!!CONTENT!!
1)    Introduction to ATM on Multiservice Switch networks    
  Overview of ATM network architecture 
  ATM on Multiservice Switch networks 
  ATM  function processors 
  Inverse multiplexing for ATM 
  Multiservice Switch trunks over ATM 
  Frame relay over ATM 
2)     ATM connections and signaling protocols 
  Connections 
  ATM signaling protocols 
3)    Traffic management for ATM 
  Traffic contract 
  Traffic shaping 
  Traffic scheduling 
  Memory management 
  Dynamic bandwidth management 
4)     ATM TRANSMISSION 
  Introduction 
  Logical Connection 
5)     ATM Multiplexing 
6)     ATM & Frame Relay 
  Wide area network internetworking 
  Service internetworking 
7)     Summery of ATM 
  ATM Characteristics 
  Advantages 
  Disadvantages         
Introduction to ATM on Multiservice Switch 
networks 
Asynchronous  transfer  mode  (ATM)  is  a  high  bandwidth,  low-delay, 
connection-oriented  switching  and  multiplexing  technique.  ATM 
technology is based on the switching of small fixed-length packets of 
data called cells. In ATM, all data is transferred in 53-byte cells. Each 
cell  has  a  5-byte  header  that  identifies  the  cells  route  through  the 
network and 48 bytes that contain user data (called the payload).  
Overview of ATM network architecture 
The  adaptation  layer  is  the  outer  layer  of  the  ATM  network.  This 
layer  includes  enterprise  switches  and  service  access  multiplexers. 
These  devices  support  the  service  interfaces  and  adapt  legacy 
protocols,  such  as  frame  relay,  to  ATM.  The  Passport  6400  switch  is 
an ATM access device and can exist either on the customer premises 
or in the service providers central office. 
The  access  layer  is  the  middle  layer  of  the  ATM  network.  Nortel 
Multiservice  Switch 7400 devices  are access concentration  nodes 
or  edge  nodes.  These  nodes  receive  cells  from  the  nodes  in  the 
adaptation  layer  and  concentrate  these  cells  into  the  ATM 
backbone layer. 
The  ATM  backbone  is  the  central  layer  in  the  ATM  network.  A 
Nortel Multiservice Switch 15000 is responsible for routing traffic 
through the network at high speeds.       
ATM network architecture   
ATM on Multiservice Switch networks 
ATM  on  Multiservice  Switch  networks  is  based  on  standards 
developed  by  the  ATM  Forum  and  the  International 
Telecommunication  Union  (ITU).  Because  ATM  uses  small  cells  to 
transfer  data  and  isochronal  timing,  Multiservice  Switch  devices  can 
support  a  wide  range  of  audio,  video,  image,  and  data 
communications requirements. 
ATM uses a type of time division multiplexing that transmits different 
applications  (voice,  data,  or  video)  over  the  same  connection.  With   
ATM  technology,  Multiservice  Switch  nodes  can  allocate  bandwidth 
on  demand  based  on  each  applications  bandwidth  and  quality  of 
service (QOS) requirements. 
Multiservice  Switch  nodes  support  the  following  ATM  services  to 
allow  service  providers  to  use  other  forms  of  traffic  in  their 
networks:- 
Inverse multiplexing for ATM. 
AAL1 circuit emulation service. 
Multiservice Switch trunks over ATM. 
Frame relay over ATM. 
ATM multiprotocol encapsulation service.  
Multiservice  Switch  nodes  support  the  following  advanced  traffic 
management  capabilities  to  allow  service  providers  to  optimize 
network performance:- 
connection admission control 
bandwidth pool management 
resource management 
queue management 
congestion control 
traffic shaping and policing  
ATM  function processors 
Nortel  Networks  defines  ATM  function  processors  (FPs)  by  the  type  of 
application  specific  integrated  circuit  (ASIC)  and  by  the  type  of  field 
programmable gate array (FPGA) on the card: 
  APC-based FPs use the ATM Port Controller (APC) ASIC, the Multiservice 
Switch  queue  controller  (PQC)  ASIC,  and  the  Queue  Relay  Device  (QRD) 
FPGA to provide enhanced functionality. 
  AQM-based FPs use the Multiservice Switch queue controller (PQC) and 
ATM  queue  manager  (AQM)  ASICs  to  provide  enhanced  functionality.   
However,  the  1-port  OC-12  FPs  use  the  PQC  and  the  ATM  queue 
scheduler (AQS) FPGA to provide OC-12 capacity. 
  AQS-based  FPsNortel  Networks  name  for  the  Multiservice  Switch 
ATM  FP  that  provides  high  performance  ATM  adaptations  for  IP,  frame 
relay, and existing networking applications. 
