Which of the following is more commonly used for establishing high-speed backbones that interconnect smaller networks and can carry signals over…

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is a high-speed, cell-switching network technology designed to be a single, unified standard for transporting various types of traffic, including data, voice, and video. It was widely implemented by telecommunications carriers to build high-speed backbone networks, often over SONET/SDH fiber optic infrastructure. Its use of fixed-size 53-byte cells allows for predictable latency and efficient hardware switching, making it highly suitable for interconnecting smaller, diverse networks over significant geographical distances with guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS).

A. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology designed for Personal Area Networks (PANs), not for long-distance network backbones.

B. Ethernet is primarily a Local Area Network (LAN) technology. While Carrier Ethernet extends its reach, ATM was specifically designed as a core WAN backbone technology.

C. Token Ring is an obsolete, low-speed LAN technology that is not used for modern high-speed, long-distance interconnections.

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1. Kurose

J. F.

& Ross

K. W. (2021). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (8th ed.). Pearson. In Chapter 5

Section 5.5

the text discusses ATM as a virtual-circuit (VC) network technology

noting its fixed-length cells were designed for high-speed switching in the network core

a key characteristic of a backbone technology.

2. Stallings

W. (2014). Data and Computer Communications (10th ed.). Pearson. Chapter 11

"Asynchronous Transfer Mode

" details the technology's architecture. Section 11.1 states ATM was developed to be a "high-performance

cell-based switching and multiplexing technology" for broadband ISDN and carrier services

confirming its role in large-scale

high-speed networks.

3. MIT OpenCourseWare. (2006). 6.263J / 16.37J Data Communication Networks

Fall 2006. Lecture 18 Notes: ATM. The course material describes ATM as a "core network technology" intended to be a universal standard for carrying integrated services (data

voice

video) over high-speed links

which is the primary function of a network backbone.