ATM catches up with hype
news.com
By Ben Heskett
Staff Writer, CNET NEWS.COM
June 2, 1998, 7:45 a.m. PT
Left for dead after hype far out-paced reality, the high-speed
technology known as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is finally reaching
maturity, buoyed by wide adoption in telecommunications and service
provider networks.
Long thought of as a complex high-speed alternative, ATM has won
converts as a convergence of multiple types of traffic over a single
pipe continues within the networking industry and standards for the
technology stabilize. It has also retained a core of devotees, despite
expected encroachment by a new high-powered form of Ethernet that moves
data at gigabit speeds.
Now most industry observers concede that there is room for both
technologies in the market.
"ATM is really beginning to happen more widely and broadly," said George
Dobrowski, president of the ATM Forum and director of broadband
switching and signaling technology at Bellcore. "We're moving into the
era of convergence."
The market for large back-end ATM-based switches grew 77 percent in
1997, according to market researcher the Dell'Oro Group, with revenues
expected to climb another 60 percent this year.
Against the backdrop, a variety of players are converging on San Jose,
California, this week for ATM Year 98 to showcase new technology and
continue to fill holes in ATM's functions.
The technology got a boost last month when volume player Intel chose to
partner with ATM stalwart Fore Systems to add the technology to its
roster of networking options.
As reported, Cisco will show off three new ATM-based switches this week
and add software support so that IP (Internet Protocol)-based
applications can be delivered effectively across an ATM link via
multiprotocol label switching techniques, or "tags."
The rollout includes two new switches for the "edge" of ATM layouts and
a new core 8750 device that will be able to handle terabit rates.
Cisco is focusing on delivery of IP-based services. "We think it's the
next huge wave of traffic coming at our carriers," said Stan Kramer,
director of marketing for Cisco's wide area business unit.
While Ethernet will remain the dominant means to connect PCs and servers
together in local area networks and departments, ATM should continue to
make gains as an interconnection technology for multiple sites on a
campus or over a wide area, according to analysts.
Not to be left out of the party, Cabletron Systems also announced new
ATM capabilities within its equipment. Shipping in July for under $1,200
per port, the new SmartSwitch 6500 includes a 10 gigabits-per-second
chassis and is targeted at the "edge" of networks to feed various local
installations. The company also announced enhancements to Digital
Equipment's ATM-based devices.
Others showing off new technology include Xedia, who is demonstrating
quality-of-service software techniques with IP-over-ATM layouts.
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