WAN Concepts - CCNA Routing and Switching
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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of a WAN?

  • To manage local network packets
  • To enhance wireless network connectivity
  • To monitor network security
  • To interconnect enterprise LANs to remote LANs (correct)

    • Who typically owns a WAN?

  • The service provider (correct)
  • The end user organization
  • The local government
  • The individual consumer

    • What is a disadvantage of the hub-and-spoke WAN topology?

  • All communication must go through the hub (correct)
  • It provides redundancy
  • It is less efficient than point-to-point
  • It requires more virtual circuits than full mesh

    • Which WAN topology allows direct communication between any two sites?

    <p>Full Mesh</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are WANs considered necessary for businesses?

    <p>They provide a means for organizations to communicate across large distances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true about a dual-homed topology?

    <p>It provides both redundancy and load balancing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of connection is typical for a point-to-point WAN topology?

    <p>Leased-line connections like T1/E1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential issue with implementing a full mesh topology?

    <p>It requires a high number of virtual circuits to be configured.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of a CSU in a digital-leased line environment?

    <p>Terminate the digital signal and ensure connection integrity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which technology is an example of circuit switching?

    <p>Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes packet switching compared to circuit switching?

    <p>Traffic data is split into packets and shares channels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a DSU do in the context of WAN operations?

    <p>Converts line frames for LAN and vice versa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a connectionless system in packet switching?

    <p>Carries all addressing information in each packet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of a core router in a WAN?

    <p>Facilitates internetworking and WAN access</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about latency and jitter is correct in the context of packet switching?

    <p>They are greater than in circuit-switched networks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of network requires a dedicated circuit to be established before communication can start?

    <p>Circuit-switched network</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the primary focus of WAN operations in the OSI Model?

    <p>Physical and data link layers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) in a WAN?

    <p>Devices and wiring located on the enterprise edge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a small office like SPAN Engineering connect to the Internet?

    <p>DSL connection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant characteristic of a Distributed Network?

    <p>Consists of multiple offices worldwide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which device is specifically responsible for modulating digital signals to voice frequencies in legacy WAN technology?

    <p>Dialup modem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What method has SPAN Engineering used to connect remote branch offices to their data center?

    <p>Private dedicated lines</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the actual copper or fiber cable connecting the CPE to the Central Office?

    <p>Local loop</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a WAN from a LAN regarding service provider dependency?

    <p>WANs require a subscription to an external service provider</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer focuses on the flow control and encapsulation aspects of WAN operations?

    <p>Data link layer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of SPAN Engineering, what is the significance of employing an in-house IT staff?

    <p>Supports and maintains the network</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of WAN access standards established by organizations like TIA/EIA and IEEE?

    <p>To define and manage WAN requirements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the Central Office (CO) in a WAN environment?

    <p>The local service provider facility connecting CPE to the network</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant change occurred in SPAN Engineering's setup six years after its founding?

    <p>Introduction of remote project access through WAN</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a Broadband modem differ from a Dialup modem?

    <p>Broadband modems work with high-speed Internet services</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A CSU provides termination for the digital signal and ensures connection integrity through error correction.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Packet switching requires a dedicated circuit to be established before communication can start.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is an example of packet-switched technology.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a connectionless packet-switched system, full addressing information must be carried in each packet.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Communication can start immediately in a circuit-switched network without any setup time.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Both circuit switching and packet switching can be used to transmit voice or data over a WAN.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Internet is an example of a connection-oriented packet-switched system.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Latency and jitter are generally lower in packet-switching networks compared to circuit-switched networks.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A WAN operates within the geographic scope of a LAN.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Organizations must pay a fee to use WAN services provided by service providers.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a full mesh topology, all communication must go through a central hub.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hub-and-Spoke topology is advantageous because it eliminates the need for virtual circuits.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A point-to-point topology employs a dedicated leased-line connection between two endpoints.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Dual-homed topology offers redundancy and load balancing but is less expensive to implement than single-homed topologies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Without WANs, LANs would become interconnected networks.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Consumers can communicate over the Internet with service providers thanks to WANs.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    WANs require additional networking hardware such as routers and switches.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    SPAN Engineering initially started as a large international corporation.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The cost of the network is a minor expense for SPAN Engineering as it grows.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A WAN allows branch offices to connect to central data centers.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Local loop refers to the long-haul fiber-optic communications lines in a WAN.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) connects to the local loop through Data Communications Equipment (DCE).

