Testing methods and equipments for ATM switching nodes
M. Di Concetto, L. Gabrielli, Vinicio Vercellone, Riccardo Melen · European Transactions on Telecommunications · 1994
Abstract After several years of theoretical studies and laboratory experiments, the ATM technique has now reached a sufficient degree of maturity that makes it ready to be experimented in the field. ATM substantially differs from traditional switching and transmission techniques for the statistical multiplexing introduced by the asynchronous technique. It turns out that the testing process is a formidable challenge for the operator, due to both the functional complexity foreseen for the B‐ISDN switching systems and to the sophisticated performance issues involved. This paper is devoted to a first assessment of the relatively unexplored problem of specifying ATM switching equipment and testing its conformance to the specification. It begins by reviewing some concepts regarding the testing of existing switching systems, then examines the peculiarities of ATM, outlines the main critical issues and their possible solution.