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DTM offers Layer 2 support for new services in next-generation IP networks
In today's increasingly IPcentric networks, integrators and resellers are faced with an array of choices when providing their clients with network designs and architectures that support new services. While any one of several common network topologies can meet these demands, a new broadband network architecture called DTM (Dynamic synchronous Transfer Mode) offers several advantages that other solutions do not. A dynamic, circuit-switched technology, DTM was developed to meet Layer 2 requirements for advanced IP services and as such is particularly well suited to IP-based network traffic.
For Internet Service Providers and carriers, the Internet presents a challenging business environment. The dramatic growth of IP traffic, complex multiple overlay networks, market deregulation, and increased competition force carriers and ISPs to rethink their future network architectures and service offerings. To date, the general approach has been to simply add more capacity to the networks in order to meet new demands. However, as carrier clients need to deliver more Internet-based, advanced services, the requirements for costeffectiveness increase and new solutions for bandwidth management, Quality of Service (QoS) support, and intelligent billing are necessary. In short, the carriers and service providers are looking for new solutions that can reduce operational costs and increase revenue streams.
The most recent set of differentiated, value-added services to be offered by ISPs are Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Internet telephony, and commerce services. To profit from these new business opportunities, these services must be carefully planned, quickly provisioned, effectively operated, and accurately billed. IP networks, as we know them today, provide a connectionless, besteffort service, which is suitable for email, file transfers, and today's Web traffic. However, the advent of mission-critical network applications and advanced and real-time-sensitive services in the Internet require new solutions that can guarantee a QoS delivery across the network. There are a number of efforts within the Internet community to solve these challenges, but until now no one has created a technology that scales well enough to be implemented in the high performance backbone network.
Requirements For Layer 2
When discussed by ISPs and carriers, the list of requirements for Layer 2 often gets rather extensive, but in general, the following can summarize requirements:
1. Simple scalability....