  CQC-based  FPa  type  of  Multiservice  Switch  ATM  FP  that  uses  a  cell 
queue  controller  (CQC)  ASIC.  This  type  of  FP  is  the  original  ATM  FP  on 
Multiservice Switch devices. 
The  Multiservice  Access  FPs  use  the  Multiservice  Switch  node  queue 
controller  (PQC)  and  ATM  queue  manager  (AQM)  ASICs  to  provide 
enhanced functionality. 
The  table  Function  processor  ASICs  maps  the  FP  to  the  type  of  ASIC 
and Multiservice Switch series.     
Inverse multiplexing for ATM 
Inverse  multiplexing  for  ATM  (IMA)  is  a  feature  that  supports  the 
transparent  transmission  of  ATM  cells  over  a  combination  of  multiple 
DS1/E1  links  (an  IMA  link  group).  The  link  group  uses  the  inverse 
multiplexing  process  to  transmit  a  single  stream  of  ATM  layer  traffic 
across multiple links. IMA then combines the traffic back into the original 
cell sequence at the remote end.   
IMA  on  Nortel  Multiservice  Switch  nodes  supports  the  use  of 
synchronized and non-synchronized links within an IMA link group. Use 
an  IMA  link  group  within  a  Multiservice  Switch  network  to  access  an 
external  ATM  network. IMA  is  available  to  both private  and  public  user-
to-network (UNI) or network-to-network(NNI) interfaces. The Multiservice 
Switch  networks  traffic  management  capabilities  also  apply  to  ATM 
connections served by IMA link groups.  
Multiservice Switch trunks over ATM 
The  Multiservice  Switch  node-to-Multiservice  Switch  node  links  are 
called  Multiservice  Switch  trunks  (trunks).  A  trunk  is  a  point-to-point  or 
logical  connection  between  two  Multiservice  Switch  nodes  over  which 
Multiservice  Switch  proprietary  routing  protocols  run.  Multiservice  Switch 
trunks  over  ATM  implement  an  unacknowledged  protocol  and  support 
ATM connections for node-to-node connectivity. 
Trunks  over  ATM  allow  all  non-ATM  Multiservice  Switch  services  and 
DPN-100  traffic  to  travel  transparently  over  ATM  while  allowing  the 
transport of all existing services. This transport mechanism also enables 
new  service  offerings  to  be  carried  prior  to  standardization  of  future 
adaptation protocols. 
Frame relay over ATM 
The  frame  relay  to  ATM  (FR-ATM)  interworking  service  for  Nortel 
Multiservice Switch nodes allows the carriage of frame relay traffic over 
an  ATM  networking  and  transport  infrastructure.  It  maps  frame  relay 
permanent virtual connections (PVC) to and from ATM PVCs to provide 
connectivity  between  frame  relay  customer  premises  equipment  (CPE) 
and ATM CPE. The FR-ATM interworking function supports the application of 
either the FRF.8 standard to support service interworking (SIWF), or the FRF.5 
standard to support network interworking (NIWF). 
ATM connections and signaling protocols 
Connections 
The  Multiservice  Switch  ATM  connection  provides  end-to-end 
information transfer capability to access points.   
A  virtual  channel  connection  (VCC)  is  an  ATM  connection  where 
switching  is  performed  on  the  virtual  path  identifier  (VPI)  and  virtual 
channel identifier (VCI) fields of each cell. A VPI is a field in the ATM cell 
header  that  indicates  the  virtual  path  for  routing  the  cell.  A  VCI  is  a 
unique numerical tag, as defined by a 16-bit field in the ATM cell header 
that identifies the virtual channel over which the cell is to travel. A virtual 
path  connection  is  an  ATM  connection  where  routing  is  performed  only 
on the VPI field of each cell. 
Multiservice Switch nodes support four ATM connection types:- 
Permanent virtual channels and paths. 
Switched connections. 
Virtual path terminators.  
Permanent virtual channels and paths 
A  permanent  virtual  connection  can  be  either  a  virtual  path  (PVP)  or 
virtual  channel  (PVC).  A  permanent  connection  has  a  predefined  static 
route  that  provides  a  permanently  configured  connection  between  the 
customer  premise  equipment  and  the  ATM  networks.  Permanent 
connections  are  set  up  using  predetermined  user  requirements  for 
bandwidth  and  the  duration  of  the  connection.  Once  configured, 
permanent connections remain set up even when they are not in use.  
Switched connections 
A  switched  connection  supports  the  same  functionality  as  permanent 
connections  and  provides  dynamic  establishment  at  each  node  along 
the  connection  route.  The  connection  route  is  automatically  selected. 
