Effective migration to switched-based PACS networks

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch-based networks can provide high bandwidth for digital video and image data transmission as well as scalability and interoperability between local-area networks and metropolitan or wide area networks. However, migration to ATM is complicated by the limitations of existing radiology networks. Our goal was to develop an effective migration strategy for incorporating ATM into existing radiology networks. We characterized traffic flow for a large-scale, clinical picture archiving and communication system (PACS) with multiple imaging modalities, archives, and display workstations; we then developed a network delay model and, based upon the design criteria, the network delay model, and estimates of future traffic, we designed a switch-based network that uses both Ethernet and ATM switches. Our strategy allows an existing PACS to utilize ATM technology where appropriate, to gain interoperability with wide area networks, and to maximize the investment in an existing PACS infrastructure.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.