VISTAnet: a BISDN field trial

Abstract

The VISTAnet project, a testbed for developing very high-speed networks and applications requiring such networks, is described. In particular, the field trials of two switches are discussed. One is a prototype broadband crossconnect switch; the other is a prototype asynchronous transfer mode switch. The new switches will interconnect three very powerful computers in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. A medical application that will be supported by the switching technology is also described. The important broadband ISDN issues that will be explored by the VISTAnet project are examined.< >