The Many Faces of Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Running head: ATM
The Many Faces of Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
ATM Objectives 3
Basic Concepts in ATM 4
ATM Standards 7
ATM Switching 11
Switching Networks 12
Performance Issues 12
ATM Applications 14
Consumer Applications 14
Commercial Applications 16
Summary 17
References 19
The Many Faces of Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Introduction
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) has been accepted universally as the transfer mode of choice for Broadband Integrated Services Digital Networks (BISDN). It can handle any kind of information such as voice, data, image, text and video in an integrated manner. ATM provides a good bandwidth flexibility and can be used efficiently from desktop computers to local area, metropolitan are network and wide area networks (LAN, MAN and WAN). It is a connection- oriented packet switching technique in which all packets are of fixed length.
Although ATM is a technology, most users experience ATM through the use of both ATM equipment and services. This paper will attempt to explain a few of the basic principles and concept of Asynchronous Transfer Mode through objectives, basic concepts, standards, switching and application.
ATM Objectives
One must note that ATM meets the following objectives for BISDN networks. They support all existing services as well as emerging services in the future, utilize network resources very efficiently, minimizes the switching complexity, minimizes the processing time at the intermediate nodes and supports very high transmission speeds, minimizes the number of buffers required at the intermediate nodes to bound the delay and the complexity of buffer management, and guarantees performance requirements of existing and emerging applications.
Basic Concepts in ATM
Before continuing we must first review some basic concepts in ATM design. These terms were copied in their entirely to maintain definition integrity from McGraw-Hill, ATM Theory and
The Many Faces of Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
ATM Objectives 3
Basic Concepts in ATM 4
ATM Standards 7
ATM Switching 11
Switching Networks 12
Performance Issues 12
ATM Applications 14
Consumer Applications 14
Commercial Applications 16
Summary 17
References 19
The Many Faces of Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Introduction
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) has been accepted universally as the transfer mode of choice for Broadband Integrated Services Digital Networks (BISDN). It can handle any kind of information such as voice, data, image, text and video in an integrated manner. ATM provides a good bandwidth flexibility and can be used efficiently from desktop computers to local area, metropolitan are network and wide area networks (LAN, MAN and WAN). It is a connection- oriented packet switching technique in which all packets are of fixed length.
Although ATM is a technology, most users experience ATM through the use of both ATM equipment and services. This paper will attempt to explain a few of the basic principles and concept of Asynchronous Transfer Mode through objectives, basic concepts, standards, switching and application.
ATM Objectives
One must note that ATM meets the following objectives for BISDN networks. They support all existing services as well as emerging services in the future, utilize network resources very efficiently, minimizes the switching complexity, minimizes the processing time at the intermediate nodes and supports very high transmission speeds, minimizes the number of buffers required at the intermediate nodes to bound the delay and the complexity of buffer management, and guarantees performance requirements of existing and emerging applications.
Basic Concepts in ATM
Before continuing we must first review some basic concepts in ATM design. These terms were copied in their entirely to maintain definition integrity from McGraw-Hill, ATM Theory and
References: David McDysan and Darren Spohn. (1999). ATM Theory and Applications. New York, New York: McGraw Hill. George Mason University. (2005). Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Tutorial. Retrieved 9 December 2005, from George Mason University: http://www.cne.gmu.edu/modules/atm/Texttut.html. Jupitermedia. (2005). ATM. Retrieved 9 December 2005, from Jupitermedia: http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/A/ATM/html. Steve Steinke. (2005, 1 May). ATM Basics. Retrieved 9 December 2005, from IT Architech: http://www.itarchitect.com/article/NMG20000727S0017.