SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003
(Main)Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (B-ISDN); Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM); Part 2: B-ISDN ATM layer specification
- Abstract
Definition of ATM cell structure and header functions as well as ATM layer specifications
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 30-Nov-2003
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 01-Dec-2003
- Due Date
- 01-Dec-2003
- Completion Date
- 01-Dec-2003
SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 is the Slovenian adoption of ETS 300 298-2 Edition 1 from ETSI. It specifies the B-ISDN ATM layer for Asynchronous Transfer Mode, including ATM cell structure, header coding at UNI and NNI, and the protocol procedures that govern cell handling. It is aimed at people implementing, testing, or buying ATM equipment for Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (B-ISDN) systems.
What does SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 specify?
SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 defines how ATM cells are built and how the ATM layer uses the header fields on the User-Network Interface (UNI) and the Network Node Interface (NNI). It also covers ATM protocol procedures and the conformance information needed to check an implementation.
The document is organized into a short set of clauses plus one normative annex:
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex A | Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement (PICS) proforma for the ATM layer |
The main text covers scope, normative references, abbreviations, cell structure coding, service primitives, and ATM protocol procedures. The annex then turns the specification into a conformance checklist that can be filled in for a specific implementation.
What are the key requirements of SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003?
Cell structure and header coding
SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 states that an ATM cell has a 5-octet header and a 48-octet information field. It also fixes the transmission order: bits are sent most significant bit first, and octets are sent in increasing order. In practice, this matters because every ATM implementation must serialize the cell exactly the same way to interoperate.
At the UNI, the header carries GFC, VPI, VCI, PT, CLP, and HEC fields. At the NNI, the header uses VPI, VCI, PT, CLP, and HEC, with more routing bits available for the path identifier. That difference matters when equipment is built for the customer-facing interface versus the network-to-network interface.
The standard also assigns some header values to cells used by the physical layer, such as idle cells and physical layer OAM cells. Those cells are treated separately from ATM-layer traffic. For implementers, that means the ATM layer must not process every received header value as a user cell.
Routing, payload type, and cell loss handling
SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 defines how the VPI and VCI fields are used for routing and signaling. It says the usable bits are negotiated between user and network, the allocated bits must be contiguous and taken from the least significant end of each field, and unused bits in the routing field are set to zero. This is the practical rule that drives address assignment and configuration of virtual paths and virtual channels.
The document also reserves specific VPI/VCI combinations for meta-signalling, broadcast signalling, OAM flows, resource management, and unassigned cells. It explicitly says that VCI zero is not available for user virtual channel identification. That matters when planning channel numbers, because some values are reserved for network functions rather than customer data.
The PTI coding identifies whether a cell carries user data, OAM, fast resource management, or a reserved function, and it also carries congestion information. When a network element is congested, it may change the PTI of user data cells to mark congestion. In practice, this gives the network a way to signal congestion without changing the payload.
The CLP bit is used for discard priority. Cells marked with CLP = 1 may be dropped before cells with CLP = 0, depending on network conditions. That is important for traffic engineering because lower-priority cells can be sacrificed first during overload.
Header error control and protocol procedures
The HEC field is 8 bits, and the document points to the physical layer specification for its use. The NNI uses the same HEC mechanism as the UNI. For equipment vendors, this means header error handling is tied to the physical layer rules rather than being an independent ATM-layer feature.
Clause 6 defines the GFC protocol behavior. When uncontrolled transmission is used, GFC is not used and the transmitter sends zeros in that field. The clause also describes a method for distinguishing controlled from uncontrolled transmission by watching repeated non-zero GFC values, and it requires terminal equipment to notify layer management when the peer appears to use controlled transmission. In practice, this affects interoperability at the UNI and the way devices react during interface negotiation.
Clause 6.3 links layer management functions to other CCITT recommendations for meta-signalling, fault management, performance management, configuration management, and resource management. That tells implementers where the operational management behavior is defined when they need it.
Conformance checking
Annex A provides a PICS proforma for the ATM layer. It lists items for UNI and NNI behavior and marks them as mandatory, optional, conditional, or not applicable. This is the part used when a supplier, lab, or buyer needs a formal statement of what a particular implementation supports.
