Future switching system requirements

The broadening of the bandwidth of the telecommunications network brings with it the need for faster higher-capacity switching systems. To meet this need, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching, optical switching, and other technologies are being pursued. The influence of this environment on networks is discussed from two aspects: the business administration aspect,which involves the issues of competition and cooperation, reduction in labor, and new services, and the technological aspect, which involves the issues of open and global networks and the fusion of telecommunications and information processing technologies. On that basis, there is clarification of what is required of the switching system in terms of architecture, connectivity, reliability, and security. The form of the expected switching system in terms of architecture, and the enhancement of call control, operations, and the user-network interface is described.<>