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The main role of the Central Office (CO) is to house customer devices.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    SPAN Engineering has only a single office after 20 years in business.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Access servers are modern technology used to integrate Internet services in WANs.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    WAN operations focus primarily on the physical layer and the application layer of the OSI Model.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To create a WAN, companies must usually subscribe to an outside WAN service provider.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    SPAN Engineering has used DSL to connect its initial small office to the Internet.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Dialup modems are currently the most widely used technology for WAN connections.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Private dedicated lines are utilized by nearby branch offices of SPAN Engineering.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A WAN operates beyond the geographic scope of a ______.

    <p>LAN</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Without WANs, LANs would be a series of isolated ______.

    <p>networks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______-and-Spoke topology features a single hub that manages connections to multiple spoke sites.

    <p>Hub</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a Full Mesh topology, any site can communicate directly with ______ other site.

    <p>any</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A disadvantage of the hub-and-spoke topology is that all communication has to go through the ______.

    <p>hub</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Organizations must pay a fee to use the ______ services provided by service providers.

    <p>WAN</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A ______-homed topology provides redundancy and load balancing but is more expensive to implement.

    <p>Dual</p> Signup and view all the answers

    WANs are necessary for businesses to communicate between geographically separated ______.

    <p>sites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A dedicated circuit must be established for communication in a ______ network.

    <p>circuit-switched</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ is responsible for converting line frames into frames that can be interpreted by the LAN.

    <p>DSU</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Packet switching allows multiple pairs of nodes to communicate over the same ______.

    <p>channel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The two common types of circuit-switched WAN technologies are PSTN and ______.

    <p>ISDN</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A ______ router resides within the middle or backbone of the WAN.

    <p>core</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a connectionless system, each packet must carry full ______ information.

    <p>addressing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The CSU in a digital-leased line environment ensures connection ______ through error correction.

    <p>integrity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Many pairs of nodes can communicate over the same channel in a ______ network.

    <p>packet-switched</p> Signup and view all the answers

    WANs require additional networking hardware including routers and ______.

    <p>switches</p> Signup and view all the answers

    As SPAN Engineering grew, the company was required to implement a ______ to connect remote sites to the central data center.

    <p>WAN</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In its early days, SPAN Engineering connected to the Internet using ______.

    <p>DSL</p> Signup and view all the answers

    SPAN Engineering's network has grown to several subnetworks spanning several ______ of the building.

    <p>floors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To justify large expenses on network infrastructure, companies expect optimal network ______.

    <p>performance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The cost of the network is a significant ______ for SPAN Engineering as it grows.

    <p>expense</p> Signup and view all the answers

    WAN operations focus primarily on the physical and ______ layer of the OSI Model.

    <p>data link</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) consists of devices located on the ______ edge connecting to a carrier.

    <p>enterprise</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ point is established to separate customer equipment from service provider equipment.

    <p>demarcation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    SPAN Engineering, after 20 years, has grown to thousands of employees distributed in offices around the ______.

    <p>world</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) connects to the local loop through the ______.

    <p>DCE</p> Signup and view all the answers

    SPAN Engineering experienced rapid growth after being contracted to implement a full-sized waste conversion ______.

    <p>facility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Central Office (CO) connects the CPE to the ______ network.

    <p>provider</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Layer 1 protocols describe how to provide electrical, mechanical, ______, and functional connects to communication service.

