Victor B. Lawrence

Interoperability of multiple databases for the design and simulation of high-speed digital subscriber lines

The performance evaluation of the high-speed digital subscriber line (HDSL) depends upon the design, linkages, and the cooperative role of the extensive databases during the simulation studies. Such databases are necessary during component design performance evaluation and the overall feasibility studies ofthe HDSL at the basic data rate (144 kilobits/sec) or at the primary data rate (1.544 Megabits/sec in US and 2.048 Mb/s in Europe). The authors present the design and procedures to build these interoperable databases. They are also present the successes and frustrations in organizing and working with such interdependent and interoperable databases.<<ETX>>

Networks and the Information Society

Vital differences exist between environments for human communication and those for computer communication. Human communication has been studied by social scientists in great detail and is of no direct consequence in the context of this chapter. However, almost all network data communication (except that used to control the network functions) is for eventual use in human interpretation and decision making. At this first and also at the final man-machine interface, users exchange information to and from the network in a multiplicity of modes, (for example, voice, visual, graphic, touch-tone, keyboard, scanners, fax, or even dialing). A degree of excellence in network service is a realistic expectation, as well as accuracy and rapid response from the network. The quality and response that the intelligent networks (INs) can provide far exceeds that of the conventional communication networks. For example, if visual communication in the high definition television (HDTV) mode is needed from a broadband intelligent network, the network must allocate about two orders of magnitude more bandwidth compared to the bandwidth for voice communication. Hence, the networks that provide integrated service need much greater sophistication to accommodate users and their individual needs.

Recent American Intelligent Networks

There are two major directions of force on the evolution of the public domain intelligent networks (INs) in the United States. First, the carriers of major data transport facilities around the country are evolving a special type of network intelligence to monitor and implement the network performance requirement from a data-throughput point of view. Optimal utilization of network switching and transmission facilities to maximize revenues is the major design criterion. With the advent of high-speed fiber optic systems that deploy multiple gigabit capacity in digital pipes, it is essential to be able to add, drop, and cross-connect channels appropriately from the digital superhighways spanning the country. Second, regional operations in the more densely populated areas of the United States are developing the capability to provide new intelligent network services (IN/1, IN/1+, and IN/2 architecture). In addition, the integrated services digital network (ISDN) capabilities for distributing data are being implemented by way of the ISDN switches, which are being implemented throughout the country.

Integrated Medical Systems

Routine medical care and functions are specially amenable to computer and network processing. In this chapter, we indicate a methodology for processing the medical functions of any patient by the medical community using intelligent computer systems. It is our objective to present architectures to demonstrate that machines can enhance the productivity and efficiency of medical environments by confining the procedural steps, bookkeeping functions, and resource allocation to specially tailored computer systems. The human functions of pattern matching, judgment, and ultimate decision-making are also facilitated by a backbone of computers and networks organized to perform knowledge-based AI functions. Similar existing and effective environments currently in use are the corporate Management Information Systems/Decision Support Systems (MIS/DSS), where decision-making tasks and analysis are performed routinely, and the stock market environments where vast numbers of routine transactions are handled quickly and inexpensively.

The AT&T View of Intelligent Networks (INs)

In order to facilitate the orderly evolution of network intelligence in the public domain, Bell Communications Research, a research and development facility of the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), has proposed three distinct architectural variations (IN/1, IN/1+, and IN/2). Considerable collaboration in the phased introduction of these networks is essential to maintain uniformity and consistency of services throughout the nation. Vendors from all nations participate in supplying the networks components, interfaces, and software modules. To maintain any semblance of order, ITU (formerly CCITT) and ANSI publish stringent standards and well-defined protocol. Most companies follow these standards and implement networks, such as the CCS7 network and packet-switched networks. Based upon signaling and typical architecture, networks evolve, such as the 800 network, software defined network (SDN), and others. These rudimentary networks meet all the basic interface and signaling requirements of the first version of the public domain intelligent network, that is, IN/1.

Advanced Intelligent Networks (AINs)

Chapter 8, “The AT&T View of Intelligent Networks (INs),” through Chapter 12, “Global Intelligent Networks (INs),” focused on public domain intelligent networks and the AT&T concept (Type-A) and Bellcore concept (Type-B) of intelligent networks (INs). This chapter discusses the more sophisticated INs from a conceptual and functional perspective. These INs can be readily implemented in private networks and the more rapidly evolving arena of intelligent networks tailored for business communication systems. Section 13–1 discusses networks using existing and evolving technologies for INs. Such networks can utilize concepts more advanced than the IN/2 concept presented in Chapter 11, “Intelligent Networks/2 (IN/2),” and the Universal Information Services Network (UISN) presented in Chapter 8, “The AT&T View of Intelligent Networks (INs).” Universal information services provided by UISN are evolving into an integral part of the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) services.

Evolving Educational Environments: A Projected Impact of Recent Networks

The digital revolution has touched most aspects of our lives. The computational opportunities abound. The communications facilities have networked most computers. Personal computing has reconstituted our rationality. Numbers have become a language of their own. The general impact of such an explosive change depends upon the structure of the culture absorbing the effects. However, the educational environments are particularly important because education and reason have been intertwined to discard bias and ignorance. In this chapter, the dynamics of this profound technological change within the context of educational systems, ranging from the kindergarten to the doctoral research centers, are examined.

Basic Intelligent Network Concepts

The capacity to adapt to the extensive and dynamic network conditions is a requirement of intelligent networks (INs). The network environment may change due to a large number of internal and/or external conditions. The network may become overloaded or faulty; it may experience switching delays or inadequate standby channel capacity or any other network condition. Further, the user or the source and the destination of the information may lead to an extraneous search before the right information is conveyed to the customer. In an overall sense, the network monitors its own performance without user, operator, or any other human intervention. In essence, the network adaptation responds to the environment in controlling and executing an entire range of communication functions.

Intelligent Networks/2 (IN/2)

The basic concepts of IN/2 differ from those of IN/1+ only by a small extent. In fact, the very powerful components of IN/2 (the intelligent peripheral) and the very flexible concept of service independence were toned down just to be included in IN/1+. A typical example of the architectural overlap is evident from the detailed design of IN/1+ discussed in Chapter 10, “Intelligent Networks/1+ (IN/1+).”

Intelligent Networks/1+ (IN/1+)

The Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), in conjunction with the research done at Bell Communications Research (Bellcore), have proposed the IN/1+ concept and its architecture in considerable detail to circumvent the limitations of IN/1. The IN/1+ architecture and phased introduction is planned to be realized in the United States during the early 1990s. The phased introduction of IN/1+ is to facilitate the gradual merging of the intelligent networks (INs) in the switching and transmission environment with the introduction of newer digital services associated with ISDN and ISDN-like services in the public arena. Considerable coordination between the capabilities of the intelligent networks (IN/1+, IN/2, etc.) and existing telecommunication networks will be required as the new networks are introduced. The demand for such intelligent services proposed by IN/1+ and IN/2 is still to be substantiated in society. Simultaneously, newer digital services, such as ISDN, global message, and packet switching, will be introduced and become available if they are accepted by the business community and by the public.