This is the sixth conference in the series which started in 1981 in Paris, followed by conferences held in Zurich (1984), Rio de Janeirio (1987), Barcelona (1991), and Raleigh (1993). The main objective of this IFIP conference series is to provide a platform for the exchange of recent and original contributions in communications systems in the areas of performance analysis, architectures, and applications. There are many exiciting trends and developments in the communications industry, several of which are related to advances in Asynchronous Transfer Mode*(ATM), multimedia services, and high speed protocols. It is commonly believed in the communications industry that ATM represents the next generation of networking. Yet, there are a number of issues that has been worked on in various standards bodies, government and industry research and development labs, and universities towards enabling high speed networks in general and ATM networks in particular. Reflecting these trends, the technical program of the Sixth IFIP W.G. 6.3 Conference on Performance of Computer Networks consists of papers addressing a wide range of technical challenges and proposing various state of the art solutions to a subset of them. The program includes 25 papers selected by the program committee out of 57 papers submitted.

Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (B-ISDN) is conceived as an all-purpose digital network supporting interactive and distributive services, bursty and continuous traffic, connection-oriented and connectionless services, all in the same network. The concepts of ISDN in general and B-ISDN in particular have been evolving since CCIIT adopted the rrrst set ofISDN recommendations in 1984. Thirteen recommendations outlining the fundamental principles and initial specifications for B-ISDN were approved in 1990, with Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) being the transfer mode of choice for B-ISDN. It seems fair to say that B-ISDN concepts have changed the face of networking. The expertise we have developed for a century on telephone systems and over a number of decades on packet networks is proving to be insufficient to deploy and operate the envisioned B-ISDNs. Much more needs to be understood and satisfactorily addressed before ATM networks can become a reality. Tricomm'93 is dedicated to A TM networks. The technical program consists of invited papers addressing a large subset of issues of practical importance in the deployment of ATM networks. This is the sixth in a series of Research Triangle Conferences on Computer Communications, which emerged through the efforts of the local chapter of IEEE Communications Society.

There are many exciting trends and developments in the communications industry, several of which are related to advances in fast packet switching, multi media services, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and high-speed protocols. It seems fair to say that the face of networking has been rapidly changing and the distinction between LANs, MANs, and WANs is becoming more and more blurred. It is commonly believed in the industry that ATM represents the next generation in networking. The adoption of ATM standards by the research and development community as a unifying technology for communications that scales from local to wide area has been met with great enthusiasm from the business community and end users. Reflecting these trends, the technical program of the First International Conference on LAN Interconnection consists of papers addressing a wide range of technical challenges and state of the art reviews. We are fortunate to have assembled a strong program committee, expert speakers, and panelists. We would like to thank Professor Schwartz for his keynote speech. We would like to thank Professor Yannis Viniotis and his students for the preparation of the index. We gratefully acknowledge the generous financial support of Dr. Jon Fjeld, Mr. Rick McGee, and Mr. David Witt, all of IBM-Research Triangle Park. We also would like to thank Ms. Mary Safford, our editor, and Mr. John Matzka, both at Plenum Press, for the publication of the proceedings.

This is the sixth conference in the series which started in 1981 in Paris, followed by conferences held in Zurich (1984), Rio de Janeirio (1987), Barcelona (1991), and Raleigh (1993). The main objective of this IFIP conference series is to provide a platform for the exchange of recent and original contributions in communications systems in the areas of performance analysis, architectures, and applications. There are many exiciting trends and developments in the communications industry, several of which are related to advances in Asynchronous Transfer Mode.(ATM), multimedia services, and high speed protocols. It is commonly believed in the communications industry that ATM represents the next generation of networking. Yet, there are a number of issues that has been worked on in various standards bodies, government and industry research and development labs, and universities towards enabling high speed networks in general and ATM networks in particular. Reflecting these trends, the technical program of the Sixth IFIP W.G. 6.3 Conference on Performance of Computer Networks consists of papers addressing a wide range of technical challenges and proposing various state of the art solutions to a subset of them. The program includes 25 papers selected by the program committee out of 57 papers submitted."

QoS Enhancements and the New Transport Services; A. Danthine, et al. Performance Evaluation and Monitoring of Heterogenous Networks; J. Neuman, et al. Application of High Speed Networks in Hospital Environment; J.R. Rao. On Allocation Schemes for the Interconnection of LANs and Multimedia Sources over Broadband Networks; M. Mateescu. A Superposition of Bursty Sources in a LAN Interconnection Environment; J.M. Karlsson. Interconnecting LANs for Real Time Traffic Application; I. Chlamtac. An Analytical Model for ATM Based Networks which Utilize LookAhead Contention Resolution Switching; J.V. Luciani, C.Y. Roger Chen. Transient Analysis of Nonhomogenous Continuous Time Markov Chains Describing Realistic LAN Systems; A. Rindos, et al. Closed Queueing Network Modeling for End-to-End Performance Analysis of ISO LLC Transport Protocols over Bridged Networks; T. Ikegawa. A Preview of APPN High Performance Routing; J.P. Gray, M.L. Peters. 12 additional articles. Index.

Some Obstacles on the Road to ATM; D. Abensour, L. Felton. Electropolitical Correctness and High Speed Networking, or, Why ATM Is Like a Nose; D. Stevenson. An Overview of the ATM Forum and the Traffic Management Activities; L. Gun, G.A. Marin. Communication Subsystems for High Speed Networks; D.N. Serpanos. SMDS and Frame Relay; J.P. Bernoux. ATM Systems in Support of BISDN, Frame Relay, and SMDS Services; P. Holzworth. Approaching BISDN; C. Bisdikian, et al. On Transport Systems for ATM Networks; M. Zitterbart, et al. XTP Bucket Error Control; S. Fdida, H. Santoso. Congestion Control Mechanisms for ATM Networks; D.S. Holtsinger. Highly-Bursty Sources and their Admission Control in ATM Networks; K. Sohraby. A User Relief Approach to Congestion Control in ATM Networks; I. Stavrakakis, et al. Space Priority Buffer Management; D. Tipper, et al. 4 additional articles. Index.