    <p>operational</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN devices with their primary functions:

    <p>CSU = Provides termination for the digital signal DSU = Converts line frames for LAN interpretation Router = Connects to service provider for WAN access Core Router = Resides in the backbone of the WAN</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of network technologies with their characteristics:

    <p>Circuit Switching = Establishes a dedicated circuit before communication Packet Switching = Splits data into packets for routing Connectionless System = Requires full addressing in each packet Connection-oriented System = Predetermines the route for packets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following circuit-switched technologies with their examples:

    <p>Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) = Traditional telephone network Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) = Digital phone line service Dial-up Connection = Older method for accessing the Internet Leased Line = Dedicated connection for businesses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN topologies with their descriptions:

    <p>Point-to-Point = Dedicated leased-line connection between two endpoints Hub-and-Spoke = Single interface at the hub shared by spoke circuits Full Mesh = Any site can communicate directly with any other site Dual-homed = Provides redundancy and is more expensive to implement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the purpose of WANs with their benefits:

    <p>Interconnect branch sites = Facilitates communication between remote locations Access corporate network = Allows employees to work while traveling Share information = Enables organizations to collaborate with customers Transport data, voice, video = Supports diverse communication needs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Latency = Delay in data transmission Jitter = Variation in packet arrival time Error Correction = Ensures data integrity during transmission Line Monitoring = Oversees the health of the communication line</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the WAN topology with its main characteristic:

    <p>Point-to-Point = Transparent to the customer network Hub-and-Spoke = Requires a central hub for connections Full Mesh = Requires many virtual circuits to be maintained Dual-homed = Offers load balancing and redundancy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following features with the types of switching technology:

    <p>Circuit Switching = Requires a connection setup time Packet Switching = Allows multiple transmissions over the same channel Connection-oriented = Each packet carries an identifier Connectionless = No prior arrangement for data routing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the reason for WAN necessity with its explanation:

    <p>Geographical separation = Facilitates communication between distant offices Remote access = Allows traveling employees to connect to networks Connected networks = Prevents isolation of local area networks Consumer access = Enables users to communicate with service providers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN strategies with their benefits:

    <p>Hub-and-Spoke = Reduces complexity in connections Full Mesh = Provides redundancy and reliability Point-to-Point = Offers dedicated communication channels Dual-Homed = Improves load balancing and resilience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the WAN topology with its disadvantage:

    <p>Point-to-Point = Limited to two endpoints Hub-and-Spoke = All communication passes through the hub Full Mesh = Complicated configuration of multiple circuits Dual-homed = Higher implementation costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN concepts with their descriptions:

    <p>Dedicated Circuit = Established before communication can start Virtual Connection = Simulated connection for data transfer Shared Network = Allows multiple data paths concurrently Service Provider = Entity that provides network access</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the WAN topology type with its typical usage:

    <p>Point-to-Point = Direct communication between two locations Hub-and-Spoke = Connecting multiple remote sites to a central hub Full Mesh = Direct communication across all sites Dual-homed = Redundant connections for reliability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN characteristics with their impacts:

    <p>Higher transmission speeds = Improved communication efficiency Error correction = Increased reliability Dynamic connection establishment = Reduced setup time Lower costs = More economical than circuit switching</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Leased Line = Dedicated connection rented from a service provider Virtual Circuit = Logical connection over a physical network Bandwidth = Capacity of a network to transmit data Latency = Time taken for data to travel through the network</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the benefit of WANs with the specific outcome:

    <p>Interconnection = Links global offices for improved collaboration Communication = Enables instant messaging and video calls Reliability = Ensures continuous access to corporate resources Flexibility = Supports various types of communication media</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN terminology with their descriptions:

    <p>Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) = Devices and wiring on the enterprise side connecting to the WAN Data Communications Equipment (DCE) = Devices that put data on the local loop Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) = Customer devices that pass data for transmission over the WAN Demarcation Point = Point separating customer and service provider equipment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following SPAN Engineering stages with their descriptions:

    <p>Small Office = A single LAN sharing resources among 15 employees Campus Network = Occupies multiple floors with several subnetworks Branch Networks = Implemented WAN for remote access to data centers Distributed Network = Thousands of employees worldwide with cost management needs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN operations with their OSI model layers:

    <p>Layer 1 = Physical connections to service providers Layer 2 = How data is encapsulated for transmission Flow Control = Mechanism ensuring efficient data transfer Encapsulation = Process of packaging data for the network</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN devices with their functions:

