Access Networks

 Difficulty Level : Medium

  Last Updated : 09 Aug, 2019
An access network is a type of network which physically connects an end system to the immediate
router (also known as the “edge router”) on a path from the end system to any other distant end system.
Examples of access networks are ISP, home networks, enterprise networks, ADSL, mobile network,
FITH etc.
Types of access networks:
 Ethernet –
It is the most commonly installed wired LAN technology and it provides services on the
Physical and Data Link Layer of OSI reference model. Ethernet LAN typically uses coaxial
cable or twisted pair wires.
 DSL –
DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line and DSL brings a connection into your home through
telephone lines and a DSL line can carry both data and voice signals and the data part of the
line is continuously connected. In DSL you are able to use the Internet and make phone calls
simultaneously. DSL modem uses the telephone lines to exchange data with digital
subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAMs). In DSL we get 24 Mbps downstream and 2.5
Mbps upstream.
 FTTH –
Fiber to the home (FTTH) uses optical fiber from a central Office (CO) directly to individual
buildings and it provides high-speed Internet access among all access networks.It ensures
high initial investment but lesser future investment and it is the most expensive and most
future-proof option amongst all these access networks.
 Wireless LANs –
It links two or more devices using wireless communication within a range. It uses high-
frequency radio waves and often include an access point for connecting to the Internet.
 3G and LTE –
It uses cellular telephony to send or receive packets through a nearby base station operated
by the cellular network provider. The term “3G internet” refers to the third generation of
mobile phone standards as set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Long
Term Evolution (LTE) offers high-speed wireless communication for mobile devices and
increased network capacity.

access network
A network that connects directly to the end user or customer. Access networks
connect to the "backbone," which is a network made up of high-speed lines between
major switching points. The switching points could be buildings on a campus or
cities in a country.
Access network
The access network is the network or the part of a telecommunications network that gives the user access to the

telecommunications service(s). The access network can be made up out of different parts, e.g. the telephone

network has an access network in every city. The different parts of the access network are connected through

backbones. These backbones form the so-called core network.

Core network
The core network (or backbone) is the part of a network that connects the different parts of the access network. The

core network also provides the gateway tot other networks.

Backbone
A backbone is a high speed line that connects different parts of a network, usually the different parts of the access

network. There are no end users directly connected to a backbone. The end users are connected to the access

network.

This part of the networkis called the core network.

UTRAN
The UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) is the fixed network infrastructure that contains the facilities for

the transmission to and from the mobile users over radio. The components of the UTRAN are the base stations,

which are called Node B in UMTS, and control nodes, which are called Radio Network Controller (RNC). The Radio

Network Controllers are connected to the Core Network (CN).

The interface for the transmission to and from the mobile users is called the UTRA.