PNNI internetworking architecture over ATM public networks

An increase in high quality of service (QoS) applications such as video conferencing and distribution, and the evolution of the Internet have popularized ATM-LAN use based on the private network node interface (PNNI). Also in public networks, which serve as backbone networks for LANs, ATM technology is being introduced for high-speed and broadband communication. These situations lead to a great demand for economically and seamlessly interconnecting remote ATM-LANs via ATM public networks, which are based on the 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 can also reduce the PNNI routing processing load on each public network by emulating PNNI routing and signalling between LSs.