1-1hit |
Takeo HAMADA Leif J. BYSTROM Hendrik BERNDT
Surging capacity demand triggered by the increasingly mobile-oriented and exponentially growing Internet has accelerated convergence of networking technologies. In the core network side, IP and photonics have been the two key driving factors of technical innovations. Amid this technical turmoil, Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) in IETF has recently attracted sizable attentions, as it offers potential for "Grand Unification Theory" for network technology convergence. Despite its prospects, however, the proposal is still missing comparable structures in management plane, which is in dire need for carrier-class, reliable operations. Among many industry proposals and standards, TINA vision on connection management architecture (CMA) is the one offering practical and deployable architecture for the converged photonic IP network. TINA IP Control and Management (IPCM) WG was established during TINA phase II (1998-2000), to study IP control and management issues using the architecture basis of TINA-CMA. Latest activities in TINA IPCM WG, compiling experience at Sprint, Telia, Telecom Italia Lab., and Fujitsu, have resulted in a specification for connectivity provider reference points, namely ConS, ConC, and FCon. Use of TINA CMA as building blocks for the IP photonic network convergence is illustrated. An overview of a ConS reference point specification for managed IP connectivity service, named ConS-IPCM, is explained.