Network Design for IP Convergence

Book excerpt: The emergence of quality-of-service (QoS) mechanisms continues to propel the development of real-time multimedia services such as VoIP and videoconferencing. However, many challenges remain in achieving optimized standardization convergence. Network Design for IP Convergence is a comprehensive, global guide to recent advances in IP network implementation. Providing an introduction to basic LAN/WAN/MAN network design, the author covers the latest equipment and architecture, addressing, QoS policies, and integration of services, among other topics. The book explains how to integrate the different layers of reference models and various technological platforms to mirror the harmonization that occurs in the real world of carrier networks. It furnishes appropriate designs for traditional and critical services in the LAN and carrier networks (both MAN and WAN), and it clarifies how a specific layer or technology can cause those services to malfunction. This book lays a foundation for understanding with concepts and applicability of QoS parameters under the multilayer scheme, and a solid explanation of service infrastructure. It goes on to describe integration in both real time and "not real time," elaborating on how both processes can co-exist within the same IP network and concluding with the designs and configurations of service connections. Learn How to Overcome Obstacles to Improve Technology This sweeping analysis of the implementation of IP convergence and QoS mechanisms helps designers and operators get past key obstacles, such as integrating platform layers and technologies and implementing various associated QoS concepts, to improve technology and standards.