M2PA: Here the IPSP's MTP3 uses its underlying M2PA as a replacement for MTP2. Communication between the two layers MTP3/M2PA is defined by the same primitives as in SS7 MTP3/MTP2. M2PA performs functions similar to MTP2.
M2UA: The MTP2 User Adaptation Layer (M2UA) [M2UA] also adapts the MTP3 layer to the SCTP/IP stack. It does so through a backhauling architecture [RFC2719].
Following is the list of differences -
a. M2PA: IPSP processes MTP3/MTP2 primitives.
M2UA: MGC transports MTP3/MTP2 primitives between the SG's MTP2
and the MGC's MTP3 (via the NIF) for processing.
b. M2PA: SG-IPSP connection is an SS7 link.
M2UA: SG-MGC connection is not an SS7 link. It is an extension of MTP to a remote entity.
c. M2PA: SG is an SS7 node with a point code.
M2UA: SG is not an SS7 node and has no point code.
d. M2PA: SG can have upper SS7 layers, e.g., SCCP.
M2UA: SG does not have upper SS7 layers since it has no MTP3.
e. M2PA: relies on MTP3 for management procedures.
M2UA: uses M2UA management procedures.
