Direct virtual path configuration in large-scale ATM networks

The paper presents a new ATM transport network technique that realizes the direct virtual path configuration by using path bandwidth control and the virtual path group concept. Direct virtual paths link local switches directly and enable channel set up processing to be eliminated from transit nodes. However, this configuration, which employs no toll switches, suffers from several problems such as reduced utilization of virtual path bandwidth and increased difficulty of localized network management based on network segmentation. The authors introduce virtual path bandwidth control and the virtual path group concept into ATM transport networks to realize the direct virtual path configuration in a very efficient manner. Virtual path bandwidth control enables the optimum balance between switching and transmission systems to be struck. Virtual path groups make it possible to provide a localized network management capability in a way similar to that available in a conventional network