    <p>Dialup Modem = Converts digital signals for transmission over analog lines Access Server = Controls dialup and user communications Broadband Modem = Used for high-speed Internet service connections Router = Directs data traffic across networks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN connection methods with their usage:

    <p>Private Dedicated Lines = Used by branch offices in nearby cities Internet = Connection method for international offices DSL = Connection method used by small offices initially Local Service Provider = Offers connections to branch office networks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following changes in SPAN Engineering with their timeline:

    <p>Founded 4 years ago = Started as a small environmental consulting firm 5 years later = Grew to several hundred employees and multiple offices 6 years later = Opened branches closer to project sites 20 years in business = Thousands of employees distributed worldwide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN characteristics with their definitions:

    <p>Cost = Significant expense for businesses as they grow Efficiency = Focus on improved operations during slow economic times Quality of Service = Expectation for optimal network performance Scalability = Ability to adapt as business requirements change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following common WAN organizations with their focus:

    <p>TIA/EIA = Telecommunications Industry standards ISO = International standardization IEEE = Electrical and electronics engineering standards ITU = Global telecommunication regulations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN-related terms with their meanings:

    <p>Local Loop = The last mile connection to a service provider Central Office (CO) = Facility connecting CPE with the provider network Toll Network = Long-haul communication lines within the WAN network Circuit-switching = Dedicated circuit established before communication</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN components with their descriptions:

    <p>Modem = Device converting signals for network transmission Router = Device that directs and routes traffic between networks Switch = Connects devices within the same network Firewall = Protects the network from unauthorized access</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following network configurations with their characteristics:

    <p>Hub-and-Spoke = Central hub facilitates communication between remote sites Full Mesh = Direct connection between all sites for redundancy Point-to-Point = Dedicated leased-line connection between two endpoints Dual-Homed = Offers redundancy but is less expensive than full mesh</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following WAN principles with their details:

    <p>Flow Control = Ensures data packets are sent and received effectively Encapsulation = Data packing process before transmission over WAN Demarcation Point = Separation of customer equipment from service provider Bandwidth Management = Optimizing data transfer capacity across the WAN</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Purpose of WANs

    • WANs connect LANs over larger geographic distances, interlinking enterprises with remote locations and branch offices.
    • Service providers own WANs, unlike LANs, which are typically organization-owned. Fees are incurred for WAN services.
    • WANs facilitate communication for remote sites, enabling data, voice, and video transport.

    Necessity of WANs

    • Without WANs, LANs remain isolated, hindering communication between distant sites.
    • Businesses require inter-office communication for sharing data, especially for regional and branch offices.
    • Increased connectivity needs arise from mobile employees and consumer interactions with online services.

    WAN Topologies

    • Various topologies are utilized to interconnect sites via WANs. Key examples include:
      • Point-to-Point: Direct, dedicated connections like T1/E1 lines between two endpoints.
      • Hub-and-Spoke: Central hub connects multiple spoke sites, facilitating shared access.
      • Full Mesh: Allows direct communication between all sites but requires more virtual circuits.
      • Dual-homed: Offers redundancy and load balancing, though more expensive and complex to set up.

    Evolving Networks

    • Companies focus on optimizing network efficiency to boost profitability during economic downturns.
    • Networks must adapt as companies expand, illustrated by SPAN Engineering’s growth from local to global scale.

    Small Office Setup

    • SPAN Engineering has 15 employees, utilizing a single LAN for VoIP, peripheral sharing, and internet access via DSL.

    Campus Network Expansion

    • After five years, SPAN expands infrastructure, transitioning to several subnetworks within a multi-floor office building.

    Branch Networking

    • As SPAN opens branch offices, a WAN is implemented to enable remote access to the central data center.
    • Local branches use dedicated lines, while international branches rely on the Internet for connectivity.

    Distributed Network Maturity

    • SPAN Engineering reaches a global presence with thousands of employees, requiring sophisticated network services for efficiency and cost reduction.

