Asynchronous

Transfer Mode
(ATM)
A NDA NA, CAÑO S, G A UD IEL , J AG O R IN, L EE ,
N AVAR R O
CONTENT
• Introducton
• Key Concepts
• Different Types of ATM Standards
• Application
 • Asynchronous Transfer Mode
(ATM) is a telecommunications
standard that was developed in
the late 1980s and early 1990s
as a high-speed networking
technology.
• It was designed to support both
voice and data communication,
with the goal of providing a
flexible and efficient way to
Introduction transmit different types of
traffic over a single network.
KEY CONCEPTS:
1. Virtual Circuit Switching
• a virtual path is established between the source
and destination nodes before data transmission
begins
• this virtual path is identified by a Virtual Channel
Identifier (VCI) and a Virtual Path Identifier (VPI)
• This method allows for predictable and reliable
transmission of data.
KEY CONCEPTS:
2. Cell-based Transmission
• ATM breaks down data into fixed-size cells, each
consisting of 53 bytes
• The fixed cell size allows for efficient routing and
switching of data
• It also ensures constant delay and delay variation,
which is crucial for real-time applications like voice
and video.
KEY CONCEPTS:
3. Quality of Service (QoS)
• It provides mechanisms to ensure different levels of
service for different types of traffic
• It supports various traffic classes with defined QoS
parameters, such as constant bit rate (CBR),
variable bit rate (VBR), available bit rate (ABR), and
unspecified bit rate (UBR)
• This allows network operators to prioritize traffic
based on its requirements and allocate network
resources accordingly
KEY CONCEPTS:
4. Scalability
• It is highly scalable, capable of supporting a large
number of simultaneous connections
• The virtual circuit switching approach enables
efficient use of network resources, making it
suitable for both small and large-scale networks
• It provides a hierarchical addressing scheme that
allows for easy expansion and management of
network infrastructure
KEY CONCEPTS:
5. Broadband Integration
• ATM was designed to integrate multiple types of
traffic, including voice, data, video, and multimedia
• It provides a unified platform for transmitting these
diverse types of information, allowing for efficient
utilization of network bandwidth
KEY CONCEPTS:
6. ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL)
• It is is responsible for adapting different types of
traffic to the cell-based format of ATM
• It provides segmentation and reassembly, as well
as error control and flow control mechanisms
• AAL enables ATM to support a wide range of
applications with varying requirements.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ATM
STANDARDS:
- These are just a few examples of the different types of ATM
standards. Each standard plays a specific role in defining the
interfaces, protocols, and mechanisms required for the successful
operation of ATM networks.
1. ATM Forum UNI (User Network Interface)
2. ATM Forum NNI (Network Node Interface)
3. ATM Adaptation Layer 5 (AAL5)
4. ATM Physical Layer
5. ATM Traffic Management
6. Private Network-Network Interface (PNNI)
 • The UNI standard defines the
interface between an ATM device
(such as a computer or router) and
the ATM network
• It specifies the protocols and
procedures for establishing and
1. ATM Forum managing connections between
UNI (User the user's device and the network

Network • UNI allows different vendors'

equipment to interoperate
Interface) effectively.
 • The NNI standard defines the
interface between two ATM
switches within the same network
• It specifies how switches exchange
information and forward traffic
across the network
• NNI enables seamless
2. ATM Forum communication and coordination
NNI (Network between different switches from
various manufacturers
Node Interface)
 • AAL5 is a protocol used for
encapsulating various types of
data, such as IP packets, into ATM
cells
• It provides the necessary
segmentation and reassembly
mechanisms to adapt different
3. ATM data formats to the fixed-size ATM
cells
Adaptation
• AAL5 is commonly used for
Layer 5 (AAL5) transferring data traffic over ATM
networks
 • The physical layer standards define
the electrical and optical
characteristics of the physical
medium used to transmit ATM signals
• The physical layer standards define
the electrical and optical
characteristics of the physical
medium used to transmit ATM signals
• Different physical layer standards
4. ATM Physical exist, such as E1/T1 for digital
transmission and SONET/SDH for
Layer optical transmission.
 • ATM traffic management
standards define mechanisms for
managing and controlling the flow
of data within an ATM network
• This includes traffic shaping,
congestion control, and QoS
(Quality of Service) parameters
• It ensure that different types of
5. ATM Traffic traffic receive the appropriate level
of service and prevent network
Management congestion.
 • PNNI is a standard that addresses
the scalability and management of
large ATM networks
• It defines protocols and
procedures for dynamic routing,
topology discovery, and network
6. Private management within an ATM
Network- network

Network • PNNI enables efficient and reliable

routing of traffic in complex
Interface (PNNI) network environments
APPLICATION
1. Telecommunications Networks
• ATM has been widely used in telecommunications
networks for providing high-speed connections
between different locations
• It offers efficient utilization of network resources,
predictable performance, and the ability to handle
various types of traffic simultaneously
APPLICATION
2. Broadband Services
• ATM has been used in broadband services such as
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and
Fiber to the Home (FTTH) networks
• It allows for the delivery of high-speed internet
access, voice, and video services to residential and
business users
APPLICATION
3. Video Conferencing and Multimedia
Applications
• ATM's QoS capabilities make it suitable for real-
time applications like video conferencing, where
low delay and high reliability are crucial
• It has been used in video conferencing systems,
multimedia streaming, and interactive gaming
applications
APPLICATION
4. Network Backbone
• ATM has been deployed as a backbone technology
in large-scale networks, such as those used by
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and
telecommunications carriers
• ATM has been deployed as a backbone technology
in large-scale networks, such as those used by
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and
telecommunications carriers
Thank you!