The AnyMedia (R) Access System - Providing solutions for distribution and network independence

Today's network providers face a significant challenge in selecting and dep loying access solutions that enable them to compete in an increasingly unpr edictable and dynamic market. They must manage the uncertain interplay betw een the demands for circuit-based and packet-based services and, at the sam e time, avoid the possibility of being stranded with large unrecoverable in vestments in outmoded or incompatible infrastructure. The equipment deploye d must ensure adequate capacity to support a complete set of applications a nd must maximize economies of scale. In response to these needs, Lucent Tec hnologies has developed the AnyMedia(R) Access System, a platform for acces s network solutions supporting a full complement of telephony and broadband data services via standard, open network interfaces. This new fifth-genera tion access system builds on Lucent's heritage of high-reliability access n etwork elements and leverages Lucent's Access Interface Platform (AIP) tech nology. The AIP is shared with the 5ESS(R) line units, AnyMedia Access Inte rface Units (AIUs), and other products to provide integra ted voice and dat a access facilities for 24-channel and 30-channel markets. The new system c an serve as a gateway between the circuit-switched telephony network and th e ATM networks that transport telephony services over standard ATM format W e present here an overview of the AnyMedia Access System hardware and softw are architectures, system applications, and capabilities.