Specification of the broadband user-network interface

Abstract

Broadband ISDN requires a clear and unambiguous specification of the interface between customers' equipment and the public network - the user-network interface-so that equipment and networks can be developed that will work together. A project was carried out under the RACE collaborative programme to develop a specification for this interface. This paper examines the background to the user-network interface specification and describes in broad terms its contents. A description of the control plane, user plane, management plane, the ATM bearer, and signalling protocols are presented along with the key issues that were considered.