Cell Relay Archive

[coastcom@netcom.com (COASTCOM)]

I have been monitoring this UseNet for some time now and have not seen 
many articles posted indicating how many folks out there actually plan to 
use ATM and what specific problems ATM solves for them that cant be 
solved by existing technology. 

>From the vendor community, I have seen future applications that could be 
utilized, once the services are available from carriers and the 
applications software is available from the publishers.

>From the user community, it seems for the most part that the early 
adopters are using ATM to transport huge amounts of data for applications 
such as seismic data and real time computing between super computers. 
This is fine for the companies that have these applications, but these 
applications arent really what you might call main stream.

This again leads me to ask who plans to use ATM? I would appreciate any 
inputs on the following:

1. Do you plan to use ATM?

2. What problem does ATM solve that current technology does not?

3. What interfaces do you plan to use toward the public network? T1, T3, 
OC-3?

4. What kind of aggregate data rate is required on the ATM? 100 Mbs - 1 
Gbs? Greater than 1 Gbs?

If you would prefer to send me a private e-mail, as opposed to posting an 
article, that would be fine. I have no preconceived notions on this, all 
Im trying to understand is if ATM is a mainstream technology for end 
users, or whether it something that will be prevalent among carriers and 
a niche technology with end users.

Doug Stewart @ Coastcom