The5ESSSwitching System: Operational Software

Abstract

The operational software of the 5ESS™ switching system has been designed to meet specific objectives for capacity, functionality, and reliability. It has also been designed to accommodate changing technology, changing system applications, and an ever-increasing feature application set. Structured pro gramming techniques, high-level languages, and modular design techniques have been used to obtain these objectives. Specifically, the operational software architecture is organized as a set of functional software components utilizing the advantages of a generalized operating system and database manager to achieve a high degree of hardware independence. A primary cause for hardware churning is the introduction of new peripheral units in support of new feature applications. The peripheral control software shields the majority of the operational software from these changes. Standardized and locally well-defined interfaces to the operations support systems provide information to the customer for the administration and maintenance of the switching system.

The5ESSSwitching System: Introduction

“…Techniques used in the 5ESS switch, such as a sophisticated operating system, a high-level language, and a modular design, make possible the rapid addition of features. 7 In fact, the software environment is essentially the same among modules, enabling software to be ported among the various modules as architecture and feature needs evolve.…”