    WAN Operations and OSI Model

    • WANs operate mainly at the OSI Model's Physical and Data Link layers, focusing on physical addressing and flow control.
    • Various authorities set standards for WAN access including TIA/EIA, ISO, and IEEE.

    Common WAN Terminology

    • Customer Premises Equipment (CPE): Devices at the enterprise edge that connect to a carrier.
    • Data Communications Equipment (DCE): Interfaces connecting customers to the WAN.
    • Data Terminal Equipment (DTE): Devices sending data for WAN transmission.
    • Demarcation Point: Divides customer and service provider equipment.
    • Local Loop: Connects CPE to Central Office (CO).
    • Central Office (CO): Service provider facility connecting to the network.

    WAN Devices

    • Dialup modem: Converts digital signals for public telephone networks.
    • Access server: Manages dial-up communications.
    • Broadband modem: Used with high-speed Internet connections, operating at higher frequencies.
    • CSU/DSU: Ensures digital signal integrity and compatibility with LAN frames.
    • Router: Connects networks and allows WAN access.
    • Core router/Multilayer switch: Operates within the WAN backbone.

    Circuit Switching

    • Establishes dedicated channels between nodes before communication begins.
    • Examples include PSTN and ISDN, with communication requiring completed connections prior to data exchange.

    Packet Switching

    • Splits data into packets routed over shared networks without pre-established circuits.
    • Connectionless systems (e.g., Internet) carry full addressing in each packet, while connection-oriented systems (e.g., Frame Relay) utilize route identifiers.
    • Packet switching tends to be cheaper than circuit switching but faces higher latency and jitter.

    Purpose of WANs

    • WANs connect LANs over larger geographic distances, interlinking enterprises with remote locations and branch offices.
    • Service providers own WANs, unlike LANs, which are typically organization-owned. Fees are incurred for WAN services.
    • WANs facilitate communication for remote sites, enabling data, voice, and video transport.

    Necessity of WANs

    • Without WANs, LANs remain isolated, hindering communication between distant sites.
    • Businesses require inter-office communication for sharing data, especially for regional and branch offices.
    • Increased connectivity needs arise from mobile employees and consumer interactions with online services.

    WAN Topologies

    • Various topologies are utilized to interconnect sites via WANs. Key examples include:
      • Point-to-Point: Direct, dedicated connections like T1/E1 lines between two endpoints.
      • Hub-and-Spoke: Central hub connects multiple spoke sites, facilitating shared access.
      • Full Mesh: Allows direct communication between all sites but requires more virtual circuits.
      • Dual-homed: Offers redundancy and load balancing, though more expensive and complex to set up.

    Evolving Networks

    • Companies focus on optimizing network efficiency to boost profitability during economic downturns.
    • Networks must adapt as companies expand, illustrated by SPAN Engineering’s growth from local to global scale.

    Small Office Setup

    • SPAN Engineering has 15 employees, utilizing a single LAN for VoIP, peripheral sharing, and internet access via DSL.

    Campus Network Expansion

    • After five years, SPAN expands infrastructure, transitioning to several subnetworks within a multi-floor office building.

    Branch Networking

    • As SPAN opens branch offices, a WAN is implemented to enable remote access to the central data center.
    • Local branches use dedicated lines, while international branches rely on the Internet for connectivity.

    Distributed Network Maturity

    • SPAN Engineering reaches a global presence with thousands of employees, requiring sophisticated network services for efficiency and cost reduction.

    WAN Operations and OSI Model

    • WANs operate mainly at the OSI Model's Physical and Data Link layers, focusing on physical addressing and flow control.
    • Various authorities set standards for WAN access including TIA/EIA, ISO, and IEEE.

    Common WAN Terminology

    • Customer Premises Equipment (CPE): Devices at the enterprise edge that connect to a carrier.
    • Data Communications Equipment (DCE): Interfaces connecting customers to the WAN.
    • Data Terminal Equipment (DTE): Devices sending data for WAN transmission.
    • Demarcation Point: Divides customer and service provider equipment.
    • Local Loop: Connects CPE to Central Office (CO).
    • Central Office (CO): Service provider facility connecting to the network.

