ASYNCHRONOUS

TRANSFER MODE
(ATM) AND FRAME
RELAYS
By 22YAD106755 and 22YAD106701
ASYNCHRONOUS
TRANSFER MODEL
(ATM)
INTRODUCTION

Definition: Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is a high-speed networking

technology that transmits data in small, fixed-size packets called cells.
Key to ATM’s charm was that it could emulate direct circuits and guarantee
bandwidth, a shortcoming of frame relay.
• Frame relay won in the WAN. ATM lived on, though in carrier core networks, where
it is slowly being decommissioned.
• ATM has been accepted universally as the transfer mode of choice for Broadband
Integrated Services Digital Networks(BISDN).
ATM can handle any kind of information i.e. voice, data, image, text and video in an
integrated manner.
Virtual Circuits and QOS

Virtual Circuits: ATM uses virtual circuits to establish a logical

connection between two endpoints. These circuits can be either
permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) or switched virtual circuits (SVCs).

Quality of Service (QoS): ATM provides different QoS parameters,

such as constant bit rate (CBR), variable bit rate (VBR), and available
bit rate (ABR), to ensure reliable and efficient transmission of data
Applications

ATM was initially designed for high-speed transmission of voice, video, and
data, making it suitable for applications such as :

● Video Conferencing
● Desktop Conferencing
● Multimedia Communications
● ATM Over Satellite Communications
● Mobile Computing over ATM for Wire-less Networks
FRAME RELAYS
Introduction

Definition: Frame Relay is a packet-switching technology that operates at the data link layer
of the OSI model, providing a cost-effective solution for wide area networking (WAN).Frame
relay is a packet switching technology for connecting network points. It is a connection
oriented data service and establishes a virtual circuit between two end points. Data transfer
is done in packets of data known as frames. These frames are variable in packet size and
more efficient due to flexible transfers. Frame Relay was originally introduced for ISDN
interfaces though it is currently used over a variety of other network interfaces as well.

Variable-Length Frames: Unlike ATM, Frame Relay uses variable-length frames, with the
payload ranging from a few bytes to thousands of bytes.
SVC and Bandwidth

Virtual Circuits: Frame Relay uses virtual circuits, similar to ATM, to establish
logical connections between endpoints. These circuits are known as Data Link
Connection Identifiers (DLCIs).

Bandwidth Management: Frame Relay allows the allocation of bandwidth on-

demand, enabling efficient utilization of network resources. FR allows a frame
size of 9000bytes, which can accommodate all local area network frame sizes,
and operates at a higher speed (1.544Mbps and recently 44.376 Mbps)
Simplified Network

Frame Relay simplifies network infrastructure by reducing the complexity of

routing and encapsulation protocols, making it suitable for connecting multiple
sites within a corporate network.

Frame relay can create multiple redundant connections among various routers,
without having multiple physical links. Since frame relay is not specific for media,
and provides means to buffer speed variations, it has the possibility to create a
good interconnect medium between different types of network points with
different speeds.
Connection Establishment
and Release (Virtual
Circuits)
Permanent vs Switched VCs

PVC : a permanent virtual-circuit is established between two endpoints by the network provider. The
VPIs and VCIs are defined for the permanent connection and the values are entered for the tables of
each switch.

SVC : In a switched virtual-circuit connection, each time an endpoint wants to make a connection with
another endpoint, a new virtual circuit must be established. ATM cannot do the job by itself, but needs
the network layer addresses and the services of another protocol (such as IP).
Differences
ATM vs Frame Relay

1. Uses fixed size packets (53 bytes) for data 1. Uses variable packet sizes depending on
communication the type of information to be sent.
2. Data transfers are within a single LAN. 2. Used to connect LAN and it is not
3. Designed to be convenient for hardware implemented within a single area network
implementation 3. Software controlled
4. Cost is higher to install and upgrade 4. Less expensive and upgrading is easier
5. Leaves a lot of overhead within the 5. gives low overhead within the packet
packet, particularly in short transactions. which results it an efficient method for
transmitting data.
Similarities
ATM = Frame Relay

● Based on end to end delivery of quantized data

● Are data link layer technologies and they have connection
oriented protocols
● Uses two types of connections : Permanent Virtual Circuit and
Switched Virtual Circuit