Intelligent Network Platforms in the U.S.

Abstract

To the local‐exchange carriers (LECs), the intelligent‐network concept is a strategic goal for building new services and becoming more responsive to their customers. To meet the LECs' objectives, AT&T has introduced its A‐I‐Net™ advanced‐services‐platform (ASP) products. AT&T's offering for the ASP supports the intelligent‐network concept while still interworking with existing switch‐based features. Thus, the LECs can maximize use of their previous investment in network‐switching hardware and software while still offering new services through the ASP's distributed network intelligence. AT&T has also been working with the Regional Holding Companies and Bellcore to plan their Advanced Intelligent Network Release 1 architecture, which has been proposed as the next‐generation, intelligent‐network platform. Advanced Intelligent Network Release 1 makes possible an even wider variety of services than the ASP by defining a more flexible switch interface with a corresponding expansion of the communications interface between the switches and external‐service‐logic nodes. This paper describes the architecture, features, and services provided by AT&T's ASP as well as the new capabilities planned with Advanced Intelligent Network Release 1. We focus primarily on AT&T's 5ESS® switch features.

Documenting architectures with patterns

“…Solution: Implement trigger points on various call states in the call model (e.g., off hook, digits collected, ringing, and answer) at which call processing may be interrupted [30]. At these points, a query may be launched to the network-based entity (called a service control point [SCP] [30] or service node).…”

“…Forces: (see, e.g., [30]) The following list describes the primary factors that must be weighed when deciding on a solution.…”

“…At these points, a query may be launched to the network-based entity (called a service control point [SCP] [30] or service node). Work with two kinds of events: those that merely notify the SCP and those that cause the switching system to suspend its call processing for the associated call until it receives a response from the SCP.…”

“…Create one or more network-resident entities that contain a service-logic execution environment [30] and have the ability to communicate with the switching system in a standard way.…”

“…Because of the growing complexity of switching systems and the continuing desire to add more features to them, a more network-based service architecture-called intelligent network [IN] [30,31]-has been developed. As will be seen in the patterns described below, various forces encouraged and enabled this evolution, including the separation of signaling and transport using common-channel signaling [31].…”