NODAL SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

A new architecture copes with the changing environment of telecommunic ation networks by building a network out of well-defined components an d specifying interfaces between them. All architectures can be broken down according to their functional aspects and their physical aspects, which gives greater flexibility than conventional rigid placement of functions. The nodal system architecture is a physical one concerned w ith a hardware framework and physical interfaces. It specifies an ''M- interface' between the modules that constitute a node, and provides fo r inter-module-links that offer a uniform interface for easier additio n/removal of modules. By this architecture, development time and cost will be reduced and network operation will be simplified.