IBIS: a testbed for the evolution of intelligent broadband networkstoward TINA

This article analyzes a possible path for the evolution of telecommunication networks toward open distributed architectures like the TINA-C architecture. The results of a research project called IBIS carried out within the CoRiTeL Laboratory are presented. The IBIS project starts from the activities of the ACTS project INSIGNIA, which has proposed and demonstrated an architecture for the integration of the intelligent network concept over B-ISDN platforms (the so-called intelligent broadband network, IBN). In the IBIS approach, TINA service components replace the traditional IN service logic, providing the intelligence needed to control broadband services in a very flexible and open environment. The handling of the transport connections is performed in a more traditional way, exploiting the capability offered by the IBN. This article focuses on how the TINA and IBN paradigms can profitably interact, providing the intelligence to support advanced multimedia services     

Building a signaling protocol architecture for future mobile networks

Third-generation mobile systems are emerging. These systems will support a unified user access to a variety of services, including the existing mobile and fixed network (PSTN, N-ISDN) services, the enhanced multimedia and multiparty services envisaged for broadband networks, and personal communication services as well. The role of signaling is predominant in building a flexible, efficient, and evolving system. The aim of this paper is to provide a framework for developing a signaling protocol architecture for future mobile networks. The study especially focuses on the universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS). Within this framework various design and operational requirements imposed on UMTS can be satisfied. A method to deal with the functional complexity of UMTS is provided. Mobile networks are viewed as integral parts of the broadband infrastructure and are built upon the IN principles.     

Mobile agents - enabling technology for active intelligent networkimplementation

The emerging notion of active networks describes the general vision of communication network evolution, where the network nodes become active because they take part in the computation of applications and provision of customized services. In this context mobile agent technology and programmable switches are considered as enabling technologies. This article looks at the impact of mobile agent technology on telecommunication service environments, influenced by the intelligent network (IN) architecture. The authors illustrate how the integration of mobile agent platforms into IN elements, notably into the IN switches, will realize an active IN environment. This enables telecom services implemented through mobile service agents on a per user basis to be instantly deployed at programmable switching nodes, which results in better performance and fault tolerance compared to traditional IN service implementations     

Impact of the intelligent network on the capacity of networkelements

The effect that integration of the intelligent network (IN) concept into the existing network architecture has on the capacity of the various network elements is addressed. The effect of excessive load on that and other existing services is also examined. The discussion covers: methods of characterizing capacity and performance; major causes of increased load with the IN; perception of increased delay by the user; effect of delay on service introduction; and methods of improving IN performance. The example of the call-forwarding service is used to show the effect that IN can have on the performance of services, as perceived from the delays experienced by the user     

Beyond IN and UPT-a personal communications support system based onTMN concepts

The vision for future telecommunications is often described by the slogan “information at any time, at any place, in any form”, driven by both society's increasing demand for “universal connectivity” and the technological progress in the area of mobile computing and personal communications. In order to realize this vision, the emerging concept of personal communications support (PCS), which includes support for personal mobility, service personalization, and advanced service interoperability, is becoming increasingly important since it allows users to configure their communications environment in accordance with their individual needs, thereby providing them with controlled access to telecommunication services, regardless of their current location, terminal and network capabilities. This paper provides an overview of a personal communications support system (PCSS). The PCSS represents a platform providing advanced PCS capabilities in a uniform way to numerous communication applications in distributed multimedia environments. From a functional perspective, the PCSS provides enhanced intelligent network (IN) and universal personal telecommunication (UPT) capabilities with respect to user addressing (based on logical names instead of numbers) and advanced user control capabilities. From a design perspective, the centralistic IN/UPT approach to the realization of service logic has been replaced by a highly distributable, object-oriented approach based on X.500/X.700/telecommunications management network (TMN) concepts. This paper addresses the basic aspects of the PCSS, including design criteria, system architecture, supported applications, and evolution issues     

基于IMS技术的三网融合网络多媒体业务部署

提出了基于云计算架构的三网融合网络多媒体视频业务部署技术,解决了三网融合网络海量终端用户访问及多媒体业务及用户的管理等问题.给出了三网融合网络的多媒体视频业务管理模型,并且详细说明了多媒体视频应用服务器及客户端的功能模块,以实例方式说明了QoS策略决策过程.为三网融合网络多媒体业务部署提供了指导性的技术方案.     

Realising Effective Intelligent Network Overload Controls

The traffic attracted by intelligent network (IN) services is often volatile in nature. Many IN realisations have a centralised physical architecture (although the standards only define the functional architecture in a distributed way), which means that they are vulnerable to overload from incoming traffic, which it is therefore essential to control. An IN platform typically has a processing capacity much greater than each network destination to which it routes traffic. Therefore control of outgoing traffic is necessary as well. IN standards only define a means to carry control messages — they do not provide methods to achieve effective overload control. This paper presents overload control designs which integrate these principles and thus meet fundamental requirements such as bounding response times and limiting ineffective traffic, while maximising the occupancy of network destinations. It is also shown how control parameter values may be optimised by appropriate modelling.     