    WAN Devices

    • Dialup modem: Converts digital signals for public telephone networks.
    • Access server: Manages dial-up communications.
    • Broadband modem: Used with high-speed Internet connections, operating at higher frequencies.
    • CSU/DSU: Ensures digital signal integrity and compatibility with LAN frames.
    • Router: Connects networks and allows WAN access.
    • Core router/Multilayer switch: Operates within the WAN backbone.

    Circuit Switching

    • Establishes dedicated channels between nodes before communication begins.
    • Examples include PSTN and ISDN, with communication requiring completed connections prior to data exchange.

    Packet Switching

    • Splits data into packets routed over shared networks without pre-established circuits.
    • Connectionless systems (e.g., Internet) carry full addressing in each packet, while connection-oriented systems (e.g., Frame Relay) utilize route identifiers.
    • Packet switching tends to be cheaper than circuit switching but faces higher latency and jitter.

    Purpose of WANs

    • WANs connect LANs over larger geographic distances, interlinking enterprises with remote locations and branch offices.
    • Service providers own WANs, unlike LANs, which are typically organization-owned. Fees are incurred for WAN services.
    • WANs facilitate communication for remote sites, enabling data, voice, and video transport.

    Necessity of WANs

    • Without WANs, LANs remain isolated, hindering communication between distant sites.
    • Businesses require inter-office communication for sharing data, especially for regional and branch offices.
    • Increased connectivity needs arise from mobile employees and consumer interactions with online services.

    WAN Topologies

    • Various topologies are utilized to interconnect sites via WANs. Key examples include:
      • Point-to-Point: Direct, dedicated connections like T1/E1 lines between two endpoints.
      • Hub-and-Spoke: Central hub connects multiple spoke sites, facilitating shared access.
      • Full Mesh: Allows direct communication between all sites but requires more virtual circuits.
      • Dual-homed: Offers redundancy and load balancing, though more expensive and complex to set up.

    Evolving Networks

    • Companies focus on optimizing network efficiency to boost profitability during economic downturns.
    • Networks must adapt as companies expand, illustrated by SPAN Engineering’s growth from local to global scale.

    Small Office Setup

    • SPAN Engineering has 15 employees, utilizing a single LAN for VoIP, peripheral sharing, and internet access via DSL.

    Campus Network Expansion

    • After five years, SPAN expands infrastructure, transitioning to several subnetworks within a multi-floor office building.

    Branch Networking

    • As SPAN opens branch offices, a WAN is implemented to enable remote access to the central data center.
    • Local branches use dedicated lines, while international branches rely on the Internet for connectivity.

    Distributed Network Maturity

    • SPAN Engineering reaches a global presence with thousands of employees, requiring sophisticated network services for efficiency and cost reduction.

    WAN Operations and OSI Model

    • WANs operate mainly at the OSI Model's Physical and Data Link layers, focusing on physical addressing and flow control.
    • Various authorities set standards for WAN access including TIA/EIA, ISO, and IEEE.

    Common WAN Terminology

    • Customer Premises Equipment (CPE): Devices at the enterprise edge that connect to a carrier.
    • Data Communications Equipment (DCE): Interfaces connecting customers to the WAN.
    • Data Terminal Equipment (DTE): Devices sending data for WAN transmission.
    • Demarcation Point: Divides customer and service provider equipment.
    • Local Loop: Connects CPE to Central Office (CO).
    • Central Office (CO): Service provider facility connecting to the network.

    WAN Devices

    • Dialup modem: Converts digital signals for public telephone networks.
    • Access server: Manages dial-up communications.
    • Broadband modem: Used with high-speed Internet connections, operating at higher frequencies.
    • CSU/DSU: Ensures digital signal integrity and compatibility with LAN frames.
    • Router: Connects networks and allows WAN access.
    • Core router/Multilayer switch: Operates within the WAN backbone.

    Circuit Switching

    • Establishes dedicated channels between nodes before communication begins.
    • Examples include PSTN and ISDN, with communication requiring completed connections prior to data exchange.

