Asynchronous Transfer Mode

Windows 2000 ATM Services

This section describes ATM support in Windows 2000, which includes a high level of integrated ATM support. This section also describes some of the major advantages afforded by this integration.

Windows 2000 provides high levels of support for ATM in three main areas:

APIs and integrated network services for direct access to ATM.
Support for existing network protocols.
Broad ATM adapter support.

Applications can access ATM services directly through a new set of ATM APIs that are made available through established operating system components, including Network Device Interface (NDIS), Windows Sockets, and TAPI/Direct Show. These interfaces support access to ATM services in both kernel and user mode.

Windows 2000 also contains a higher level of integrated support for existing network protocols over ATM. Microsoft has implemented a universal LANE client, IP over ATM components, PPP over ATM components, a Windows Sockets Service Provider, and UNI signaling modules for endstations.

Because of this integration and extensive testing, hardware vendors can focus on their hardware and can largely ignore LANE, IP over ATM, PPP over ATM, Windows Sockets support, and UNI. Hardware vendors must write only the small NDIS miniport driver to interface with their hardware because the components formerly required in the monolithic driver are now all folded into the operating system. With driver development simplified, the cost of ATM adapters can fall. In addition, the simplification of driver development can improve adapter reliability and increase the number of supported ATM adapters.