Danny Amor's Online Library/Danny Amor's Online Library - Volume 1.iso/html/faqs/faq/cell-relay-faq/part1

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Subject: comp.dcom.cell-relay FAQ: ATM, SMDS, and related technologies (part 1/2)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.cell-relay,comp.answers,news.answers
From: [e-mail] (Carl Symborski)
Date: 10 Sep 1994 00:59:41 -0400

Archive-name: cell-relay-faq/part1
Last-modified: 1994/09/06


FAQ-Maintainer: Carl Symborski ([e-mail])

NOTE: This FAQ reflects cell-relay traffic through August.

This article mostly contains general information but also answers to some
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) which are related to or have been seen in
comp.dcom.cell-relay.  It is posted to provide information of general
interest to both new and experienced readers.

This list includes answers to questions, which are loosely grouped into
categories.  Questions marked with a "+" are new in this issue; those with
changes of content since the last issue are marked by "*":

 A)  TOPIC: COMP.DCOM.CELL-RELAY BASIC INFORMATION
  A1)   What is the CELL-RELAY group?
  A2)   What is the archive site for this group?
  A3)   Is there a parallel mailing list for this group?
  A4) * What other mailing lists are related to ATM?
  A5) + Where can I get the current version of this FAQ?
 B)  TOPIC: INDUSTRY FORUMS AND VENDOR INFORMATION
  B1) * How can I contact the ATM Forum?
  B2) * What vendors are working on ATM technology?
  B3)   What vendors are working on ATM hardware/chips?
  B4)   What vendors are selling ATM test equipment?
  B5)   Are there any ATM interface boards for PCs?
  B6) * Where are the ATM Forum's FTP sites and mailing lists?
  B7) * What vendors are selling ATM software?
 C)  TOPIC: ATM REFERENCES
  C1) * What are some good getting started ATM references?
  C2)   Where/What is the "Network Compatible ATM for LANs" document?
  C3) * Where are hosts with ATM related information?
  C4) * How can I get the ATM Forum's Interface Specifications?
  C5) * List of ITU-T Recommendations concerning ATM.
  C6) * Internet drafts from IETF working groups.
  C7) * ATM Tutorials.
  C8)   Contact information for ANSI T1S1 specifications.
  C9) * Internet RFCs.
  C10)* ATM and Related Acronyms.
  C11)  Where can I find the "Self Similar" Ethernet Traffic Study?
  C12)  How can I get copies of ITU-T documents?
 D)  TOPIC: ATM TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
  D1)   What are the various ATM Access layers?
  D2)   Are ATM cells delivered in order?
  D3)   What do people mean by the term "traffic shaping"?
  D4) * What is happening with signalling standards for ATM?
  D5)   What is VPI and VCI?
  D6)   Why both VPI *and* VCI?
  D7)   How come an ATM cell is 53 bytes anyway?
  D8) * How does AAL5 work?
  D9) * What are the diffferences between Q.93B, Q.931, and Q.2931?
  D10)  What is a DXI?
  D11)  What is Goodput?
  D12)  What is LAN Emulation all about?
  D13)  Information about the Classsical IP over ATM approach.
  D14)  Classical IP and LAN/MAC Emulation approaches compaired.
  D15)+ Whats the difference between SONET and SDH?
  D16)+ What is ABR?
 E)  TOPIC: ATM VS. XYZ TECHNOLOGY
  E1)   How does ATM differ from SMDS?
 F)  TOPIC: FREELY AVAILABLE REFERENCE IMPLEMENTATIONS
  F1)   What and where is VINCE?
 G)  TOPIC: FLAMES AND RECURRING HOLY WARS
  G1)   Are big buffers in ATM switches needed to support TCP/IP?
  G2)   Can AAL5 be used for connection-less protocols?

If you have suggestions or corrections for any of these answers or any
additional information, please send them directly to [e-mail];
the information will be included in the next revision (or possibly the one
after that).

This posting is intended to be distributed every few months. New versions
are archived along with other comp.dcom.cell-relay traffic on
cell-relay.indiana.edu.  See subject A2 for instructions to access the
archive.

The information contained herein has been gathered from a variety of sources.
Most derived from a consensus of postings on the group.  A listing of
contributors so far can be found at the end of the FAQ text. If you would
like to claim responsibility for a particular item, please let me know.

Enjoy!

Carl Symborski      |  Had my hand on a dollar bill,
[e-mail]   |  and the dollar bill blew away.
                    |  But the sun is shining down on me and its here to stay.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOPIC:     A)   TOPIC: COMP.DCOM.CELL-RELAY BASIC INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT:  A1)   What is the CELL-RELAY group?