Switched  connections  do  not  require  configuration,  but  network  nodes 
must be configured for ATM routing. 
Point-to-point connections provide the capability for bi-directional unicast 
data  communication.  Data  traffic  moves  simultaneously  in  both 
directions,  and  allows  for  the  possibility  of  the  two  streams  of  traffic 
requiring different bandwidths. 
Point-to-multipoint  connections  provide  the  capability  for  unidirectional 
multicast data communications using VCC-based switched connections. 
A point-to-multipoint connection is a collection of associated ATM virtual 
channels  with  associated  end  point  nodes.  Data  traffic  moves  in  one 
direction only, from the single source to the multiple destinations.   
Virtual path terminators 
A virtual path terminator (VPT) is an ATM network entity that unbundles 
the virtual channels of a virtual path for independent processing of each 
virtual  channel.  There  are  two  types  of  VPTs,  basic  and  standard,  that 
serve as connection end points of a virtual path connection. 
  Basic VPT 
For  basic  VPTs,  independent  virtual  connections  configured  within  a  basic             
VPT  are  equivalent  from  a  datapath  and  traffic  management  perspective.  Basic 
VPTs support the following capabilities: 
  virtual  path  operations  and  maintenance  functionality  (end-to-end  loopbacks 
and virtual path to virtual channel fault interworking). 
  spooled VCC statistics and accounting records. 
  optional VPT connection admission control (CAC).  
  Standard VPT 
Standard VPTs provide traffic management capabilities at both the virtual path 
and  virtual  channel  levels.  Standard  VPTs  can  dynamically  share  bandwidth 
among virtual paths and virtual channels within a given virtual path. In addition 
to  the  features  supported  by  basic  VPTs,  standard  VPTs  also  support  the 
following capabilities: 
  real-time  statistics  (operationally  viewable  as  opposed  to  spooled) 
implemented at the VPT level. 
  virtual path shaping and weighted fair queuing (WFQ). 
  multiplexing of multiple virtual channel service classes.   
ATM signaling protocols 
The    Multiservice  Switch  ATM  signaling  interface  is  the  connection 
between  two  network  nodes  or  entities.  Each  entity  is  either  customer 
premises  equipment  (CPE),  another  Multiservice  Switch  node,  or  an 
external  ATM  network.  The  ATM  interface  layer  provides  the  direct 
association  between  the  interface  and  the  physical  port  and,  by 
extension,  the  physical  link  hard-wired  to  the  port.  Each  physical  ATM 
link  or  inverse  multiplexing  for  ATM  (IMA)  link  group  has  one  ATM 
interface  at  each  end.  The  interface,  and  the  networking  and  protocol 
associated with that interface, control connections on the ATM link. 
Multiservice Switch nodes support the following ATM signalling interface 
types: 
User-to-network interface. 
Interim interswitch signalling protocol interface. 
ATM inter-network interface. 
Private network-to-network interface. 
Virtual interfaces.     
Traffic management for ATM 
The communication needs of these applications translate into a set of traffic 
characteristics  based  on  the  required  quality  of  service  (QOS)  classes  and 
the  traffic  descriptor  types.  Multiservice  Switch  provides  traffic 
management  functions  that  ensure  that  the  QOS  objectives  for  each 
subscriber are met. Multiservice Switch traffic management strategies also 
optimize the service providers use of network resources so that the service 
offering is cost effective. 
Most  traffic  management  functions  apply  to  both  PVC  connections  and 
switched connections (including SPVCs), although some features cannot be 
selected for individual VCCs.  
The  figure  Overview  of  application  points  for  traffic  management  controls 
shows  where  these controls  apply  along the  data  path  from  link ingress to 
link egress.  
Traffic contract 
A  traffic  contract  defines  the  traffic  characteristics  of  a  connection  in  the 
ATM network. The service provider and the subscriber agree on the level of 
service  that  each  connection  must  support.  The  service  provider  defines 
the  service  requirements  for  each  subscriber according to the  applications 
that  the  network  must  support.  This  definition  requires  translating  the 
communications  needs  of  these  applications  into  a  set  of  traffic 
characteristics. Nortel Multiservice Switch.    
