Cabletron Systems BRIM-A6 manual Appendix B ATM Overview, ATM Basics

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APPENDIX B

ATM OVERVIEW

This Appendix covers basic Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network operation and concepts that are critical to ATM network design and installation. The ATM Forum User-Network Interface Speciﬁcation provides greater detail on ATM access methods and should be referenced whenever more information is needed. The scope of this appendix is to provide information regarding:

•Basic ATM Concepts.

•Basic ATM technology and how it works.

B.1 ATM BASICS

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) deﬁnes a method of transmitting and switching broadband information. This method highlights the use of relatively small, ﬁxed-size cells (53 bytes) of information as opposed to large, variable-sized packets found in other networking transmission methods (ranging from 64 bytes to well over 4800 bytes). In addition, this method is being heralded as the ﬁrst solution in erasing barriers between local-area networks and wide-area networks – providing voice, video, and data transmission.

The use of small ATM cells provides cost, speed, manufacturing, and technical advantages over other existing transmission methods (i.e., Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI). This appendix touches upon several of these advantages and, when possible, describes them in as much detail as the scope allows.

BRIM-A6 User’s Guide

Page B-1

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Contents BRIM-A6 USER’S Guide BRIM-A6 User’s Guide FCC Notice DOC NoticeVcci Notice Exclusion of Warranty and Disclaimer of Liability Cabletron SYSTEMS, INC. Program License AgreementCabletron Software Program License United States Government Restricted Rights Declaration of Conformity Contents Viii BRIM-A6 User’s Guide Chapter Introduction Using this ManualFollowing conventions are used throughout this document Document ConventionsBRIM-A6 Overview BRIM-A6 FeaturesEMC BRIM-A6 SpecificationsRelated Manuals EMIGetting Help Unpacking the Brim Chapter InstallationInstalling an Apim Installing ApimsInstalling a Brim in a MIM Installing BrimsRemoving the Brim Coverplate Installing a Brim in a Hub BRIM-A6 User’s Guide Chapter Local Management Keyboard Conventions Function Local Management Keyboard ConventionsATM Connection Tables Screen Using LIM to Create PVCsATM Connection Tables Screen Fields Using ATM Connection Tables Screen Commands ATM Connection Tables Screen CommandsDeleting PVCs from the Connection Tables Screen Adding PVCs to the Connection Tables ScreenBRIM-A6 Setup Screen Using LM to Create PvcsBRIM-A6 Setup Screen Fields VPIVCI BRIM-A6 Setup Screen Commands Accessing the BRIM-A6 Add/Delete Entry Screen Using BRIM-A6 Setup Screen CommandsBRIM-A6 Add/Delete Entry Screen Fields Adding a PVC BRIM-A6 Add/Delete Entry Screen CommandsModifying a PVC Deleting a PVC BRIM-A6 LEDs ChapterDescribes each of the Apim LEDs Apim LEDsAppendix a Apim Specifications APIM-11 SpecificationsAPIM-21 Specifications APIM-29 Specifications APIM-22 SpecificationsBNC APIM-67 SpecificationsATM Basics Appendix B ATM OverviewFigure B-1 ATM Cells ATM CellBRIM-A6 User’s Guide B-3 Virtual Channels and Virtual Paths ATM NetworkATM Protocol Permanent and Switched Virtual ChannelsB-6 BRIM-A6 User’s Guide BRIM-A6 User’s Guide B-7 B-8 BRIM-A6 User’s Guide