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2 ATM Architecture

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2 ATM Architecture...................................................................1
2.1 The B ISDN Reference Model ............................................3
2.2 Architecture Overview ....................................................4
2.3 Physical Layer (1/2) ............................................................5
2.3 Physical Layer (2/2) ............................................................6
2.4 ATM Layer (1/2)...................................................................7
2.4 ATM Layer (2/2)...................................................................8
2.5 Virtual Paths and virtual channels (1/4) ...........................9
2.5 Virtual Paths and virtual channels (2/4) .........................10
2.5 Virtual Paths and virtual channels (3/4) .........................11
2.5 Virtual Paths and virtual channels (4/4) .........................12
2.6 Multi-Point Channels........................................................13
2.7 ATM Adaptation Layers (AALS) ......................................14
2.7.1 AAL Sub Layers.............................................................15
2.7.2 Different AAL-Types (1/3) .............................................16
2.7.2 Different AAL-Types (2/3) .............................................17
2.7.2 Different AAL-Types (3/3) .............................................18

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2.1 The B ISDN Reference Model

The ATM standards are closely connected with the CCITT's B-ISDN standards. The purpose
of B-ISDN is to offer ISDN services at a bandwidth of up to 622 Mbps and beyond. B-ISDN
defines transport systems which are mainly based on cell relay. ATM was developed as the
suitable technology for this. The CCITT B-ISDN standards are very incomplete as far as cell
relay is concerned, another reason for pushing forward ATM standardization over the last
few years.
ATM defines three layers:
The Physical Layer (PHY), which includes the cables, bandwidths, interfaces, and so
on.
The ATM Layer (ATM), which controls cell use and structure, addressing, and the
like.
The ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) for application-specific use of the cell data area.
The Management Layer is divided into two sublayers: the plane management and the layer
management. The plane management contains all the functions of the ATM network and
coordinates the layers with each other. The layer management carries out functions
necessary for network resource management and for operation and maintenance, the
operation and maintenance functions (OAM).

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2.2 Architecture Overview

ATM consists of three main layers: the Physical Layer, the ATM Layer and the ATM
Adaptation Layer. The ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) receives payload data from the higher
layers. Its complex functionality allows payload for a wide variety of services to be placed on
the ATM network. The AAL consists of two sublayers which we'll discuss later on. The ATM
Layer is responsible for cell switching, cell multiplexing and cell transport, allowing several
services to be transported over one physical connection simultaneously. The Physical Layer
defines the physical interfaces and the framing structure of a physical connection. It consists
of two sublayers.

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2.3 Physical Layer (1/2)

Let's start our closer examination of the three main layers with the Physical Layer. This
defines the physical interfaces and frame structure for an ATM network segment. The two
sublayers are the Transmission Convergence (TC) sublayer and the Physical Media
Dependent (PMD) sublayer.
The TC sublayer is the higher of the two. It generates and recognizes the frames, i.e. the bit
stream's logical structure. At the sender, the cell stream is integrated into the bit stream. At
the receiving end, the cell stream is extracted from the bit stream and passed on to the ATM
Layer above. At the sender, the TC sublayer inserts empty cells to adapt the ATM cells'
service bit rate to the transmission system's general bit rate. At the receiving end, the empty
cells are removed again.

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2.3 Physical Layer (2/2)

The PMD sublayer is the bottommost layer. It carries out functions depending on the
physical medium. It provides bit transmission and bit allocation. Here the line coding and,
if needed, electro-optical conversion is carried out. A signal type suitable for the medium
is generated and received for bit synchronization. Bit synchronization information is
inserted at the sender and extracted at the receiving end. The ATM Forum specified a
multitude of physical standards for both private and Telco use.

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2.4 ATM Layer (1/2)

The ATM Layer is concerned with cell transport both at the sender and at the receiver. At
the sender, it receives payload from a higher layer, adds a header, and passes the
generated 53 byte cells on to the Physical Layer. Conversely, the ATM Layer at the
receiver is handed over 53 byte cells from the Physical Layer, removes the header, and
passes the remaining 48 bytes on to a higher layer. The ATM Layer does not know the
different types of traffic data. However, it distinguishes the quality of service, based on
the information received during connection set-up.

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2.4 ATM Layer (2/2)

Another function of the ATM Layer is Generic Flow Control (GFC). The GFC function is only
defined at the user network interface. There is no internal flow control within the ATM
network, i.e. at the Network Node Interfaces, otherwise the network couldn't cope with the
high transmission rates. Instead ATM controls the data input rate at the user network
interface to be able to limit the data rate transmitted to the network.
At the sender, the ATM Layer bundles the cells from individual virtual circuits into one
asynchronous cell stream. At the receiver, the cells are separated according to their virtual
circuits, so that the connection's integrity, as far as cell order is concerned, is guaranteed by
the ATM Layer.

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2.5 Virtual Paths and virtual channels (1/4)

The ATM Layer fits the header and the payload, which it receives from the AAL, together to
form a 53 byte cell which then must be transmitted over the Physical Layer. Data which is to
be transmitted between two endpoints across a network can pass through a number of
network elements on its way across the network. For this purpose, logical connections are
set up between network elements, until a logical route between the sender and the receiver
has been established. This route is called a virtual circuit. Virtual circuits always exist
between the endpoints of a transmission.

