Overview
ISO/IEC 11579-1:1994 defines a reference configuration for Private Integrated Services Network Exchanges (PINX) used to build Private Integrated Services Networks (PISN). It is a conceptual model (not an implementation specification) that guides how PINX capabilities, reference points and functional groupings should be defined so that PISNs can interwork, exchange control information and support ISDN-like applications over intervening networks (IVN). The RC is 64 kbit/s–based and can be extended to support non‑ISDN or high‑speed scenarios (see Part 2: HS‑PINX).
Key topics
- Functional groupings - modular building blocks that describe PINX behavior:
- TE (Terminal Equipment)
- PTS (Private Termination System)
- SW (Switching)
- MP (Mapping / adaptation and multiplexing)
- PIAT (Public ISDN Access Termination)
- ICC (Inter‑PINX Connection Control)
- CC (Call Control)
- Scenario Management (management and topology information)
- Reference points (RPs) - conceptual junctions between functional groupings used to define information flows and responsibilities:
- Q - conceptual point for inter‑PINX connection control
- C - interface between PINX and the intervening network (IVN)
- S, T - other intra‑PINX and TE interfaces referenced in the model
- Inter‑PINX connections (IPC) - model for bearer, control and management information exchanged across an intervening network; supports on‑demand and permanent IPCs.
- Extensibility - RC supports ISDN‑like services and can be extended for HS‑PISN, LAN or broadband technologies.
- Annex material - informational annexes show signalling flow termination, interworking scenarios (overlay and concatenation), and examples of multiple Q/C instances.
Applications and who uses it
ISO/IEC 11579-1 is practical for:
- Telecom equipment vendors designing ISPBX, PISN exchanges or interworking gateways
- Network architects and systems integrators planning private ISDN/PISN deployments
- Standards bodies and technical authors specifying reference points and functional boundaries
- Enterprise IT and telecom managers evaluating vendor claims about PISN capabilities and interoperability
- Test labs and certification bodies developing conformance scenarios based on the PINX model
The standard helps ensure consistent delimitation of responsibilities (management, signalling, performance allocation), and provides a basis for specifying interfaces and interworking with public ISDNs or other IVNs.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 11579-2 (HS‑PINX - High‑Speed PISN Exchanges)
- CCITT (ITU‑T) Recommendation I.411 - ISDN User‑Network Interfaces (referenced)
- CCITT (ITU‑T) Recommendation I.570 - Public/Private ISDN Interworking
Keywords: ISO/IEC 11579-1, PINX, PISN, reference configuration, ISDN, reference point Q, reference point C, functional grouping, inter‑PINX connection.