What terms does SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 define?
- ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) - The transfer method used by the document for B-ISDN cells and their layer behavior.
- B-ISDN (Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network) - The broadband network context in which the ATM layer is specified.
- UNI (User-Network Interface) - The interface between user equipment and the ATM network.
- NNI (Network Node Interface) - The interface used between ATM network nodes.
- VPI (Virtual Path Identifier) - The routing field that identifies a virtual path.
- VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) - The routing field that identifies a virtual channel within a path.
- CLP (Cell Loss Priority) - The priority bit that helps the network decide which cells may be discarded first.
- HEC (Header Error Control) - The 8-bit header protection field used for error control in the cell header.
Who uses SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003?
SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 is used by ATM equipment designers, network operators, and systems integrators working on B-ISDN transport. It is also used by test laboratories and quality teams that need to check cell formats, header coding, routing values, and conformance claims.
For buyers and technical evaluators, it is useful when comparing ATM products or verifying that a device supports the required UNI or NNI behavior. For developers, it is the reference for implementing cell handling, congestion marking, and reserved values correctly.
Which standards are used with SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003?
- CCITT Recommendation I.361 - The main reference for the B-ISDN ATM layer specification and the source for service primitives.
- CCITT Recommendation I.432 - The physical layer specification used for HEC and for physical-layer cell handling.
- CCITT Recommendation I.311 - The B-ISDN general network aspects reference used for signalling and meta-signalling behavior.
- CCITT Recommendation I.610 - The OAM reference used for fault, performance, configuration, and OAM flow behavior.
- CCITT Recommendation I.371 - The traffic control and congestion control reference used for PTI congestion handling, CLP use, and resource management.
- ETS 300 298-1 - Part 1 of the series, which the PICS proforma cites for complementary ATM functional requirements and connection-related items.
What does the SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 document contain?
The document contains the cell and header layouts for UNI and NNI, including figures that show bit positions and octet structure. It also contains tables that assign pre-defined header values, reserved combinations, and PTI codes, plus notes that explain how congestion, signaling, and OAM-related cells are treated.
It includes a short procedural clause for GFC behavior and layer management references, and it ends with Annex A, the PICS proforma. That annex is the practical conformance tool: it lists implementation items, their status, and the references needed to assess support during testing or certification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (B-ISDN); Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM); Part 2: B-ISDN ATM layer specification". This standard covers: Definition of ATM cell structure and header functions as well as ATM layer specifications
Definition of ATM cell structure and header functions as well as ATM layer specifications
SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.080 - Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST ETS 300 298-2 E1:2003 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2003
'LJLWDOQRRPUHåMH]LQWHJULUDQLPLVWRULWYDPL ,6'1 ±$VLQKURQLSUHQRVQLQDþLQ
$70 ±2VQRYQH]QDþLOQRVWLLQIXQNFLMVNHVSHFLILNDFLMHVLVWHPD$70±GHO
6SHFLILNDFLMDSODVWLY%,6'1$70
Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (B-ISDN); Asynchronous Transfer Mode
(ATM); Part 2: B-ISDN ATM layer specification
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ETS 300 298-2 Edition 1
ICS:
33.080 Digitalno omrežje z Integrated Services Digital
integriranimi storitvami Network (ISDN)
(ISDN)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN ETS 300 298-2
TELECOMMUNICATION March 1995
STANDARD
Source: ETSI TC-NA Reference: DE/NA-052613-2
ICS: 33.080
Broadband, ISDN, ATM
Key words:
Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN);
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM);
Basic characteristics and functional specification of ATM;
Part 2: B-ISDN ATM layer specification
ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
ETSI Secretariat
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis CEDEX - FRANCE
Postal address:
650 Route des Lucioles - Sophia Antipolis - Valbonne - FRANCE
Office address:
c=fr, a=atlas, p=etsi, s=secretariat - secretariat@etsi.fr
X.400: Internet:
Tel.: +33 92 94 42 00 - Fax: +33 93 65 47 16
Copyright Notification: No part may be reproduced except as authorized by written permission. The copyright and the
foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.
© European Telecommunications Standards Institute 1995. All rights reserved.
