Module Three Assignments

Introduction to Broadband Technologies

WAN Technologies

Physical Network Segmentation

Wireless Assignment

WAN Technologies

T1/E1 and T3/E3/DS3

  1. A T1 line employs what type of multiplexing?

    2. T1 lines use time-division multiplexing.

  2. When entering a building, what type of media does a T1 line most likely use?

    3. T1 is usually delivered on twisted pair cable.

  3. What type of media would a T3 use when it enters a building?

    4. T3 is usually delivered on coax cable with BNC connectors.

Satellite, ISDN, Cable, DSK, and Dialup

  1. How does the cost of non-terrestrial communications compare with conventional terrestrial networking?

    2. Non-terrestrial communication is much more expensive in comparison to terrestrial networking, since you are paying for part of the cost to launch the satellite into space.

  2. Other than cost, what is a significant disadvantage of satellite communications?

    3. Satellite suffers from high latency, with typical delays of 250ms both up and down. This often makes them unsuitable for real-time communications. They also operate at high frequencies (2 GHz), which means they are very susceptible to interference. Line of sight and heavy rain and storms can affect the connection negatively.

  3. What does the A in "ADSL" respresent?

    4. Asymmetric.

  4. What type of media would an ADSL use when it enters a building?

    5. ADSL uses standard telephone lines.

  5. What type of DSL is capable of speeds up to 100Mbit/s?

    6. VDSL, or Very High Bitrate DSL.

Circuit Switching and Packet Switching

  1. Which technology, circuit or packet switching, is most like the technology utilized by POTS?

    2. Circuit switching, as a circuit is established between endpoints before the data passes.

  2. What is the major criticism of circuit switching?

    3. Circuit switched connections are a very inefficient use of resources, as no one else can use the circuit when it is idle. This often makes these types of connections more expensive, as you are paying a premium to have your own dedicated line.

  3. Why is packet switching considered more efficient than circuit switching?

    4. Media is usually shared in packet switching making it a much more effective use of resources. This means that someone else can use the connections when you're not using them. This also opens the option of paying for different tiers of connection speeds, as you can pay for as little or much bandwith as desired.

Transmission Media, Speed, and Distance

  1. What are the three major WAN cable types?

    2. Coax, twisted pair, and fiber optic are the three major cable types.

  2. When was coax cable patented?

    3. Coax cable was patented in the 1880s.

  3. What type of cable is typically used in a local area network?

    4. Twisted-pair copper cabling.

  4. What purpose does the twist in TWP copper cable serve?

    5. The twist helps cancel electromagnetic interference in the connection.

  5. What type of cabling would you use for very long distance and very high speed runs?

    6. Fiber optic cabling.

  6. When you use fiber optic cables, what are two conventional cabling operations that require extra care?

    7. Fiber optic cabling must be terminated properly, and extra caution must be taken with the bend radius so that light isn't lost around corners.