    The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for the submission
of articles and inquiries dealing with networks using Cell Relay as a
transport; including local, metropolitan, and wide area networks.  The
name cell-relay was chosen as a compromise over objections to the name
"ATM" during the creation of this group.  The acronym ATM in the context of
this group stands for Asynchronous Transfer Mode, not Automatic Teller
Machines or Adobe Type Manager.  The term "cell" in cell-relay is taken to
mean a small, fixed sized, information bearing unit that provides the
foundation for transport and multiplexing of user traffic.  This topic
area is not related to cellular phones or intra-cellular organisms.


SUBJECT:  A2)   What is the archive site for this group?

    The archives for comp.dcom.cell-relay are available via anonymous
ftp to cell-relay.indiana.edu as:

    /pub/cell-relay/archives/cell-relay/.....

with subdirectories for each year, and group messages split out by month.

I must point out that there is a wealth of other cell-relay related information
in the /pub/cell-relay directory tree.  If you have access to a Gopher
client you should use it instead of ftp as we have set this server up to be
*much* more friendly when using Gopher.

For instance, when you use Gopher:

    /pub/cell-relay/docs/current/tenet.berkeley.edu/Mah93.txt

becomes:

    A Mechanism for the Administration of Real-Time Channels.

Users are encourged to use Gopher to access this information if possible.


SUBJECT:  A3)   Is there a parallel mailing list for this group?

    A direct mailing list has been setup which is a mirror of the USEnet
newsgroup comp.dcom.cell-relay. To send mail TO the list, send it to:

    [e-mail]

To un/subscribe, or send other notes to the list management, please use:

        [e-mail]


SUBJECT:  A4) * What other mailing lists are related to ATM?

    There are several lists described below.  One is for an IETF group
working on the issue of IP over ATM.  This work is on going and primarily
focused on that task.  General ATM questions and blue-skying are inappropriate
and discouraged by the members on the list.  To send mail TO the list, send
it to:

    [e-mail]

To un/subscribe, or send other notes to the list management, use the address:

    [e-mail]

    Related to cell-relay technology is the Distributed Queueing mailing
list.  The distributed queueing list is intended for discussion about protocol
design, variants, extensions, associated with the use of DQ for arbitrating
access to cells in shared-medium cell-relay networks.  To send mail TO the
list, send it to:

    [e-mail]

To un/subscribe, or send other notes to the list management, use the address:

    [e-mail]

        Another IETF working group is working on the issue of general routing
over networks (large clouds).  As with the IP over ATM list it is best to
subscribe with the intention to just "listen in".  To send mail TO the list,
send it to:

    [e-mail]

To un/subscribe, or send other notes to the list management, use the address:

        [e-mail]

    Also of possible interest is the mailing list for the SMDS special
interest group (SIG) Technical Committee.  To send mail TO the list, send
it to:

    [e-mail]

To un/subscribe, or send other notes to the list management, use the address:

    [e-mail]


SUBJECT:  A5) + Where can I get the current version of this FAQ?

    Believe it or not, at least once a week someone writes to ask how
to get the most recent copy of this FAQ.  Apparently this text often reaches
folks who do not have handy USENET or even FTP access!  For those who do
and are just unfamiliar with surfing the Internet, the most recent FAQ
can be retrieved in several ways:

Using Mosaic/WWW URL:

gopher://cell-relay.indiana.edu/

Using Gopher:

cell-relay.indiana.edu

Note the above two ways will return the same gopher menu.  Look in:

3.  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and More!
1.  FAQ - ATM

Allen Robel splits this FAQ up into its sections and "gopherizes" it.  (Thanks
Allen!)  Or, you have the option of retrieving the complete FAQ.  Also, be
sure to check out the ATM Acronyms and the ATM Dictionary as they are starting to
become useful (though still under construction).

Another way to access this (though not preferred) is via FTP:

ftp cell-relay.indiana.edu

in the file /pub/cell-relay/FAQ/ATM-FAQ/ATM-FAQ.txt

Good Luck!


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOPIC:     B)   INDUSTRY FORUMS AND VENDOR INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT:  B1) * How can I contact the ATM Forum?

    Similar to the Frame Relay Forum, the ATM Forum is a pay to join
forum with over 500 contributing and auditing companies.  Membership
includes many international companies.  Some companies also
participate in ANSI T1S1 and other standards bodies.  Audit membership of the
Forum is $1500/year.  Those interested in joining the forum or needing
additional information should contact:

The ATM Forum
303 Vintage Park
Foster City,  CA 94404
ATM Info Line: [phone]
ATM FAX Line:  [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

The ATM Forum also has a FAX-On-Demand service.  Using this it is possible to
get instructions, order forms, membership applications, etc.  Just dial
the number indicated above using a FAX phone and follow the instructions.

Note that the minimal entry to the Forum is as an Auditing Member.
Auditing Members are allowed access to the e-mail distribution lists to "audit"
all documentation but are NOT ALLOWED to make comments.  Please note that
auditing members are not allowed to attend Technical and Market Commitee
meetings, not allowed to vote on issues and not allowed to submit technical
contributions.