New presentation - see History box
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation and publication of this document, errors in content,
typographical or otherwise, may occur. If you have comments concerning its accuracy, please write to
"ETSI Editing and Committee Support Dept." at the address shown on the title page.
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
Contents
Foreword .5
1 Scope .7
2 Normative references.7
3 Abbreviations.7
4 Cell structure coding.8
4.1 Cell structure.8
4.2 Cell header format and coding at UNI .9
4.2.1 Pre-assigned values of the cell header reserved for use by the physical
layer.10
4.2.2 Generic Flow Control (GFC) field.10
4.2.3 Routeing field Virtual Path Identifier / Virtual Channel Identifier (VPI/VCI) .10
4.2.4 PT field .12
4.2.5 CLP field.12
4.2.6 HEC field .13
4.3 Cell header format and encoding at NNI .13
4.3.1 Pre-assigned values of the cell header .14
4.3.2 Routeing field (VPI/VCI) .14
4.3.3 PT field .15
4.3.4 CLP field.15
4.3.5 HEC field .15
4.4 Cell information field, pre-assigned values .15
5 Service primitives .16
6 ATM protocol procedures.16
6.1 GFC protocol.16
6.2 Layer management communication.16
6.3 Layer management.16
6.3.1 Meta-signalling .16
6.3.2 Fault management, functions.16
6.3.3 Performance management, functions .16
6.3.4 Configuration management, functions .16
6.3.5 Resource management, functions .16
Annex A (normative): Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement (PICS) proforma.17
A.1 Introduction.17
A.2 PICS .18
History.19
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
Blank page
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
Foreword
This European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) has been produced by the Network Aspects (NA)
Technical Committee of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is the transfer mode solution for implementing a Broadband
Integrated Services Digital Network (B-ISDN). It influences the standardization of digital hierarchies,
multiplexing structures, switching and interfaces for broadband signals.
This ETS consists of 2 parts as follows:
Part 1: "B-ISDN ATM functional specification".
Part 2: "B-ISDN ATM layer specification".
Transposition dates
Date of latest announcement of this ETS (doa): 30 June 1995
Date of latest publication of new National Standard 31 December 1995
or endorsement of this ETS (dop/e):
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 31 December 1995
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
Blank page
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
1 Scope
This European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) is a 2 Part ETS which gives the basic characteristics
and functional specification of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).
This part specifically addresses, from CCITT Recommendation I.361 [1]:
a) the cell structure and the ATM cell coding;
b) the ATM protocol procedures.
2 Normative references
This ETS incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications
apply to this ETS only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest
edition of the publication referred to applies.
[1] CCITT Recommendation I.361: "B-ISDN ATM layer specification".
[2] CCITT Recommendation I.432: "B-ISDN user-network interface - Physical layer
specification".
[3] CCITT Recommendation I.311: "B-ISDN general network aspects".
[4] CCITT Recommendation I.610: "B-ISDN Operation and Maintenance principles
and functions".
[5] CCITT Recommendation I.371: "Traffic control & congestion control in B-ISDN".
[6] ETS 300 298-1: "Network Aspects (NA); Basic characteristics and functional
specification of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Part 1: B-ISDN ATM
functional specification".
3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this ETS, the following abbreviations apply:
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
CLP Cell Loss Priority
GFC Generic Flow Control
HEC Header Error Control
MSB Most Significant Bit
NNI Network Node Interface
OAM Operation And Maintenance
PT Payload Type
PTI Payload Type Identifier
UNI User-Network Interface
VCI Virtual Channel Identifier
VPI Virtual Path Identifier
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
4 Cell structure coding
Two different coding schemes have been adopted; the User-Network Interface (UNI) format, and the
Network Node Interface (NNI) format. They are described in subclauses 4.2 and 4.3.
4.1 Cell structure
The cell consists of a 5 octet header and a 48 octet information field as shown in figure 1.
When a field within the header is contained within a single octet, the lowest bit number of the field
represents the lowest order value.
When a field spans more than one octet, the order of bit values within each octet progressively decreases
as the octet number increases. The lowest bit number associated with the field represents the lowest
order value.