Toward an all-IP-based UMTS system architecture

Looking into the future, two main drivers for the mobile telecommunications market can be identified: third-generation mobile systems (e.g., UMTS) and the Internet (e.g., the introduction of IP technologies like voice/multimedia over IP in mobile networks). UMTS is seen as the enabler of wireless multimedia applications and portability of a personalized service set across network/terminal boundaries, as defined within the virtual home environment (VHE) system concept. In light of these evolutions, this article investigates the impact of the evolution toward an all-IP UMTS network architecture on the UMTS service architecture, which is based on the VHE concept. The article discusses two possible scenarios for supporting VoIP services in the UMTS service architecture and analyzes their applicability in an all-IP-based UMTS network. The first is based on the traditional centralized IN service architecture. The second proposes a new decentralized architecture based on direct control of VoIP call control equipment by open service architecture interfaces     

Optimizing the server utilization in intelligent broadband networks

Intelligent network (IN) architectures are investigated globally as potential candidates for the rapid introduction of advanced multimedia services. The IN concept is based on the introduction of intelligent servers in the network, able to handle complex service requests by cooperating with the signalling system of the network. The design and implementation of the physical entities participating in an IN session is a critical issue as it defines the system performance. In this paper we propose a methodology for modelling the physical and functional entities which is used to capture the performance of IN‐based configurations. We put our emphasis on the processing speed required for the execution of the IN processes in the servers and we present results with reference to the system performance and the mapping of functions to physical entities. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The TINA initiative [intelligent networks]

The telecommunications information networking architecture (TINA), which builds on the current advances in broadband communication and distributed computing technologies, specifying a software-based architecture for future information networks that are required to transport multimedia information and manage multimedia communication, is described. An important aspect of the architecture is that service segment functions are separated from delivery segment functions. Another key aspect is the elimination of the rigid division between network applications and operations applications that exists in current-day networks. In the TINA architecture, both kinds of applications execute on a common distributed processing platform that hides from applications the effects and complexities introduced by distribution. The architecture supports application interoperability enabling flexible construction of services, composed of service components distributed across network domains, allowing network operators and service providers to cooperatively meet the needs of the user     

Intelligent network/2: The architecture-The technicalchallenges-The opportunities

The Intelligent Network/2 (IN/2) architecture concept diverges from the traditional new service introduction approach by distributing call-processing capabilities across multiple network modules, by constructing network services with service-independent capabilities, and by using standard signaling protocols among the network elements. The IN/2 approach provides opportunities to implement new services while reducing the service introduction interval. The IN/1 architecture provides new-service introduction from a centralized point, allowing users throughout a wide geographic area to have access to the service simultaneously. The IN/2 concept extends the IN/1 approach and sharply reduces the new-service introduction interval. IN/2 applies the premise that multiple network services or service features can be constructed from a set of reusable network capabilities, which apply to many services and are therefore independent of a particular service application. An overview of the IN/2 architecture is presented, highlighting the key technical issues     

IN architectures for implementing universal personaltelecommunications

This article focuses on architectures for providing universal personal telecommunications (UPT) service to wireline users. Although UPT services could be provided to users of wireless phones, thereby giving those users personal communication services (PCS), the wireline environment introduces certain important complications. Unlike "smart" cellular phones, which can register themselves and the user automatically, wireline telephones are unable to automatically detect and register a UPT user. UPT therefore includes a manual registration procedure to associate a PTN with the phone where calls will be received or placed. Also, unlike personal communications terminals that are typically used by only one person, wireline phones are likely to be shared among other users. Therefore, the network must keep track of who is using the phone, so it can provide the appropriate telecommunications services. It would be difficult or impossible to implement UPT as a switch-based service. Fortunately, an intelligent network (IN) architecture that is well suited for implementing UPT is being deployed by many local exchange (LECs) and interexchange carriers (IXCs)     

An expandable time-division circuit switching LSI and networkarchitecture for broadband ISDN

A broadband network architecture is proposed that integrates multimedia services, such as data, video, and telephony information, using 52-Mb/s based STM-paths at the user network interface (UNI). The user can access any new service via the STM-based access network via either synchronous transfer mode (STM) switching or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching. STM circuit switching supports long duration, constant bandwidth data transfer services such as video and high-definition television (HDTV) distribution and will also be used for the crossconnect system. Circuit switching can provide transparent transmission during long connection periods. This paper also proposes an expandable time-division switch architecture, an expandable time-division switching LSI, and an expandable switching module for small to large size system applications. The proposed time-division switching LSI, module, and system handle 52-Mb/s bearer signals and have throughputs of 2.4 Gb/s, 10 Gb/s, and 40 Gb/s, respectively. The time-division switch realizes video distribution with 1:n connections. Finally, a local switching node that features an expandable 52-Mb/s time-division circuit switching network is shown for multimedia access networking     

