scope:

The purpose of the present document is to provide specifications for Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) equipment to be used in the ETSI region. Such specifications will ensure compatibility between equipment by identifying which functions are mandatory for interworking and which can be considered as truly optional. Of course it is not the intention to prevent manufacturers or procurers from following an alternative specification, but the consequences should become clear from the present document.

The document will be in two parts, producing a list of functions and processes in the first part and a formal representation of transfer transport and layer management functions in the second part. The specification will take advantage of the work done in ITU but will take the work further with an ETSI European view. This means: the identification of ITU options to be mandatory in Europe, deletion of options not required for Europe, creation of new or revised descriptions where necessary, identification of guideline or benchmark performance parameters for classes of equipment.