ATM in MPLS-based converged core data networks

Services supported by asynchronous transfer mode account for the majority of data and Internet service revenues generated by carrier networks today. This is based on ATM's ability to support high availability services with quality of service. However, the influences of the Internet and a highly dynamic telecommunications market have raised demands for increased flexibility while controlling costs. Therefore, future carrier networks are likely to continue to be based on established technologies, such as ATM, as well as IP. In many cases, this is achieved through maintaining separate ATM and IP core networks, with the IP network supporting Internet services, while the ATM network continues to support guaranteed services such as private lines, broadband access, and video. In some cases, however, it can be advantageous for a carrier to transport segments of their ATM network over their IP network core; for example, to transport ATM traffic currently carried on leased facilities onto an IP network where the service provider owns the facilities. Developments in IP and MPLS-based traffic engineering and QoS may increase the ability of IP-based networks to support ATM services using MPLS. This article provides an overview of approaches enabling a network based on MPLS that naturally supports IP services to also support ATM services. The drivers and requirements for convergence on an IP/MPLS core network are presented, followed by an overview of the different approaches and associated challenges currently being debated in the standards bodies.