A study of Specialized Resource Function mapping alternatives for Integrated IN/B-ISDN architectures

The introduction of Intelligent Network (IN) functionality to broadband networks with conventional signalling systems allows the fast and future safe provision of advanced multimedia services. Since novel services will require intense interactions with the network resulting in the exchange of a high number of control messages, the distribution of IN functional entities to network elements becomes a dominant factor in the overall system performance. In this paper we analyze the functions required for an integrated IN/B-ISDN architecture and develop a set of models for representing protocols and IN functional entities. Our purpose is to identify the system bottlenecks and to evaluate alternatives for functional to physical entity mapping that allow the most efficient operation of the system. Emphasis is given to the Specialized Resource Function entity location.