SUBJECT:  B2) * What vendors are working on ATM technology?

    It is tough to get a number on this.  Increasingly there are companies
with hardware they can demonstrate.  More who have made product announcements.
Many more who have stated product intentions.  Some are building big
central office switches, others smaller ones for the LAN market.  Workstation
vendors are working on ATM interface boards.  Chip companies are working on
ATM chip sets, etc.  There are now software vendors advertizing protocol
software stacks (Q.93B, etc.) suitable for inclusion in ATM products.

Previously (in 1992) there was an attempt here to list most of the major
players in the ATM arena.  This was possible in 1992.  At this time
*everyone* is doing something or paying lip service to ATM.  It is simply
not practical to keep a fair and accurate list here in this FAQ.

Some postings on the cell-relay list (Fall 1993) attempted to again list the
current vendors developing and/or selling equipment in this technology area.
As predicted, these partial lists exceeded 40 vendors!

A good source for ATM Product information is "Communications Week",
May 23, 1994, pp 66-80, titled, "Lineup - A Product Guide to ATM: Buying
ATM Gear? Caveat Emptor".  This lists 20 ATM switches along
with many interesting characteristics (including pricing). There is also
a list of 33 ATM adapters with similar information.

Also, there is a growing list of ATM product vendor information building
up in the cell-relay directory at indiana.edu.  See Subject A2 and C3 for
general information about the cell-relay archives.



SUBJECT:  B3) * What vendors are working on ATM hardware/chips?

        As with ATM technology vendors, the number of companies developing
board level components is growing and soon will be hard to track.  Best bet
is to check the vendor information in the cell-relay directory.  See Subject
A2 and C3 for general information about the cell-relay archives.

For starters however, there is a group in North America working on low-cost
SONET-based ATM physical layer chips for local nets using optics and twisted
pair interfaces.  This group is called the Saturn Development Group, and
consists of PMC-Sierra, Sun Microsystems, Ungermann-Bass, Bell-Northern
Research, Interphase, Optical Data Systems, SynOptics Communications,
Themis Computer, BBN, MPR Tetltech, the University of
British Columbia, and maby others.

        PMC-Sierra, Inc.
        8501 Commerce Court
        Burnaby, BC
        Canada V5A 4B3
        604-668-4300

Adaptive has designed an ATM/AAL chipset for use in equipment (computer,
workstation, router, etc.) which connects to an ATM network.  That chipset
is now licenced to two chip manufacturers, TranSwitch and National
Semiconductor.  The TranSwitch product is called SARA and consists of a
segmentation chip and reassembly chip.  Together they can form the basis of
an ATM/AAL controller which can process up to 8000 packets simultaneously
at speeds of up to 155.52 Mbit/s.  The chip set implements BISDN adaptation
layers AAL3/4 and AAL5 in addition to supporting constant bit rate
(CBR) traffic.  Presumably the National Semiconductor product is similar.

    TranSwitch Corporation
    8 Progress Drive
    Shelton, CT 06484
    Tel: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]

Fujitsu makes a 4 x 4 switch element chip set (MB86680), a framing chip for
SONET (MB86683), a single chip SAR (MB86686), and a CAM chip which can be
used for routing with the switch (MB86689).

Note that there ARE other ATM/AAL chipsets out there, besides the Adaptive
design, now that the industry is rolling. Other vendors include Brooktree
(Boulder, CO  [phone]) and Integrated Telecom Technology (IgT) which
both have ATM UNI chips and other cool ATM chips.

        Integrated Telecom Technology, Inc.
        18310 Montgomery Village Avenue
        Suite 300
        Gaithersburg, Maryland  20879
        Tel: [phone]
        Fax: [phone]


SUBJECT:  B4)   What vendors are selling ATM test equipment?

         There exist already a number of vendors that have ATM test equipment
available. To name a few:

1. ATM-100, Wandel & Goltermann
    Tel.: [phone]
    Fax.: [phone]

2. ATM Test Tool, Siemens AG
    Tel.: [phone]
                     7077
    Fax.: [phone]
    The Siemens tool is the same as the Wandel & Goltermann tool

3. HP 75000 Series 90 ATM Analyzer, contact your local Hewlett Packard sales
    office

4. HP Broadband Series protocol test system,
    IDACOM Telecom Division,
    Hewlett Packard (Canada) Ltd.
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Canada T6E 5R6
    Tel.: [phone]
          [phone]
    Fax.: [phone]

5. Alcatel 8643 ATM Traffic Generator Analyzer, and Alcatel 8640, Alcatel STR,
    Tel.: [phone]
    Fax.: [phone]
    or Alcatel Network Systems Inc., Richardson, TX
    Tel.: [phone]
    Fax.: [phone]

6. Adtech AX/3000 ATM Cell Data Generator, AX/3010 DS3 ATM Cell Data Generator
        1814 Algaroba St,
        Honolulu HI 96826
        Tel.: [phone]
        Fax.: [phone]

This list is provided for information purposes only.  There is no implied
claim that this list is correct or complete.



