Transparent interconnection of LANs by an ATM network

摘要

A computer communications network comprises a plurality of interconnected ATM switches (1a, 1b, 1c) forming a WAN or LAN area network over which ATM cells are transmitted, and a plurality of devices (8, 9, 10, 11, 14) including LAN interface adapters for connection to one or more local area networks (LANs). Interface devices (6a, 6b, 6c) connect at least some of the respective ATM switches to the LAN interface adapters. The interface adapts the LAN frames for transport over the ATM network. The user devices can thus communicate through the LAN interface adapters transparently with the wide area network.