ATM based network transport service

A proposal for the organization of transport services provided by an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)-based network, a so-called core and edge structure, is considered. The core and edge concept arises with the differentiation of transport tasks among the network entities: core entities perform physical and ATM layer functions, whereas edge entities also treat the adaptation layer. Such a structure is analyzed for packet oriented services, and a detailed proposal for the adaptation layer, providing layer-two and layer-three OSI functions, is presented. The structure for the transport service can be efficiently used both in a pure ATM environment and in an interworking scenario. Thus, interworking with other networks, such as packet switched public data networks or metropolitan area networks, is facilitated, allowing the introduction of the ATM-based network