Convergence between public switching and the Internet

The Internet has developed into a global data network that is highly accepted as a multimedia information platform which has the potential to develop into an alternative carrier network in the future. Telecom operators increasingly act as Internet service providers to maximize network utilization, to attract or retain customers, and to generate additional revenue. To leverage their installed base in the PSTN/ISDN the optimal strategy for telco ISPs is the integration of their point of presence into the central office packetizing and grooming of IP traffic in the local office relieves load on the PSTN/ISDN trunk network, resolves existing bottlenecks due to Internet traffic upstream of the CO, and creates new opportunities for revenue-generating features for both telephony and Internet subscribers. This article shows that current telecommunication network elements can be upgraded with innovate cutting-edge technology to build a solid basis for a seamless multimedia network of tomorrow, thereby enabling telecom operators' and service providers' tremendous investment in existing network infrastructure to be fully utilized. An integrated Internet services platform is presented which turns the CO switch into an optimized link between the PSTN/ISDN and the Internet. Technically, it is proposed that the central office be expanded with an integrated Internet PoP (IPOP) configured from the following IP components: an internal high-speed data backbone (ATM or Ethernet); modem pools to terminate dial-in calls from analog modems using the PPP protocol; protocol handlers for UDP, TCP, IP, and lower-layer data protocols (X.25, frame relay, SMDS, etc.); access to data networks; IP router, RADIUS server, and name server database; a contents server (optionally), enabling telco ISPs to become content providers. This effectively turns the CO into an Internet access point that integrates smoothly into the existing telco OA&M/TMN. The IP functions integrated in the IPOP can interwork closely with PSTN/ISDN call processing.