ATM Technology in Computer Networking

ATM meaning (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) is one of the most efficient virtual network technology providing high speed connections along with dedicated paths. This technology operates on cell based fast packet switching communication method. One of the best advantages of ATM technology is that it is able to support a transfer rate between 1.544 Mbps to 10 Gbps.

The means of connections involved in ATM allows running parallel connections within a full dedicated mode. This all allows support to multiple conversations along with eliminating the need for a bandwidth connection. There is no issue what so ever located to data bottlenecks that is most commonly found on shared networks such as Token Ring, Ethernet and FDDI.

The data transferred within an ATM network is in the form of switched virtual circuitry.

This type of (SVC) connection is connected between the sender and receiver. This information gets converted in to fixed lengths of cells which gets reassembled and gets transferred at the destination.

The reliability of the ATM Network depends upon the digital lines used to ensure the integrity of the data. This ATM network doesn't support any error correction protocol. There can be numerous amounts of re-transmissions that can take place within an ATM network.

The bandwidth of these ATM'S is dedicated and capable of supporting intensive amount of both real and non-real time applications. These are able to support all multimedia application along with high resolution computer graphics as well.

The throughput provided by an ATM technology is one of the best solutions for all emerging applications like combing audio, voice along with animations as well. Although, there are various other technologies which ensure high profile bandwidth because of rich media usage but ATM is found to be most effective solution because of its fixed packet size and implementation simplicity.

These ATM is one of such technology that has got a great future within years to comes as these ATM could easily get installed over an existing network without feeling the need for going upgrading the local area network or even a metropolitan network – a real example is a DSL connection from an ISP to an end user.