PNNI Augmented Routing (PAR) and Proxy-PAR

ATM networks are often used to carry IP traffic, but IP over ATM techniques suffer from complex and error-prone configuration. PNNI Augmented Routing (PAR) is an extension to PNNI to simplify IP support. In addition, a very l ightweight interface called Proxy-PAR enables ATM-attached IP devices to op erate without a full PAR implementation. PAR and Proxy-PAR provide a servic e discovery system for IP devices attached to ATM-PNNI networks. PAR and Pr oxy-PAR are standards from the ATM Forum, and are referenced by the IETF. T his paper shows how PAR and Proxy-PAR can complement solutions, such as ILM I-based Server Discovery, Classical IP and ARP over ATM, and Next-Hop Resol ution Protocol, or even replace existing solutions, for instance where a di stributed address resolution mechanism is preferable to a centralized one. This is then described in the context of three different types of networks: a campus, a backbone, and a mobile network. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.