SUBJECT:  B5)   Are there any ATM interface boards for PCs?

        National Semiconductor has an ESIA ATM card (Vicksburg DP8300VK) which
will be available in November 1993.  NET will resell the board.  Also, at the
August 1993 Interop IBM was demonstrating their PS/2 based ATM cards.


SUBJECT:  B6) * Where are the ATM Forum's FTP sites and mailing lists?

        The ATM Forum is a members only organization.  It is a pay to join
forum and only members have direct access to Forum activities and
documentation. There are *NO* open FTP sites and *NO* open e-mail lists.

However, the ATM Forum does have WWW access located at:

    http://www.atmforum.com/


SUBJECT:  B7) * What vendors are selling ATM software?

        Several software vendors have been mentioned on this list over the
past few months.  Three that come to mind are:

1) Trillium signalling software product  (310-479-0500, Bob Musselwhite)
2) Bellcore's signalling software product called Q.PORT
3) Cellware Broadband Communications GmbH signalling software product
   called CELL-Q.2931.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOPIC:     C)   ATM REFERENCES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT:  C1) * What are some good getting started ATM references?

    Generally it is impossible  to pick up any communications related
technical journal, conference, or trade publications and not find something
about ATM.  Most of what has been written in the 1985 through 1990 time frame
primarily deals with the application of ATM to Broadband ISDN.  These provide
the foundation on which other applications of ATM have been based and therefore
should not be over looked.

Without a doubt, if you are at all serious about learning ATM, the best
references are the series of specifications developed by the ATM Forum.
These are the:

    o ATM User-Network Interface Specification, Ver 3.0, September 10, 1993
    o The ATM Forum BISDN Inter Carrier Interface (B-ICI) Specification,
        Ver 1.0 August, 1993

The ATM Forum's DXI specification is also useful.  See subject C4 for
ways to obtain these documents.

Note that because of the pace of ATM standardization, reference books rapidly
become out-of-date.  Specifically, there have been major changes to the
specification of the AALs subsequent to the publication of these books and
articles.  However, the following references do offer a good base of
background information.  Note, see also subject C7 for ATM Tutorials.

--General:

"Data Communications Special Guide", IEEE Spectrum, 8/91, p.22.
   o Hi-level overview of high-speed lans, wans, bisdn, atm, with glossary
     and bibliography.

IEEE Communications Magazine, April 1992, VOL. 30, NO. 4
   o This is a special issue with six articles on gigabit networks technology.

"Cell Relay Switching", Data Communications, 9/91, p.58.
   o Looks at cell relay and switching in general, not just ATM.

Rainer Handel and Manfred Huber. "Integrated Broadband Networks: An
   Introduction to ATM-Based Networks". Addison-Wesley, 1991.
   ISBN 0-201-54444-X.


--ATM:

"Overview of ATM Networks: functions and procedures", Computer Communications,
   12/91, p.615.
   o Cell headers, bit definitions and the like. 33 References, including
     good list of CCITT recommendations.

"Broadband ISDN and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)", IEEE Communications,
   9/89.
   o Describes most of the jargon as well as the paradigm and unresolved
     issues.  One point to note is that the article is fairly old (1989) and
     some things have changed.  For example, the ATM cell headers described
   are no longer valid.

"Asynchronous Transfer Mode: Solution for Broadband ISDN", Martin de Prycker,
   Ellis Horwood, New York, 1991.  ISBN 0-13-053513-3
   o See Martin's more recent book below.

"Asynchronous Transfer Mode", Martin De Prycker, Ellis Horwood, New York
   1993, ISBN 0-13-178542-7.
   o Very readable general description of the technology and optimization.
     Even though its recent some of the details have changed AND the book
     is NOT long on details. Also, this is primarily an ITU-oriented
     (telecomm services) view of ATM, not an ATM Forum-oriented view (CPE), I
     believe.

"Gigabit Networking", Craig Partridge, Addison-Wesley, Reading MA,
   1993, ISBN 0-201-56333-9.
   o Very well written book.  Craig is the Editor of "IEEE Network" magazine.
     Topics: fiber optics, cell networking, ATM, Gbps packet schemes,
     applications, host interface, higher protocols, bandwidth management and
     performance, distributed systems, etc.

"ISDN and Broadband ISDN", William Stallings, second edition

"ISDN", Gary Kessler, McGraw-Hill, Second Edition, 1993.


--SWITCH FABRICS:

These papers offer a fast jump start on ATM switch architectures, design
issues and tradeoffs.

