Understanding Wide Area Networks

Lesson 7
Objectives
Skills/Concepts Objective Domain Objective Domain
Description Number
Understanding routing Understanding routers 2.2
Defining common WAN Understanding wide area 1.3
technologies and networks (wan’s)
connections
Routing
• Routing is the process of managing the flow of data between network
segments and between hosts or routers
• Data is sent along a path according to the IP networks and individual
IP addresses of the hosts
• A router is a network device that maintains tables of information about
other routers on the network or internetwork
Static and Dynamic Routing
• A static route is a path that is manually configured and remains
constant throughout the router’s operation
• A dynamic route is a path that is generated dynamically by using
special routing protocols

Static Dynamic
Dynamic Routing
• Dynamic routing method has two conceptual parts:
• Routing protocol used to convey information about the network environment
• Routing Algorithm that determines paths through the network
• Common Dynamic routing protocols:
• Distance vector routing protocols: Advertise the number of hops to a network destination (distance)
and the direction a packet can reach a network destination (vector). Sends updates at regularly
scheduled intervals, and can take time for route changes to be updated
• Link state routing protocols: Provide updates only when a network link changes state
• Distance Vector Routing
• Routing Information Protocol (RIP)
• Link State Routing
• Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs)
• Routing protocols that enable elements that comprise an autonomous
system (AS) to exchange routing information
• For very large networks it is necessary to divide the internetwork into
entities known as autonomous systems (AS)
• IGPs exchange routing information within a single AS that operates
common routing protocols
• RIP and OSPF are examples of IGPs
AS
RIP RIP
AS OSPF OSPF
Routing Information Protocol (RIP and RIPv2)
• Distance vector routing protocol that enables the exchange of IP
routing information
• Calculates the direction or interface that packets should be forwarded
to, as well as the distance from the destination
• Each router maintains a database of the number of hops to a network
destination (distance) and the direction a packet can reach a network
destination (vector)
• RIP is easy to implement and has a large installed base
• Updates are sent periodically
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
• A link-state protocol that monitors the network for routers that have a
change in their link state
• Each router maintains a database of router advertisements called Link
State Advertisements (LSAs)
• An LSA consist of a router, attached networks and their configured
costs
• Updates are sent when the status of a route is updated
Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGPs)
• A routing protocol that was designed and intended for use between
autonomous systems
• Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is an EGP that enables autonomous
systems (AS) to exchange routing information
• BGP is used to enable routing on the Internet

AS
BGP

AS
RIP RIP
OSPF OSPF
DEMO: Configuring RRAS Server (verify RIP)
Wide Area Network
• Wide area networks (WANs) connect multiple local area networks
together
• WANs connect multiple LANs that can include a home, school, or
buildings
• WANs enable network to function without concern to a location
• WAN technologies can include:
• Packet Switching: Devices transport packets via shared links
• Leased Line: Dedicated point to point connection
• Circuit Switching: Dedicated circuit path is created between end points (dial up)
• Cell Relay: Similar to packet switching but uses fixed packet lengths
Packet Switching
• WANs utilize some type of packet switching technology
• Packet switching services include X.25 and Frame Relay
• Before packet switching, technology such as direct dial-up connections
was used
X.25
• X.25 communications protocol was one of the first implementations of
packet switching
• Data Terminal Equipment (DTEs) or a network device, connect to Data
Communications Equipment (DCEs), a modem is a DCE enabling
communication to the X.25 network
• Dummy terminals can connect to the network using Packet
Assembler/Disassembler (PADs) which connect to the DCE

