Perspectives on the AIN architecture

The advanced intelligent network (AIN) is examined in terms of its history, present day architecture, and future evolution. The history of the AIN is traced from predivestiture 800 and calling card service capabilities, through IN/1, IN/2, and IN/1+, leading to the various AIN releases. The present-day view of the AIN architecture includes the switching system and other network systems, as well as operations. The AIN functionality supported by this architecture is described from a customer point of view, by means of an illustrative service that could be provided from an AIN platform. The next steps in the AIN evolution are discussed. An appendix that provides detailed information about the AIN Release 1 call model is included.<>