    Packet Switching

    • Splits data into packets routed over shared networks without pre-established circuits.
    • Connectionless systems (e.g., Internet) carry full addressing in each packet, while connection-oriented systems (e.g., Frame Relay) utilize route identifiers.
    • Packet switching tends to be cheaper than circuit switching but faces higher latency and jitter.

    Purpose of WANs

    • WANs connect LANs over larger geographic distances, interlinking enterprises with remote locations and branch offices.
    • Service providers own WANs, unlike LANs, which are typically organization-owned. Fees are incurred for WAN services.
    • WANs facilitate communication for remote sites, enabling data, voice, and video transport.

    Necessity of WANs

    • Without WANs, LANs remain isolated, hindering communication between distant sites.
    • Businesses require inter-office communication for sharing data, especially for regional and branch offices.
    • Increased connectivity needs arise from mobile employees and consumer interactions with online services.

    WAN Topologies

    • Various topologies are utilized to interconnect sites via WANs. Key examples include:
      • Point-to-Point: Direct, dedicated connections like T1/E1 lines between two endpoints.
      • Hub-and-Spoke: Central hub connects multiple spoke sites, facilitating shared access.
      • Full Mesh: Allows direct communication between all sites but requires more virtual circuits.
      • Dual-homed: Offers redundancy and load balancing, though more expensive and complex to set up.

    Evolving Networks

    • Companies focus on optimizing network efficiency to boost profitability during economic downturns.
    • Networks must adapt as companies expand, illustrated by SPAN Engineering’s growth from local to global scale.

    Small Office Setup

    • SPAN Engineering has 15 employees, utilizing a single LAN for VoIP, peripheral sharing, and internet access via DSL.

    Campus Network Expansion

    • After five years, SPAN expands infrastructure, transitioning to several subnetworks within a multi-floor office building.

    Branch Networking

    • As SPAN opens branch offices, a WAN is implemented to enable remote access to the central data center.
    • Local branches use dedicated lines, while international branches rely on the Internet for connectivity.

    Distributed Network Maturity

    • SPAN Engineering reaches a global presence with thousands of employees, requiring sophisticated network services for efficiency and cost reduction.

    WAN Operations and OSI Model

    • WANs operate mainly at the OSI Model's Physical and Data Link layers, focusing on physical addressing and flow control.
    • Various authorities set standards for WAN access including TIA/EIA, ISO, and IEEE.

    Common WAN Terminology

    • Customer Premises Equipment (CPE): Devices at the enterprise edge that connect to a carrier.
    • Data Communications Equipment (DCE): Interfaces connecting customers to the WAN.
    • Data Terminal Equipment (DTE): Devices sending data for WAN transmission.
    • Demarcation Point: Divides customer and service provider equipment.
    • Local Loop: Connects CPE to Central Office (CO).
    • Central Office (CO): Service provider facility connecting to the network.

    WAN Devices

    • Dialup modem: Converts digital signals for public telephone networks.
    • Access server: Manages dial-up communications.
    • Broadband modem: Used with high-speed Internet connections, operating at higher frequencies.
    • CSU/DSU: Ensures digital signal integrity and compatibility with LAN frames.
    • Router: Connects networks and allows WAN access.
    • Core router/Multilayer switch: Operates within the WAN backbone.

    Circuit Switching

    • Establishes dedicated channels between nodes before communication begins.
    • Examples include PSTN and ISDN, with communication requiring completed connections prior to data exchange.

    Packet Switching

    • Splits data into packets routed over shared networks without pre-established circuits.
    • Connectionless systems (e.g., Internet) carry full addressing in each packet, while connection-oriented systems (e.g., Frame Relay) utilize route identifiers.
    • Packet switching tends to be cheaper than circuit switching but faces higher latency and jitter.

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    Description

    Explore the key concepts of Wide Area Networks (WANs) in this quiz based on Chapter 2 of Connecting Networks v6.0. Learn about the purpose of WANs, their operation compared to LANs, and the role of service providers in offering WAN services. Test your understanding of how WANs connect enterprise and remote LANs.

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