A telecommunications switching centre is constructed from an integrated range of equipment modules collectively termed a switching system. The task of deciding which and how many of these modules are needed for a particular application is generally referred to as switching-centre dimensioning. The dimensioning process is, however, constrained by the pattern and extent of the breakdown into equipment modules in other words, by the overall conceptual design of the switching system itself. A switching system is designed for the cost-effective handling of one particular type of traffic; a system intended for telephone and other call-based traffic is significantly different from those for message or packet-based data traffic.

Inspec keywords: telecommunication traffic; telecommunication switching; packet switching

Other keywords: switching centre dimensioning; packet-based data traffic; call-based traffic; switching system; telecommunications switching centre; traffic considerations

Subjects: Switching centres and equipment