OSI standards: application to data communication and telematic services and Italian strategy for their introduction

The demand for data communication services as well as the development of new telematic services in the TLC environment will find their benefit from the application of the OSI standards.

These standards have reached a sound degree of definition in the last years due both to continuous improvements in the standardization activity and to increasing realizations from various manufacturers.

There is no doubt that the effective application of the OSI standards represents the challenge of the next years, which will conditionate the whole development of distributed data processing and telematic applications.

The paper presents the strategy followed in Italy for the adoption of the OSI standards, which is based on a step by step approach, where each standard is introduced on the basis of its complete definition. Initial consideration is given to the application of the MHS Standards (X400).

After a general discussion on the OSI Standards application, the paper further details on the provision of the OSI Network Service (OSI-NS) by different public data networks and on the use of such service for interworking among networks of different type. Furtheron, cases of interworking scenarios with networks not providing the OSI-NS are also examined.

Finally the paper details on the activity being pursued in Europe for the harmonization of the OSI standards and their certification.     

ISDN Activities in Italy

Digitalization of the Italian telecommunications network is underway, as in many other countries, and a significant diffusion of digital transmission has already been achieved. Digital switching has already been introduced at both transit and local levels, with some 450 exchanges presently in operation. Both packet- and circuit-switched data networks are in operation. CCITT No. 7 is presently being introduced. In this network scenario, the already planned Italian developments towards the ISDN will include the provision in 1986 of 64 kbit/s digital connectivity and, two years later, the activation of a pilot ISDN service, whose main characteristics are described in the paper. An overview on further developments in ISDN research areas is also given.     

The ATM test bed: an experimental platform for broadbandcommunications

The ATM test-bed is a laboratory plant including access facilities and switching functionalities, together with some advanced terminal equipment in an ATM environment. It is the result of research activities addressed to B-ISDN development and carried out in the framework of the Telecommunication Project, a five-year Italian research program organized and supported by the National Research Council (CNR). The aim of the test-bed is to realize a flexible local network environment where critical issues related to the introduction of ATM techniques can be investigated, including signaling, internetworking, and service support, in addition to the basic switching technology. The emphasis is on flexibility and comprehensiveness of features and functionalities, rather than performance and technology. Beyond the technology issues related to the implementation, one of the major aspects of the test-bed is the collaborative development of its various building blocks     

Prospects for common channel signalling in Italy

The guidelines established for studies on common channel signalling in Italy are described, and the main features and characteristics of the system to be introduced into the national telecommunications network are presented and discussed. Two features of the system, the error-control method and the labelling method, where new concepts have been introduced, are examined in detail.     

Pathways for telecommunications: a European outlook

The factors driving the transformation of telecommunication systems are used as the basis for describing major trends in network architecture and access structures, intelligent networks (INs), mobile and personal communications, and management functions. The factors include network digitization, the widespread use of optical fibers, and the increase in the range and demand for high-speed services. The interplay between technologies, markets, and standards is analyzed, and the need to identify consistent and harmonized patterns of development for network architectures and services is considered. In particular, telecommunications products, services, and regulations in Europe are discussed