IPStream

Written on 9:55 AM by ooe

IPStream is a wholesale product that offers service providers the ability to connect to their customers over an IP network. The product offers the service provider the ability to connect many users through BT's IP network and provide an aggregated delivery to the service provider's premises. The product comes in two parts: the end user access and the aggregate access.

The end user access provides the links from the users into BT's network, and channels the traffic over an ATM network to a remote access server (RAS). This device is IP aware and has the ability to recognise the service provider for which the user is a customer. Traffic is then routed by the RAS to the correct service provider over BT's IP network. The aggregate access part of the product defines the capacity of the link to the service provider.

There is a range of speeds available. For business users downstream rates are 0.5, 1, and 2 Mbit/s. The upstream rate is set to 256 kbit/s. For residential users, the downstream rate is 0.5 Mbit/s and the upstream rate is adaptive between 64 and 256 kbit/s. The actual upstream speed obtained by residential users depends upon the quality of the line and distance between the user and the local exchange. The aggregate access speeds available go from 0.5 to 155 Mbit/s.

All services offered are contended, which means that the network is configured to less than the sum of the individual user access rates. This is perfectly acceptable for fast, but ‘bursty’ type IP traffic (variable bit rate), but would not be suitable for applications where data is constant for prolonged periods, e.g. video – though downloading of IP video clips would be considered part of the normal ‘bursty’ IP traffic.

The business user interface is 10baseT Ethernet, which enables connection to the user's PC LAN. For residential, the interface is USB, which enables a direct connection into most modern PCs. Self-install options are now offered that enable service providers to choose the ADSL equipment that best meets their requirements. The service provider then sends the equipment to the users who will be able to connect this device to their telephone line without the need for an engineering visit. Alternatively, the end user can purchase a service provider package from high street retailers. Already broadband modems are being pre-installed into PCs as ADSL PCI modems.

The business users have a range of addressing options available to suit their particular needs in terms of number of PCs, LANs, and IP services they wish to use. For residential users, the options are focused on the needs of the mass market.

Although IPStream is an IP product, it does not provide a connection to the Internet. The product provides a connection between the users and their service provider. It is then an option for each competing service provider to decide what content and facilities they will offer their users. However, typical service providers might provide e-mail, news groups, and Internet access as well as information, education and entertainment services.