ATM

Asynchronous Transfer
Mode (ATM)

A high-speed, broadband transmission data communication

technology based on packet switching and multiplexing
technologies, and used by telcos, long distance carriers,
and campus-wide backbone networks to carry integrated
data, voice, and video information

"A transfer mode in which information is

organized into cells; it is asynchronous in
the sense that the recurrence of cells
containing information from an individual
user is not necessarily periodic".

NOTE
ATM, like Frame Relay, was built on the
assumption that the underlying physical media
was reliable and flexible.
i.e. Minimal error and flow control overhead is
required.

Why faster than Frame Relay ?

Faster than Frame Relay because : Minimal error and flow control capabilities thus reduces
overhead per cell
More streamlined (presents very little resistance to
a flow) in nature
Use fixed-size cells simplifies the processing required at
each ATM Node

Similarities between ATM and packet

switching?

Data rates - 25.6Mbps to 622.08Mbps (155.5 Mbps

necessary for full-motion video)

Architecture
ATM uses fixed-size 53-byte cells.
Each cell contains 48 bytes of
payload (data)
and 5 bytes of control and routing
information in the header.
The 5-byte header provides
addressing information for switching
the packet to its destination.

ATM Protocol Reference Model

Map data to
the ATM cell
structure
Framing, cell structure
& Logical Connections

Virtual Channel Functions

Virtual Path Functions

Various data rates (155.52

Mbps, 622.08 Mbps) over
various physical media
types (Fiber Optic, SONET,

ATM Adaptation Layer

(AAL)
The function of the ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) is to
adapt the ATM Layer protocol to high-level networking
protocols above it.
The AAL consists of two sub layers:
Convergence Sublayer (CS):
Top sublayer, responsible for performing functions
relating to the class of service specified for the traffic
being transported over ATM.
Segmentation And Reassembly (SAR):
Bottom sublayer, responsible for breaking up high-level
data streams into 48-byte segments for packaging into
ATM cells. If there's insufficient data to form a cell, SAR
pads the cell to make a full cell.

ATM Layer
This middle layer takes the payload
formed by the ATM Adaptation Layer
and adds the 5-byte header
information and routes the packet to
its destination.

Physical Layer:
This bottom layer defines the electrical
characteristics of the network interface
and media over which the ATM cell is
transmitted and converts the ATM
cell into electrical signals.
Note : The ATM Layer and Physical
Layer are together equivalent to the
OSI model's Physical layer.

Protocol Model has 3 planes

User provides for user information transfer and associated
controls (flow control, congestion control)
Control performs call control and connection control
functions (signaling)
Management provides plane management and layer
management and coordination functions Management plane
Plane management
Management functions related to system as a whole; make sure the
various planes coordinate their activities properly
Layer management
Provides operations, administration, and maintenance services thru info
packets that switches exchange to keep system running effectively

Other Information
ATM is generally deployed in a star topology
with the ATM switch at the center acting as
a concentrator.
The advantages of this topology are that
troubleshooting is simplified and the network
can easily be reconfigured if required.
ATM switches can provide bandwidth on
demand, and additional connections can be
formed with the switch when more bandwidth
needs to be added.

 ATM is a connection-oriented
technology that supports both pointto-point and point-to-multipoint
connections, but multipoint
connections require multicasting
NOTE : ATM does not support
broadcasts.

Virtual channels
ATM requires the establishment of a specific network path
between two points before data can be transported
between them.
The paths with which ATM connects end stations are
called virtual channels (VCs).
Virtual channels consist of one or more physical ATM
links connected in a series for transmitting data between
remote stations.
A VC exists only while data is being transmitted on it, and

all cells in a given ATM transmission follow the same VC

to ensure reliable data transmission.

virtual path
A virtual path (VP) is a collection of VCs
having the same source and destination
points that can be used to pool traffic being
transmitted to a given destination.
The header of an ATM cell contains routing
information that defines the VC being used
for the connection.
This routing information is called the
Virtual Path Identifier/Virtual Channel
Identifier (VPI/VCI). (to be thought later)

ATM Connection Relationships

Virtual Channel: basic logical communications channel

Virtual Path: groups of common virtual channels
Physical Transmission Path: physical communications link

Advantages and
Disadvantages

Virtual Path/Virtual Channel

Terminology
Virtual Channel

(VC) A generic term used to describe

unidirectional transport of cells associated
by a common unique identifier value

Virtual Channel Identifier

(VCI) A unique numerical tag for a particular

VC link

Virtual Channel Link

A means of unidirectional transport of cells

between the point where a VCI is assigned
and where it is translated or terminated

