Frame Relay and ATM in the Transmission of Information

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Introduction

Frame relay refers to a technological network that has a wide area and is standard in nature. This technology specifies logical and physical layers of link that are used in channels of digital communication with the help of a methodology known as packet switching. ATM on the other hand refers to asynchronous transfer mode which is a technique that is used in telecommunication platforms for purposes of switching. Both frame relay and asynchronous transfer mode play an important role in the transmission of date, voice¸ video and image but in different ways. This discussion makes a comparison between these techniques and seeks to find out which of the two is more effective.

A.T.M

Asynchronous transfer mode is a technological network whose evolution has been rapid over the last two years. This is perhaps because of its ability to effectively transfer data, voice video and image. This networking technology gives an opportunity to both the carriers of communication and the end users to relay all types of information without having to use different formats. With ATM, it is possible to transport all types of information using one format.

Evolution

Asynchronous transfer mode as already mentioned is a recent technological development whose main aim was to fill the gap left by traditional networks of data and voice. This concept was developed by a group known as CCITT which pioneered the standards of broadband ISDN more than twenty years ago. This concept however only came to see the light of day in the year 1991. This forum has brought together players form both the private sector and the public sector who deal with vending of communication equipment, telecommunication, communication of data, provision of communication services among other key stakeholders who came together to endorse and promote this concept.

The Rationale of ATM

ATM is a technology that can be considered manifold and one that is multifaceted in that it is able to transport virtually every kind of information using a single format. There I therefore a unifying aspect that this technological network has. The transportation of information under ATM can be done on both wide areas as well as local networks. Before this concept was developed, networks that were developed were tailor made and were specific to the kind of information to be transported. This meant that networks that were intended to transport data could only transport data and not images, video or voice and the vice versa is true.

Networks that were circuit switched including facilities used in the transmission of digital information that is on high speed as well as telephone network that is public switched. As we shall see later when discussing Frame Relay which is yet another technological network of transporting information, there is toleration of delay to some degree. This means that with Frame Relay users have the opportunity to make selection on the technology that serves them best depending on their needs.

Since the needs of an organization are always multiple, organizations are left with no choice but to have several applications to cater for their varying needs. The multiple applications often lead to inefficiency in the transmission of information and it can prove to be highly costly for an organization. A.T.M therefore has to a large extent helped resolve this problem as it combines all the features of different applications so that all types of information can be set using this technological technique.

Besides being convenient, A.T.M has also been cited to be highly economical since the cells used are of fixed length. This ensures that the hardware used is of low cost. While this technology may seem expensive currently, it is anticipated that it will be subsidized over time as more production of communication equipment allied to this technological concept increases.

Prior to the development of ATM many organizations had already begun looking for ways in which they could fill the gaps left by traditional methods of information transmission This they did by merging data and voice by using multiplexers which were connected to a common circuit. While this was a solution, it would not last since it was not end-to-end and therefore such companies were still forced to incur high expenses of having to operate separate networks of voice and data (Smith 89). In addition, this arrangement may not perfectly support applications of multi media that have emerged recently which require short periods of high bandwidth. However, A.T.M is able to provide high band with when required especially when it comes to data, video and voice.

Advantages of ATM

While other methods of relaying and transmission of information are equally effective, there are tow main advantages that ATM has which other traditional methods do not have. To begin with, ATM provides access to full bandwidth to all the switches within the entire network and for every workstation as well. The second advantage is that, with ATM the devices used in attaching are able to operate at different rates of operation

Frame Relay

Frame relay as already mentioned is a service of telecommunication which is in a way similar to Asynchronous transfer mode with a few differences in the mode of operation. This technological concept just like ATM was designed with the main aim being to cut cost that was presented by traditional methods of relaying information. Efficiency was another factor of consideration when this concept was being developed. The technology behind this technological concept is putting data in a size that is considered variable unit which is known as a frame.

Any correction of error that is necessary is left at the end points and this helps increase the amount of data transmitted. With frame relay, the connection is dedicated and continuous as there is provision of permanent virtual circuit. An organization that opts to use frame relay in the transmission of their information has the opportunity to have some frames as priorities while others are made less important depending on the needs of the organization. Frame relay unlike Asynchronous transfer mode is based X.25 technology which is an old concept that was first designed with an aim of making transmissions of data that was analog in nature. Such data include voice data.

