Asynchronous Transfer Mode - ATM

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is a packet data and switching technique that transfers information by using fixed length 53 byte cells. The ATM system uses high-speed transmission (155 Mbps) and is a connection-based system. When an ATM circuit is established, a patch through multiple switches is setup and remains in place until the connection is completed. ATM service was developed to allow one communication medium (high speed packet data) to provide for voice, data and video service.

As of the 1990's, ATM has become a standard for high-speed digital backbone networks. ATM networks are widely used by large telecommunications service providers to interconnect their network parts (e.g. DSLAMs and Routers). ATM aggregators operate networks that consolidate data traffic from multiple feeders (such as DSL lines and ISP links) to transport different types of media (voice, data and video).

This figure shows that the Internet is the network of networks and it communicates using the universal protocol language TCP/IP. This diagram shows a user who is sending email through the Internet. In this diagram, the application is email. The data from the email is divided into packets and given sequence number by TCP protocol. The destination address is appended to each packet by the IP layer. The IP packets are then sent through an Ethernet LAN by encapsulating the IP datagram within the Ethernet data packet. When the data packet is extracted from the Ethernet, it is placed on the E1 transmission line. When the IP data packet reaches the ATM network, it is subdivided into very small 53 byte data packets that travel through the ATM network. When the ATM packets reach their destination in the ATM network, the original IP datagram is recreated and transferred via the T1 communication line. The T1 communication line interfaces to another Ethernet data network. This Ethernet data network encapsulates the IP datagram and forwards it on to the NIC of the receiving computer. The NIC of the receiving computer removes the IP address and reassembles the IP data packets to form the original email message.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode - ATM Diagram

Asynchronous Transfer Mode - ATM Terms

ATM Adaptation Layer - AAL
AAL Type 1
AAL Type 2
AAL Type 3/4
AAL Type 5

Asynchronous Transfer Mode - ATM Books

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Asynchronous Transfer Mode - ATM

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is a high-speed packet switching network technology industry standard. ATM networks have been deployed because they offer the ability to transport voice, data, and video signals over a single system. The flexibility that ATM offers incorporates both circuit and packet switching techniques into one technology.

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A Textbook on ATM Telecommunications	ISDN and Broadband ISDN with Frame Relay and ATM	Asynchronous Transfer Mode: ATM Architecture and Implementation
ISDN and Broadband ISDN with Frame Relay and ATM William Stallings,Paperback - New Edition, Edition: 4, English-language edition,Pub by Prentice Hall	Asynchronous Transfer Mode: ATM Architecture and Implementation James Martin, Joseph Leben,Paperback - FACSIMILE, Edition: 1, English-language edition,Pub by Prentice Hall	A Textbook on ATM Telecommunications Perambur S. Neelakanta, P. S. Neelakanta, P. S. Nelakanta,Hardcover - New Edition, Edition: 1, English-language edition,Pub by CRC Press

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