On using nomadic services for distributed intelligence

Abstract

This paper presents a next generation integrated IN architecture among Flexible Intelligent Network Elements (FINE) based on the multimedia multimode (client, server and agent) IN Service Node concept (Proc. ICCE '97, Cannes (1997) 77), to perform a crafty Unified Media Communications Service (UMCS) across heterogeneous networks. The FINE architecture represents a network of configurable interworking elements allowing user access to a Unified Message Store (UMS) and Universal Communications Channel (UCC) via traditional PSTN/ISDN/PLMN equipment such as telephones, pagers and fax machines on the one side, and networked computers and mobile terminals equipped with mail readers and Web browsers on the other side, to enable both on-line and off-line interactions. A virtual cluster of FINEs within an integrated personal communications network is dynamically configured in a distributed or centralised manner according to user profile requirements, network size and performance to provide artful messaging, telephony and I 3E services (Intelligent Inter-, Intra- and Extranet) in a changing environment. The FINE consists of a Channel Matrix Switch (CMS), several Resource Platforms (RP) containing Media Conversion Processors (MCP) and Channel Managers (CM) to perform the media translation and routing in the required interchange formats, an Internet Gateway (IG) to hold the subscribers' mailboxes and provide the internet connectivity, and a FINE Controller (FINEC) to realise the FINE Service Logic (FSL) and manage the FINEs. Each FINEC can be deployed in some of the three modes — independent (server), dependent (client) and autonomous (agent) — with respect to the user/network configuration, thus allowing a dynamically configurable (per user/ per node/ per service) centralised or distributed service architecture. The FINE itself is organised along with other nodes by a Network Operation Support Environment (NOSE), a service oriented and TMN compliant Operation, Administration & Maintenance Centre. Service logic can be transferred, installed and mounted on demand among the FINE Controllers and the terminal equipment to provide optimal QoS.