Implications of bisdn services on network architecture and switching

The advent of Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (BISDN) introduces new network service capabilities impacting the network reference architecture and will require major changes in future switching systems. Recent advances in optical technology transport system standards and the agreement on Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) principles promise cost-effective transport of information at broadband rates. This paper discusses some of the emerging broadband service capabilities, describes the BISDN reference architecture, and identifies the needed in future switching system to effectively support a broadband network providing mufti-services. The paper concludes with consideration of the required switching system capabilities to allow evolution in incremental steps from today's network of embedded equipment to the target of an integrated broadband network based on ATM techniques.