A Distributed Experimental Communications System

The packet experimental communications system (packet XCS) is a new experimental voice and data switch. It uses a local-area network (LAN) for digital voice transmission, with local intelligence for switching. The packet XCS also has highly distributed control. The individual sites cooperate to provide user services as well as internal data management. We have learned that several local networks, including CSMA/CD networks, can be made to work well for voice transmission and that highly distributed control is practical in such a system. A system has been constructed which is used as a testbed for distributed voice and data communications experiments. This system is purely for experimentation and does not indicate a direction for future Bell System product offerings.