Virtual Channel Connection

(VCC) A concatenation of VC links that

extends between two connected ATM endpoints

Virtual Path/Virtual Channel

Terminology
Virtual Path

(VP) A generic term which describes

unidirectional transfer of cells belong to VC
that are associated with a common unique
identifier

Virtual Path Identifier

(VPI) Identifies a particular VP

Virtual Path Link

A group of VC links identified by a common

identifier between the point where the
identifier (VPI) is assigned and where it is
translated or terminated

Virtual Path Connection

(VPC) A concatenation of VP links that

extends between ATM end-points where the
VCIs are assigned and where they are
translated or terminated

Virtual Channels
The virtual channel (VC) is the fundamental unit of transport in ATM. Each
ATM cell contains an explicit label in its header to identify the virtual channel.
a Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI)
a Virtual Path Identifier (VPI)
A virtual channel (VC) is a communication channel that provides for the
transport of ATM cells between two or more endpoints for information
transfer.

A Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) identifiers a particular VC within a particular

VP over a UNI or NNI.

Virtual Paths

A Virtual Path (VP) is a group of Virtual Channels that are carried on the same
physical facility and share the same Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) value.

Aim: Control cost of network :

By grouping connections sharing common paths through the network into
a single unit.
Thus network management action can be applied to a small number of
groups of connections instead of a large number of individual
connections.

Virtual Connection Identifiers

in UNIs and NNIs

Connection Identifiers

The VP boundaries are delimited by Virtual Path Terminators (VPT).

AT VPTs, both VPI and VCI are processed.
Between VPTs associated with the same VP, only the VPI values are
processed (and translated) at ATM network elements.
The VCI values are processed only at VPTs, and are not translated at
intermediate ATM network elements.

Advantages of Virtual Paths

Simplified network architecture allows separation of
functionality into individual logical connections (virtual channel) and
related groups of logical connections( virtual path)

Increased network performance and reliability. Network deals with fewer entities

Reduced processing and short connection setup time

complex setup tasks are in virtual paths, simplifies setup of new virtual
channels over existing virtual path- no call processing is required at
transit nodes

Enhanced network services supports user-specified closed

groups/networks of VC bundles

Call Establishment with Virtual Paths

Virtual path control mechanism

including calculating routes, allocatin
Capacity, and storing connection
State information

Request for VCC

VCC originates
originates

VPC exists?
No

Establish
new VPC

Yes

Can QoS be
satisfied?

Yes

No
Block VCC or request
more capacity

Request
granted?
No

Reject VCC
request

Yes

Make
connection

Control Signaling
A mechanism to establish and release VPCs and VCCs
The exchange of information involved in this process is referred to
as control signaling
4 methods for VCCs (as per ITU-T Rec. I.150):
Semi-permanent VCC: no control signaling required
Meta-signaling channel: permanent channel, low data rate channel for
setting up signaling channels

User-to-network signaling virtual channel: set up between user and

network to carry user data

User-to-user signaling virtual channel: set up between users within a

VPC, allowing users to set up and tear down VCCs, without network
intervention

Control Signaling: exchange of

information
3 methods for VPCs
Semi-permanent:
No control signaling required. It is by prior agreement.

Customer controlled:
Customer uses a signaling VCC to request VPC from the
network

Network controlled:
Network establishes VPC for its own control and signaling use.
The path may be network to network, user to network or user to
user.

ATM Cell
Fixed size
5-octet header
48-octet information field

Why so small?

Small cells reduce queuing delay for high priority cells (essential for
low delay)
Small cells can be switched more efficiently(essential for very high data
rates)
Easier to implement switching of small cells in hardware
Fixed-size makes programming more easy

ATM Cell Format

Cell Format
User-Network Interface (UNI)
4

16

384 (48 bytes)

GFC

VPI

VCI

Type

CLP

HEC (CRC-8)

Payload

host-to-switch format
GFC: Generic Flow Control (still being defined)
VCI: Virtual Circuit Identifier
VPI: Virtual Path Identifier
Type: management, congestion control, AAL5
CLP: Cell Loss Priority
HEC: Header Error Check (CRC-8)

Network-Network Interface (NNI)

switch-to-switch format
GFC becomes part of VPI field
12

16

384 (48 bytes)

VPI

VCI

PTI

CLP

HEC (CRC-8)

