Overview

The Intelligent Network (IN) has been under development since Bell Communications Research first introduced it in 1984. The goal of intelligent networking is to integrate the features and benefits on the new-generation networks and to allow various types of information to pass through the telephone network without the need for special circuits. Data communications, Internet communications (using Internet Protocols [IPs]), and voice networking have converged to provide a new and exciting set of services. These services revolve around the backbone of the IN, which uses Signaling System 7 (SS7). Network architects envision one network capable of moving any form of information, regardless of the bandwidth. Data and voice calls will traverse this network the same way making communication as simple as placing a traditional telephone call.

Intelligent Networks (INs)

The INs consist of intelligent nodes (computer peripherals), each capable of processing and communicating with one another over low- to midspeed data communications links. All nodes in the intelligent SS7 network are called signaling points that work with packet transmissions. A signaling point has the capability to do the following:

• Read the packet address

• Determine if the packet is for that node

• Route the packet to another signaling point

Signaling points provide access to the SS7 network and the various databases on the network. They also act as transfer points.

More information will be explained in the SS7 chapter later. However, the switching network contains Service Switching Points (SSP) and provides the basic infrastructure needed to process...