
Ethernet, Virtual Circuit Networks and SONET 185
of header and 48 bytes of payload or data. Further, ATM networks are connection-oriented though they
employ packet-switching technique. They also allow bursty traffic to pass through as well as devices
with different speeds can communicate with each other via ATM network. Thus, it combines the advan-
tages of both packet switching and circuit switching.
Architecture of ATM Network
An ATM network is composed of ATM switches and ATM endpoints. An ATM switch deals with trans-
mission of a cell through the network. It takes the cell from an ATM switch or ATM endpoint, reads the
cell header information ...