Internetworking Over ATM: An Introduction

Internetworking Over ATM: An Introduction, 1/e

Brian Dorling
Jaap Burger
Daniel Freedman
Chris Metz
IBM Books

Published December, 1996 by Prentice Hall PTR (ECS Professional)

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Network Architecture And Design

Today's networking environment is characterized by a diverse mix of topologies, geographic spans, carrier services, equipment, interfaces, physical media, and transmission speeds. Because of the inherent complexity resulting from mixed technologies, it becomes extremely difficult to satisfy all these requirements with existing networking tools. For example, in order for an Ethernet-attached client in a branch office to access an FDDI-attached server in a different location, at least three different networking protocols must be made to communicate. Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) provides the foundation for technology that will not only provide the desired simplification, but will also support those emerging applications that will demand end-to-end quality of service and bandwidth reservation capability. Internetworking Over ATM provides an over view of protocols and technologies that enable “legacy” networking protocols (such as IP and APPN) to use ATM networks. The book explains the challenges involved in using ATM networks and the limitations of legacy protocols in ATM networks, and compares several solutions. Features of Internetworking Over ATM:

Overview of emerging technologies.

How to combine the virtues of LAN switching, bridging, routing, and ATM switching.

IBM's strategy for effective use of ATM technology.

Internetworking Over ATM was written as a “redbook” at IBM's International Technical Support Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The IBM International Technical Support Organization (ITSO) was set up to provide a link between IBM development and IBM engineers working in the field, enabling them to work with new products and systems under development. This is one of the main ways within IBM for keeping technically skilled people up to date with new technologies. It also means new products are given a workout by field practitioners before they are released to customers, thus improving product quality. Redbooks are IBM publications produced by the ITSO. Most of these are very practical guides to current solutions, but some have a much wider focus and are intended to educate people about the current technologies. Because they are written largely by people with extensive practical experience, they offer a much more direct and problem-solving approach than many books on similar topics.