LANE

(LAN Emulation) The ability to connect Ethernet and Token Ring networks together via ATM. LANE allows common protocols, such as IP, IPX and AppleTalk to ride over an ATM backbone without any modification to Ethernet or Token Ring stations. LANE is also used to create emulated LANs (ELANs), which like VLANs, logically combine groups of users.

The ATM Forum governs the LANE User-to-Network Interface (LUNI), which defines how an end station communicates with the ATM network.

Encapsulating LAN Packets
The LANE driver encapsulates Ethernet and Token Ring packets into LANE packets and then converts them into ATM cells, and vice versa. The driver resides in an edge device which sits between the LAN and the ATM switch. The driver is also required in each ATM client station.

The LECS and BUS
LANE is implemented in an ATM switch or stand-alone server and is made up of two software components: the LANE Configuration Server (LECS), which provides address resolution, and the Broadcast and Unknown Server (BUS), which manages multicast and broadcast traffic within the ELAN. See ATM and MPOA.