Asynchronous Transfer Mode

(ATM)

By :- Ishan Arora
IT-A
274019
 Introduction
• ATM-Asynchronous Transfer Mode

• A low-layer networking technology based on fast

packet-switching of small fixed size packets called cells.

• ATM provides a single transport mechanism for

integrated services traffic: data, voice, video, image,
graphics…
• ATM requires connections to be established before
any communication takes place

• A connection is called a virtual circuit which

could be permanent or switched

• Information to be transmitted is divided into cells

consisting 5 bytes header and 48 bytes user data

• Typical speeds of ATM are 155 and 622 Mbps

 ATM’s Key Concepts
• ATM uses Virtual-Circuit Packet Switching

– ATM can reserve capacity for a virtual

circuit. This is useful for voice and video,
which require a minimum level of service

– Overhead for setting up a connection is

expensive if data transmission is short
(e.g., web browsing)
 ATM’s Key Concepts
• ATM packets are small and have a fixed size
– Packets in ATM are called cells
– Small packets are good for voice and video
transmissions
 Characteristics of ATM
• Point to point technology
• Connection-oriented: an end-to-end
connection (called a virtual channel) must
be set up using a signalling protocol before
any data cells can be sent on that VC
• “Bandwidth on demand”
• Integrated services
 ATM Cells
• Why 53 Bytes?
A 48 byte payload was the result of a compromise
between a 32 byte payload and a 64 byte payload
• Advantages
– Low packetization delay for continuous bit
rate applications (video, audio)
– Processing at switches is easier
• Disadvantages
– High overhead (5 Bytes per 48)
– Poor utilization at lower line rates links
ATM Cells
ATM Cells
 ATM ARCHITECTURE
• ATM is cell-switched network
• The user access devices , called the
endpoints , are connected through a user-to-
network interface(UNI) to the switches
inside the network.
• The switches are connected through
network-to-network interface(NNIs).
ATM ARCHITECTURE
 VIRTUAL CONNECTION
• Connection between two endpoints is
accomplished through Transmission
Paths(TPs), Virtual Paths(VPs) and Virtual
Channels(VCs)
• A Transmission Path(TP) is the physical
connection(wire,cable,satellite) between an
endpoint and a switch or between two
switches.
• A Transmission Path is divided into several
virtual paths.
 VIRTUAL CONNECTION
• A Virtual Path(VP) provides a connection
or a set of connections between two
switches.

• Cell Networks are based on Virtual

Channels(VCs).
TP,VPs and VCs
 How ATM Works?
• ATM is connection-oriented -- an end-to-end
connection must be established and routing
tables setup prior to cell transmission
• Once a connection is established, the ATM
network will provide end-to-end Quality of
Service (QoS) to the end users
• All traffic, whether voice, video, image, or
data is divided into 53-byte cells and routed in
sequence across the ATM network
 How ATM Works?
• Routing information is carried in the header
of each cell
• Routing decisions and switching are
performed by hardware in ATM switches
• Cells are reassembled into voice, video,
image, or data at the destination
ATM Reference Model
 ATM Layers and Planes
• ATM is a three dimensional model consisting
of layers and planes

• Physical layer deals with physical media

issues

• ATM layer defines cell format and

connection setup
 ATM Layers and Planes

• ATM Adaptation Layer segments and reassembles

upper layer

• User planes deals with data transport,flow and

error control

• Control plane deals with connection management

• The Layer and Plane management deals with

resource management and interlayer coordination
 ATM Layer
• The ATM layer provides routing , traffic
management and switching services.

• Multiplex logical channels within a physical channel

• The ATM Layer is responsible for the transport

of 53 byte cells across an ATM network
 ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL)
• AAL encapsulates user-level data
• Performs segmentation and reassembly of user-
level messages
Layers of ATM
 Advantages of ATM
• Better for bursty traffic
• Statistical multiplexing gain
• Better network utilization
• Same mechanism works for all traffic types
• Simple and fast hardware switching
THANK YOU