Principles and Standards for Broadband ISDN

Superior broadband functionality can be realized by the economical and timely introduction of networks and services, based on asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology, into traditional and new markets. In the traditional networks of voice and data, this introduction may best be accomplished by extensions of the embedded investment. Different configurations of the same basic building blocks, however, can be used for new networks that combine voice, data, and video. By providing building blocks for fabric and line units, provisioning, signaling, and call processing—as well as operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P)—both existing and new networks can evolve economically into an information superhighway having universally deployed multimedia networks.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

AT&T ATM Switching-Network Products

Yoder

Franken²,

Fulton

1994

Evolution Toward Broadband

Kafka

1993

Broadband technologies promise a new age ofvideo, data, and voice communication applications. This promise will be fulfilled over a period oftime, starting with the deployment ofinitial broadband technologies within the current telecommunications framework. The evolution ofbroadband technology will gradually lead to fundamental changes in the telecommunications infrastructure-changes needed to provide the services required for delivery oftomorrow's information technology. This paper discusses the evolution ofbroadband in the telecommunications network, some ofthe forces behind thatevolution, and the importance ofconsidering long-term evolutionary directions when establishing the initial stages ofbroadband equipment and services.

Distributed Switching Architecture Trends and Concepts

Sneed

Huensch

Kulzer

et al. 1994

The increasing sophistication of the global telecommunications business is creating new, more demanding requirements for switching systems. To meet these requirements, AT&T must introduce the most up‐to‐date technologies for advanced capabilities, such as high‐bandwidth services, Personal Communication Services (PCS), and increased network intelligence in a timely, cost‐effective manner. Switching systems that are adaptable, evolvable, and able to gracefully incorporate these new capabilities and technologies are in the best position to meet market needs. Such switching systems have architectures that are both evolvable—able to incorporate new technology and new development processes within their overall structure—and maintainable—able to accommodate new features continually without rapid increases in the cost of development or equipment. This paper examines the choices for a switching system architecture by defining the functional components of a switch and examining the choices for implementing them.