H. Ahmadi and W. Denzel, "A Survey of Modern High-Performance Switching
   Techniques", IEEE J on Selected Areas in Comm, Vol. 7, No. 7, Sept 1989,
   p. 1091-1103

F. Tobagi, "Fast Packet Switch Architectures for Broad-band Integrated
   Services Digital Networks", Proceedings of IEEE, Vol. 78, No. 1, Jan. 1990
   p. 133-167

Joseph Y. Hui, "Switching and Traffic Theory for Integrated Broadband
   Networks", Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1991,  ISBN 0-7923-9061-X
   o A back to basics text book explaining core switching concepts like
     batcher/banyon, clos, min, buffering, etc.


Technical journals
==================
        IEEE Network
        IEEE Communications
        IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications
        IEEE Transactions on Communications
        IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking
        Computer Communication Review (by ACM SIGCOMM)
        Computer Communications
        Computer Networks and ISDN Systems
        IEICE Transactions on Communications
        Journal of High Speed Networks

Magazines
=========
        Communications Week
        Data Communications
        Open Systems Today
        Lightwave (the leading-edge magazine for the fiber-optics industry)


SUBJECT:  C2)   Where/What is the "Network Compatible ATM for Local Network
                Applications" document?

"Network Compatible ATM for Local Network Applications", V1.01, October 19,
1992.  A proposal for a 150 Mb ATM LAN from Apple, Bellcore, Sun and Xerox.
Available in standard postscript and compressed standard postscript from:

thumper.bellcore.com: /pub/nclatm/nclatm.ps
                      /pub/nclatm/nclatm.ps.Z
ftp.apple.com:        /pub/latm/nclatm.ps
                      /pub/latm/nclatm.ps.Z
parcftp.xerox.com:    /pub/latm/nclatm.ps
                      /pub/latm/nclatm.ps.Z


SUBJECT:  C3) * Where are hosts with ATM related information?

    Here's a list of sites that that seem to cater to the
ATM/broadband/real-time continuous-media crowd:

cc-hw.bbn.com                Rec_I_cls.ps, Rec_I_cls.hqx
icsi-ftp.Berkeley.EDU        Research, Continuous media
wuarchive.wustl.edu          Research, ATM Hardware
datanet.tele.fi              Standards drafts (see below)
nsco.network.com             HIPPI
gregorio.stanford.edu        IP Multicast
cell-relay.indiana.edu       cell-relay archives, etc. (see below)
thumper.bellcore.com         Standards drafts, etc (see below)

If you have ftp access, ftp to cell-relay.indiana.edu as user anonymous and
look in /pub/cell-relay for:

        1) In /pub/cell-relay/bib
           A bibliography of ATM research.  This includes several to
           reference books and LOTS of citations.
        2) In /pub/cell-relay/docs
           Some papers on ATM-related topics, standards, etc.
        3) In /pub/cell-relay
           This FAQ list!
        4) In /pub/cell-relay/conferences
           A bunch of files describing upcoming conferences

(Special thanks to Allen Robel for hosting this list and archive.)

Additionally, there are some draft standards, RFCs, technical papers, etc.
on ATM available at datanet.tele.fi in the directory called /atm
The collection includes draft AAL5 CCITT standards.  This is a general good
place to look.

Similarly, at thumper.bellcore.com in the /pub directory a lot of standards
related documents can be found.


SUBJECT:  C4) * How can I get the ATM Forum's Interface Specifications?

    The ATM Forum has produced a document called the User-Network
Interface specification.  This document applies to both the "Private UNI"
between an ATM user and a private ATM switch, and also a "Public UNI" between
a private ATM switch or a user and the public network.  The specification
contains information on the ATM bearer services, physical level interface
options, local network management, traffic, and signalling for both the
private and public UNIs.

For those which are not ATM Forum members, hard copies will be available
for purchase at book stores and direct from Prentice Hall.  This specification
is due to be published by Prentice Hall on 12/15/93 and will cost $34.  It
can be backordered now.  To do this call 1-800-374-1200 and ask for the
following book:

Title:  ATM User-Network Interface Specification
(V3.0 is not in the title; it's the First Edition)
Author: ATM Forum
ISBN:   0-132-25863-3

Prentice Hall can also be contacted over the Internet at ftp.prenhall.com

The ATM Forum's DXI and B-ICI specification can be ordered directly from the
ATM Forum.  Call the ATM Forum information line for ordering information.
See also subject B1.


SUBJECT:  C5) * List of ITU-T recommendations concerning ATM

    This list is provided for informational purposes only.  No guarantee
as to its completeness or correctness.  Also, although they are not formally
published, many of the following recommendations have been substantially
updated since first published.


