ting xDSL, some of this functionality is also pro- vided by primarily hardware-based products such as Avaya's netSet remote provi- sioning system. The latter comprises switching devices called Automated Main Distributing Frames (AMDFs) and is paired with an Element Director centralised control system. This approach is only suitable as part of a long-term upgrading of network infrastructure because it requires replacement of the traditional MDFs. Of course, the general automation of the MDF removes a large component of field technician work, quite apart from xDSL provisioning. A product resulting from the Ai Metrix, Portal, Cisco and Microsoft alliance offers service providers a DSL solution that goes beyond the pure provisioning stage. In particular, it offers an integrated customer account management, billing, service activation/assurance and inventory management solution for quickly deploying DSL networks. The Ai Metrix's NeuralStar was integrated with Portal's Infranet to provide end-to-end service delivery which includes order entry, service activation, billing and ongoing service assurance. Cisco was involved by validating the integrated solution on a DSL network which used Cisco equipment. 6.7.2 Voice-over DSL (VoDSL) VoDSL merges the PSTN and data lines on a common DSL line. SMEs are accus- tomed to fast provisioning of fixed telephony lines and data subscriptions. Further, in a market with so many potential customers, manual provisioning is not a practi- cal option because there are too many touch points to configure. Automated provi- sioning solutions for VoDSL (such as Ericsson's) automate the entire provisioning flow, from customer premises to local exchange: Integrated Access Device (IAD) allows configuration of uplink speeds, downlink speeds and other customer-specific attributes of the DSL line. DSLAM: an ATM connection is set up from the IAD to the backbone to the VoDSL gateway. ATM/IP Backbone: bandwidth resources are reserved in the backbone. VoDSL Gateway: a new subscriber can be defined with se