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2.5 Virtual Paths and virtual channels (2/4)

ATM supports both Switched Virtual Circuits (SVCs) and Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs),
which we'll discuss later on. These are identified by addressing information in the relevant
control fields of the ATM cell header. The cell header contains a Virtual Channel Identifier
(VCI) and a Virtual Path Identifier (VPI).
The VCI associates a cell with a specific virtual channel. Virtual channels exist between two
network elements, but they shouldn't be pictured as separate physical links. The VPI
identifies a group of virtual channels that take the same path across the network. A group of
virtual channels can be assigned to one virtual path. Several of these virtual paths can be
transmitted over one physical link.

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2.5 Virtual Paths and virtual channels (3/4)

Virtual paths are groups of virtual channels which interconnect two endpoints. The VPs are
able to bundle payload data directed to the same destination, making its transport more
efficient. The VCI and the VPI values are allocated during the first connection set-up. This
can be done dynamically, like for the SVCs, or manually, like for the PVCs.
The current value of the VCIs is only relevant to a specific ATM segment. The VCI for a
particular virtual circuit can be different in different ATM segments. Cells can be copied within
switches, so that virtual multicast transmissions become possible. Different types of data
traffic can be mixed on the transmission path. Thus voice, data and video can be transmitted
over different virtual circuits.

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2.5 Virtual Paths and virtual channels (4/4)

Several virtual channels between two or more ATM network elements can exist on the same
physical links, sharing the bandwidth available for this connection. Each cell contains enough
address information to enable the receiving switch to identify the next switch for the cell. ATM
allows cells carrying different types of data to be transmitted on the same physical link. It
must be considered that PVCs are set up manually by the network administrator, which can
be very time-consuming and uncomfortable. Virtual circuits can also be configured
dynamically as required. But this calls for an automated ATM addressing mechanism and
signalling.

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2.6 Multi-Point Channels

ATM doesn't only allow normal bidirectional point-to-point channels, but also unidirectional
point-to-multipoint channels. These support only unidirectional traffic from the sender, or
the root, to several receivers, also known as leaves. Traffic back to the sender, or between
multicast receivers, must use different channels.
User Network Interface, or UNI3, allows the sender to add receivers. The channel is first set
up to one receiver only. The sender can add or remove receivers at any time. There is no
special status for the first receiver. Receivers can also actively disconnect from the sender.
The User Network Interface UNI 4.1 allows end stations to join an existing multipoint
channel. This is called Leaf Initiated Join (LIJ). The sender must define that LIJ is allowed at
connection set-up, and decide whether it wants other receivers to join before it gives a
permission.

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2.7 ATM Adaptation Layers (AALS)

The highest layer defined in ATM is the ATM Adaptation Layer. This lies above the ATM
Layer and supports different service classes, which are required due to the different types of
payload data. At the sender, the AAL segments the payload frames from higher layers, e.g.
Ethernet frames, into 48 byte cells. At the receiver, the AAL reassembles the payload frames
from the cells received by the ATM Layer. Then it passes them on to the higher protocol
layers. The AAL contains the protocols needed to provide end-to-end transmission of
payload data.

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2.7.1 AAL Sub Layers

The AAL consists of two sublayers: the Segmentation and Reassembly Sublayer (SAR) and
the Convergence Sublayer (CS). The SAR layer is responsible for converting the format of
the payload units into 48 byte payload cells. SAR is also responsible for detecting lost cells
or duplicates, as well as for padding incomplete cells. To do this, each single SAR Protocol
Datagram Unit (SAR PDU) is provided with specific control fields.
The recovery of lost or misordered cells is the responsibility of the Convergence Sublayer
(CS). The CS carries out service functions. This involves error recovery, if needed. Since
ATM is able to transport a great variety of payload types, the AAL contains different
adaptation protocols that operate simultaneously.

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2.7.2 Different AAL-Types (1/3)

The ATM Adaptation Layer for specific applications only takes effect at the endpoints of a
network connection, not at the switches, since switches use the information in the cell header
for routing. Since ATM transmits many different types of payload, and these types of payload
show different transmission characteristics thus requiring different qualities of service
there are several AAL Layers defined.

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2.7.2 Different AAL-Types (2/3)

For ATM networks, there are seven different adaptation protocols currently specified. AAL0 is
a null protocol for payload that has already been packetized into 48 byte cells. AAL1
supports connection-oriented, constant bit rate services which are transmitted under realtime conditions and with short delays. This protocol is suitable for coded voice and real-time
video services. It is used when voice data is transported over public ATM networks. AAL2,
like AAL1, supports connection-oriented and real-time services, but uses a variable data rate.
Real-time applications such as High Definition Television (HDTV) use this protocol.

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2.7.2 Different AAL-Types (3/3)

AAL3/4 has been defined to transmit computer data over ATM. It supports variable bit rate
connectionless and connection-oriented services, i.e. applications that don't need real time.
The complexity of this protocol is not taken up to its full extent. Its functions are currently
taken over by AAL5.
AAL5 is an older AAL protocol which has been introduced to substitute AAL3/4, because
AAL3/4 was considered unsuitable for some applications. AAL5 is also known as Simple and
Efficient Adaptation Layer (SEAL) and is regarded as the preferred method of
interconnecting data- and LAN-based systems such as workstations on a network. AAL5 can
transport datagrams of up to 64 kilobyte; its overhead is 10% less in size than that of AAL3/4.
The Service Specific Connection Orientated Protocol (SSCOP) is the interface for the
transmission of signalling messages to AAL5.

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