Synchronous Optical Network, Essay Example

The Synchronous Optical Networks (SONET) is one of the most popular standards for transmitting optical signals, it is the final transmission protocol that carries a variety of signals at speeds above 45 mps. SONET works similar to OSI model, that are layered protocol stacks (path, line, section, and physical/photonic), which correspond to the bottom layers of the OSI stack (transport, network data link, and physical). Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) is a method that puts multiple data streams through a single communication channel, by the separation of segments in regards to the main signal. The TDM and SONET scheme were Bell Labs transport options, which were able to provide a higher capacity in connections that allowed for the transportation of video, voice, and data between locations. Now, they can offer high speed internet and can be used with different transport options including T1. The scheme had no trailers and headers, and no need for data link control protocols. The flow control had the data rate of multiplexed line is fix, leaves empty slots, and the corresponding source must be quenched. When errors are detected, they are handled by the separate channels. In comparison to T1 Carrier System, the digital signal is generated at 8000 samples per second (64 kps). Consisting of a transmission frame that has 24 slots, and most commonly used by internet service providers. Both developed by Bell Labs, but they can be used for long distance travel, and serves as the backbone for several large organizations. SONET is used primarily for protection, it works on a fiber optic transmission and provides standard optical interface and advanced network management. Using TDM simultaneously, it is used in high-speed digital traffic and building industrial networks. The implementation and configurations include working on fibers that transport the optical signals, along with reapers, switchers, and others in transporting electronic signals. Used on a network management system, it can be used remotely and locally.

SNA and network architecture

IBM’s SNA model was a data communication architecture that was created by IBM, to communicate with various IBM hardware and software data communication platforms and products. The Systems Network Architecture (SNA) is comprised of a set of services and protocols which allows for communications between the IBM mainframes or host computers, printers, and peripheral nodes. The IBM system that served as the mainframe was the Virtual Telecommunication Access Method (VTAM). It was the dominant protocol due to its robustness, and software by IBM called the transaction management infrastructure which made it popular. The SNA systems were complete protocol stacks, which was easily implemented through the VTAM. The development of SNA help succeed the batched based data processing that was used at the time  in which, data was recorded on paper much like punched cards that was readable to the computer, and produced a printed report. Applications such as API, TCP/IP, and others are heavily dependent on SNA. The elements of SNA helped SDLC, Synchronous Data Link Control that provides data transfer efficient over a single link. The establishment of SNA removed the link control from application programs and moved them to NCP which created communication capabilities for application programs, and localized the problems of telecommunication networks. Today SNA is still heavily used in industries such as banks, government agencies, and financial institutions around the world. It is now used as an application access architectures that are used with applications that are dependent on SNA protocols to operate over IP. IBM combines TCP/IP and SNA for applications within large networks. Used primarily for networking protocols, now it supports the peer-to-peer networking that was first expanded on APPN, Advanced Peer to Peer Networking, and APPC, Advanced program to program communication.

Forum: Switches and Routers

Network switch is a device that works on computer networks that are used to connect to devices on a computer network that perform packet switching. Preferred over a hub, due to its ability to send messages to devices that request or need it. It works as a network bridge for multi-ports which processes and forwards the data over the layer in the OSI model. There are different types of switches, which includes form factors that work on equipment rack (rack mounted), desktop, DIN rail mounted, and Chassis that is used on interchangeable module cards. Configured on plug and play, on a CLI, a SNMP, smart switches, and enterprise managed that can work on web interfaces, SNMP agent, and CLI. Routers, on the other hand, connect the networks which links the internet to the computers that give users the ability to share the networks. It forwards data packets between the networks, and creates the overlay network for home and small office computers. The products that are popular include cisco’s which is popular in small businesses, as they offer connectivity to DSL, TI, and other services. They work to include PSTN that is a digital instead of the traditional circuit-switched networks. ISDN has moved from transmission over copper wire to now being used digitally, mostly through

Different types of routers and switches are used with frame relays, which cost efficient data transmissions that are used to mitigate traffic of LANS, MANS, SANS, and WANs. That are used with the older X.25 packet-switching technology, that was used in voice conversations, mostly through analog signals. Different types of switches and routers are used extensively through several deployments and networks that help to connect computers to the internet. It is essential in almost every home and small office hookup. Enterprise routers and switches used in larger industries, are able to connect large ISP networks, and businesses that work along the internet backbone through optical fiber lines.

