Ethernet Services on ATM

ATM Circuit extension technology enables service providers to map multiple VLAN to a virtual circuit, or to map multiple virtual circuits onto a single VLAN. Using this technology as a component, service providers can set up multiple point to point networks on ATM and Ethernet to provide enterprises with more flexible and scalable Ethernet based services.

Conceptually, providing Ethernet services on an ATM network is fairly straightforward, but encapsulating an ATM transport stream into a packet, then attaching a previous tag on the packet and sending the packet over a multiprotocol token Exchange (MPLS) network. Encapsulating Ethernet and ATM transport streams is the essence of this concept.

While the Martini draft is in fact used for Ethernet standards, standard organizations are still arguing about the best way to encapsulate ATM. At the same time, service providers looking to provide Ethernet services over an ATM network face the dilemma of waiting for a proprietary solution that waits for the advent of MPLS ATM encapsulation standards or is likely to change.

However, service providers can use ATM circuit extension technology to provide Ethernet based services on ATM. ATM Circuit Extension Technology maps single or multiple Ethernet VLANs to ATM virtual circuits. This service provider can map multiple virtual circuits to a single virtual circuit, or map multiple virtual circuits to a single VLAN. This technology enables service providers to leverage lower-cost Ethernet technologies to build more point-to-point networks, providing the following Ethernet based services to the enterprise: Point-to-Point LAN extension services, point-to-point LAN to LAN services, and multiple to multi LAN to LAN services.

To extend the VLAN transfer flow between two user sites, the service provider needs to configure the logical port as a 802.1Q VLAN port, mapping the user's VLAN to a virtual circuit on the appropriate ATM port.

Service providers can also set service types for specific VLANs or for specific applications. The service provider can utilize the rate shaping technology to extend the bandwidth on the virtual circuit above the VLAN, and the rate shaping can realize the bandwidth guarantee on the whole network. (Computer science)

When establishing a point-to-point LAN service, the service provider must configure the ATM access port as multiple virtual circuits to multiple user sites and map the VLAN to each virtual circuit. Service providers can also set service types for specific VLANs or applications by mapping IEEE 802.1P to the ATM quality of service parameters.

Once an ATM virtual circuit is mapped to an Ethernet VLAN with a 802.1Q tag, these VLANs can in turn be mapped to MPLS tunnels. Operators can use this technology to provide value-added 2-tier VPN services and 3-tier VPN services by introducing MPLS into their networks.

For enterprises with multiple parks, Ethernet based services provide a more flexible and scalable way for businesses to connect to offices located in different regions. The use of point to multi-point LAN expansion Services, that is, virtual private LAN services, enterprises can connect multiple sites to a VPN. Ethernet based services also enable enterprises to have more control over the bandwidth allocated to different applications. The flexibility of Ethernet technology makes it possible to allocate bandwidth on demand, and organizations can configure incremental bandwidth for each department, application, or office. By providing users with more direct and immediate control over their services, operators can increase satisfaction and reduce user churn in an increasingly competitive marketplace. ATM Circuit Extension technology provides a way for the network to meet future needs, and service providers can provide Ethernet to the enterprise through this road.