IP/ATM network adaptation

摘要

A digital communications network comprises a plurality of network hosts connected to communicate using an ATM network. Each network host uses policies (configured by the network administrator) to control an IP/ATM protocol layer. Based on these policies, the IP/ATM protocol layer classifies submitted IP packets and establishes and manages ATM connections having parameters appropriate for each class of traffic. By configuring the policies, the network administrator can tune the hosts to optimally use network resources. The resources of primary concern are available bandwidth and connection setup capacity. In the simplest case, the IP/ATM protocol layer classifies packets submitted from the IP network protocol as data traffic or control traffic based on packet size. Generally, large IP packets are classified as data traffic, while smaller IP packets are classified as control traffic. Data traffic is sent over the ATM network using ATM connections having relatively high bandwidths and relatively short time-outs. Control traffic is sent over the ATM network using ATM connections having relatively low bandwidths and relatively long time-outs.