Payload

Header Format
Generic Flow Control
Controls flow of data from user device into the ATM network only
Used to control traffic flow for different qualities of service at usernetwork interface (UNI) to alleviate/ facilitate short-term overload
conditions
Note: not employed in network core (N-N Interface)

When GFC is enabled at the UNI, two procedures are used:

Uncontrolled transmission: not subject to flow control;
network simply enables or disables sending of cells like XON/X-OFF flow control
Controlled transmission: flow control constraints
network provides info to user regarding how many cells it can
send like a credit mechanism for flow control

Header Format
Virtual path identifier (VPI)
Constitutes a routing field for the network
8 bit at U-N-I and
12 bit at N-N-I: to support for an expanded no of VPCs internal
to the network

Virtual channel identifier (VCI)

Used for routing to and from the end user
A 16-bit channel ID. Together, VPI and VCI identify a logical
connection

Payload type

Header Format

3 bits
Identifies cell as user data or network management cell,
presence of congestion, Service Data Unit (SDU) type)
Provide inband control information
PT coding
000
001
010
011
100
101
110
111

______________Interpretation____________
User data cell, congestion not experienced, SDU type=0
User data cell, congestion not experienced, SDU type=1
User data cell, congestion experienced,
SDU type=0
User data cell, congestion experienced,
SDU type=1
OAM segment associated cell
OAM end-to-end associated cell
Resource management cell
Reserved for future function

SDU = Service Data Unit

OAM = Operations, Administration, and Maintenance

Header Format
Cell loss priority
Provide guidance to the network in the event of congestion
0 value :
Cell of high priority
Should not be discarded unless no alternate ;
1 value:
Cell of low priority
Subjected to discard within the network
Can assign to any cell who violet the agreement of traffic parameters

Header error control

Used for error control

ATM Service Categories

Real-time service
Constant bit rate (CBR)
Real-time variable bit rate (rt-VBR)
Non-real-time service
Non-real-time variable bit rate (nrt-VBR)
Available bit rate (ABR)
Unspecified bit rate (UBR)
Guaranteed frame rate (GFR)

Constant bit rate (CBR)

Used by application that require a continuous fixed data rate
Tight upper bound on delay
Can support uncompressed audio and video
Eg:
Video conferencing
Interactive audio (telephony)
A/V distribution and retrieval (television, distance
learning , video on demand)

Real-time variable bit rate (rt-VBR)

Time sensitive application
Tightly constrained delay and delay variation
rt-VBR(Real Time -Variable Bit Rate) applications
transmit at a rate that varies with time wile CBR doesnt
Examples include bursty voice and video(COMPRESSED)
Can statistically multiplex connections

More flexible than CBR

Parameters include Peak Cell Rate, Sustainable Cell Rate, and
Maximum Burst Size

Non-real-time variable bit rate (nrt-VBR)

Intended for bursty traffic with no tight constraints on
delay and delay variation
Examples include airline reservations, banking
transactions

Available bit rate (ABR)

Application specifies Peak Cell Rate (PCR) and Minimum Cell Rate
(MCR)
No performance guarantees other than minimum cell rate (MCR), but
low loss expected
No bound on traffic user can send
Users are able to shape their traffic to varying network conditions
Resources allocated to give at least MCR
Spare capacity shared among all ABR sources
Examples include LAN interconnection and basic critical data transfer
systems such as banking, defense information (flying standby)

Unspecified bit rate (UBR)

For application that can tolerate some cell loss or variable
delays (non-critical apps)
Cells forwarded on FIFO basis
Do not specify traffic related service guarantees
Examples include text/data/image transfer, messaging,
remote terminals
Best effort service (wear your parachute)

Guaranteed frame rate (GFR)

Recent addition to support IP backbone sub networks.
Provide better services than UBR for frame-based traffic,
including IP and Ethernet.
To optimize the handling of frame based traffic that passes
from a LAN through a router onto an ATM backbone
network.
Allow user to reserve capacity for each GFR VC.
User is guaranteed that minimum capacity will be supported

ATM Bit Rate Service Levels

ATM Bit Rate Service Levels

comparison

With ABR it is possible to make use of added buffering in the

routers
For Bursty Data: ABR > GFR > VBR > UBR > CBR
Class

Description

Example

CBR

Constant Bit Rate

T1 circuit

RT-VBR

Real Time Variable Bit Rate

Real-time
videoconferencing

NRT-VBR

Non-real-time Variable Bit

Rate

Multimedia email

ABR

Available Bit Rate

Browsing the Web

UBR

Unspecified Bit Rate

Background file
transfer

ATM Adaptation Layer

Need of an adaptation layer to support information transfer
protocol not based on ATM.
Essentially the translation layer between ATM layer and other
layers, such as PCM(pulse code modulation ) and IP:
PCM (voice)
Assemble bits into cells
Re-assemble into constant flow