    =ITU-T Recommendations Concerning ATM =

E.164      Numbering plan for the ISDN era                   11/91
G.707      Synchronous digital hierarchy bit rates           04/91
G.708      Network node interface for the synchronous        06/92
       digital hierarchy
G.709      Synchronous multiplexing structure                06/92
I.113      B-ISDN Vocabulary of Terms                        04/91
I.121R     Broadband Aspects Of ISDN                         04/91
I.150      B-ISDN asynchronous transfer mode functional      06/92
       characteristics
I.211      B-ISDN service aspects                            04/91
I.311      B-ISDN General Network aspects                    06/92
I.321      B-ISDN protocol reference model and its           04/91
       application
I.327      B-ISDN functional architecture                    04/91
I.361      B-ISDN ATM layer specification                    06/92
I.362      B-ISDN ATM  adaptation layer (AAL) functional     04/91
       description
I.363      B-ISDN ATM adaptation layer (AAL) specification   06/92
           (AAL1, AAL2, AAL3/4, AAL5)
I.413      B-ISDN user-network interface                     04/91
I.432      B-ISDN user-network interface - Physical layer    06/92
       specification
I.610      OAM principles of the B-ISDN access               06/92


Also, there are draft recommendations yet to be published (or I am just not
sure of their status):

I.35B   BISDN ATM Layer Cell Transfer Performance, 1992
I.363   Temp Doc 10 (XVIII) 'AAL Type 5 , Draft Recommendation text for
                             ssection 6 of I.363"  06/93
I.364    Temp Doc 58 (XVIII) 'Support of Broadband Connectionless Data
                             Service on B-ISDN'  06/92
I.365.1 Frame Relaying Service Specific Convergence Sublayer (FR-SSCS) 06/93
I.371    Temp Doc 64 (XVIII) 'Traffic Control and Congestion Control in
                             B-ISDN'  05/92
I.555   Frame Relaying Bearer Service Interworking  06/93
Q.2931  B-ISDN User-Network Interface Layer 3 Specification for Basic
        Call/Bearer Control,  04/93
Q.931   ISDN user-network interface layer 3 specification for basic
        call control  05/92
Q.933   Digital Subscriber Signalling Systems No. 1 (DSS 1) Signalling
        Specification for Frame Mode Basic Call Control  05/92
G.804   Which describes the mapping of ATM cells into PDH links at 1.544,
        2.048, 6.312, 34.368, 44.736, 97.728, 139.264 Mb/s (Jan 1993)

The following Q.SAAL documents are also germane:

Q.2100 "BISDN Signalling ATM Adaptation Layer Overview Description"
Q.2110 "BISDN Signalling ATM Adaptation Layer - Service Specific Connection
       Oriented Protocol (SSCOP)
Q.2130 "BISDN Signalling ATM Adaptation Layer - Service Specific Coordination
       Function for Support of Signalling at the User-to-Network Interface
       (SSCF at UNI)"


SUBJECT:  C6) * Internet drafts from IETF working groups.

        Various work items of the IP over Asynchronous Transfer Mode Working
group and other working groups of the IETF currently available include:

        draft-brazdziunas-ipng-atm-00.txt
        draft-ietf-atm-address-resolve-00.txt
        draft-ietf-atm-address-translation-00.txt
        draft-ietf-atm-framework-doc-00.ps
        draft-ietf-atm-framework-doc-00.txt
        draft-ietf-atm-nbma-01.txt
        draft-ietf-ipatm-sig-01.txt
        draft-ohta-ip-over-atm-01.txt
        draft-ietf-rolc-nhrp-02.txt
        draft-ietf-atommib-atm-06.txt
        draft-ietf-atommib-sonet-04.txt

Internet-Drafts are available by anonymous FTP.  Internet-Drafts directories
are located (as officially designated by the IETF folks) at:

     o  US East Coast   ds.internic.net (198.49.45.10)
     o  US West Coast   ftp.isi.edu (128.9.0.32)
     o  Pacific Rim     munnari.oz.au (128.250.1.21)
     o  Europe          nic.nordu.net (192.36.148.17)

Internet-Drafts are also available by mail.  Send a message to:
[e-mail].  In the body specify the filename requested.  For
example type: "FILE /internet-drafts/draft-ietf-atmommib-atm-07.txt".

For questions on how to obtain Internet Drafts, please mail to
[e-mail]


SUBJECT:  C7) * ATM Tutorials.

        The following ATM tutorials are available via anonymous FTP.

    Machine:  ftp.magic.net
    Path:     pub/magic
    File:     ip-atm.ps   (PostScript)
              ip-atm.ps.Z (Compressed PostScript)
The focus of this paper is running IP over ATM, but there is an extensive
tutorial on ATM, followed by discussion IP over ATM networks.


    Machine:  datanet.tele.fi
    Path:     atm/articles
    File:     atm-intro.txt
This paper is also a good starting point.

