ABSTRACT: This document states the view of Telcordia on the proposed generic requirements for the Access Server (AS) network element.

The AS is a new network element used in the "post-switch" off-load architecture. This architecture enables Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) Ingress Switches (IS's) to identify originating Internet access calls and route them off the PSTN, thus bypassing LEC tandem switches, interoffice trunk groups, and the Egress Switches (ES's) currently serving Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

Requirements in this GR are based on the existing PSTN capabilities (e.g., Signaling System Number 7 [SS7]) in conjunction with the available and planned capabilities in the data networks. This will allow for faster deployment of Internet off-load access traffic architecture.

Additionally, this GR facilitates the dissemination of information about network elements involved in the Internet traffic off-load architecture.