DSL Forum's BroadbandSuite: Unleashing the Power of Broadband

For more than a decade, the DSL Forum has continued to evolve our work to meet the needs of the emerging broadband marketplace. Initally focusing on DSL development, the Forum expanded its scope by focusing on three key elements in the next generation network:

The Home network
The Access network
The Service Control plane

The goal is to create a program that focuses on:

The BroadbandSuite^TM is the embodiment of this expanded scope, and consists of three reference models:

BroadbandControl: Network Managment, Policy Control
BroadbandAccess: Architecture, Transport, Access Interoperability
BroadbandHome: WAN/LAN Management and Interoperability

The BroadbandSuite^TM goals are to deliver a unified end-to-end, access agnostic service delivery architecture; ensure quality, scalability, resiliency, and inter-working capabilities; and expand the reach with remote device management capabilities.

BroadbandControl

BroadbandControl creates an intelligent, programmable control layer that unifies subscriber and application requests with network resources in a real-time, on-demand environment.

BroadbandControl's Focus:

By creating an active control plane, service providers are able to accelerate the creation and delivery of personalized rich-media services, automate network operations, and enhance the subscriber experience.

BroadbandControl's Key Specifications:

Work in Progress:

WT-131: Policy Management Framework
WT-146: IP Sessions
WT-147: Layer 2 Control Mechanisms
WT-159: Management Framework for xDSL Bonding
PD-025: Test & Diagnostics for Next Generation DSL Networks
PD-160: IPTV Performance Monitoring & Diagnostics

BroadbandControl Key Features:

Extensible Architecture
Common Policy Information Model
Unified Data Model
Dynamic Session Control
Real-time Network Control

BroadbandAccess

Broadband Access defines specifications for broadband "agnostic" access network architectures that deliver inherent quality, scalability, resiliency, and inter-working capabilities.

BroadbandAccess' Focus:

Enable service providers to successfully deliver voice, video, and data services across an infrastructure that offers faster bit rates at less cost, packed based QoS, IP multicast group management, and reduces management cost.

BroadbandAccess' Key Specifications:

Work in Progress:

WT-105: G.992.3/5 ADSL2/2plus Functional Test Plan
WT-114: VDSL2 performance test plan
WT-115: VDSL2 functionality test plan
WT-127: Dynamic Testing of DSL Transceivers with Splitters
WT-138: Validation of G.997.7 Parameters
WT-146: IP Sessions
WT-147: Layer 2 Control Message Parameters

BroadbandAccess Key Features:

IP Ethernet
Multi-Service Enabled Architecture
End-to-End QoS Enabled Architecture
Simplified Network Provisioning and Management

NSP - Network Service Provider
ASP - Application Service Provider
Policy-based Application and Subscriber IP Services (a la TR-059)
Support for business services and higher access speeds
Ethernet VLAN approaches used extensively

BroadbandHome

BroadbandHome unifies the home networking environment by establishing a common set of CPE capabilities that thrive across various service providers' networks.

BroadbandHome also automates device activation and management to supply the service delivery and support process. These common specifications for gateways and next generation quad-play devices ensure they are adaptable to the varying broadband access networks needs, allowing consumers to choose from a larger body of multimedia services that can be readily supported by service providers.

BroadbandHome's Focus:

Simplify the service delivery process by automating the device activation, configuration, and management processes.

BroadbandHome Key Specifications:

Work in Progress:

WT-107: Internet Gateway Device Data Model version 2 (includes bonded DSL)
WT-121: TR-069 Implementation Guidelines
WT-123: TR-060 Validation Testing Architecture
WT-142: Framework for use of TR-069 with PON Access
WT-143: CPE Throughput Performance Test Mechanism
WT-148: TR-069 Object Management Optimization & Scalability
WT-155: Requirements for Optical Residential Gateways
PD-154: XML Data Model Descriptions and Object Library
PD-157: TR-069 Common Managed Objects

BroadbandHome Key Features:

Advanced Services Enabled Architecture
Standardized Broadband WAN interface
Flow Through Order Management
Automated Device Provisioning
Centralized Configuration Management
Enhanced Remote Support Capabilities
Device Standardization
Common Home Area Networking Capability
Interoperability Program

How can your company become engaged in the BroadbandSuite initiative?
We encourage all companies active in consumer electronics, home networking equipment and support, as well as DSL service providers to engage in this active initiative. For more information on how to join, please click here.