Geographic extension of HIPPI channels via high speed SONET

The article first briefly reviews the relevant aspects of standard HIPPI channel operation, ad hoc serial HIPPI channel extension, and the rationale for HIPPI channel extension over WANs, and provides a description of standard STS-12c SONET (STM-4c). HIPPI over SONET encapsulation protocol, reliable flow control method and performance, and the actual implementation are then described, including maintenance needs such as SNMP monitoring, laser lifetime monitoring, and loopback functions. Concluding comments cover the status of the HIPPI-SONET development effort, other HIPPI-SONET developments, and the need and approach to providing HIPPI-ATM-SONET connectivity via adaptation of HIPPI-PH packets to standard ATM protocols.<
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