Functional architecture for a next generation switching system

A functional reference architecture that is intended to meet future switching needs for BISDN (broadband integrated services digital networks) is presented. This includes the ability to support a large variety of potentially complex multimedia services, provide integrated control and operations over all switching resources, accelerate feature introduction, and improve switching system reliability and quality. Open interfaces, particularly for service modules and network-based service logic and operations systems, can support the rapid deployment of new services in a switch-dependent manner. How elements in a next-generation switching system may operate together for a simple call setup in BISDN is presented.< >