Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is a “high speed transmission protocol in which data blocks are broken down into small cells that are transmitted individually and possibly via different routes in a manner similar to packet switching.” ATM is a form of data transmission, which allows voice, video and data to be sent along the same network. Previously, voice, video and data were transferred using separate networks, because these traffic types have different characteristics. For instance, …showed first 75 words of 825 total…

…showed last 75 words of 825 total…public and private wide area services. This uniformity is intended to simplify network management by using the same technology for all levels of the network. (5) Long Architectural Lifetime – The information systems and telecommunications industries are focusing and standardising on ATM. ATM has been designed from the onset to be scalable and flexible in: Geographic distance, number of users, access and bandwidths. This flexibility and scalability assures the ATM will be around for a long time.