The impact of network convergence on telecommunication software

This describes a converged network architecture and then discusses why it n eeds to be open and programmable and how this can be accomplished. A discus sion of two approaches to open/programmable networks - JAIN and Parlay - is provided to highlight the key ideas. The converged network is a key player in e-business and the next-generation applications currently being develop ed for the growing digital economy. We briefly discuss the role of telecomm unications bandwidth trading and application integration in NGAs and their relevance to converged networks. Some of the challenges software engineers and programmers can expect to encounter while trying to build these network s are also discussed.