TCP/IP Over ATM

A No-Nonsense Internetworking
Guide

(Prentice Hall Series in Computer Networking and Distributed Systems)

by Berry Kercheval

Right now - today - you can use ATM as a remarkably powerful backbone for TCP/IP-based WANs and the Internet. TCP/IP Over ATM is your no-nonsense, vendor-independent quick-start guide to getting the job done. You'll start with a quick overview of the TCP/IP and ATM fundamentals you need to make them work together. Learn what you need to know about SONET, the physical transport layer underlying carrier ATM services. Understand how ATM works, including the basics of ATM switching, virtual circuits, adaptation layers, and signaling. Compare the pros and cons of the two leading options for carrying TCP/IP options on ATM networks: the IETF's Classical IP-Over-ATM, and the ATM Forum's LAN Emulation. Learn how each approach supports multicasting. Then, see how ATM traffic management and quality of service features can work with RSVP and other advanced IP technologies to provide guaranteed bandwidth. Review the resources available to manage ATM networks - including SNMP, ILMI, and ATM routing - and learn new ways to optimize TCP/IP networks running on an ATM backbone. Finally, preview the future of TCP/IP and ATM with a look at today's most exciting WAN testbeds and research programs.