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 transfer mode (ATM). ATM technology allows the integration of voice, video, traditional data, and other traffic types on a single network. ATM offers a unique opportunity to deploy the same standardized networking technology in both the wide-area and local-area environments. IBM has introduced a family of products that provides a complete ATM solution for customers. The products support ATM standards, allowing the products to interwork with devices from other vendors. This paper provides a tutorial on ATM technology and an overview of the IBM ATM product family. The IBM 8260 Intelligent Switching Hub is described as a representative ATM product.