ATM LAN Emulation (LANE)
Trebea-Corda Cristian
Technical University,
Cluj-Napoca
LAN Emulation (LANE)
What is LAN Emulation
“…makes an ATM interface look like
one or more LAN interfaces” (CISCO
LANE Overview)
Specified in LAN Emulation over ATM
(ATM_FORUM 94-0035)
Approved in Feb 1995, as LE V 1.0
The reason and goals of LANE
Interconnectivity and transparency
Types of LANE
connectivity
All ATM
connections
LAN to ATM
connections
LAN to LAN
connections (with
ATM backbone)
LAN emulated
characteristics
Connectionless Service
Multicast addresses
Multicast MAC
MAC driver interfaces in ATM
stations
Emulated LANs
Interconnection With Existing LANs
Architecture of LANE
LAN-Fig1
LAN-Fig1
Components of LANE
LAN Emulation client software
Controlls an ATM interface
LAN Emulation Service
Three servers
Emulated LANs
Ethernet/IEEE 802.3
Token Ring/IEEE 802.5
LANE Clients
Role
Ethernet/Token Application layer
Switching and
Ring frames to Transport layer (e.g. TCP)
Network layer (e.g. IP)
bridging functions
AAL5
LAN Emulation Client
Uses Virtual
Channel
Connections
ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL5)
(VCC)
ATM Layer
ATM Physical Layer
MAC for each
ATM interface
LANE Client Protocol
Elements
Transmitted frames (with AAL5
frames)
Ethernet II (DIX)
IEEE 802.2/IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
Token Ring
LANE Service
Handles multiple LECs
LUNI (LANE User Network Interface)
Three components
LAN Emulation Configuration Service (LECS)
LAN Emulation Server (LES)
Broadcast/Unknown Server (BUS)
LANE Client Initialization
Connect to LECS
ILMI
Anycast address reserved for LECS
Use a special PVC, with VPI/VCI 0/17
Interact with LECS
Send ATM and MAC address, LAN type and
supported frame size
Receive LES address, LAN type and frame
size to be used
LANE Client Initialization
Communication with LES
Point-to-point connection (Control Direct
VCC)
JOIN REQUEST control frame
JOIN RESPONSE control frame
Connection is maintained in point-to-
multipoint list
LANE Client Initialization
Communication with LES
JOIN REQUEST
Client ATM and MAC addresses
Type of LAN and maximum frame size to
be supported
Indication if the client acts as proxy for
remote MACs (it is switch or edge device)
The name of ELAN wished to join (if
known)
LANE Client Initialization
Communication with LES
JOIN RESPONSE
Similar fields with JOIN REQUEST
Mandatory fields
Type of LAN
Maximum frame size
Name of ELAN
Assigns a LANE Client ID (LECID)
Connecting to the BUS
LEC requests to the LES the ATM
broadcast address for all 1’s MAC
address
The reply is the BUS address
Address Resolution
A LANE Client needs to know either
The peer LANE Client ATM address
The proxy edge device ATM address
Steps of communication
LE-ARP request to LES
The LES either forwards or responds
with the address
The connection is opened
Quick Sends and Flushing
An alternative to LE-ARP is BUS
After broadcast, new connection
can be opened
LE_FLUSH_REQUEST, path clear
request
LE_FLUSH_RESPONSE, path cleared
Operating with Higher Layer
Protocols
After finding the peer MAC address
Use BUS
Ask the LES the peer ATM, for
connection opening
IETF proposes ATMARP Server
Next Hop Resolution
Protocol
ATMs as non-broadcast multi-
access network (NBMA)
NHRP finds the ATM address of the
best next hop
Multiprotocol Over ATM
MPOA device
ATM interface, LANE software, MPOA client
software
MPOA server
Router containing MPOA server software
Shortcut
ATM VCC, used instead of the default path
A MPOA device requests shortcut
information from a MPOA server
Shortcuts are opened only at steady
traffic
References
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/software/ios113
http://www.iphase.com/docs/whitepapers/lanemul.cfm
http://www.rad.com/networks/1996/atmle/atmle.htm
http://www.ece.wpi.edu/courses/ee535/hwk96/hwk5cd96/cobden/
http://www.protocols.com/pbook/lane.htm
http://www.atmforum.org
http://cell-relay.indiana.edu/cell-relay/
Dr. Sidnie Feit – “Wide Area High Speed Networks”
