Towards a framework for high speed communication in a heterogeneous networking environment

A framework is formulated for high-speed communication in an environment comprising a mix of subnetworks with widely varying characteristics. It combines elements of recent work on high-speed packet switching and on interworking of computer networks. The work on high-speed packet switching is expected to lead to the development of large public networks capable of supporting applications ranging from low-speed data to voice, high-speed data and video. Interworking of existing computer networks with high-speed connection-oriented networks will allow them to be used effectively by applications that require the high performance levels such networks can provide