And a the following publically available paper is a good start:
"The Asynchronous Trnasfer Mode: A Tutorial" by Jean-Yves Le Boudec
in Computer Networks and ISDN, Vol 24, No 4, May 1992, pp 279-309

Additionally there are reasonable tutorials available from three commercial
communications companies.  Specifically:

1. "ATM In Private Networking", Anthony Alles, Hughes LAN Systems, Spring 1993
   This was handed out at the Spring 1993 Interop for free.  Contact
   Hughes LAN Systems, Inc., 1225 Charleston Road, Mountain View, CA 94043.
   Phone: [phone]  Fax: [phone]  (Note no guarentee that they
   will send out a copy.)

2. "Asynchronous Transfer Mode: Bandwidth for the Future", Jim Lane, Telco
   Systems, 1992.  To order a free copy simply call 1-800-447-2537

3. "Broadband Testing Technologies", (a HP Seminar Handbook), Hewlett-
   Packard Company, February 1993, Document number 5091-6902E
   Call your local HP sales office and or contact the HP IDACOM Test
   division.  The inside cover claims this document costs $10.

Additionally, Ameritech and the other Bell companies publish a pamphlet
called "ATM Today" anad another called "SMDS Today".  You can
call (800) TEAM-DATA for copies.

ATM Forum has an ambassador program whereby they provide informative
speakers to the networking community regarding various aspects of ATM.
Ambassadors represent the ATM Forum and present ATM technology in a
non vendor specific manner.  Ambassadors can discuss firsthand current
activities in the ATM Forum.  Topics include:

- Why ATM
- Introduction to ATM
- Intermediate ATM
- ATM in the public WAN
- Signalling 3.0
- Traffic Management 3.0
- B-ICI
- Network Management
- LAN Emulation

Contact the ATM Forum for more information.


SUBJECT:  C8)   Contact information for ANSI T1S1 specifications.

        These documents can be obtained directly from the Secretariat for
the ANSI T1 Telecommunications committee.

        Exchange Carriers Standard Association
        1200 G. Street N.W.  Suite 500
        Washington, D.C. 20005

All orders and requests for quotations on prices must be in writing.  Their
FAX number is: [phone]


SUBJECT:  C9) * Internet RFCs

        The following RFCs are available related to cell-relay technology.

        RFC 1483: Multiprotocol Encapsulation over ATM Adaptation Layer 5
        RFC 1577: Classical IP and ARP over ATM
    RFC 1626: Default IP MTU for use over ATM AAL5
    RFC 1695: Definitions of Managed Objects for ATM Management
                  Version 8.0 using SMIv2


SUBJECT:  C10) * ATM and Related Acronyms

        These are a few acronyms which tend to appear in postings, RFCs,
standards and other text related to the cell-relay topic area.

AAL     ATM Adaptation Layer
ABR     Available Bit Rate
ATM     Asynchronous Transfer Mode
B-ICI    Broadband Inter Carrier Interface
B-ISUP    Broadband ISDN User Part (used in B-ICI)
BISDN   Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network
CBR     Constant Bit Rate
CLP     Cell Loss Priority (as in CLP bit)
CIR    Committed Information Rate (since you list SIR)
CPCS    Common Part Convergence Sublayer
CS      Convergence Sublayer (as in CS_PDU)
DXI     Data Exchange Interface (as in ATM DXI)
GFC     Generic Flow Control
HEC     Header Error Control
ILMI    Interim Local Management Interface
LE    LAN Emulation
LEC    LE Client
LEH    LE Header
LES    LE Server
MTP3    Message Transfer Part Level 3 (used in B-ICI)
NLPID   Network Layer Protocol ID
NNI     Network Node Interface
NSAP    Network Layer Service Access Point
PDU     Protocol Data Unit
PLCP    Physical Layer Convergence Procedure
PTI     Payload Type Identifer
PVC     Permanent Virtual Circuit
QOS     Quality of Service
SAAL    Signalling AAL
SAR     Segmentation and Reassembly (as in SAR_PDU)
SDH     Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
SDU     Service Data Unit (as in AAL_SDU)
SIR     Sustained Information Rate
SMDS    Switched Multi-Megabit Data Service
SNAP    SubNetwork Attachment Point (see IEEE 802.1a)
SNI     Subscriber Network Interface
SONET    Synchronous Optical Network
SS7    Signalling System Number 7 (related to B-ICI)
SSCF    Service Specific Coordination Function (used with SSCOP in SAAL)
SSCS    Service Specific Convergence Sublayer
SSCOP   Service Specific Connection Oriented Protocol
SVC     Switched Virtual Circuit
UBR    Unspecified Bit Rate
UNI     User to Network Interface
VBR     Variable Bit Rate
VC      Virtual Channel (not circuit)
VCC     Virtual Channel Connection
VCI     Virtual Channel Identifier
VP      Virtual Path
VPC     Virtual Path Connection


Here are a few five dollar words which sometime come arise in this topic area.

Plesiochronous: Signals which are arbitrarily close in frequency to some
   defined precision.  They are not sourced from the same clock and so, over
   the long term, will be skewed from each other.  Their relative closeness of
   allows a switch to cross connect, switch, or in some way processs
   them.  That same inaccuracy of timing will force a switch, over time, to
   repeat or delete frames (called frame slips) in order to handle buffer
   underflow or overflow.

