ATM: Networking and Internetworking

Modules

Hide all

Just what is ATM and why is it such a good idea? (5 topics)

• The main characteristics of ATM technology
• What does an ATM network look like?
• The advantages of the ATM approach
• How does ATM achieve it's seemingly impossible goals
• Comparing ATM with competing technologies

ATM Connections (5 topics)

• Multiplexing connections together virtual channels and virtual paths
• Permanent and on-demand connections
• Soft/smart PVCs
• What types of connection are available where?
• ATM connection characteristics

The ATM Layer (6 topics)

• Defining the UNI and NNI
• The ATM Cell header format at the UNI and NNI
• Cell rate decoupling
• The need for ATM management cells
• ATM layer management functions
• When are these functions used?

ATM System Architectures (7 topics)

• ATM as backbone carrier technology for other services
• The need for ATM adaptation
• Voice and telephony over ATM - trunking desktop and mobile
• Circuit emulation and TDM services over ATM
• Video-conferencing over ATM
• Video distribution over ATM
• Data over ATM

An Overview of SDH as it relates to ATM (9 topics)

• SDH and SONET comparison and data rates
• G.704 Framing
• Relating SDH and PDH
• SDH paths and virtual containers
• SDH multiplexing
• Concatenated containers
• Tributary mapping into virtual containers
• Alarm indication
• Tandem connections

ATM Physical Layers (6 topics)

• Cell delineation
• SDH 155.52Mpbs physical layer
• SDH 622Mbps physical Layer
• The T3/E3 45/34Mpbs physical layer
• 25.6 Mbps UTP physical layer and its derivatives
• The UTOPIA interface. Level 1 and level 2

ATM Standards (5 topics)

• Who is in charge of ATM standardization?
• Who are the main players?
• What is the role of the ATM Forum?
• What standards are available now and what's coming along soon
• An ATM standards time line

Traffic Management and Quality of Service (17 topics)

• What is Quality of Service (QoS) and why is it ATM's biggest advantage
• ATM service categories revisited (CBR/VBR/UBR/ABR)
• Sizing ATM networks
• The essential principles of traffic management
• The differences between traffic policing and traffic shaping
• Traffic contracts compliance and conformance
• The Generic Cell Rate Algorithm
• Switch algorithms for traffic management
• Blocking and non-blocking switches
• ABR flow control procedures
• Example algorithms for ABR
• What applications will use ABR
• What QoS is available now?
• Differences between the QoS available on PVCs and SVCs
• What does QoS bring to a network today?
• Planning for QoS in an ATM network
• Quality of service features in products