The idea was that ATM would be the optimum network for carrying multimedia traffic, with flows of different characteristics and requirements, while frame relay was optimized for data. The ultimate impact of the ATM Forum, though, was the demise of SMDS as a competitor to frame relay. Over the past eight or so years, we've gone through a constant love-hate relationship between the advocates of frame relay and ATM technology. But ultimately, they have been much more complementary than competitive.
Some enterprises still struggle with what to use for high-speed networking.
Meanwhile, the rapid emergence of optical advances such as dense wave division multiplexing, the talk of wide-area Gigabit Ethernet, as well as other moves, are making the WAN infrastructure of the future a puzzler. That future is what we'll be addressing in upcoming newsletters. Related links 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. Feedback and additional topic ideas are welcome.