ADSL & DSL Technologies [Paperback]

Walter J. Goralski (Conductor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072132043 | ISBN-13: 978-0072132045 | Publication Date: October 29, 2001 | Edition: 2

This comprehensive guide shows telecommunication engineers and DSL vendors how to quickly get a handle on ADSL and DSL technology without having to wade through technical documentation. In addition, it provides detailed information on installation of ADSL and DSL technology.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Transmit high-quality data faster than ever using ADSL and DSL technology

Transform existing phone lines into a high-speed data connection and tap into the power of ADSL and DSL technology. Data communications expert and best-selling author Walter Goralski provides you with background knowledge on how DSL works and explains why it is quickly emerging as a popular means for Internet access and increased bandwidth due to its speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. You'll not only get an overview of the technology but also learn about HDSL2, VDSL, and other forms of DSL networks. Learn about equipment compatibility, deployment costs, security issues and also get helpful application and implementation notes through case studies. Detailed, informative, and comprehensive, this is the ultimate resource for understanding and working with this powerful, high-speed technology.

• Install and implement ADSL and DSL technologies
• Choose the right combination of products to best meet your current needs
• Explore DSL networks for use in private homes, multi-tenant units, and campus environments
• Learn how to keep DSL networks secure
• Understand packet switching and circuit switching
• Discover the pros and cons of cable modems, MMDS, LMDS, and satellite systems
• Examine all aspects of high-speed Internet access with DSL
• Find out what impact DSL has on service providers

Important topics include:

• Local loops
• ISDN and packet switching
• VoDSL
• Cable modems
• MMDS and LMDS
• HDSL2 and VDSL
• ADSL and G.lite
• DSL migration
• Premises networks and security

About the Author

Walter Goralski (Hopkins, MN) has spent more than 30 years in the data communications field, including 14 years with AT&T. Walter is currently a course developer with Juniper Networks and is the best-selling author of Sonet, 2/e, and several books on VoIP, ATM, and frame relay. He has also written numerous articles on data communications for Network Magazine and other publications.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2 edition (October 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072132043
• ISBN-13: 978-0072132045
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,648,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive overview of xDSL, September 1, 1998

By 

Duwayne Anderson (Saint Helens, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ADSL and DSL Technologies (Paperback)

Writing a popular book about xDSL technology is a daunting task, but one that Walter Goralski largely accomplishes in his book "ADSL and DSL technologies." The book begins with a global view of the US telecommunications network, how the Internet is challenging this network, and what technologies are being developed to address the problems. This world view does an excellent job of placing xDSL technologies in perspective: they are solutions to digital data transport over portions of a telecommunications network designed specifically for analog voice traffic.

The author has provide an excellent summary of how the American telephone network began, how it evolved, the various regulatory actions along the way, and the current state of affairs. For example, many people familiar with load coils and bridge taps know they can cause problems for xDSL technologies. Goralski explains how these devices got into the network in the first place, and the specific problems they pose for digital high-speed technologies. As part of this discussion the author describes the first analog systems, later digital systems, multiplexing and trunk topologies, different switching technologies (packet and circuit) and the first wave of digital services such as ISDN.

After a brief discussion of modems, the author launches into the main subject, which is the xDSL family of products and technology. He gives a brief high-level descriptions of HDSL, SDSL, RADSL, CDSL, IDSL, ADSL, and VDSL. Up to this point the number of acronyms is relatively manageable, but once he begins discussing xDSL in earnest the acronyms emerge exponentially. Fortunately, Goralski has a list of about 250 acronyms in the back of the book. This list is especially useful later in the book where the author uses them with abandon. Though extensive, the list is not complete. For example, the acronyms PCM and STU are not included. Of course, the author says there is "really no such thing as an `STU,' at least not as a standard device." This only adds to the confusion of the use of such an acronym, and contributes to the "acronym overload" one often feels when reading this book.

After the brief introduction to the xDSL family, the author devotes a full chapter each to HDSL and then to ADSL. After this, the book deals almost exclusively with ADSL-related issues (except for a chapter on VDSL at the back of the book).

I was disappointed the author spent so little time describing the digital coding techniques that are so important for DSL technologies. Except for a brief mention of QAM, the author leaves his audience almost entirely in the dark as to how the digital codes work, and what are their individual strengths and weaknesses.

The author goes into considerable detail (more than any other individual topic) describing the ADSL architecture and interface systems. Chapter nine, dealing with ADSL interfaces, is confusing and would benefit from more diagrams. Several subjects are discussed without proper introduction, leading to questions people might ask if they are not already familiar with the terminology. Additional topics in the book's midsection include descriptions of transport classes, bearer channels, frames, super frames, frame structure, interleaved data, and overhead. The author also provides considerable high-level detail about various configurations in which ADSL can be deployed.

The book ends with three of its most important chapters. Chapter 13 describes migration scenarios from the various derivatives of xDSL to ADSL, and from ADSL to VDSL. Chapter 14 describes VDSL in more detail, since the author apparently concludes VDSL will be the ultimate mechanism by which telecommunications companies will provide truly broadband services. Chapter 15 finishes with a discussion about the major outstanding issues for DSL. These last chapters are especially useful for global thinking and positioning.

Goralski discusses some market issues for the deployment of ADSL, but most of the book centers on technical topics. The author clearly favors xDSL technologies, with the apparent conclusion it will win the day over cable modems. It would be useful, however, to see more detailed analysis in this area, especially regarding cost for deployment. Though Internet access (e.g. as offered via xDSL) is important, Internet access alone will be unable to compete against true broadband services offering video on demand in addition to fast Internet access. Goralski seems to recognize this when he discusses VDSL, but even here he fails to address economic issues and whether VDSL can compete on price with cable modems.

Goralski has a clear, readable style, and the book has many figures that greatly help in assimilating ideas. On the negative side, the index is inadequate. When reading my copy I used lots of colored markers and sticky tabs so I could go back and find important information. The book also has many typographical errors. Clearly, this book went to print in a hurry, though this might be somewhat unavoidable given the subject matter and rate with which technology is progressing. None of the typographical errors cause significant problems with comprehension. Most are like the one on page 12, where the word "enabled" was spelled as "abled." Overall, however, I really enjoyed reading this book. If you are just learning about ADSL technologies, or want to brush up on the subject I highly recommend it.

Duwayne Anderson

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written primer, September 4, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ADSL and DSL Technologies (Paperback)

The book is well written (by computer book standards :) ), and offers a surprising amount of information about the current US phone system (europeans, africans, etc. are out of luck....). It would have been interesting if there had been information about say Covad, Cisco and others who are actually implementing these technologies.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for engineers, December 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: ADSL and DSL Technologies (Paperback)

This book is not good for technical people (they should read Thomas Starr "Understanding Digital Subscriber Line Technology" as the best technical reference book), but this may be a good one for marketing and management people, and for general reading.