
Understanding ATM Concepts
114056 Rev. A 2-7
The following layers relate directly to how Bay Networks routers support ATM:
• ATM layer
• ATM adaptation layer (AAL)
The ATM layer defines how two nodes transmit information between them. It is
concerned with the format and size of the cells and the contents of the headers.
The addresses of the cells are meaningful only to the two adjacent local nodes
(that is, usually not to the end nodes).
The ATM adaptation layer (AAL) converts higher-layer protocol data into formats
that are compatible with the requirements of the ATM layer, enabling ATM to
handle different types of information all within the same format.
The AAL is divided into two sublayers: the convergence sublayer (CS) and the
segmentation and reassembly (SAR) sublayer. These two sublayers convert
variable-length messages into 48-byte segments, while ensuring the integrity of
the data.
The CCITT (now ITU-T) has defined different types of AALs to handle different
kinds of traffic. Bay Networks ATM routers support AAL 5.
ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL5)
Bay Networks ATM routers support a CS function compatible with AAL 5, as
defined in Section 1 of the CCITT (now ITU-T) B-ISDN Protocol Reference
Model (PRM).
In AAL 5, only a trailer attaches to the data from the higher layer protocols to
create a CS PDU. AAL 5 divides the PDU into a 48-octet SAR PDU; however, it
does not add an SAR header and trailer. This 48-octet SAR PDU becomes the
payload of the ATM cell (Figure 2-5).
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