Telecommunications Overview and Networking Trends

Telecommunications Overview

• Telecommunications involves transmitting information (words, sounds, images) over long distances using signals like radio waves or microwaves.
• Key network types include:
  • Telephone networks (for voice communication, landlines and mobiles)
  • Television networks (for video delivery, over airwaves, cable, or satellite)
  • Computer networks (for connecting devices via LANs, WANs, or the internet) for data sharing.

Networking and Communication Trends

• Networks are converging, integrating telephone and computer networks into a single digital network using internet standards.
• Broadband internet access is widely used (over 74% of US internet users) providing high-speed access.
• Broadband wireless is increasingly used for voice and data communication.

What is a Computer Network?

• A computer network connects two or more computers to share data, resources, and communication.

Major components of a simple network

• Client and server computers (clients request services, servers provide services).
• Network interface cards (NICs) connect computers to the network.
• Connection medium (such as cables or Wi-Fi) transmits data.
• Network operating system (NOS) manages network resources enabling communication between devices.
• Hubs, switches, and routers facilitate data transfer within the network.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

• Software controls functions of switches and routers improving network management.

Corporate Network Infrastructure

• Corporate networks connect various communication systems.
  • Mobile phones/smartphones and telephone systems connect to providers.
  • Corporate websites, intranets, and extranets facilitate internal/external communication.
  • Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide internet access to companies.
  • Wired and wireless LANs (Local Area Networks) connect devices within companies, wired LANs use cables, wireless LANs use wireless connections.
  • Mobile Wi-Fi networks connect employees using mobile devices.

Client/Server Computing

• A distributed computing model.
• Clients (e.g., PCs, smartphones) connect to a server via a network.
• Servers control the network and provide addresses (like IP addresses) to clients.
• Replaced older, centralized mainframe computing.

Packet Switching

• A method to send digital messages efficiently across a network.
• Splits messages into smaller packets.
• Sends packets independently via different network paths.
• Re-assembles packets at destination to form original message.
• Efficient, flexible, and scalable method of data transfer.

Communications Networks

• Digital signals represent data as binary (0s and 1s) for high reliability.
• Analog signals vary smoothly (like sound waves).
• Key network types:
  • Local Area Networks (LANs) connect devices in a small area (e.g., office).
  • Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect networks over large areas (e.g., the internet).
  • Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) interconnect networks within a city or a large campus.
  • Client/Server networks have central servers controlling data access.
  • Peer-to-peer networks let devices share resources without a central server.

TCP/IP and Connectivity

• TCP/IP is a model for transmitting data between points on a network.
  • Application layer handles communication between applications (e.g., HTTP, FTP).
  • Transport layer ensures reliable data transfer (e.g., TCP, UDP).
  • Internet layer handles routing using IP addresses.
  • Network interface layer manages physical transmission.
• TCP/IP is essential for network communication across diverse devices from different manufacturers.

Transmission Media and Speed

• Physical media (e.g., twisted pair wire, coaxial cable, fiber optics) and wireless media (e.g., satellites, cellular systems) transmit data at varying speeds.
  • Twisted pair wire and coaxial cable are common in LANs.
  • Fiber optics are high-speed, long-distance options.
  • Wireless media (satellites and cellular) facilitates communication over long distances.
• Transmission speed is measured in bits per second (bps) or Hertz (Hz).
• Bandwidth refers to the difference between highest and lowest frequencies in a channel for data transmission.

The Internet and Internet Technology

• The Internet is the world's largest network.
• Devices on the internet have unique IP addresses.
• The Domain Name System (DNS) translates IP addresses into domain names.
• Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide internet connections.

Wireless Networking Technologies

• Technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, hotspots, and WiMax enable wireless communication within specific ranges.
• Bluetooth has short-range, Wi-Fi is for medium-range wireless internet access.

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)

• WSNs use wireless devices to collect and transmit data (e.g., environmental monitoring, traffic management).
• Key components of WSNs include sensors, processors, storage, antennas, and batteries.
• WSNs are increasingly used in smart cities and various applications.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

• RFID uses wireless technology to identify and track objects.
• Common in inventory management and automated toll collection.
• RFID technology is different from barcodes due to scanning method and distance.

Web Technologies

• Web technologies range from early web standards to interactive web 2.0 and the growing interconnected web 3.0.
  • Web 2.0 features interactive user-generated content.
  • Web 3.0 uses AI and interconnects for a more complex/interconnected user experience.
• Internet of Things (IoT) connects devices for data sharing.
• Increased use of blockchain for secured user-owned web.

Types of networks (summary)

• Data storage (more is better, but limited data storage is acceptable)
• Speed (faster is better)
• Reusability (reusable is better)

This quiz covers the fundamentals of telecommunications and current trends in networking. It discusses the various types of networks, including telephone, television, and computer networks. Test your knowledge on the convergence of these systems and the impact of broadband technology.