 route efficient management of the digital services. through a network) and resilience of both multiplexer, network management and links. 56.3.1 Connectivity This robustness is a combination of the intelligence within a networking node and within the network management platform. The need to deliver a number of different services into a single integrated network requires a range of connectivity solutions, such 56.3.4 Family Networks grow and change and it is therefore extremely important Voice, the ability to connect digitally from a modern PBX, but to support a family of product to meet different network sizes and also to connect analogue devices such as E&M circuits (the with the inherent ability to change. To this end multiplexers are not original analogue private wire), telephone lines and telephone single product categories, indeed 'the network is the product'. exchanges. Within the same multiplexer family one can range from a single 2. Data, the ability to handle the range of data speeds both asyn- network connection right through 256 X E1 network connection, chronous and synchronous from as low as 1.2kbit/s through to from a two multiplexer network to a 10,000 node network, and from 1920kbit/s (and eventually to 34Mbit/s). delta (triangle) topology through to a complete mesh topology. With 3. Video, the ability to handle video at rates from 64kbit/s through all these variation of network design and size, it is essential that a to 1920kbit/s. consistent view of the network is maintained with the same 'look 4. Image, the ability to handle services from CAD devices with and feel' no matter what the size of the multiplexer or network. minimal delay across a network. Users demand a single tightly coupled view of their network not one 5. LAN, the ability to incorporate LAN interconnection devices that has a core network surrounded by alternative or even OEM both routers and bridges in an integrated manner. access products. The reach of the network must at least have the capability to extend digitally to the small