New features make Cisco 7000 with ATM Interface first solution for internetworking virtual LANs.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 1995--The ATM Interface Processor (AIP) for the Cisco 7000 family of high-end routers is being enhanced with new software features that boost the effectiveness of ATM deployment in production networks, facilitate such emerging applications as multimedia, and provide the first solution for internetworking between virtual LANs.

Key new AIP functions, available in August as part of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS) for ATM, include LAN Emulation, which allows higher-layer protocols and applications to run unmodified over ATM; point-to-multipoint signaling, which eliminates the need for multiple point-to-point switched virtual circuits in broadcast applications such as multimedia; and native support for IP over ATM as defined in RFC 1577.

Introduced in early 1994 as the first commercially available standards-based ATM router interface, the dual RISC-based AIP is installed in more than one thousand Cisco 7000 and 7010 routers connecting LAN-based internetworks with ATM cell-switching backbones. Larry Lang, Cisco's director of marketing for ATM products, said, "While users have always been drawn to ATM's high bandwidth, they have been waiting for vendors to make ATM more practical in terms of ease of deployment, cost-effectiveness, and inter-platform flexibility. The AIP's new software takes the next major step in this direction, and strengthens what is still the only complete end-to-end ATM solution from any vendor, including enterprise and workgroup ATM switches, ATM router interfaces and ATM adapter cards for desktop systems."

LAN Emulation Enables Multiprotocol Support, Virtual LANs over ATM

LAN emulation allows higher-layer protocols and associated applications to operate over ATM without modification, as if they were running on an Ethernet or Token Ring LAN segment. With this capability, users who wish to mix ATM devices, routers and LAN switches on their networks can avoid the costly and disruptive process of installing new network protocol stacks and applications.

By providing the needed layer 3 routing connection between layer 2 virtual LAN domains, the AIP's LAN emulation technology also makes the Cisco 7000 the first router to provide standards-based support for VLANs over ATM. Point-to-Multipoint Signaling for Multimedia

Point-to-multipoint (multicast) signaling permits the creation of ATM switched virtual connections which support one-to-many ATM connections, sending data to all intended recipients at once rather than duplicating point-to-point connections for each. This capability is critical for real-time multimedia applications such as desktop videoconferencing, distance learning and collaborative computing. The point-to-multipoint feature conforms to standard ATM Forum UNI signaling protocols.

Native Support for IP Over ATM

Native support for IP over ATM, as defined in RFC 1577 Classical IP and ARP over ATM, is ideal for use in networks mainly running the IP protocol. An ATM network running new, RFC 1577-compliant IP protocol stacks more efficiently supports IP over ATM because, for example, the overhead required to resolve IP to ATM addresses is roughly half that of other non-native approaches.

More Efficient Management

Two other new features will also be available on the AIP. The ATM Interim Local Management Interface (ILMI) supports standards- based ATM network configuration and automatic ATM address acquisition and registration. SVC Idle Disconnect maximizes the efficiency of available ATM interface ports by allowing the AIP to tear down SVCs after they have been inactive for a user-defined period.

Cisco Systems, Inc. is the leading global supplier of enterprise networks, including routers, LAN and ATM switches, dial-up access servers and network management software. These products, integrated by the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (Cisco IOS) link geographically dispersed LANs, WANs and IBM networks. Cisco is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., and in the U.S. is traded under the NASDAQ symbol CSCO.

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