This leads to the following conventions:
- bits within an octet are sent in decreasing order, starting with bit 8;
- octets are sent in increasing order, starting with octet 1;
- for all fields, the first bit sent is the Most Significant Bit (MSB).
Bits 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
HE A D E R
(5 octets)
53 octet cell
INF O R M AT ION FIE LD
(48 octets)
NOTE: The header will be sent first, followed by the information field.
Figure 1: Cell structure at the UNI/NNI
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
4.2 Cell header format and coding at UNI
The structure of the header is shown in figure 2. The fields contained in the header and their encoding are
described in subclauses 4.2.1 to 4.2.6.
Bit
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Octet
VPI
GFC
VCI
VPI
VCI 3
VCI
PT 4
CLP
HEC
VCI: Virtual Channel Identifier. PT: Payload Type.
VPI: Virtual Path Identifier. CLP: Cell Loss Priority.
GFC: Generic Flow Control. HEC: Header Error Control.
Figure 2: Header structure at UNI
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
4.2.1 Pre-assigned values of the cell header reserved for use by the physical layer
Pre-assigned values of the cell header (to differentiate cells for the use of the ATM layer from cells for the
use of the physical layer) are given in table 1. All other values are for the use of the ATM layer.
Table 1: Pre-assigned cell header values at the UNI for the use by the physical layer
(excluding the Header Error Control (HEC) field)
Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4
Idle cell identification
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001
(notes 1 and 2)
Physical layer OAM F1 cell
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011
identification (note 2)
Physical layer OAM F3 cell
00000000 00000000 00000000 00001001
identification (note 2)
Reserved for use of the physical layer
PPPP0000 00000000 00000000 0000PPP1
(notes 1, 2 and 3)
P: Indicates the bit is available for use by the physical layer. Values assigned to these bits
have no meaning with respect to the fields occupying the corresponding bit positions at the
ATM layer.
NOTE 1: In the case of physical layer cells, the bit in the location of the Cell Loss Priority (CLP)
indication is not used for the CLP mechanism as specified in subclause 5.4.2.3.2 of
ETS 300 298-1 [6].
NOTE 2: Cells having header values which are identified as idle, physical layer Operation And
Maintenance (OAM), and reserved for use of the physical layer are not passed to the ATM
layer from the physical layer.
NOTE 3: Specific pre-assigned physical layer cell header values are given in CCITT
Recommendation I.432 [2].
4.2.2 Generic Flow Control (GFC) field
The GFC field contains 4 bits. When the GFC function is not used, the value of this field is 0000. When
the GFC mechanism is standardized, all values of this field are available for coding. This coding is for
further study. The coding shall take into account the relationship with the procedures described in
subclause 6.1.
4.2.3 Routeing field Virtual Path Identifier / Virtual Channel Identifier (VPI/VCI)
24 bits are available for routeing: 8 bits for VPI and 16 bits for VCI. Pre-assigned combinations of VPI and
VCI values are shown in table 2. Other pre-assigned values of VPI and VCI are for further study. The VCI
value of zero is not available for user virtual channel identification.
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ETS 300 298-2: March 1995
Table 2: Combinations of pre-assigned VPI and VCI, PT, and CLP values at the UNI
VPI VCI PT CLP
0A0 C
Meta-signalling XXXX XXXX 00000000 00000001
(refer to CCITT Recommendation (note 1) (note 5)
I.311 [3])
0AA C
General broadcast signalling XXXX XXXX 00000000 00000010
(refer to CCITT Recommendation (note 1) (note 5)
I.311 [3])
0A0 A
Segment OAM F4 flow cell YYYY YYYY 00000000 00000011
(refer to CCITT Recommendation (note 2) (note 4)
I.610 [4])
0A0 A
End-to-end OAM F4 flow cell; YYYY YYYY 00000000 00000100
(refer to CCITT Recommendation (note 2) (note 4)
I.610 [4])
Point-to-point signalling XXXX XXXX 00000000 00000101 0AA C
(refer to CCITT Recommendation (note 1) (note 5)
I.311 [3])
Segment OAM F5 flow cell YYYY YYYY ZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZ 100 A
(refer to CCITT Re
...