Although frame relay is based on this old concept, in itself frame relay is more advanced as it is a technology that can be classified as fast packet which basically means that the protocol is designed in such a manner that no attempts are made to make corrections on the errors detected. Instead, whenever there is detection of an error on any given frame is normally ejected r dropped. This detection is done at the end points. Once the end points detect the error, they drop them and later retransmit them.

The idea behind frame relay is to bring a connection between major networks and the local area network together with wide area networks that are in the public domain and even those that are private whose lines are leased. With frame relay a dedicate connection especially when the transmission is taking place is a basic requirement. Frame relay is however not the best when it comes to transmission of video and voice since these two require a transmission flow that is steady. This is however not to mean that frame relay is never used for voice and video transmission but in very remote circumstances.

One aspect that sets aside frame relay from other techniques of data transmission is the fact that in frame relay, there are normally various locations from which data can be sent or received. These locations are referred to as ports and they help connect all other locations to the entire network. In the frame relay system, the design is such that ach an every port has address which is specific and unique to that particular port. The frame network is more or less like a cloud in which every port must be connected to. Inside the network, there are varying ways in which to gain access to various ports. This ways are similar in that they all have a common connection which is enhanced by the frame switches. The design of the switches is such that they are able to sort of decide on the flow of data traffic on whichever route. These switches are therefore able to assess which of the various routers is able to send a frame quickly and in a manner that is reliable t the intended port of destination.

Difference between Frame Relay and other Technological Techniques

Networks of transmitting data have major similarities but there are some aspects that make it different from other types of technological techniques. One major aspect is the fact that frame relay uses virtual connections as opposed to static connections. These virtual connections are achieved by using PVC (Chin 167). Another difference is that unlike most other technological networks, frame relay is not specific to any media and it is able to speed up the difference, it thus helps make connection medium, between varying devices and at speeds which are equally varying.

It is also the nature of frame relay which is describes as being multiplexed which makes transmission easier and especially when it comes to traffic that is bursty in nature. Traditional networks of data transmission did not have the mechanism to prevent wastage of bandwidth that was not in use. However, with frame relay, such problems have been solved due to the aspect of sharing and this allows bursts that are multiple in nature to be dealt with or handles simultaneously and this means that the bandwidth is well utilized. There is however a problem presented by this mechanism used by frame relay in that it could result to congestion fur to the fact the port is in this case likened to a bottleneck.

Key Uses of Frame Relay

There are many connections in which frame relay can be used. The flexibility of this network protocol makes it convenient for organizations using it. Just like A.T.M, frame relay is able to transmit all types of information including video, voice, image and data. Implementing frame relay is quite complex and the costs involves can be on the higher side. For that reason, frame relay is best suited when it comes connections are of a permanent nature or semi permanent. From an economic point of view, it is not advisable to access frame relay using dial up, as it may be very costly.

The Two Sides of Frame Relay

Every aspect has two sides with one being the most favorable while the other being not very favorable. Frame relay also has two sides and one advantage is that it is more economical when dealing connections that are of high speed and are long haul. It is also cheaper especially in organizations that would like to have redundancy as part of their network (Perros 345). Frame relay is also advantageous in that in case there are varying speeds in a network, they can be converted and this will help buffer burst of traffic. This method is also cost effective as the hardware required for the various connections is less.

However, the other side of the coin is that the bandwidth is not guaranteed as there could be clogging and jams within the network (Bucklewalter 87). Again if the connection is done on a point to point, then frame relay is not economical. Again if the connection is not on long haul frame relay could prove to be highly expensive.

Conclusion

The above discussion gives a general over view of both Asynchronous transfer mode and frame relay and how different and similar the two networks are. With this understanding it now becomes easier of an organization to make an informed choice on which system best suits them depending on the needs of the organization.

Works Cited

Bucklewalter, Jeff. Frame relay: technology and practice. New York: Addison-Wesley, 2000. Print

Chin, Jonathan. Cisco Frame Relay Solutions Guide. London: Cisco Press, 2004. Print

Smith, Philip. Frame Relay: Principles and Applications. Michigan: Addison-Wesley, 1993. Print

Perros, Harry. An Introduction to ATM Networks. California: John Wiley and Sons, 2002. Print

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