LAN emulation over ATM

While the new capabilities of ATM are expected to generate new applications, ATM's early deployment will depend upon its ability to continue to support existing applications. In this context, LAN emulation is essential and has been defined with the goal of allowing interoperable implementations of multiple vendors' devices, while supporting the vast number of existing applications running on servers and work stations connected to current LANs. LAN emulation allows ATM networks to continue to support today's applications, while new applications are written to take advantage of the new characteristics of ATM.