Point code

A SS7 point code is the equivalent of an IP address in an IP network. It is a unique address for a node (Signaling Point, or SP), used in MTP layer 3 to identify the destination of a message signal unit (MSU).

Depending on the network, a point code can be 24 bits (North America, China), 16 bits (Japan) or 14 bits (ITU standard, International SS7 network and most countries) in length.

Fourteen bit point codes can be written in a number of formats. The most common ways are to write it as a decimal number, a hexadecimal number, or in 3-8-3 format (most significant 3 bits, middle 8 bits, least significant 3 bits).

Twenty-four bit point codes are written either as a decimal, hexadecimal or in 8-8-8 format.