System and method for providing multiple quality of service levels over a single asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) virtual communications channel

摘要

A method and system provide multiple quality of service (QOS) levels over a single asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) virtual communications channel. A priority level is assigned to each frame to be communicated over the ATM virtual communications channel. Each assigned priority level defines the QOS level of the corresponding frame. The priority levels of the frames to be communicated are monitored, and each frame is adapted into a corresponding sequence of ATM cells. The frames are adapted according to the assigned priority levels of the frames. The adaptation of particular frames is interrupted according to the monitored priority levels, and the adaptation of interrupted frames is resumed according to the monitored priority levels. An indication is provided of when the adaptation of any frame has been interrupted and resumed. The ATM cells are communicated over the ATM virtual communications channel according to the order the cells are adapted. The communicated ATM cells are reassembled into the corresponding frames using the provided indications of when the adaptation of particular frames has been interrupted and resumed to thereby reassemble the frames according to the assigned priority levels of the frames and in this way achieve the desired QOS levels of the frames.