ISO/IEC 11579-1:1994

Overview

ISO/IEC 11579-1:1994 defines a reference configuration for Private Integrated Services Network Exchanges (PINX) used to build Private Integrated Services Networks (PISN). It is a conceptual model (not an implementation specification) that guides how PINX capabilities, reference points and functional groupings should be defined so that PISNs can interwork, exchange control information and support ISDN-like applications over intervening networks (IVN). The RC is 64 kbit/s–based and can be extended to support non‑ISDN or high‑speed scenarios (see Part 2: HS‑PINX).

Key topics

• Functional groupings - modular building blocks that describe PINX behavior:
  • TE (Terminal Equipment)
  • PTS (Private Termination System)
  • SW (Switching)
  • MP (Mapping / adaptation and multiplexing)
  • PIAT (Public ISDN Access Termination)
  • ICC (Inter‑PINX Connection Control)
  • CC (Call Control)
  • Scenario Management (management and topology information)
• Reference points (RPs) - conceptual junctions between functional groupings used to define information flows and responsibilities:
  • Q - conceptual point for inter‑PINX connection control
  • C - interface between PINX and the intervening network (IVN)
  • S, T - other intra‑PINX and TE interfaces referenced in the model
• Inter‑PINX connections (IPC) - model for bearer, control and management information exchanged across an intervening network; supports on‑demand and permanent IPCs.
• Extensibility - RC supports ISDN‑like services and can be extended for HS‑PISN, LAN or broadband technologies.
• Annex material - informational annexes show signalling flow termination, interworking scenarios (overlay and concatenation), and examples of multiple Q/C instances.

Applications and who uses it

ISO/IEC 11579-1 is practical for:

• Telecom equipment vendors designing ISPBX, PISN exchanges or interworking gateways
• Network architects and systems integrators planning private ISDN/PISN deployments
• Standards bodies and technical authors specifying reference points and functional boundaries
• Enterprise IT and telecom managers evaluating vendor claims about PISN capabilities and interoperability
• Test labs and certification bodies developing conformance scenarios based on the PINX model

The standard helps ensure consistent delimitation of responsibilities (management, signalling, performance allocation), and provides a basis for specifying interfaces and interworking with public ISDNs or other IVNs.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 11579-2 (HS‑PINX - High‑Speed PISN Exchanges)
• CCITT (ITU‑T) Recommendation I.411 - ISDN User‑Network Interfaces (referenced)
• CCITT (ITU‑T) Recommendation I.570 - Public/Private ISDN Interworking

Keywords: ISO/IEC 11579-1, PINX, PISN, reference configuration, ISDN, reference point Q, reference point C, functional grouping, inter‑PINX connection.