IP/ATM integration, issues, activities, and suggestions

The paper introduces current issues and activities on IP switching technology for the public telecommunication network. Its standard activities and protocols are compared. There are many standard bodies (IETF, Internet engineering task force; ATM Forum; and ITU, International Telecommunications Union), which are concentrating on offering dominant ways of carrying Internet traffic via ATM switching network. IETF offers MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) protocol. ATM Forum offers the PNNI and I-PNNI protocol for dynamic routing and signaling. ITU are trying to offer frameworks, architecture, and protocol. Finally, the paper suggests a reasonable approach to implement an IP switching system in the public network.