PDF EBook ATM Signalling in Perspective
In the evolution of telecommunications networks, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology is rapidly becoming the universal networking standard as an approach to integrating all different kinds of communication traffic. Typically, ATM networks operate in connection oriented mode in which a pre-established virtual circuit is required for every connection. Signalling, as an essential component, has great impact on the efficient use of network resources, and the services that a network can offer. It is important that the details of a connection can be specified and conveyed to the network, otherwise the user will not be able to receive the required services in a dynamic manner. Essentially, signalling allows the transfer of service-related information in real time between the user and the network, and among network entities to establish, maintain and release end-to-end virtual connections.
The standardisation activity on signalling protocols is being undertaken by the ITU-T and the ATM Forum to facilitate a widespread deployment of ATM services. Two ATM interfaces are defined for signalling purposes. The user-network interface (UNI) is the interface between an endpoint equipment and the network, whereas the network-network interface (NNI) is the interface between either two private networks or two public networks. The separation of the private and public domains is a consequence of the significant differences in the administrative responsibility. For each particular signalling function, the corresponding procedures are defined such that the sequence and message format are specific to the network interface across which the exchange of signalling information takes place.
This report reviews the signalling architectures for the user-network interface (UNI) and the network-network interface (NNI) in both private and public ATM network environments. It is hoped that readers will gain a proper perspective of the signalling protocols involved in ATM networks, and thereby an appreciation of their significant contributions. In recent years, the field of telecommunications has witnessed the rapid evolution of signalling to facilitate emerging applications. As ATM technology becomes more mature, the signalling architecture is progressively empowered to support additional capabilities, including multiconnection, multimedia, and multipoint services. It is the signalling mechanism that will make ATM more flexible, efficient and adaptable to many environments.
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. ATM DATA TRANSFER PRINCIPLES
3. ATM NETWORK INTERFACES
4. OVERVIEW OF SIGNALLING
4.1 In-channel Signalling
4.2 Common Channel Signalling
4.3 ATM Signalling
5. KEY ELEMENTS OF ATM SIGNALLING
6. SIGNALLING ATM ADAPTATION LAYER
7. USER-TO-NETWORK SIGNALLING
7.1 Signalling Messages
7.2 Information Elements
7.3 Basic Point-to-Point Call
7.4 Point-to-Multipoint Call
- 7.4.1 Root as Initiator
7.4.2 Leaf Initiated Join (LIJ) Capability
8. NETWORK NODE SIGNALLING IN PRIVATE NETWORKS
8.1 Private Network-to-Network Interface (PNNI)
- 8.1.1 PNNI Routing
- 8.1.1.1 PNNI Network Topology
8.1.1.2 Single Node Perspective
8.1.1.3 Exchange of PNNI Routing Information
8.1.1.4 Path Selection
8.1.1.5 PNNI Addresses and Identifiers
8.1.1.6 PNNI Hierarchy Configuration
8.1.2 PNNI Signalling
8.2 Interim Inter-switch Signalling Protocol (IISP)
9. NETWORK NODE SIGNALLING IN PUBLIC NETWORKS
9.1 SS7 Protocol Architecture
9.2 B-ISDN User Part (B-ISUP)
- 9.2.1 B-ISUP Messages
9.2.2 B-ISUP Signalling Procedures
9.3 B-ISDN Inter-Carrier Interface (B-ICI)
10. ATM SIGNALLING IN BRIEF
11. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
REFERENCES
APPENDIX : UNI INFORMATION ELEMENTS
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