BKATMFPN.RVW   990404

"ATM for Public Networks", Ronald H. Davis, 1999, 0-07-134476-4,
U$59.95
%A   Ronald H. Davis
%C   300 Water Street, Whitby, Ontario   L1N 9B6
%D   1999
%G   0-07-134476-4
%I   McGraw-Hill Ryerson/Osborne
%O   U$59.95 905-430-5000 800-565-5758 905-430-5134 fax: 905-430-5020
%P   384 p.
%T   "ATM for Public Networks"

The book is aimed primarily at technical managers and communications
engineers.  It is technical and somewhat demanding, but not beyond the
reach of those without an engineering background.

Part one presents a general, conceptual picture of ATM (Asynchronous
Transfer Mode).  Chapter one gives a clear explanation of both circuit
and packet switching, the relative strengths and weaknesses, and the
need for integration.  The relation between ATM and a physical layer
such as SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) is described well in
chapter two, but the connection between ATM and B-ISDN (Broadband
Integrated Services Digital Network) is not quite as clear.

Part two deals with specific protocols within ATM.  Chapter three
gives an overview of the data and cell formats of the ATM layer, and
the various sublayers of the ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL).  ATM
signalling is described in chapter four.  The provision for operations
administration and maintenance is explained in chapter five.  Chapter
six looks at traffic management, with analysis of quality of service,
delay, and variation.

Part three examines the means of interconnection with existing
networks and services.  Circuit, trunk, and framing emulation for
existing services is reviewed in chapter seven.  Chapter eight
discusses IP over ATM while nine deals with TCP level functions.  The
Internet and its requirements are analyzed in chapter ten with a view
to the benefits ATM can provide as an underlying layer.  The chapter
concludes with a comparison of IP/SONET versus IP/ATM/SONET, but the
material is limited by the fact that IPv6 has not been used
significantly in the overview.  Chapter eleven covers voice and other
constant bit rate traffic carried over ATM.

Part four consists only of chapter twelve, looking at the future of
ATM with particular reference to coming technologies.

Resources for further study are given at the end of each chapter.  In
addition, the figures and illustrations are worthy of note.  All too
often, graphics are introduced either because they are expected, or as
space fillers.  The illustrations and tables in this work, while not
universally clear, generally do contribute to understanding of the
material.

At first glance, a lot of the content is full of equations and
alphabet soup.  That should not, however, scare you off.  The
intelligent reader, with a bit of telecommunications background,
should be able to gain a reasonable understanding of ATM, its
implications, and its use in heterogeneous networks.  "Hands On ATM"
(cf BKHDOATM.RVW) and "Understanding ATM" (cf. BKUNDATM.RVW) are both
good, but this is a very serviceable guide, and worthy of serious
consideration.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1999   BKATMFPN.RVW   990404