Distributed object-oriented switching system software platform design

Key technologies are presented and evaluated for establishing a distributed object-oriented switching system platform. This platform is based on CORBA, which can enhance software productivity and system scalability and is thus widely used in the information technology field. Conditions and requirements specific to switching systems, such as very high-performance and non-stop operation, arc analysed and mapped to the main elements of CORBA. How to deploy and bind objects so as to minimize the processing load is clarified. Mechanisms that guarantee system reliability (saving calls in service when a system failure occurs and avoiding the spread of faults) are also presented. Evaluation of the number of dynamic program steps for systems using fully compliant CORBA, improved CORBA, and a proprietary high-speed object-request broker (ORB) shows that constructing a communication switching system by using the high-speed ORB approach is sufficient, but CORBA-compliant approaches should be used to provide an interoperable interface for communicating with external compliant systems. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.