A flexible switching node architecture for B-ISDN options and implementation concept

Examples of some basic characteristics of a reference network architecture are highlighted. After some general remarks considering the reference network architecture, different types of network nodes, such as remote multiplexer nodes and local exchange nodes, are discussed, and requirements on the network node architecture are listed. An implementation concept fulfilling the listed requirements is introduced. The concept uses two different modules, the generic broadband module (GBM) and the ATM switch module (ASM). It is argued, by means of a number of specific configuration examples, that the concept has the flexibility to realize a large number of different types of network nodes, that it supports functional partitioning among network nodes, and that it supports upgrading of technology, functionality, and capacity during network evolution