Broadband access with FTTH

Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) is the installation of optical fiber used for telephone switch in individuals’ homes. FTTH is used mostly in broadband connections that can deliver a multitude of information that is digital that includes, video, voice, data, and so on. While that can work on passive and active optical networks to function, the connections are used for over a million people in the United States alone. The prospective of having FTTH as the standard in broadband connection is seen as a breakthrough in curving web traffic jam. There are several advantages to using FTTH over others. The key advantage is fiber-to-the premises (FTTP) broadband, which provides for faster connection on higher speeds better than coaxial cable or DSL. FTTH has the capacity to be the only connection that can handle customers’ demands. That require higher amounts of bandwidth that will be needed within the next decade as more users will rely on affordable and effective technology. The use of fiber is limitless and making it a viable source of technology in the future. FTTH is able to adapt to future innovations in technology that range from 3D devices to working with household appliances, infused with touch screen interfaces that connects to the internet.

The technology also has the potential to impact future technologies that have not been created yet, and open up opportunities for faster data transmission rates. These opportunities will open the possibilities into the business world where broadband connections can be bundled with communication services through a simple connection. FTTH broadband connections will make for simpler and cost effective technology that is possible from active and passive optical networks. Internationally, many homes have built their around the FTTH broadband connections that allow for faster connections as demand continues to grow in heavily populated countries. It is considered future proof and has limitless uses that is easily adaptable to single and multimode.

Networking standards

Standards are an essential attribute to regulation networks and other communications technologies that make for facilitating the interoperability of the technologies that networks are capable of. When there are not computer standards manufacturers will build their systems any way they like, and try to outdo other systems using schemes and technologies that can be harmful or illegal. More importantly it will make it impossible for newer products to be compatible that can break new products that don’t allow for communication. Standards are essential in networking as they able to support new technologies are able to work interchangeably with new technologies. Standards help to keep prices down and promote competition, more importantly it helps in developing hardware and software which link to a different range of networks. They are two types of standards that includes de facto and formal, where the latter is used in government agencies. Formal is used for software such as IP, Ethernet IEEE, modems, and web browsers such as HTML or HTTP.

The OSI Reference Model was developed by the ISO, which consists of the standard seven layer model that is used for specific protocols.  These protocols provide the capacity for one host to interact on the same layer as the host. Each layer within the model works with the layer above while calling the lower layer to receive packets of data, which provides error-free communications across networks. The layers: physical, data link layer, network, transport, session, presentation, and application layers. The OSI model was used in developing products and comprehending networks. Each layer helps set standards like: physical layer provides standards for LAN, data link layer provides standards for Ethernet, frame relay, and network layer provides standards for IP and IPX. Transport layer provides standards for SPX and TCP while the application layer provides standards for HTML, HTTP, SMTP, POP, IMAP, etc.

DSL and Cable

DSL and Cable are some of the most popular forms of providing internet access. Each serves their own fundamental purpose in connectivity. While they each offer the benefit of getting to the internet they are differences. Cable offers a better speed advantage over DSL because it has faster speeds. They are both a popular choice in home, while more homes use DSL over cable, which results in better customer satisfaction. Cable users connect to the internet through modems which uses the same coaxial cables that are paired with televisions. On the other hand, DSL works through the use of telephone wires over copper to transmit digital data. DSL offers users the capabilities of using both their telephone and their computers while using the internet simultaneously. It is remarkably faster than dial up, but not available in remote areas. Cable transmits data over existing coaxial cables. Cable can be better than DSL as compared to speed, however since it shares a single cable line, the more people that use the line the slower the performance will be. It can be costly and just like DSL is not available in remote areas.

Cable is cheaper than most DSL providers, while both can implement different security models on their networks, which provides for a secure internet experience. DSL while is the most popular, and cheaper than newer high speed internet which makes is the popular choice over cable that is dependent on the number of individuals using the same line. DSL doesn’t need to use ISP as the connection is always on through existing 2-wire copper telephone lines. DSL and Cable modems can work through LAN or by a router to share the connection. Cable however works exclusively on a LAN with other users that can interact with speed and performance.  The future looks to cheaper internet access and faster speeds. Internet connections move towards fiber optic cables instead of regular coaxial cables and copper wiring that is still being commonly used today. Competition in the internet connections offers better options for consumers.