Introductory overview of ATM
What is ATM?
ATMs chief characteristics and uses
Why is ATM Asynchronous if it is synchronous?
Positioning ATM in public networking technology
Vital and valid business reasons for using ATM
Why not use Fast Ethernet, MPLS, SONET or FR?
The ATM Forum, ITU-T, ETSI, ECMA

The ATM architecture
The rational behind ATM's design
B-ISDN Architectural Model Versus OSI
ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) and sublayers
ATM Service classes : A, B, C, D
The AAL sublayers : Convergence and SAR
AAL 1, AAL 2, AAL 3/4 : purpose & structure
Type 5 : MPLS & Multi-Protocol Encapsulation
What is missing or is undefined now ?

ATM Layer : purpose, definitions & vagueness
Virtual Connections, Paths and Channels
The ATM cell header : fields and function
ATM OAM cells, Signaling cells and channels

ATM Physical Layer : purpose & structure
Transmission Convergence Sublayer
Formats at T1/E1, STS-1, SDH-1, SDH-4
Physical Medium Dependent Sublayer
3 different technologies used in ATM switches

ATM Forum's User-Network Interface
Scope, purpose, bearer service attributes and QoS
Setting up an SVC
Q.2931, UPC, CAC, NPC, QoS, CLP
UNI vers. 3.1/4.0
Specified and Unspecified QoS
Specs for SONET and 44.736 Mbps at public UNI
Specs for 100, 155.52 and 51 Mbps at private UNI

Managing ATM using SNMP
Quick review of SNMP, MIB, ASN.1, BER
ATM Integrated Local Management Interface (ILMI)
The UNI Management Entity (UME)
ATM MIB (Management Information Base)
Can you manage ATM today with ILMI and UMEs?

Being realistic about ATM
Politics of merging your voice, data and video
AAL incompatibilities and interoperability
Adequate compliance tests available today?
Capability and availability of ATM test equipment
Admission control and security

Applying ATM in campus LANs
Objectives, target applications, obstacles
Danger : beware of vendor performance specs
Campus LAN configurations and ATM

Applying ATM in the WAN
Objectives for implementing the ATM WAN
Cost justification, strategies
Obstacles that carriers and users face
Descriptions of some operational ATM WANs

ATM enhancements
Procedures for Switched Virtual Connections
States, messages, multipoints, parameters
  for T1/E1, E3/T3 25.6, 51 and SONET/SDH
Network Management : M1 to M5 specs
P-NNI : purpose, procedures, scope
B-ICI, UNI 4.0, DXI, Frame Relay over ATM
LAN Emulation, Classical IP over ATM, MPOA
IP Switching, Cisco's Tag Switching, MPLS

ATM Traffic Management
6 different Classes of Service : parameters, QoS
Available Bit Rate (ABR) : issues, techniques
Congestion Control : issues, technology
Rate-based versus Credit-based
UPC, EPD, Shaping, PPD
ATM traffic shaping : objectives, tools, status

ATM Wrapup
Quick summary review
Issues and concerns
Final discussions