Table of Contents:

Definition and Overview

1. Network Evolution

2. The Introduction of IN

3. Benefits of Intelligent Networks

4. AIN Releases

5. AIN Release 1 Architecture

6. The Call Model

7. AIN Release 0

8. AIN Release 0.1

9. AIN Release 0.2

10. AIN Service Creation Examples

11. Other AIN Services

Self-Test

Glossary

PDF of this tutorial

Definition
An intelligent network (IN) is a service-independent telecommunications network. That is, intelligence is taken out of the switch and placed in computer nodes that are distributed throughout the network. This provides the network operator with the means to develop and control services more efficiently. New capabilities can be rapidly introduced into the network. Once introduced, services are easily customized to meet individual customer's needs.

Overview
This tutorial discusses how the network has evolved from one in which switch-based service logic provided services to one in which service-independent advanced intelligent network (AIN) capabilities allow for service creation and deployment.

As the IN evolves, service providers will be faced with many opportunities and challenges. While the IN provides a network capability to meet the ever-changing needs of customers, network intelligence is becoming increasingly distributed and complicated. For example, third-party service providers will be interconnecting with traditional operating company networks. Local number portability (LNP) presents many issues that can only be resolved in an IN environment to meet government mandates. Also, as competition grows with companies offering telephone services previously denied to them, the IN provides a solution to meet the challenge.