Convergence Capabilities

---

The CM uses the most modern convergence capabilities to simplify data and voice telecommunications. These capabilities are new paradigms in the TI, which traditionally used complex, ineffective and inefficient telephony. The model uses the following seven capabilities to access the highest quality Internet-based data and voice information throughout a global network (Grover & Vaswani, 2000; Mezher & Abdul-Malak, 1999):

1. Simplifying; decomposing network components into their basic forms enables the CM to break down a network's complex functions into their basic forms. This capability results in a common signaling and interconnecting core that is able to open interfaces between its new basic functional components. The capability also results in a more flexible architecture by supporting mix-and-match interworking that can effectively interface and configure with differing applications. The CM implements the intelligent network (IN) technology to simplify a network's service complexities and related problems (Asatani, Chi-Meng, Krick, & Markis, 2001; Van Vliet, 2000). The IN technology is based on upgrading outdated services, deploying new ones, and testing their consistencies, programmability, and interoperability with other systems and components. The IN also evaluates and compares network services and determines whether a service needs an upgrade or not (Lee, 2000; Manley & Thomas, 1997).

2. Separating; ensures separation of network services from its components through application of layered technology. It improves the network's ability to continuously monitor its services and components independently by creating separate paths for each one. It makes it possible to identify common services and employ them throughout the network's transport and access types (Eldering & Sylla, 1999; Pavon & Thomas, 1998).

3. Distributing; ensures creation of a fully distributed architecture and processing environment to the network users that is capable of component location transparency. The client server technology transforms flexible packaging of logical functional components into their basic physical elements for further analysis and use(Glitho, 1998; Guston, 1999; Rogers, Taylor, & Finn, 1999).

4. Configuring; using the mix-and-match capability, the model provides flexible configuration, upgrades its various components and enables them to work together in a synergistic manner. Using the mix-and-match methodology a functional subset component is identified and configured for a unique application. This identification technology evaluates and identifies targeted components and recommends either upgrade or replacement without any adverse impact to the other components (Leigh, 1999).

5. Updating; using advanced service programmability technology, the model updates network software and hardware services, provides fast network service creation and network usage, and improves third-part programmability (Georgopoulos, 1999).

6. Interfacing; identifies a new network's functions that require integration with the existing legacy system components and systematically bridges them together.

7. Integrating; decomposes a network's components into their basic forms and integrates them efficiently. It also flattens a network by integrating its component operations, controlling its unified processes, and controlling its various functions. This integration capability is possible by dividing the components into unique and identifiable nodes and controlling them in sequence (Amintas & Swarte, 2000; Wade & Muldowney, 1999).

---