Addressing Over GB - NSVC
Addressing Over GB - NSVC
Addressing over Gb is performed over virtual connections. At NS and BSSGP layers , each
entity communicates with its peer through this kind of connection. The goal of this section
is to explain the hierarchy that has been defined between the different virtual connections
and to introduce the technical words that are used in the standard for the description of the
Gb interface.
Addressing is very simple, but it requires an understanding of basic concepts that will be
introduced in the following sections. Once these concepts have been presented, a global
overview of addressing will be given.
Figure 6.6 provides an overview of the different levels of addressing on the Gb interface. We
will return to this figure later in the chapter.
6.3.1 Bearer Channel
A bearer channel (BC) is a physical channel that carries all the frame relay signaling and data.
A BC could be a n — 64 Kbps channel on a pulse code modulation (PCM) link (2,048 Kbps
for a European E1 link; 1,544 Kbps for an American T1 link). The PCM link is the typical
transmission link that is used in telecom networks.
As a BC can be mapped on a restriction of a PCM link, it is possible for an operator to share this link
Note between GPRS packet transfer (Gb interface) and circuit-switched (A interface).
6.3.2 PVC
The frame relay PVC was introduced in Section 6.2. It allows the multiplexing of different
flow on the BC. The BC can support several PVCs. At BSS side, a DLCI, which can be
different from the one at the SGSN side, identifies a PVC.
There is a dedicated DLCI (DLCI = 0) that is used for signaling purposes (link management). This DLCI
Note does not identify a PVC.