Broadband Communications [Paperback]

Robert Newman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130893218 | ISBN-13: 978-0130893215 | Publication Date: October 21, 2001 | Edition: 1

State-of-the-art in perspective, this book provides a comprehensive, single-source overview of broadband technologies in the Wide Area Network (WAN) environment. Written from a generalist point of view, it offers a technically accessible presentation that can be understood by anyone with only basic knowledge of the data processing/data communications environment. Organized into categories of broadband technologies that match the requirements to today's job market--e.g., Frame Relay, ATM, DSL, and Wireless (PCS/Wireless)--it discusses the advantages, disadvantages, issues and concerns for each. Includes exercises, case studies, and projects for hands-on practice. The WAN Infrastructure. Frame Relay. Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). Synchronous Optical NETwork (SONET). Virtual Private Network (VPN). Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI). Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN/BISDN).Switched Multi-megabit Digital Service/Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN). Wireless/Personal Communication Service (PCS). Fibre Channel. Internet/Intranet/Extranet. Network Management. Problem Solving and Trouble Shooting. Telephone company employees, Internet Service Provider employees, networking sales employees, networking problem solving and troubleshooting employees, anyone who has an interest in enterprise networking, and business and corporate management that has a need to know the current state-of-the-technology.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The current telecommunications market has been growing at a rapid pace. This is mainly due to the availability of Internet access to almost all sectors of society. The opportunity to expand services is astronomical.

This book is designed to provide a broad working knowledge of the broadband technologies that permeate today's society and to provide the reader with the tools to address the numerous opportunities that abound in this field.

The text is organized as follows:

• Part I introduces the telecommunications environment and industry and presents the basics of wide area network (WAN) infrastructure.
• Part II includes Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Virtual Privates Networks (VPN), and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI).
• Part III includes Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), and Switched Multimegabit Data Services (SMDS). ISDN and SMDS are transitional technologies and DSL is an emerging technology. Wireless/PCS environment, Fibre Channel, and considerable information on the Internet and the associated intranet and extranet environments are also included.
• Part IV concludes the text with chapters on network management, problem solving, and troubleshooting.
• The Appendix includes information on the OSI model, Voice over IP, and a comprehensive case study on broadband technology.

Instructors using this book for a course can obtain a free Instructor's Manual that accompanies the text (ISBN 0-13-093153-3).

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

WHO SHOULD READ THIS BOOK?

The current telecommunications market has been growing at an astronomical pace, due largely to the expansion of Internet access to almost all sectors of society. Everyone with a computer can now have access to the Web: children are introduced to the Web at an early age. The opportunities for expansion of services seem limitless. This book is designed to provide a broad working knowledge of the broadband technologies that permeate today's society and to provide the serious student with the tools to address the numerous opportunities that abound in this field.

This text is oriented toward both the business and education community, especially toward the undergraduate student who aspires to succeed in the telecommunications industry, and the marketing and sales professional who has some basic understanding of telecommunications.

It gives the student and business professional the tools to identify and apply techniques to development and management of enterprise networking for the various applications of broadband services.

This book is not highly technical; it provides just enough detail for the reader to apply the information provided to be successful in the broadband environment. This may very well lead the reader to look at the more technical aspects of this field of study. ORGANIZATION OF THIS BOOK

Part I includes a short introduction of the telecommunications environment and industry including the wide area network (WAN) infrastructure. Some prior knowledge of basic data communications processes is assumed, and is also a plus, as these two topics are closely interrelated. A short introduction sets the course of study. Chapter 1 provides an ideal beginning by giving significant background information in the Technology Awareness section.

Part II includes Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), the Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Virtual Private Networks (VPN), and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI). These technologies are used for internetworking and provide the basis for many enterprise networks.

Part III includes Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), and Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS). ISDN and SMDS are transitional technologies and DSL is an emerging technology. These chapters are followed by the wireless/PCS environment, Fibre Channel, and considerable information on the Internet and the associated intranet and extranet environments. A considerable amount of interest is being generated in the wireless/PCS and Internet environments, particularly how they can be integrated into a seamless environment. Information is presented on the "hot" topics of WAP, GSM, CDMA, TDMA, EDGE, GPRS, and 3G.

Part IV completes the book with chapters on network management, problem solving, and troubleshooting. There is sufficient detail for the reader to be well versed in these two topic areas.

The appendices include information on the OSI model and a brief presentation on Voice over IP Appendix E is a comprehensive broadband technologies case study/project.

Key terms are presented at the end of each chapter. Comprehensive sources were consulted to develop these definitions (Held, 1996; Newton, 1999). Review questions at the end of each chapter provide coverage of the material presented. HOW TO UTILIZE THIS TEXT

A CD-ROM is provided with the free Instructor's Manual available to instructors using the text and includes answers (600+) to review questions found in each chapter. Also presented are suggestions in completing the activities at the end of each chapter. This CD-ROM includes all of the Visio 2000© graphics (150+) that appear in the text. These are in Microsoft Powerpoint© format.

Many of the exercises in the book require the reader to use ancillary resources to complete the activity. Access to the Web pages of the various standards agencies and technology forums is a must. It is also beneficial that access to products such as DataPro© be available to the student. Another invaluable student resource is catalogs, such as Black Box©, which provide technical information, configurations, and prices on a number of enterprise network components.

The exercises, case studies, and projects are oriented toward practical situations and issues that relate to the current enterprise networking environment. The case studies and projects ask the reader to develop questions that must be answered in order to develop specifications for the various solutions. Brainstorming and boarding are useful techniques when conducting group exercises. These allow students to participate and provide input into the learning experience. These techniques can also be used when developing the comprehensive enterprise network design that is presented in Appendix E.

Many of the photos depicting network devices have been provided by the Black Box Corporation and can be viewed on its Website at blackbox.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 587 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (October 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130893218
• ISBN-13: 978-0130893215
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,967,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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