Merging ATM and frame relay management

As ATM and frame relay services have evolved, the difference between the services has become more and more difficult to discern - especially for ATM Adaptation Layer 5 traffic. In fact, most service providers transport frame relay over an ATM infrastructure and also offer ATM-to-frame relay translation services. This latter function provides a smooth migration path to higher speeds, allowing network access via frame relay at T-1/E-1 and below and via ATM at T-3/E-3 and above.

The sticky part of this equation has been the enhanced management of these services. We have extensively discussed the advantages of using enhanced CSU/DSU gear for analysis, management and troubleshooting. But this strategy has given less than 100% of the picture when service interworking is used to combine ATM and frame services.

However, last week, Visual Networks and Kentrox announced the shipment of a co-marketed product that allows Kentrox's ATM access multiplexers to be combined in the total picture for networks managed using Visual's software. This is accomplished via the combination of an analysis board that goes into the Kentrox AAC access concentrator product, plus a software load from Visual. Now a network that has service interworking with ATM on one end of a virtual circuit and frame relay on the other can be diagnosed end-to-end with a system.

Some end users will find this to be an attractive option for their own analysis systems. Even more will find this to be an attractive part of an enhanced service offering since equipment from both Visual and Kentrox is widely deployed as a part of frame relay and ATM service offerings.

Note that this announcement provides for cooperation on the ATM piece of the equation only. The companies will continue to compete in the frame relay CSU/DSU market.

Nevertheless, this announcement is significant both in bringing added capabilities and in demonstrating two companies working together to solve a larger problem for their combined customer base.

Steven Taylor, consultant and broadband packet evangelist, and Joanie Wexler, an independent networking technology editor and writer, team up to bring you this analysis and commentary. Taylor specializes in education and market analysis, and Wexler adds incisive reporting and research. For more detailed information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter, connect to www.webtorials.com, the first Web site dedicated exclusively to market studies and technology tutorials in the Broadband Packet areas of Frame Relay, ATM, and IP.

Feedback and additional topic ideas are welcome. Please contact taylor@webtorials.com or joanie@jwexler.com.

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