ATM-to-the-desktop: performance considerations in positioning it among emerging network technologies

In this paper, we present measured and simulated data that should allow the reader to objectively evaluate the relative performance merits of an ATM-to-the-desktop vs. switched/high-speed Ethernet networking solution. The study suggests that ATM provides the best overall performance, as both a backbone technology and end-to-end solution, because of the inherent advantage of fixed size ATM cell switching over variable sized Ethernet frame switching. However, it must be emphasized that the empirical data demonstrate that both technologies deliver excellent performance.