The intelligent network concept

The intelligent network (IN) concept evolved from the networks which are planned or in existence in 1988 to provide network services such as the 800 service. The IN architecture will require an expansion of the capabilities which recognize the need for specialized processing and formulate a query to a database system. The expanded capabilities, along with an expected increase in the number of calls requiring special processing, place greater demands on system resources. The distributed nature of service implementation, along with the complex interactions among services, requires advanced, highly efficient operations. The authors describe the IN architecture and the process of creating a service in that environment. An illustrative example is include     

The PacketCable architecture

PacketCable^TM defines a multimedia system architecture that overlays a high-speed cable modem access network, with the goal of enabling a wide variety of Internet protocol-based multimedia services, such as voice over IP, unified messaging, PBX extension, videoconferencing, and online gaming. Currently, the architecture provides a complete solution for delivering VoIP services. We present the core capabilities necessary to implement such services in a scalable fashion. Next, we describe the major functional components that comprise the PacketCable architecture and illustrate how they work together to form an integrated IP multimedia-enabled system architecture, which is presently focused on voice over IP. Finally, we present some possible next steps in the evolution of PacketCable     

Delivering interactive multimedia documents over networks

A family of applications that consists of interactive multimedia documents, such as electronic magazines and interactive TV shows, is examined and the links between application architecture, user behavior, and network performance are investigated. The kinds of application-specific information that influence the end-to-end quality of service are discussed. The architecture and dynamics of the interactive document in terms of presentation objects (P-Objects), which are the segments of information accessed by the application and which are described according to their size, media composition, and access links, are described. The same structural characteristics that may make an interactive multimedia document appealing to the end user are the characteristics that are helpful during dynamic network performance optimization. This observation is based on the hypothesis that the P-Objects' access graph, together with viewing time statistics, is the information most useful to the network delivery control mechanism for optimizing network performance. Preliminary guidelines for both network and application designers to address each other's concerns are presented     

A layered protocol architecture for multimedia wireless‐PCS networks

Coupled with the growing interest in the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) as a standard for future mobile communications, the need for a set of functions to effectively support multimedia teleservices in such an environment is also increasing. Starting from the idea that multimedia means the integrated manipulation of different information and hence the independent handling of separate information is not satisfactory, an enhanced protocol architecture for the support of multimedia teleservices in Wireless Personal Communication Systems based on UMTS is proposed. It involves Physical, MAC, Data Link, and Network layers. A Synchronisation Sub-Layer is introduced on the MAC level with the main aim of assuring a rough multimedia inter-stream synchronisation over the air interface, which is a first step prior to a fine end-to-end synchronisation performed by higher layers. Proposed functions, their basic algorithms, their location in the protocol stack, as well as the signalling exchange among modules implementing them, on network and user sides, are described in detail in the paper. The resulting architecture well fits the demanding nature of multimedia services and can be easily interfaced with the wired backbone of the system. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

GMN: a broadband multimedia communications service concept andfield trials

The Global Megamedia Network is a network service concept developed by NTT to be the key component in its information-sharing business strategy. The concept gives the architecture for providing full-fledged multimedia services during the next decade. It will be used to construct a high-throughput secure networking environment in which advanced multimedia services will be provided to customers in an easy and comfortable to use manner at an affordable cost. The GMN concept proposes the deployment of flexible and high-quality service provision platforms that enable high-performance networking (real-time transfer of megabytes of information), provide high functionality to make multimedia communications easy and comfortable, and provide services at about the same cost as existing telephony. This article first analyzes the market trends and customer needs we are facing in Japan. Then the GMN services concept and the network architecture for deploying services are explained. GMN-CL technologies are explained as the first step in developing full-fledged GMN services. Finally, NTT R&D's testbed network, called GEMnet, is described and the results of field trials are presented     

基于个域网的固定移动融合

固定移动融合。已经成为下一代网络的重要发展方向。随着个域网的出现，固定移动融合可以得到进一步增强。文章基于个域网设计了一个固定移动融合的系统架构。在这一网络架构中，终端设备受业务触发聚合成一个整体，共同为用户服务，尤其在面向未来多媒体业务方面，能进一步提高用户体验。     

An architectural approach to minimizing feature interactions intelecommunications

Feature interaction, in the context of telecommunications, is the phenomenon where a user (end-user or system operator) observes services failing to perform as expected, and where the failures are due to the presence of other services (or multiple instances of a single service) in the network. We propose an architectural approach to minimize the problem of feature interaction while increasing the reusability of software for services. Our approach recognizes that currently many assumptions about service operations and system capabilities are implicitly built into the service software architecture. We claim that many nontrivial feature interactions arise when services or technologies with new capabilities, based on conflicting assumptions, are introduced. We propose an architecture based on software agents and separation of concerns. A processing model for service-independent interaction management within the agent architecture is discussed. This architecture effectively removes many common assumptions about roles and technology from the service software architecture, thus reducing the need to provide ad hoc solutions to particular feature interactions. We demonstrate the power of such an architecture by showing how it deals with examples of interactions among existing services, interactions introduced by Universal Personal Telecommunications (UPT), and its applicability to emerging broadband and multimedia service requirements. We also consider the architecture in the context of the intelligent network