Networking Solutions
555-230-024
12-18 Issue 5 January 1998
Electronic Tandem Network
If your company requires a medium to large network spanning a large geo-
graphic area, nationwide or even worldwide, Electronic Tandem Network is the
answer. An Electronic Tandem Network is a wide-area private network tha t tan-
dems calls through one or more switches to route the cal ls to their destinations.
An Electronic Tandem Network consists of tandem switche s, inter-tandem tie
trunks that interconnect them, access or bypass trunks f rom tandem switches to
main switches, and the software and equipment to support cal l routing over the
trunking facilities. Different Electronic Tandem Network loc ations are connected
via analog or digital tie trunks. For example, a DS1 interface can act as a
high-speed (1.544 Mbps) digital backbone for voice and data communicatio ns
between Electronic Tandem Network locations.
An Electronic Tandem Network can be configured hierarchical ly. An Electronic
Tandem Network can connect individual switches; it can al so connect other pri-
vate networks (such as Main/Satellite/Tributary networks) together.
Within an Electronic Tandem Network, each location is identified by a unique pri-
vate network location code, similar to the public network office codes that exist
within an area code. When accessing the Electronic Tandem Net work, a user
simply dials the network office code plus the desired extens ion number, for a
total of seven digits.
In an Electronic Tandem Network, DEFINITY ECS provides a variety of features
on a network-wide basis. Here are a few examples:
■Uniform Dial Plan — A unique four- or five-digit number assigned to each
station on the network. Uniform numbering gives each st ation a unique
number (location code plus extension) that can be used at any location in
the Electronic Tandem Network to access that station, D EFINITY ECS
enhances the standard uniform dial plan with the unrestricted 5-digit
uniform dial play, which allows up to five digits to be parsed for call
routing.
■Extension Number Portability — When employees move within t he
network, they can retain their extension numbers. The abil ity to keep
extension numbers, and even Electronic Tandem Network and Direct
Inward Dialed numbers, when moving to other locations within the
company eliminates missed calls and saves v aluable time.
■Traveling Class Marks — Traveling Class Marks are a mecha nism for
passing a caller’s facility restriction level from one Extended Tandem
Network switch to another. Traveling Class Marks allow privilege checking
to be passed across switches through the Electronic Tandem Net work.
■Automatic Alternate Conditional Routing — You can contr ol the routing of
particular calls using conditional routing. For example , you can limit the
number of communications satellite hops (comm unications satellite links