Synchronous: Signals that are sourced from the same timing reference.  These
   have the same frequency. (Contrast with Plesiochronous signals)

Asynchronous: Signals that are sourced from independent clocks.  These signals
   generally have no relation to each other and so have different frequencies
   and phase relationships.  (Contrast with Plesiochronous signals)

Isochronous: Signals which are dependant on some uniform timing or carry
   their own timing information embedded as part of the signal.



SUBJECT:  C11)   Where can I find the "Self Similar" Ethernet Traffic Study?

        FTP site for article 'Self Similar Nature of Ethernet' is:

        thumper.bellcore.com:/pub/wel


SUBJECT:  C12)   How can I get copies of ITU-T documents?

You can buy these on paper from the ITU:
    ITU
    Place des Nations
    CH-1211 Geneva 20
    Switzerland.
The fax number of the sales office is [phone].  They are also
available commercially from at least 2 sources in the U.S.:

    Information Gatekeepers in Boston, MA (1-800-323-1088)
    Phillips Publishing  (1-800-OMNICOM)

Phillips usually has documents in stock & has fast delivery.

Online access is limited.  Some postings suggested telnet to:
    ties.itu.ch / 156.106.4.75 or
    chi.itu.ch  / 156.106.4.16

Others suggest using gopher because that is what they are using.  For gopher
you'll need to use info.itu.ch if you want to use a local gopher
client.  ties and chi will refuse connections to port 70.

You can also get copies of ITU documents using their auto-answering mailbox.
Send mail to [e-mail] with
GET ITU-4313
in the message body to get information how to
get the documents, including I.363, that you want.

Alternatively, send e-mail to [e-mail] with the single line HELP
in the body of the message.  That will get you information on the ITU's
automatic mail server.

Essentially you send a message to the above address with
GET ITU-nnnn in the body, where nnnn is the document identifier number
that you get by  asking for ITU-1100, which is the index to the ITU I. series,
including I.363.

ITU-4313 also has directions how to use gopher:
Name=International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
Host=info.itu.ch
Port=70

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOPIC:     D)   ATM TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT:  D1)   What are the various ATM Adaptation layers?

    In order for ATM to support many kinds of services with different
traffic characteristics and system requirements, it is necessary to adapt
the different classes of applications to the ATM layer.  This function is
performed by the AAL, which is service-dependent.  Four types of AAL were
originally recommended by CCITT.  Two of these have now been merged
into one.  Also, within the past year a fifth type of AAL has been proposed.

    Briefly the four ATM adaptation layers (AAL) have/are being defined:

AAL1 - Supports connection-oriented services that require constant bit rates
       and have specific timing and delay requirements.  Example are constant
       bit rate services like DS1 or DS3 transport.

AAL2 - Supports connection-oriented services that do not require constant
       bit rates.  In other words, variable bit rate applications like
       some video schemes.

AAL3/4 - This AAL is intended for both connectionless and connection oriented
       variable bit rate services.  Originally two distinct adaptation layers
       AAL3 and 4, they have been merged into a single AAL which name is
       AAL3/4 for historical reasons.

AAL5 - Supports connection-oriented variable bit rate data services.  It is
       a substantially lean AAL compaired with AAL3/4 at the expense of
       error recovery and built in retransmission.  This tradeoff provides
       a smaller bandwidth overhead, simpler processing requirements, and
       reduced implementation complexity.  Some organizations have proposed
       AAL5 for use with both connection-oriented and connectionless services.

A recent document which describes these (except AAL2) with frame formats is:
"Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) Protocols
Generic Requirements",  Bellcore Technical Advisory, TA-NWT-001113, Issue 1,
August 1992.  This can be obtained by writing to:

    Bellcore
    Document Registrar
    445 South Street - Rm. 2J125
    P.O. Box 1910
    Morristown, NJ  07962-1910

SUBJECT:  D2)   Are ATM cells delivered in order?

    Yes.  The ATM standards specify that all ATM cells will be delivered
in order.  Any switch and adaptation equipment design must take this into
consideration.


SUBJECT:  D3)   What do people mean by the term "traffic shaping"?

        Here is an explicit definition of traffic shaping followed by brief
tutorial.  Note that a variety of techniques have been investigated to
implement traffic shaping.  Reference the literature for keywords such as
"leaky bucket", "congestion", "rate control", and "policing".

Definition:
Traffic shaping is forcing your traffic to conform to a certain
specified behavior.  Usually the specified behavior is a worst case or a
worst case plus average case (i.e., at worst, this application will generate
100 Mbits/s of data for a maximum burst of 2 seconds and its average over
any 10 second interval will be no more than 50 Mbit/s).

---End of part 1/2---