ATMsignalointijärjestelmät

ATMsignaling is a term that refers to the communication protocols used within Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks. ATM is a cell-switching technology designed for efficient transfer of voice, video, and data traffic. ATMsignaling is crucial for establishing, managing, and releasing connections between ATM endpoints.

The primary signaling protocol used in ATM networks is known as the Signaling System No. 6 (SS6) or more commonly, Q.2931. This protocol is part of the ITU-T Q.931 family of protocols, which are also used in ISDN networks. Q.2931 defines a set of messages and procedures that allow ATM devices to negotiate the characteristics of a connection before data transfer begins. This includes specifying the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, such as bandwidth, delay, and cell loss ratio, required for the application.

ATMsignaling involves several key functions. Connection setup is initiated by a user or network element requesting a connection to another endpoint. The signaling protocol conveys the necessary information to intermediate ATM switches, which then establish the virtual circuit. During the connection, signaling can also be used to modify connection parameters or perform maintenance operations. Finally, when the connection is no longer needed, signaling protocols are used to gracefully tear down the virtual circuit, releasing the allocated resources. The efficient and reliable operation of ATM networks relies heavily on the proper functioning of its signaling mechanisms.