At the outset, ATM combined
cell switching and multiplexing to deliver multiple traffic types and service classes such as constant bit rate (CBR), variable bit rate (VBR), etc.
Xylan Corporation has released a universal ATM
cell switching module for its OmniSwitch which provides flexibility for private network and carrier network applications that need a mix of voice and data or a combination of low and high speed ATM links.
Since connecting through a resistor will cause a voltage drop that can saturate the Gilbert
cell switching transistors, it is recommended to use no more than 1200 [ohms].
Figure 1 illustrates how ATM carries out
cell switching. When a connection is set up between two or more hosts on the network, a virtual path is defined between the source and the destination.