Inter Networking
WAN and Internet Access
3/9/2006
manishkulhari@gmail.comCP2073 - Networking
Introduction
What is Wide Area Networking?
How Internet access works
Types of telecommunications services
How to determine Internet access needs
Steps in implementing a WAN connection
3/9/2006
manishkulhari@[Link]
What is Wide Area Networking?
A WAN is a network that is created using the services of the
telephone company to connect LANs separated by large
geographical distances
WANs require the use of special WAN protocols and devices
These protocols are usually part of a companys Internet
access
WANs introduce a new level of complexity to
internetworking such as coordinating with outside
organisations eg your telecommunications provider
3/9/2006
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WANs (2)
Characteristics are:
Connections are low bandwidth, with speeds from 56kbps to 2Mbps
A single Wan connection is shared by all devises on the LAN
(bottleneck) sometimes a second link is installed for the sake of
redundancy
WANs cover a large geographical area
WAN technologies include Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP),
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), ISDN, DSL, dial-up access
and Frame Relay
WAN devices include routers, modems and WAN switches
3/9/2006
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How Internet access works
Having set up the Internet at home you have
in effect established a WAN
Computer
Modem
Telephone Exchange
Internet
Switch
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Internet Access at Home
Initiate Dialup Software
Commands sent to modem
ISP is dialled
Modem uses local loop pair of copper wires
Signal goes to Local Exchange
A Switch forwards the call to the often distant ISP
3/9/2006
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Internet Access at Home (2)
ISP
Modem
Modem
Telephone Exchange
Multichannel Trunk
Multiplexer
Modem
Dial-up
Server
Modem
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Internet Access at Home (3)
Between the Exchange and the IPS is a multichannel trunk
Calls are multiplexed on that link
Calls are demultiplexed and separated to modems in a bank
The users modem and the modem in the bank handshake a
speed is established and data transferred
High speed Internet connections for a company is not too
dissimilar to this
3/9/2006
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Planning Internet Access
How will the connection be used ?
How important is the connection to the company ?
What infrastructure already exists ?
Balance need for bandwidth, reliability of
connection, quality of service provider, quality of
telco, cost
Future Applications ?
Video Conferencing/Streaming
E-Commerce
Virtual Private Network
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Telecommunications Services
Circuit Switching
Creates channels as required
Essentially for voice data
Passive
Packet Switching
Transfer of data between two points over a shared medium
Sends packets across the network using the best path
Burst-like in nature an efficient solution
Cost is based upon usage
3/9/2006
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WAN Technologies
Point-to-Point Protocol
Advantages
Well tested and implemented
Offers excellent throughput
Supports most network protocols
Simple to implement
Disadvantages
Less flexible for rapidly expanding multiple sites
Expensive
Requires dedicated leased lines
3/9/2006
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ISDN
Touted as the solution to residential and SMEs in the 80s as
a means of providing integrated data/voice
Due to costs has not been widely adopted
Advantages
Runs on existing phone lines
Supports voice, data and fax on one line
Good for video conferencing
Disadvantages
3/9/2006
Comparatively expensive
Only provides 128K can go up in multiples
Less flexible for growth and cost than other WAN technologies
Not available everywhere
Can be difficult to implement
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Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
New technology
Best option for Residential/SME customers
Asymmetrical DSL (ADSL) and Symmetrical DSL
Advantages
Now becoming affordable
Good download speeds
Runs over normal copper line
Data and voice can be simultaneous
Disadvantages
New means has yet to establish a reliability track record
Not available everywhere BT have introduced satellite broadband (at a a
price !)
3/9/2006
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Data over Cable
Standard Data Over Cable System Interface Specification (ITU-T J.112)
Known as cable-modem technology
Good Bandwidth/price ratio (cheap)
Provided by cable TV companies
Advantages
Speeds up to 10Mbps
Uses existing TV cable
Cheap
Disadvantages
Not available in all areas
Shared medium speeds can drop
3/9/2006
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Frame Relay
Introduced in 1992
Communicates faster than X.25 (because it does not have error
correction)
Advantages
Widely adopted, International
High Capacity switched core offers scalability
Flexible, allows expansion and growth
Disadvantages
Minimal error correction
Connection-oriented service, can cause latency on slow links
Expensive
3/9/2006
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What To look Out For
Do Research Plan !
Read the small print what do you get for your money
ISP Setup Fee
Hardware Costs
Telecoms Installation Fee
Monthly/Annual Line Rental
No. of Fixed IP Addresses
Domain Name Service
Web Space
Email Addresses
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Moving To A New Service
No current service employees have no expectations
New Service (Transition)
99% Uptime expected
No downtime apparent to clients
All services to be moved to new ISP
Resolve problems of Domain Name, email, Web etc
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Plan
Establish contacts (names, phone, email) for all key players
Plan with your account manager at the new ISP
How long will InterNIC take to fulfill Domain Name Registrations
Order equipment well in advance, confirm delivery dates
Arrange check of new lines
Plan deployment of IP addresses
Install equipment Check !
Submit new registration to InterNIC
Move to the new ISP outside office hours
3/9/2006
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