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Short for Asynchronous Transfer Mode, a network technology based on transferring data
in cells or packets of a fixed size. The cell used with ATM is relatively small compared to
units used with older technologies. The small, constant cell size allows ATM equipment
to transmit video, audio, and computer data over the same network, and assure that no
single type of data hogs the line.
Current implementations of ATM support data transfer rates of from 25 to 622 Mbps
(megabits per second). This compares to a maximum of 100 Mbps for Ethernet, the
current technology used for most LANs.
Some people think that ATM holds the answer to the Internet bandwidth problem, but
others are skeptical. ATM creates a fixed channel, or route, between two points whenever
data transfer begins. This differs from TCP/IP, in which messages are divided into
packets and each packet can take a different route from source to destination. This
difference makes it easier to track and bill data usage across an ATM network, but it
makes it less adaptable to sudden surges in network traffic.
When purchasing ATM service, you generally have a choice of four different types of
service:
Constant Bit Rate (CBR) specifies a fixed bit rate so that data is sent in a steady stream.
This is analogous to a leased line.
Variable Bit Rate (VBR) provides a specified throughput capacity but data is not sent
evenly. This is a popular choice for voice and videoconferencing data.
Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR) does not guarantee any throughput levels. This is used for
applications, such as file transfer, that can tolerate delays.
Available Bit Rate (ABR) provides a guaranteed minimum capacity but allows data to be
bursted at higher capacities when the network is free.
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