Patton electronics SmartNode Series - Chapter 1 System Overview; Introduction

Introduction 39
SmartWare Software Configuration Guide 1 • System overview
Introduction
This chapter provides an overview of the main elements of a SmartNode system.
A complete SmartNode system or network, as installed in any of the application scenarios introduced in section
“Applications” on page 41, is typically composed of the following main elements plus a third-party network infra-
structure:
• The first and most obvious element is the SmartNode devices (also referred to as hardware platforms or net-
work nodes) that provide the physical connectivity, the CPU and DSP resources. All SmartNode models
support packet-routed and circuit-switched traffic equally well.
• The second element comprises the embedded software—called SmartWare—running on the SmartNode
hardware platforms.
• Finally, a third-party IP network and transmission infrastructure provides IP connectivity between the
above elements. This infrastructure can range from a simple Ethernet hub or switch to highly complex net-
works including multiple access technologies, backbone transmission, and services nodes.