Konvergenz der Kommunikationsnetze zu Multiservice-Netzen

The rapid progress in the convergence of communication networks (fixed and mobile networks with data networks) to multi service networks has an impact on the principles of the traditional switching technologies. Future requirements will also have to be fulfilled through service-convergence (bundling of individual services to new services) regardless of organizational or technical boundaries. Requirements in the information- and communication-business all the way to technical network aspects are to be faced. Based on developments in microelectronics, two converging evolutions by packet-oriented technologies (within the network and at the edge of the network) are now taking place. Starting with the principles of circuit-switching and packet-switching the change in today’s telecommunications world will be discussed. Apart from that emphasis will be put on the distribution of the switching functions within the network, the change of the network’s topology, as well as the influence on the signalling protocols (extensions and new approaches).