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Next Generation Networks

Classification of Switched Networks


Broadcast networks
• Information transmitted by a node is received by all other
nodes in the networks
• Share a common channel
– Examples: TV, radio
Switched networks
• Information is transmitted to a small subset of the nodes
Circuit Switching vs Packet Switching
Circuit switching
• A Dedicated circuit per call
– Examples: general telephone networks

Packet switching
• Data is sent through network in discrete
chunks
– Examples: Internet, General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS)
Circuit switching Packet switching
• Network busy until call
terminated.
Key Concepts: Telephony

• Term used for computer hardware, software,


and computer network systems that perform
functions traditionally performed by
telephone equipments.
• Networking: Internet telephony or VoIP
Fixed Telephony: Signaling
• Network Signaling
– Between telephone exchanges
– Example: Signaling System no. 7 (SS7)
• a set of telephony signaling protocols developed in
1975
• used to set up and tear down most of the world's PSTN)
telephone calls.
• Used initially for two party voice call signaling
• Then subsequently for other applications such as Short
Message Service (SMS)
SS7 Protocol Stack
• Protocols are used within the
layers (levels) of the SS7 protocol
to accomplish functions called for
at each level.

• Levels 1, 2 and 3 are combined


into one part, the Message
Transfer Part (MTP).

• MTP provides the rest of the


levels with node-to-node
transmission, including basic error
detection and correction schemes
and message sequencing.

• It provides routing, message


discrimination and distribution
functions within a node.
Mobile Telephony: History (Circuit
switched based)
• First generation cellular networks (70s – )
– Analog systems, circuit switching based
• Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS) – USA/Canada

• Second Generation (90s – )


– Digital systems, circuit switching based
• GSM – Europe mainly – However, gaining ground in North
America
• D-AMPS (Digital version of AMPS)
• CDMA One
2.5G
• Target solely data services
– Use packet switching principles between mobiles and
base stations for:
• Faster connection set up
• Higher data rates
• Lower cost
• Rely on new nodes which communicate using packet
switching principles

• No impact on telephony
– Still based on circuit switching principles
– No change at all on the circuit switched part of 2G
History (Packet switched based)
• Third Generation (early 00s – )
– Still digital, but more capacity
– Packet switching based
– Two main standards
• UMTS
• CDMA 2000

• Fourth Generation (2004/2005 – )


– Still digital, but more capacity
– Packet switching based
– Several radio access standards (e.g. Long Term Evolution
(LTE), Wimax)

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