RFATM vs. Frame Relay: A Detailed Comparison
atm
frame relay
data communication
network
wan
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This article compares ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) and Frame Relay networks, highlighting their similarities and differences. Both technologies were designed to provide B-ISDN (Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network) services.
Comparison Table: ATM vs. Frame Relay
| Feature | ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) | Frame Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Primarily developed for WANs, but its high data rate capabilities have also been used in LANs. | A virtual circuit WAN. It assembles and disassembles packets from various networks like X.25, ATM, and PPP. |
| OSI Layer | Operates at Layer 1 (Physical Layer) and Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model. | Operates at Layer 1 and Layer 2 of the OSI model. |
| Data Handling | Data is segmented into ATM cells. Each cell consists of a 5-byte header and a 48-byte payload for data. The 8-bit error control field in the header provides error control. | Does not segment data into fixed-size cells. Frames have variable sizes. |
| Flow & Error Control | Provides flow control only at the User-to-Network Interface (UNI) level. | Does not provide flow control or error control. These functions are typically handled by upper layers. |
| Traffic Types | Can carry voice, video, image, and “bursty” traffic. | Primarily carries data traffic. |
| Speed | Provides high-speed data connections. | Provides medium-speed data connections. |
| Frame Size | Fixed frame (cell) size. | Variable frame size. |
| LAN/CAN Suitability | Suitable for LAN (Local Area Network) and CAN (Campus Area Network) environments. | Not typically suitable for LAN and CAN. |
| QoS (Quality of Service) | Supports quantifiable Quality of Service (QoS) parameters. | Does not support quantifiable QoS. |
| Bandwidth Allocation | Supports dynamic bandwidth allocation. | Supports dynamic bandwidth allocation. |
| Network Type | Suitable for MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) environments. | Suitable for MAN and WAN environments. |
Interworking
Interworking between ATM and Frame Relay has been utilized to leverage the benefits of both technologies in data networks. This allows for a more versatile and efficient network infrastructure.
