Switched Virtual Networking

The Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology is frequently seen only under the aspects of bandwidth gain and the suitability for multi-media communication. An essential advantage of ATM however is its potential for new concepts of connection management in complex networks. By the ability of ATM to create virtual subnets the separation of the logical network topology from the physical location of the subnet participants becomes possible. In conjunction with other switching LAN technologies like switched Ethernet and switched Token Ring extremely flexible and dynamic communication structures can be build which reflect the organisational requirements of nowadays business processes.