18.1.1 General

As described in Chapter 1, the telecommunications, broadcast/media, computing and Internet Protocol (IP) industries have a mutual goal to generate, store and manipulate information. As the Information Age evolves, the amount of information that is transferred across networks continues to increase substantially and there will be much more focus on data communications. The IP technologies are a key part of this evolution. Hence, whereas the focus of this book is on telecommunications signalling, this chapter gives a summary of IP signalling systems.

IP technologies were introduced to support open interfaces and facilitate the inter-operability of computers. IP was originally intended to provide a transparent transport capability over packet-switched data networks, particularly in wide area networks (WANs). A WAN is a data network designed for use over a large geographical area, thus imposing constraints and requirements over the way communications are provided. IP has now expanded to become a provider of communications to a wide range of users. IP is defined to operate primarily in a multiple-network environment.

The structure, organisation and routing approaches used in telecommunications and IP networks are different. However, the signalling systems in the two forms of network have many principles in common.

18.1.2 Terminology

Before entering the IP world, it is worth reflecting on some confusing terminology. The reader is advised to take notice of the context in which terms are used. However, the terminology issues do not negate the common principles of signalling systems in the two forms of network.