Telecommunications Essentials

The Broadband Architecture: Multiservice Networks

Network architectures are definitely in transition. In today's environment, time-division and statistical multiplexers gather customer traffic for additional circuit-based aggregation through a stable hierarchy of edge (that is, local), tandem, and core switching offices in the carrier networks. Overlay networks, such as X.25, Frame Relay, ATM, and the Internet, have been put in place and have created the need to internetwork services, thereby eroding traditional network borders. Then additional access in transport options—including cable, DSL, and wireless—began to be introduced, all joining traditional modems and bringing their own high-density access aggregation devices into the picture. Meanwhile, ...