The ATM test bed: an experimental platform for broadband communications

The ATM test-bed is a laboratory plant including access facilities and switching functionalities, together with some advanced terminal equipment in an ATM environment. It is the result of research activities addressed to B-ISDN development and carried out in the framework of the Telecommunication Project, a five-year Italian research program organized and supported by the National Research Council (CNR). The aim of the test-bed is to realize a flexible local network environment where critical issues related to the introduction of ATM techniques can be investigated, including signaling, internetworking, and service support, in addition to the basic switching technology. The emphasis is on flexibility and comprehensiveness of features and functionalities, rather than performance and technology. Beyond the technology issues related to the implementation, one of the major aspects of the test-bed is the collaborative development of its various building blocks.<>