ATM Network Simulation

Abstract

ATM is the switching and multiplexing technique chosen by CCITT for broadband ISDN. Since no ATM networks are fully operational yet, very little is known about the traffic patterns that may prevail in the networks of the future. Thus, statistical models of traffic are difficult to justify, thereby complicating the theoretical analysis of such networks. Furthermore, the role of satellite links in ATM networks has also to be examined. An ATM network simulation would make it possible to study some of the issues confronting the design of such high speed networks. In this paper we describe our efforts at building an ATM network simulation package. Some of the issues regarding the development of this package, as well as the problems encountered are described herein.