cNTRODUCTION TO ATM-

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) describes several related,

standards-based technologies that provide high-speed communication
over a broad range of media. The International Telecommunication
Union (ITU-T) defines ATM as "a high-speed, connection-oriented
multiplexing and switching method specified in international
standards utilizing fixed-length cells to support multiple types of
traffic." Before you can decide whether to deploy ATM in your
network, you need to understand how it integrates with current
networking environments and how it functions in new networking
environments.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is a wide array of services and
concepts. At this time, ATM technologies are used selectively in local
and wide area networks. Some networks have been completely
transformed into native ATM networks, with software, end-station
hardware, and network fabric all made up of ATM devices and
drivers. In other networks, ATM is used only in the network
backbone, shuttling data from one local area network (LAN) to
another. In some instances, ATM is deployed in small pockets
intermixed with standard LAN components and other networking
technologies.
ATM is continually evolving. In some cases, its usefulness is judged
by how well it emulates legacy networks; that is, how it compares
with traditional LAN technologies such as Ethernet and Token Ring.
In other cases, ATM provides so many clear advantages in terms of
speed, manageability, and accuracy that it has quickly been
recognized as the only viable solution.

To clarify ATM and to define the

terms and concepts that are essential to any understanding of ATM,
this chapter begins with an overview of ATM and its related
technologies. It then describes how ATM is supported and integrated
into current networks. The final section includes details on Microsoft
vindows 2000 ATM support, how the support is achieved, and how
you can maximize the new, native ATM services provided in
vindows 2000.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) describes several

related, standards-based technologies that provide high-speed
communication over a broad range of media. The International
Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) defines ATM as "a high-speed,
connection-oriented multiplexing and switching method specified in
international standards utilizing fixed-length cells to support multiple
types of traffic." Before you can decide whether to deploy ATM in
your network, you need to understand how it integrates with current
networking environments and how it functions in new networking
environments.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is a wide array

of services and concepts. At this time, ATM technologies are used
selectively in local and wide area networks. Some networks have been
completely transformed into native ATM networks, with software,
end-station hardware, and network fabric all made up of ATM devices
and drivers. In other networks, ATM is used only in the network
backbone, shuttling data from one local area network (LAN) to
another.Thus,
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