a specification of about 1000 pages.MAP has gone through many phases and releases.MAP works in between many network elements.MAP implements operations as well.

The operations implemented by MAP can be categorized as Mobility management,
Supplementary Services, Call handling, Short messaging, O&M, PDP context
and (Geographical) Location services. The main operation is mobility management.

In the MAP service model, there are two roles called MAP service user and MAP service provider.These can be taken by network elements MSC or HLR in exchange.HLR is the most
important network element when referring to MAP.

MAP communications (when an application is using MAP)

MAP_OPEN : to open a dialogue with the remote element
MAP_CLOSE : to close the dialogue.
MAP_DELIMITER : application decides that all components are in place for the actual communication

MAP_U_ABORT : abort a MAP service (by service user)
MAP_P_ABORT : abort a MAP service (by service provider)
MAP_NOTICE : MAP service provider can notify the user about something without affecting the dialogue