  ATM service categories 
  constant bit rate (CBR)The CBR service category supports 
real  time  applications  that  require  tightly  constrained  delay 
and  delay  variation.  These  applications  include  voice  and 
video  applications.  The  consistent  availability  of  a  fixed 
quantity  of  bandwidth  is  appropriate  for  CBR  service.  Cells 
that  the  network  delays  beyond  the  value  for  CTD  are  of 
significantly reduced value to the application. 
  real  time  variable  bit  rate  (RT-VBR)The  RT-VBR  service 
category also supports for real time applications that require 
tightly  constrained  delay  and  delay  variation.  These 
applications  include  voice  and  video  applications.  The 
network  expects  sources  to  transmit  at  a  rate  that  varies 
with  time.  Standards  describe  this  source  as  bursty.  Cells 
that  the  network  delays  beyond  the  value  for  CTD  are  of 
significantly reduced value to the application. Real-time VBR 
service  can  support  statistical  multiplexing  of  real  time 
sources. 
  non-real  time  variable  bit  rate  (NRT-VBR)The  NRT-VBR 
service  category  supports  non-real  time  applications  that 
have  bursty  traffic  characteristics  and  that  standards 
characterize  in  terms  of  a  PCR,  SCR  and  MBS.  For  cells  that 
the  network  transfers  within  the  traffic  contract,  the 
application  expects  a  low  cell  loss  ratio.  For  all  connections, 
the  application  expects  a  limit  to  the  mean  cell  transfer 
delay.  Non-real  time  VBR  service  support  statistical 
multiplexing of connections.   
  Broadband bearer capability parameters 
The    Multiservice  Switch  devices  support  the  following 
broadband bearer capability (BBC) parameters for switched 
connections: 
bearer class 
transfer capability 
clipping   
best effort 
frame discard (in the transmit and receive directions)  
  Connection traffic descriptors 
The    Multiservice  Switch  devices  support  the  following 
connection traffic descriptors: 
peak cell rate (PCR) 
sustained cell rate (SCR) 
maximum burst size (MBS) 
cell delay variation tolerance (CDVT)  
Traffic shaping 
The  Multiservice  Switch  devices  traffic  shaping  strategies  ensure  that 
transmitted traffic conforms to subscribed traffic parameters by regulating 
the  emission  interval  of  cells  transmitted  on  the  link.  By  pacing  the 
transmission  of  cells,  the  service  provider  avoids  cell  discard  at  points 
where  traffic  policing  applies.  A  devices  traffic  shaping  strategies  also 
allow the  network  manager  to  balance  the  quality  of  service  requirements 
against  network  costs.  Multiservice  Switch  supports  traffic  shaping  in  all 
supported service categories.  
Traffic scheduling 
The  service  provider  requires  appropriate  traffic  scheduling  policies  to 
meet the contracted ATM service category for each node in the network. 
On Nortel Multiservice Switch device ATM function processors, there are 
queues  at  both  the  incoming  and  outgoing  link  sides  and  both  to  and 
from  the  bus.  The  devices  scheduling  policy  is  based  on  a  system  of 
emission  and  discard  priorities.  This  system  applies  different  urgency 
priorities  to  different  traffic  types  so  that  each  application  can  use  the 
correct  ATM  service  category  to  meet  the  urgency  and  value 
requirements.   
Memory management 
The  Multiservice  Switch  devices  support  resource  control  mechanisms 
that  manage  the  queue  and  memory  resources.  These  resources 
monitor  and  control  the  link,  processor,  bus,  and  memory  resources  on 
the  function  processor.  The  devices  resource  control  mechanisms 
permit  you  to configure  ATM  queue management  connection  pools  and   
frame  connection  resources  for  sub  connections,  and  Multiservice 
Switch dynamic packet routing system (DPRS) connections.  
Dynamic bandwidth management 
If  the  bandwidth  reduces  so  that  the  switch  can  no  longer  support 
existing  connection,  Nortel  Multiservice  Switch  devices  identify  lower 
priority  connections  that  can  terminate  or  can  support  bandwidth 
reduction.  This  capability  reduces  potential  congestion  at  the  ATM 
interface and maintains.  
ATM TRANSMISSION 
Introduction 
ATM  is  designed  to  be  a  connection-oriented  technology.  Instead  of 
broadcasting  transmissions  for  all  stations  on  the  network  to  receive,  a 
specific  virtual  circuit  is  set  up  between  two  end  devices.  A  connection 
between  the  two  devices  is  established,  similar  to  a  phone  call,  before 
any transmission occurs. 
The  ATM  cells  are  identified  with  a  particular  virtual  circuit  and  are 
delivered only to devices on that virtual circuit.  
Logical connections 
The  virtual  circuits  used  in  the  ATM  environment  define  the  logical 
channels  through which  communications  occur.  As  was mentioned,  two 
types  of  virtual  circuits  exist,  Permanent  Virtual  Circuits  (PVCs)  and 
Switched  Virtual  Circuits  (SVCs).  It  is  promised  that  ATM  will  support 
both. However, at the present time there is little support for SVCs. They 
will  be  required  to  be  able  to  establish  connections  between  individual 
stations, with sessions lasting only as long as needed. It is expected that 
the  PVC  method  will  prevail  until  reliable  congestion  management 
systems are developed. 
