Wide Area Connectionless IEEE 802.6 MAN Services

Development of connectionless data services based on the IEEE 802.6 MAN standard is discussed. An architecture of a public network capable of providing such services is outlined. It offers the subscriber an interface that conforms to the 802.6 standard and that is supported by broadband connectionless packet switching. In the core, switching is by connectionless routers over a virtual network on an ATM fabric. At the periphery it has connectionless shared medium subnetworks that perform end switching as well as traffic concentration. In evolution, the network will grow from subscriber interface and periphery to core. Its development can form a path for B-ISDN.