Tuesday, September 13, 2005

MultiService Forum's R2 Architecture Builds Momentum

Acme Packet, Convedia, ETRI, IP Unity and Xener Systems are the latest network equipment vendors to claim compliance with the MultiService Forum's (MSF) Release 2 (R2) Architecture. They join Cisco Systems, Fujitsu, Leapstone Systems, Marconi, MetaSwitch, Nortel, Operax and Siemens as adopters of the MSF's Release 2 Implementation Guidelines.


The MSF R2 Architecture provides the essential framework and common semantic for the definition of a multi-service network. Definition of a set of physical architecture implementations within the framework enables MSF members to focus on a common set of commercially viable scenarios. Issues addressed by the architecture include:

  • IP core network QoS


  • Advanced services


  • Interworking with legacy PSTN


  • Multiple carrier QoS enabled solutions


  • Global advanced services interoperability


  • IPv4/IPv6 inter-working where applicable


Compliance with the MSF Release 2 Architecture Guidelines is self-determined by each participating company. MSF members who are able to demonstrate equipment that is compliant with the Release 2 Architecture and the supporting Implementation Agreements (IA's) can claim MSF R2 "compliance" and use the MSF R2 Logo on that equipment.



The MSF Release 2 Implementation Guidelines and a usage checklist can be found online.


A list of products supporting the MSF Release 2 Implementation Guidelines is also online.
http://www.msforum.org
  • Several of the MultiService Forum (MSF) Implementation Agreements (IAs) are incorporated into BT's 21st Century Network (21CN) program. MSF IAs build upon protocols issued by standards bodies such as the ITU and IETF, providing practical methods for applying standards to real world networks.