Optimization of wide-area ATM and local-Area Ethernet/FDDI network configurations for high-speed telemedicine communications employing NASA's ACTS

A high data rate terrestrial and satellite network was implemented to transfer medical images and data. This article describes the optimization of the workstations and switching equipment incorporated into the network. Topics discussed include tuning of the network software, the configuration of the Sun Microsystems workstations, the FORE Systems asynchronous transfer mode switches, as well as the throughput results of two telemedicine experiments undertaken by Mayo's physician staff. The technical staff was successful in achieving the data throughput needed by the telemedicine software; particularly important was the proper determination of peak throughput and TCP window sizes to ensure optimum use of the resources available on the Sun Microsystems and Hewlett Packard workstations.