Introduction
25
IPLink Software Configuration Guide
1 • System overview
Introduction
This chapter provides an overview of the main elements of an IPLink system and includes the following
sections:
•
IPLink hardware platforms (see
page 26
)
•
IPLink software embedded software (see
page 26
)
A complete IPLink system or network is typically composed of the following main elements plus a third-party
network infrastructure (see
figure 1
):
•
The first and most obvious element is the IPLink devices (also referred to as hardware platforms or network
nodes) that provide the physical connectivity and the CPU resources. All IPLink models support packet-
routed traffic.
•
The second element comprises the embedded software—called IPLink software—running on the IPLink
hardware platforms.
•
Finally, a third-party IP network and transmission infrastructure provides IP connectivity between the
above elements. This infrastructure can range from a simple Ethernet hub or switch to highly complex net-
works including multiple access technologies, backbone transmission, and services nodes.
Figure 1. System overview with a Management Center
Network Management System
Embedded
Software
Node
Node
Node
Embedded
Software
Embedded
Software
IP Network