Asynchronous Transfer Mode
A technology that uses fixed-size cells to transmit data over networks. This is different from IP networking, which uses variable-length packets.
ATM creates a fixed route between the two points of transfer data is sent. This differs from TCP/IP. This difference makes it easier to track and bill ATM traffic, but it makes ATM networks less adaptable to sudden changes in traffic or availability. This switching technology permits all traffic (voice, data, image, and video) to be combined into evenly-sized cells for high-speed transmission over one access circuit.
