Cabletron Systems BRIM-A6 manual ATM Network, Virtual Channels and Virtual Paths

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Appendix B: ATM Overview

B.3 THE ATM NETWORK

ATM is a connection-oriented transmission technology. This means that no information transfers prior to establishing connection between devices. When preparing information, ATM uses Virtual Channels and Virtual Paths as cell addresses and places this channel data into the cell header. When transferring information, ATM combines these Virtual Channels and Virtual Paths into bundles, or “pipes” before sending them out over an ATM physical link segment.

B.3.1 VIRTUAL CHANNELS AND VIRTUAL PATHS

Rather than addressing cells to a specific destination, as in a LAN, ATM addresses cells to Virtual Channels (VCs) and/or Virtual Paths (VPs). This addressing takes place in the header field of the ATM cell.

VCs and VPs are bi-directional (i.e., they transfer information in both directions on a single channel or path) and are “set-up” between devices on the ATM network prior to transmission. Similar to WAN transmission, ATM technology provides the ability of sending several VCs together over a VP, and several VPs over an ATM link segment (Figure B-3).

VP 1

VC 1

VC 2

VC 3

VC 1

VP 2

ATM Link Segment

Figure B-3 Virtual Channels and Virtual Paths

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BRIM-A6 User’s Guide

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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 Using this Manual Chapter IntroductionDocument Conventions Following conventions are used throughout this documentBRIM-A6 Features BRIM-A6 OverviewEMI BRIM-A6 SpecificationsRelated Manuals EMCGetting Help Chapter Installation Unpacking the BrimInstalling Apims Installing an ApimInstalling Brims Installing a Brim in a MIMRemoving the Brim Coverplate Installing a Brim in a Hub BRIM-A6 User’s Guide Chapter Local Management Local Management Keyboard Conventions Keyboard Conventions FunctionUsing LIM to Create PVCs ATM Connection Tables ScreenATM Connection Tables Screen Fields ATM Connection Tables Screen Commands Using ATM Connection Tables Screen CommandsAdding PVCs to the Connection Tables Screen Deleting PVCs from the Connection Tables ScreenUsing LM to Create Pvcs BRIM-A6 Setup ScreenBRIM-A6 Setup Screen Fields VPIVCI BRIM-A6 Setup Screen Commands Using BRIM-A6 Setup Screen Commands Accessing the BRIM-A6 Add/Delete Entry ScreenBRIM-A6 Add/Delete Entry Screen Fields BRIM-A6 Add/Delete Entry Screen Commands Adding a PVCModifying a PVC Deleting a PVC Chapter BRIM-A6 LEDsApim LEDs Describes each of the Apim LEDsAppendix a Apim Specifications APIM-11 SpecificationsAPIM-21 Specifications APIM-22 Specifications APIM-29 SpecificationsAPIM-67 Specifications BNCAppendix B ATM Overview ATM BasicsATM Cell Figure B-1 ATM CellsBRIM-A6 User’s Guide B-3 ATM Network Virtual Channels and Virtual PathsPermanent and Switched Virtual Channels ATM ProtocolB-6 BRIM-A6 User’s Guide BRIM-A6 User’s Guide B-7 B-8 BRIM-A6 User’s Guide
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