ATM vs DS3

[mccullrr]

Can anyone explain to me the difference between and atm and a ds3 connection. Currently we have an ATM connection. Another service provider has provided us with a quote using a DS3. In the end, they both would eventually be about the same price. Trying to see if there is an advantage to us moving from an atm to a ds3. I already know one disadvantage is moving our current network design over to the new one.

Thanks for the input!
Becky

 

[chipk]

That's more than I care to type, so:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asynchronous_Transfer_Mode

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Signal_3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-carrier

As far as practical difference to you, do you know how much bandwidth you have reserved on the ATM network? Is your circuit "burstable"? Because really, if you're over 40 something megs on your ATM circuit and you can burst, then you may actually lose bandwidth switching over to DS3, not to mention you may have to buy additional equipment. Do you know what your current traffic patterns look like?

 

[mccullrr]

chipk your my man! You've just been helping me out all day today. Anyways, I'm outta here for today. I will be looking at your links tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help!!
Becky

 

[chipk]

Took me a minute to realize you were the same person with a couple other posts. Glad to help out. I just happen to be pretty active on the board today.

 

[jneiberger]

Just to add a comment: ATM is a layer-two protocol, DS3 is a physical layer concept. You can run ATM over T1 or T3 (DS3). So, you really need to compare your current circuit speed with DS3 speeds. Also, if you're moving away from ATM, you might actually get a bit of additional benefit because you're losing the ATM "cell tax", the high per-cell overhead required by ATM.

 

[voltron1011]

Is this going to be a point-to-point (backhaul) between two sites or is it going to the internet?

 

[mccullrr]

It would be going to the internet.