Implementing the Orwell ATM protocol over an optical fibre ring

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) has emerged as a possible contender for the next generation of digital data switching system and as the fundamental transport basis for the Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network, (B-ISDN) and telecommunications in the future. ATM networks can provide a high degree of flexibility. Due to the dynamic allocation of transmission and switching resources and the absence of a physical channel structure in such a network, services are not necessarily restricted to a particular bit rate. They may work at any bit rate within the limit of the network and can also support variable bit rate connections. There is a growing need for networks to carry a greater range of traffic such as wide-band traffic (video), bursty traffic (variable bit rate video), short holding time traffic (facsimile) and low bandwidth traffic (voice). To cope with variations in demand, networks must also be capable of dynamically allocating their total capacity amongst the various traffic types. The traffic requirements can be met through the use of architectures based on Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).... cont'd