The FCVC (flow-controlled virtual channels) proposal for ATM networks: a summary

Link-by-link $ow-controlled virtual channels are proposed for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. The jlow control mechanism eflciently uses leftover bandwidth afrer guaranteed trafJic has been sewed, thus achieving high network utilization. Compatible with existing ATM standards, this proposal is called FCVC, which stands for Flow-Controlled Virtual Channels. Three increasingly memory-efficient credit-based jlow control schemes, named N123, N123+ and N23, are described for implementing link-by-link $ow control. These credit-based jlow control schemes have been used in an experimental 622-Mbps ATV switch currently under joint development by BNR and Hamard. Simulations based on the switch design have confirmed that the $ow control mechanism is indeed able to provide sufficiently rapid feedback to let a network adapt to load changes and maximize its performance. This paper is a summary of 1131.