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Telecommunication networks provide a medium for businesses to exchange information in various forms, including images, voice, video, and data. But which is the best option for you? Here is everything you need to know about telecommunication networks and how to make the right choice.
Key Takeaways- Telecommunication networks are technologies and infrastructures designed to transmit data between multiple points.
- The critical components of a telecommunication network include transmission media, network nodes, protocols, network operating systems, and network security.
- The most common types of communication networks used by modern-day businesses are Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).
What are telecommunication networks?
Telecommunication networks are technologies and infrastructures designed to transmit data between multiple points. These systems can be configured to serve different purposes, such as providing access to the internet or connecting various devices and locations within an organization.Components of a telecommunication network
Telecommunication networks are complex systems comprised of different components that serve specific purposes. The critical features of a telecommunication network include the following:- The transmission media: Transmission media refers to the physical pathways that facilitate data transfer. This can include wired, fiber optic cables, or wireless radio waves.
- Network nodes: Network nodes are specific points in the network where data is transmitted or received. This can include anything from routers and switches to the hubs that connect devices across the network.
- Protocols: Protocols govern how data is transmitted across the network. These rules ensure that data is sent to the correct location, at the right speed, and in the proper format.
- Network operating systems: Network operating systems are the software that controls the system's operation. They are responsible for various tasks such as routing traffic, managing user access, and guaranteeing the telecommunication network's security.
- Network security: Network security is a set of security measures implemented to protect the network from unauthorized access, cyber-attacks, and other security threats.
Types of telecommunication networks
There are numerous types of telecommunication networks usually employed across various applications. Each network offers unique coverage and has different characteristics. Some of them include the following.-
Local Area Networks (LANs)
- Limited geographical scope: LANs can only facilitate communication within a restricted geographical area, making them suitable for applications involving a single building.
- High data transfer speeds: Their confined nature enables them to provide high-speed data transfer, usually up to several gigabits per second.
- Private ownership: Their limited geographical scope means they can only be owned or controlled by a single organization. This makes them especially suitable in cases where data security is a priority.
- Support wired and wireless connections: LANs can support wired and wireless connections since they are only used within small geographical areas. With that said, most businesses prefer wireless connections due to their convenience and flexibility.
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Wide Area Networks (WANs)
- Large geographical scope: WANs span multiple cities, states, or countries.
- Low to medium data transfer speeds: The large geographical scope limits their transfer speeds. Generally, WANs have transfer speeds ranging from a few kilobits per second to several megabits per second.
- Public ownership: WANs are typically owned and managed by internet service providers (ISPs) or telecommunication companies who provide access to the network at a predetermined fee.
- Facilitate communication via telecommunication links: WANs typically facilitate data transfer through satellite and microwave links.
- Security: WANs are public networks, which leaves them vulnerable to security threats like hacking and malware. However, partnering with a trusted provider can help secure your network through firewalls, end-to-end encryptions, and other security measures.
- Resource sharing: Since WANs rely on wireless connections, they enable users to share resources such as servers, cloud storage, and internet connections over a large geographic area.
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Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
- Intermediate geographical scope: MANs are typically designed to cover slightly larger geographical areas than LANs.
- Medium data transfer speeds: The data transfer speeds of MANs are typically slower than LANs but faster than WANs. They can range from a few megabits to hundreds of megabits per second.
- Public or private ownership: MANs can be owned and controlled by a single entity or a consortium of organizations.
- Connections via wireless or wired means: Their limited geographical scope enables using fiber optic cables for data transfer. However, most organizations, especially those that don't have high-speed data requirements, use wireless means.
- Security: MANs are typically more secure than WANs. Organizations can prevent unauthorized access through firewalls, access controls, and other security measures.
- Resource sharing: Their somewhat sizeable geographical scope, coupled with wireless connectivity support, enables organizations to share resources such as servers, storage devices, and internet connections across multiple locations.
