ABSTRACT
ATM is the purported solution to the LAN/WAN integration quandary. Companies are looking for an efficient and cost -effective method of integrating their dispersed multi protocol LANs, and frame relay, SMDS, and T3 are vying as contenders. So far, none has been wholly successful. LAN technologies, with their ability to carry large amounts of data over limited distances, are inherently unsuitable in a geographically large network. WAN services, although able to efficiently carry voice and to a lesser extent data over long distances, offer limited bandwidth. ATM, however, can effectively integrate the benefits of LAN and WAN technologies while minimizing the side effects of both.