ATM  logical  channels  are  defined  by  two  components.  The  first  is  the 
Virtual  Channel(VC)  which  is  the  actual  logical  connection  between 
devices.  The  second  is  the  Virtual  Path  (VP),  which  is  a  bundle  of 
virtual channels. 
Also in the ATM cell header is the Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) which 
identifies the  virtual channel  within  the  virtual  path.  The channels  within 
a VPI are identified relative to the virtual path.  
ATM multiplexing 
ATM transmission is based on the statistical modelling of various type of 
data. This modelling is done in the ATM network device. An ATM switch   
collects the information from many attached devices. This information is 
multiplexed  into  a  single  stream  of  cells,  which  is  then  sent  to  the 
destination ATM switch. At the receiving end, the stream of cells is split 
back  into  their  original  streams.  Because  of  its  multiplexing  of  discrete 
data  streams,  ATM  is  sometimes  referred  to  as  Asynchronous  Time 
Division (ATD).     
ATM and Frame Relay 
As  was  mentioned,  the  ATM  Forum  is  working  in  conjunction  with  the 
Frame Relay Forum to provide specifications for implementing ATM and 
Frame Relay together. The emphasis is on co-existence. Frame Relay is 
a  technology  in  widespread  use  today  while  ATM  is  seen  as  a  likely 
choice for a new network capable of supporting Frame Relay as one of 
several interface access technologies. 
Both  ATM  and  Frame  Relay  are  based  on  packet-switching.  A  major 
difference  is  speed  potential.  Frame  Relays  maximum  speed  is  1024 
Mbps  (1.024  Gbps)  while  ATM  speeds  of  2.4  Gbps  are  already 
available, with even higher speeds expected. 
At this time, the ATM and Frame Relay Forums are close to completing 
specifications in two areas. These are the following:  
 Wide-Area Network Internetworking. 
This  would  allow  two  Frame  Relay  networks  to  communicate  over  an 
ATM  backbone.  There  would  be  no  need  to  change  the  Frame  Relay 
networks  but  they  would  be  able  to  take  advantage  of  ATMs  high 
bandwidth. 
The Frame Relay emulation, or translation, would take place in customer 
premises equipment, connecting to either a circuit providers or a private 
ATM network.          
Summary of ATM  
ATM characteristics 
ATM technology can be described by the following characteristics: 
 ATM is a cell-relay technology, transmitting data packets of a fixed 
size called cells. 
 Connections between communicating devices in an ATM network 
are made by establishing virtual circuits between them. 
 ATM technology allows the amount of available bandwidth to be 
predicted and guaranteed. 
 ATM is a switch-based technology, making it scale able. As traffic 
loads increase, additional switches can be added to the network. 
 Data transfer rates are very efficient once the connection has been 
established.  
Advantages 
Following is a summary of some of the advantages associated with 
ATM: 
 Error handling on a link-by-link basis is eliminated, thereby increasing 
throughput.   
 Transmissions occur in a connection-oriented mode, with provisions for 
any-to-any connections. 
 The amount of header information is less than that found in many other 
technologies. 
 ATM cells are relatively small and are consistent in size. This reduces 
the type of delays at switches that would otherwise be caused by larger 
and/or variable-sized packets.  
Disadvantages 
Following is a summary of some of the disadvantages associated with 
ATM: 
 Lack of standards in key areas. 
 Carriers are seen as being slow to provide wide-area ATM services. 
 New technologies are often viewed as being unstable. Many potential 
ATM users are waiting for second and third generation products, which 
are expected to be lower cost, provide for smoother network operations 
and to offer more management features.                    
REFFERENCE  
 I got The  above Information  And Refference From Under 
the guidance of several Textbook  & Authors name as :  
See the following documents for additional information on ATM 
technical descriptions, standards, and benchmarks:  
IEEE 802-1990 IEEE Standards for Local and Metropolitan Area 
Networks: Overview and Architecture.  
Telcordia GR-1110-CORE.  
Performance Evaluation of Connection Admission Control 
Techniques in ATM networks, B. Jamoussi. S. Rabie, and O. Aboul-
Magd, GLOBECOMM96, November, 1996. 
And I get all information from the web 'Nortel Confidential'.  
Atlast I thanks  our H.O.D sir Mr. Balaji  padhi For their 
advice to refer to this Textbooks.