Broadband Applications and Services Prospectus

Abstract

Not too long ago, network traffic was almost entirely comprised ofvoice or Henry J. Kafka voice-grade traffic. Today, networks must support a rapidly growing percentage ofseveral different kinds ofhigh-bandwidth or broadband trafficdata, image, and video-in addition toconventional voice traffic. There are several factors thatcreate the demand for these new capabilities. Telecommunication customers want faster performance, better quality, customization, lower costs, and anever increasing variety ofadvanced information services. Fornetwork-service providers, increasing competition requires an accentuated focus onproviding timely, reliable, flexible, and evolvable information-network services. But, while network-service providers require new networking technologies to enable the deployment ofadvanced services, they must also increase network efficiencies to maintain control of their operating expenses. How might asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology be used to address these needs? This paper discusses some of the expected broadband applications and services enabled with ATM technology, as well as applications and services involving more than a I-Mbit/s peak transport capability. In addition, the prospects for broadband services and applications deployment are also presented.

Evolution Toward Broadband

“…The needfor broadband applications is driven by trends in business and society. 1 The ability to deploy broadband capabilities at an economically feasible cost is determined by advances in keytechnologies, including high-speed integrated circuits, fiberoptics, photonics, and asynchronous transfermode (ATM) communications.! The needfor broadbandapplications will move communications networks toward ATM broadband technol-ogies, but these technologies will be introducedin stages overa period oftime.…”

“…But some applications are not fully met by existing services. 1 Examples ofbusinessapplications include very-highspeed LAN interworking, high-resolution image transfers, andinteractive multimedia communications. Examples of residential applications include advanced entertainment services, which are only now becoming technologically feasible.…”

“…These capabilities will improve productivity, collaboration, entertainment, and education as the Information Agecontinues to mature. 1 There has been somedebatein the communications industry overwhetherthe changeto broadband networks will be an evolution or a revolution. This question will be decided by the market and technology forces that are driving the development and deployment ofbroadband networks and services.…”

Distributed Switching Architecture Trends and Concepts

“…It also avoids some problems that synchronous transfer mode ( S M ) approaches encounter as the number of channels increases2 In developed regions, new information networking needs, ATM technology enables a single, universal type such as increased data networking, high-resolution graphics, visual telecommunications, and multimedia, are promoting the initial deployment of ATM technology in overlay networks. 3 Incorporating these key initiatives in central office digital switch designs is a significant challenge, because they affect almost every aspect of switching system architecture. Perhaps the greatest challenge is to introduce change, while preserving the large investment in existing systems.…”

AT&T ATM Switching-Network Products

“…ATM networks, using the AT&T Network Services Group (NSG) GlobeView'l"C2000 Broadband System of building blocks, are also discussed. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] This paper provides a review of today's net-ATM Building Blocks building blocks, referred to as an integrated services platform. As shown in Figure 1, each block has distinct functionality, and can be used to build new ATM-based networks or introduce ATM functionality into an existing network.…”