IP
Map IP packets onto ATM cells
Fragment IP packets
Use LAPF over ATM to retain all IP infrastructure

ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL)

Support higher-level protocols and/or native applications
e.g., PCM voice, LAPF, IP
AAL Services
Handle transmission errors
Segmentation and re-assembly
To enable larger blocks of data to be carried in the information field of
ATM cells

Handle lost and misinserted cells (cells routed the wrong way)
Perform flow control and timing control(basics till mid term )

Supported Application types

Four AAL protocols defined:
AAL 1: CBR traffic, e.g. circuit emulation (T-1 over ATM),
voice over ATM, real-time video
AAL 2: rt-VBR traffic, e.g. MPEG voice and video
AAL 3/4: nrt-VBR traffic, e.g. general data service (not
really used by anyone)
AAL 5 (successor to AAL 3/4): e.g. nrt-VBR: voice on
demand; nrt-VBR: frame relay, ATM; UBR: IP over ATM

ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL)

AAL Protocols
AAL layer has 2 sublayers:
Convergence Sublayer (CS)
Supports specific applications/protocols using AAL
Users attach via the Service Access Point (like a port number)
which is address of application.
Common part (CPCS) and application service-specific part
(SSCS)
It is service dependent

Segmentation and Reassembly Sublayer (SAR)

Packages data from CS into ATM cells and unpacks at
other end

AAL Protocols and PDUs

AAL Protocol and Services

Basis for classification:
requirement for a timing relationship between source and
destination
requirement for a constant bit rate data flow
connection or connectionless transfer

AAL Service Classification

Class A

Attribute

Class B

Class C

Class D

PacketizedConnection
Circuit
Datagram
Emulation voice/videoOriented
Data

AAL1
Timing between
source and
destination

AAL2

Required

AAL 3

AAL 4

AAL 5
Not required

Bit Rate

Constant

Variable

Connection
Mode

Connection oriented

Connectionless

Applications of AAL and ATM

Circuit emulation (e.g., T-1 synchronous TDM circuits)

VBR voice and video
General data services
IP over ATM
Multiprotocol encapsulation over ATM (MPOA)
LAN emulation (LANE)

Segmentation and Reassembly

PDUs

Segmentation and Reassembly

ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL)
AAL 1 and 2 designed for applications that need
guaranteed rate (e.g., voice, video)
AAL 3/4 designed for packet data
AAL 5 is an alternative standard for packet data

AAL

AAL

ATM

ATM

AAL Type 1
AAL 1 is the interface between a real-time uncompressed byte
stream and ATM
Got to be fast!
AAL 1 takes 46 or 47 bytes of data and puts a one or two byte
header on front
Constant-bit-rate source
No convergence sublayer, only SAR sublayer
SAR simply packs bits into cells and unpacks them at destination.
No CS PDU structure is defined since CS sublayer primarily for
clocking and synchronization

AAL Type 1

AAL Type 2

Intended for use with applications with variable

bit-rate service on multiple channels
(multiplexing), or low bit rate, short-frame traffic
ATM PDU
SAR PDU
Header

SN

IT

47 Octets Payload

SN: Sequence number

IT: Information Type:BOM,COM,EOM,SSM
Length Indicator

LI

CRC

AAL Type 3/4

Intended for variable bit rate applications that generate bursty
data and demand low loss
Originally, connectionless (AAL4) or connection (AAL3)
oriented, now combined into single format (AAL 3/4)
Provides comprehensive sequencing and error control
mechanisms

AAL 3/4

AAL 3/4 Example (message mode)

AAL Type 5
AAL 5 packets can be very large up to 65,535 byte payload
AAL 5 not designed for real-time traffic
SAR sublayer takes the potentially large convergence sublayer
packets and breaks them into 48 byte chunks, ready for the
ATM layer
SAR sublayer also adds a 32-bit CRC at the end of the packet,
which is applied to the entire packet

AAL Type 5
Streamlined transport for connection oriented protocols
Reduce protocol processing overhead
Reduce transmission overhead
Ensure adaptability to existing transport protocols
primary function is segmentation and reassembly of
higher-level PDUs

AAL Type 5

AAL Type 5

AAL Protocol Descriptions

Queries ??