A proposal of new data link protocol, universal data link, for high-speed IP/ATM-hybrid and IP-centric transport networks

This paper describes a new framing protocol, universal data link (UDL), to accommodate asynchronous and variable-length protocol data units (PDUs), such as those of IP, MPLS, and Ether. UDL frames are designed to allow multiplexing frame by frame with native ATM cell without changing or limiting their standard use in a given channel. UDL frames can thus be transported by fibers or wavelengths that are already used to transport ATM cells. Consequently, UDL enables smooth and easy migration from ATM transport networks to IP/ATM-hybrid or IP-centric transport networks, without requiring supplementary fibers or wavelengths