Thread, in reading the ongoing discussion here concerning IP vs. ATM, I find it notable that no one has mentioned the ATM-like alternative that exists in the MPLS protocol... as a means of both offering higher levels of service, while at the same time preserving the philosophy associated with IP constructs.
There are some very good and contrasting views on this subject in the July 1999 issue of Business Communications Review, in case anyone is interested. Passmore says that ATM must die [in most situations, conceding that the very large carriers may hold on to it for a while], while Finneran argues the need for QoS.
Both articles converge, however, with a form of agreement that MPLS [even by some of those vendors who are now offering it prestandard] may hold a viable alternative or adjunct to both, where ATM alone seems the suitable choice at this time. That is, for large switched flows in the core capable of grouping traffic by COS/TOS in the pursuit of higher levels of service delivery.
This is, in effect, what Monterey's [recently acquired by CSCO] lambda switching is all about, albeit at potentially higher denominations of bandwidth than traditionally non-optically-based switched flows.
Regards, Frank Coluccio |
