This page tries to show in simplest form BT Wholesale Converged Network which encompasses:

• IPStream / IPStream Connect
• WBC
• WBMC Shared
• WBMC Dedicated
• NGA 

Both the diagram and details are interactive.  If you want to know more information about a particular item in the graphic clicking on it will give you a short explanation of what that item is. The details section contain links to more in depth explanation on particular items which are held on other pages on this site.

Diagram of BT Wholesales Converged Network

Details and Explanation

• Access Node - A local exchange containing one or more MSANs.
  For more info on MSANs see: Inside the BT Telephone Exchange.

• AP - Aggregation Point.  Where multiple end users are aggregated into a single path for connection to the CP.
  For more info on APs see: What are Aggregation Points. 

• BBEA/BEA Broadband Edge Aggregator.

• BRAS - Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS or RAS) routes traffic to and from the digital subscriber line access multiplexors (DSLAM) on an ISP network.  The BRAS manages the logical path from the consumers modem through to the IP core network.
  For more info see page: BTw network RAS.
  

• Colossus - BT's 20CN UK core Internet backbone network mesh which runs on IP technology.
  For more info see page: BTw network Colossus.

• Core Node - One of the 20 sites where WBC traffic is aggregated and handed over to the CPS.
  For more info on Core Nodes see page: 21CN Core Nodes
  

• CP - Allows CPs access to broadband end users - Carrier Provider.

• DSLAM - A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM pronounced dee-slam) allows telephone lines to make faster connections to the Internet.  It is a network device, located in the telephony exchanges of the service providers, that connects multiple customer Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs) to a high-speed Internet backbone line using multiplexing techniques.
  For more info on DSLAMs see: Inside the BT Telephone Exchange.

• EEA - Ethernet Edge Aggregator (A 7750).

• EES - Ethernet Edge Switch (A 7750).

• EFM - Ethernet in the First Mile.  Ethernet over copper access.

• EP Extension Path.  This is the connection from the AP at the WBC Interconnect Node to the CP.
  For mor info see page : What is an Extension Path

• EU - End User.  The customer or business that uses the service.

• FER - Front End Router.

• GEA - Generic Ethernet Access.  Allows local loop equipment (eg Openreach) to be connected to fibre.

• IEA - Internet Edge Aggregator (A 7750).

• IP Stream - A method of delivering EU traffic over BTs network for presentation to the ISP using Central Pipes. IPStream has been withdrawn as a product in 2014 replaced by IPStream Connect.
  For more information on IP Stream see page: IPStream

• IPSC - IP Stream Connect - A transitional product for delivery of EU traffic over BTs 21CN network for presentation to the ISP.  Replaced IPStream.
  For more information on IPSC see page: What is IPStream Connect (IPSC)?

• LPA - Logical PoP Aggregator - A router that aggregates the traffic from BRASes at a 20CN broadband Point of Presence.

• MCLAG - Multi Chassis Link Aggregation Group

• Metro Node - The backhaul network from the Access Nodes terminates on the metro nodes.
  For more information see page: 21CN Metro Nodes.

• MPLS Core - Multi Protocol Label Switching Core network.  A high speed IP network, where packets are given a predefined route and pass straight through.  Unlike a normal IP network where each packet is inspected and routed by each node in the network.
  For more info see page: 21CN Core Nodes.

• Fibre MSAN - Fibre MSAN provides both direct access for Fibre fed customer services and aggregation/resilience protection to the Network.  MSAN is essentially a next generation DSLAM and the edge of the 21CN backhaul.
  For more info see page: 21CN Network Access FMSAN.

• Copper MSAN - Copper Multi Service Access Node equipment which provides all access for Copper Metallic fed services, PSTN Voice, DSL Broadband, Slow Speed Ethernet and converts the end user service to IP.
  For more info see page: 21CN Network Access CMSAN.

• MSE - Multi Server Edge. See MSE bRAS

• MSIL - Multi service Interface Link is the Ethernet pipe connectivity between BTs and the CPs 21CN networks.  MSIL provides for the needs of WBC, WBC (Converged) and NGN Call Conveyance.
  For more info see page: What is a MSIL.

• MSIP - Multi Service Intranet Platform.  The name for BT's 20CN platform which carried ATM backhaul traffic.
  For more info see page: BTW Network MiSP

• Multiplexing - Many of these network elements perform the same function of multiplexing many transmission pathways on to a single pathway such that a point is reached where a single physical connection can router connection into an ISPs network.
  For more information see page: DSLAM.

• MSPE - Multi Service Provider Edge.  Takes 20CN BRAS capability closer to the end user.  Less latency.
  For more info see page: MSE_BRAS

• NGA - Next Generation Architecture.  Fibre based internet access such as FTTC/FTTP (Fibre to the cabinet/premises).
  For more information see: BT Openreach NGA Boundary.

• WBC - Wholesale Broadband Connect.  A method of delivering EU traffic over the BT Wholesale network for presentation to the ISP.  WBC requires the ISP to have a prescence at the core nodes for routing of traffic other than over the BTW core.
  For more info see page: Wholesale Broadband Connect.

• WBMC (Dedicated) - Wholesale Broadband Managed Connect.  A method of delivering EU traffic over the BT Wholesale network for presentation to the ISP.  BT Wholesale is responsible for not just backhaul routing but also routing over the core network.  The ISP purchases their own MSILs at their chosen point(s) of prescence.
  For more info see page: WBMC - Dedicated.

• WBMC (Shared) - Wholesale Broadband Managed Connect.  A method of delivering EU traffic over the BT Wholesale network for presentation to the ISP.  BT Wholesale is responsible for not just backhaul routing but also routing over the core network. The ISP uses BTw MSILs.
  For more info see page: WBMC - Shared.

• WDM - Wave Division Multiplexing. A method of combining multiple signals on to optical fibre.
  For more information see page: Wave Division Muliplexing

• Alcatel 7750 Intrastate Ethernet Aggregation Switch (IP Multiplexor)

  High Performance  Multi Service Edge Router that can be deployed for a wide range of functions Broadband Network Gateway for subscriber management Multi Service Edge Router Backhaul Aggregation Router Mobile Gateway WLAN Gateway for carrier WiFi networks Security Gateway BT Wholesale appear to be using these extensively across their 21CN network for Edge routing and aggregation. Manufacturers link : Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router

Last updated Oct 2014
References BT Wholesale