Dall'ATM di prima generazione alla commutazione avanzata: lo sviluppo dell'architettura di controllo

The present contribution addresses the evolution from early ATM systems towards advanced switching systems that provide network operators with the flexibility needed in the dynamic telecommunications environment taking shape in these years. After describing high-level requirements on ATM switching systems, as seen from a network operator viewpoint, the contribution discusses architectural provisions intended to make these requirements actually achievable. These provisions address the control functions responsible for the execution of communication services, and consider their structure in the light of the emerging TINA software architecture and of the current work on definition of B-ISDN signalling protocols. Key features of these two efforts are presented and their combined influence is outlined. Finally, a switching system test-bed being developed to experiment issues in system architecture is briefly sketched.