INTELLIGENT NETWORK

Intelligent Network

Intelligent Network

Introduction

The Intelligent Network (IN) is a type of telecommunications system that layers computer intelligence on top of traditional telephone switching equipment, thereby enabling services without major network upgrades. It can be used on both wired and wireless networks, and relies on massive computer databases to manage and route calls to the appropriate service. Telecommunications providers may use the technology to provide a value-added service such as conference calling or call screening.

Development of the Intelligent Network was primarily carried out by Bell Communications Research (Bellcore), a research and development firm established following the breakup of American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) in 1982. Bellcore supported the “Baby Bells” established after the AT&T divestiture, and as a result its AIN technology emerged as a North American standard for telecommunications networks. Similar, somewhat compatible technologies were developed outside of North America.

 Intelligent Network technology is implemented on the “service layer,” meaning all of the functions and intelligence operate in a realm above the electrical switches and other equipment in a telecommunications network. This is important because it means an AIN can be established or upgraded without investing in large amounts of new networking equipment. It also means the technology will work on many different types of networks, i.e., from traditional wired telephone networks to wireless mobile phone networks.

Discussion and Analysis

In the 80's, various U.S. operators are trying to solve a number of problems associated with the implementation of services by program changes turning on each switch in the network. The network operator wishing to introduce a new service is highly dependent on its suppliers that are only able to modify very complex programs that operate their switch. The supplier in a situation of force, it can charge very expensive modification program requested. For the operator, these costs are multiplied by the number of manufacturers providing switches for its network. Once the necessary programs available, it is necessary to introduce all switches in the network if you want the service to be available everywhere.

A network can consist of hundreds of switches, this can be long and costly. It is estimated that it usually takes between 3 and 5 years from the time the decision to introduce a new service is made ??and effective implementation of this service in the network. These time limits do not allow an operator to respond quickly to demand a client for a particular service. Today it is estimated that 6 months is maximum. On the other hand, some services require that the switch includes the information that are not local, but common to all switches in the network. For example, the application hotline that allows a caller to make a free call, based on the translation of a logical number to specific prefix (0800 in France) in a number actual destination. The translation table is a global data to all switches. Duplicate this table in all switches in the network management involves a very difficult to ensure consistency. By cons, have a central node that stores table and is accessible by all the switches is a simple solution to put ...