Global PNNI internetworking architecture for ATM public networks

The number of ATM-LANs based on the private network node interface (PNNI) has been increasing since the PNNI specification was standardized at the ATM Forum. Evolution of the Internet will lead to a great demand for global PNNI internetworking architecture that can seamlessly interconnect remote ATM-LANs via several public networks based on broadband ISDN user part (BISUP). This paper discusses a peer group configuration method for such an internetworking architecture that can avoid an overload of the PNNI routing processing in each peer group. The paper also proposes a method for seamless interconnection of remote ATM-LANs. In this method, complete PNNI signalling and routing is executed between a local switch (LS) in a public network and each ATM-LAN. It also can reduce the PNNI routing processing load on each public network by emulating PNNI routing and signalling between LSs.