Simple data link (SDL) protocol: an efficient and low complexity data link protocol for high-speed packet networks

The simple data link (SDL) is a framing protocol for asynchronous, variable/fixed, length packets over a general-purpose point-to-point communications channel. The SDL relies on an ATM HEC-like framing mechanism that requires no special encoding of the framed protocol data unit (PDU) such as in HDLC framing. Its low implementation complexity makes SDL particularly suitable for high-speed transmission links such as SONET/SDH point-to-point links and SONET/SDH paths, wavelength links in an optical network, and others. For a high data rate environment, SDL is a very attractive alternative to more conventional solutions such as ATM, frame relay or PPP-over-SONET (POS).