Advantages disadvantages of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

Mục Lục

Advantages disadvantages of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

This page covers advantages and disadvantages of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). It mentions Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) advantages or benefits and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) disadvantages or drawbacks.
It also describes Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) basics.

What is Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)?

Introduction:
ATM stands for Asynchronous Transfer Mode.
ATM technology uses ATM cells for data transmission between source and
destination. ATM cell uses fixed size of 53 bytes which consists of
header (5 bytes) and data (48 bytes). It is behind the success of B-ISDN used for
voice/data/video transportation.

ATM transmits cells only when there is data to be transmitted unlike STM (Synchronous Transfer Mode) where bandwidth is
assigned periodically like TDM. ATM is connection oriented which uses virtual packet
switching. Multiple logical connections are multiplexed over single physical
connection.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

The figure-1 depicts ATM network with various interfaces, refer ATM tutorial >> and
ATM vs Frame Relay >>.

Benefits or advantages of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

Following are the benefits or advantages of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM):
➨It is optimized to transport voice, data and video i.e.
single network for everything. It is used for mixed traffic, real-time and
non real time traffic types.
➨It is easy to integrate with LAN, MAN and WAN network types
i.e. seamless integration.
➨It is QoS oriented and high speed oriented.
➨It enables efficient use of network resources using bandwidth on demand
concept.
➨It uses simplified network infrastucture.

Drawbacks or disadvantages of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

Following are the disadvantages of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM):
➨Overhead of cell header (5 bytes per cell)
➨Complex mechanisms are used to achieve QoS.
➨Congestion may cause cell losses
➨ATM switch is very expensive compare to LAN hardware.
Moreover ATM NIC is more expensive compare to ethernet NIC.
➨As ATM is connection oriented technology, the time required for connection setup and
tear down is larger compare to time required to use it.

Refer Following links to subtopics on this ATM tutorial:
ATM Network Architecture & Interfaces
ATM Protocol Stack
ATM services
ATM Switch
ATM Call Flow
ATM vs STM
ATM vs TDM
ATM versus Frame Relay
ATM AAL Layer Types