As mentioned in the previous chapter, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) was selected in 1987 by ITU-T as the universal transfer mode for transferring information of the broadband integrated services digital networks (BISDN). It was originally conceived as a high-speed transfer technology for voice, video, and data over public networks. It combines the benefits of circuit switching with those of packet switching and provides a mechanism for integrating LANs and WANs. ATM allows the carriers to provide different classes of service over the network and to connect devices operating at different speeds. The objective of this chapter is to provide a basic understanding of ATM networks and its services. The chapter provides summaries of ATM cells, protocols, services, and standards. It also discusses various applications of ATM, particularly how it applies in local area network (LAN) environments.

Chapter Contents:

• 9.1 ATM Technology
• 9.1.1 ATM Cell
• 9.1.2 ATM Layered Architecture
• 9.2 ATM Network
• 9.3 ATM Service Classes
• 9.4 ATM Standards
• 9.5 ATM LAN Emulation
• 9.6 ATM Applications
• 9.7 Traffic Management
• 9.8 Advantages and Disadvantages
• Summary
• Review Questions
• Problems

Inspec keywords: wide area networks; asynchronous transfer mode; protocols; packet switching; B-ISDN; local area networks; circuit switching

Other keywords: circuit switching; protocols; public networks; universal transfer mode; packet switching; ATM cells; broadband integrated services digital networks; LAN; asynchronous transfer mode; WAN; ITU-T; local area network environments; ATM networks; high-speed transfer technology; BISDN

Subjects: Local area networks; ISDN; Computer communications; Protocols; Protocols; Communication switching