ATM, also known as cell relay, involves the transfer of data in separate parts
called cells. Multiple logical connections can be multiplexed over a single path.
ATM is used in the WANs and is not limited to a specific physical medium
Virtual Paths (VPs) and Virtual Circuits (VCs)
ATM Logical Connections are referred to as Virtual Circuit Connections (VCCs). A
VCC is set up between two end users and a variable-rate, full-duplex flow of cells
is exchanged over the connection.
A Virtual Path Connection (VPC) is a bundle of VCCs that have the same endpoint.
VPC helps control cost by grouping connections sharing common paths through
the network into a single unit. Network management can then be applied to a
small number of groups of connections instead of a large number of individual
connections.
cell FORMAT FIGURE
Fixed size cell has a 5-byte header and 48-byte data field
GFC (4-bits): Generic Flow Control to assist the customer in controlling
traffic flow. This field is only retained at the user-network interface (UNI)
and not retained at the network-network interface (NNI) between ATM
switches.
VPI (8-bits) Virtual Path Identifier is a routing field for the network.
VCI (16-bits): Virtual Channel Identifier is used for routing to and from an
end user.
Payload Type Indicates: type of information in the information field.
CLP (1-bit): Cell Loss Priority provides guidance to the network in the event
of colliding path. CLP = 0 indicates a cell of high priority which should not be
discarded. CLP = 1 indicates a cell that is subject to discard.
The Header Error Control field is an 8bit CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Code) It is used
to check the validity of the ATM cell control information.
AAL5 is used to carry computer data such as TCP/IP. AAL5 adapts multi-cell
higher layer PDU (Protocol Data Unit) into ATM cells with minimal error
checking and no error detection.
Advantages of VPCs:
Increased network performance and reliability since the network deals with
fewer entities.
Reduced processing and short connection set-up time
Enhanced network services (the VPC is used internal to the network but is
also visible to the end user. So user may define closed user groups or closed
networks of VCC bundles (lease them))
VCC uses
In a VCC, cell sequence integrity is preserved, i.e. cells are delivered in the
order they were sent. Examples:
• Between end users to carry end-to-end user data.
• Between an end user and a network entity for user-to-network control
signaling. • Between two network entities for network traffic management
and routing functions.