ATM - PAVING THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY

A new generation of networking requirements is fueling the growth of a cell-based communications technology known as the asynchronous transf er mode (ATM). ATM technology allows the integration of voice, video, traditional data, and other traffic types on a single network. ATM off ers a unique opportunity to deploy the same standardized networking te chnology in both the wide-area and local-area environments. IBM has in troduced a family of products that provides a complete ATM solution fo r customers. The products support ATM standards, allowing the products to interwork with devices from other vendors. This paper provides a t utorial on ATM technology and an overview of the IBM ATM product famil y. The IBM 8260 Intelligent Switching Hub is described as a representa tive ATM product.