Modem (DCE) X.25 Network

DTE
Virtual Circuits
• Telecommunication companies have thousands of shared circuits /
connections from which to select a path
• These are known as a circuit set
• The chances of the entire message of packets taking one circuit are slim
• Multiple circuits are being used, and not just one, the entire circuit set is
known as the virtual circuit
• This method of data transmission is the core technology for the Internet
and most LANs
Hops
• There could be several PSE stops along the way
• These PSEs disassemble and reassemble the packets
• These stops are also known as hops
• At the receiving office, the packet is reassembled and the overhead
(header and trailer) is discarded
X.25 Advantages
• If data fails, X.25 automatically recovers and sends it again
• X.25 allows shared access among multiple users on the LAN
• X.25 has full error and flow control
• There is also protection from intermediate link failure
• X.25 is not completely fault tolerant, but it is 70% effective
• Pricing is per shared packet sent, not per minute
• X.25 is a synchronous, digital transmission. There is less overhead per
file
Frame Relay
• Frame Relay is the advancement of X.25 packet switching
• A standardized wide are network protocol using a form of packet
switching designed for faster connections
• It also uses a virtual circuit, but one that is more advanced. Frame
Relay created the “virtual network” that resides in the cloud
Permanent Virtual Circuits
• A permanent virtual circuit is a virtual circuit established for repeated
use
• Frame Relay enables multiple sessions to be run simultaneously on the
same link
• These connections to the cloud are known as permanent logical links
or permanent virtual circuits (PVCs)
• The PVC links the sites together in the cloud, and this is accomplished
by using the PSE (packet switching exchange)
Leased Lines
• Leased lines are a connection contract between a provider and a
customer
• Frame Relay service must be purchased from an Internet services or
telecommunications provider
• With Frame Relay, you must commit to a certain amount of information
over time
• This is the CIR (committed information rate). The CIR is assigned to each PVC that services the
organization’s account
• Because this transmission is full duplex, there can be two CIRs for each PVC
T-Carrier Overview
• A T-carrier or telecommunications carrier system is a cabling and
interface system designed to carry data at high speeds
• The basic data transfer rate of the T-carrier system is 64 Kbps, which is
known as DS0, which is the digital signaling scheme
• DS1 is the digital signaling scheme for the T1-carrier
T-Carrier Systems Comparison
• Countries and their associated T-carrier systems

T-Carrier North America Japan Europe

Level 0 – DS0 64 Kbps 64 Kbps 64 Kbps
Level 1 – DS1 1.544 Mbps (T1: 24 user 1.544 Mbps (J1: 24 1.544 Mbps (E1: 24 user
Channels) user Channels) Channels)
Level 3 – DS3 44.736 Mbps (T3: 672 32.064 Mbps (J3: 34.368 Mbps (E3: 512 user
user channels) 480 user channels) channels)
Level 4 – DS4 274.176 Mbps (T4: 4032 97.728 Mbps (J4: 139.264 Mbps (E4: 2048
user channels) 1440 user channels) user channels)
ISDN
A digital technology developed to offer faster communication speed
than an analog telephone line

• Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a set of communication

standards enabling simultaneous digital transmission of data, fax, voice
and video
• ISDN can be broken down into two major categories:
• Basic rate ISDN (BRI):
• 128 Kbps - two equal B channels at 64 Kbps each
• Generally, devices that connect to BRI lines can handle eight simultaneous connections to the
Internet.
• Primary rate ISDN (PRI):
• 1.536 Mbps - runs on a T-1 circuit
• 24 equal 64 Kbps B channels for data
ATM
• Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is a cell-based switching
technology as opposed to a packet switching technology
• ATM is a high-speed networking technology used to transmit data in
cells of a fixed length containing 53 bytes of information
• ATM is a native connection-oriented protocol comprised of a number
of related technologies for software, hardware and connection-
oriented matter
SONET
• Synchronous Optical Networking (SONET) is a standardized protocol
allowing for the transmissions of signals over optical fiber in North
America
• Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) is the standard in Europe
• The standard represents a transport vehicle capable of supporting data
rates in the gigabit range, optical interfaces, network management and
testing methods
• Before the standard was released, each manufacturer designed its fiber
terminal device to its own optical signal interface
SONET Signal Hierarchy

Level Line Rate DS3 Channels

OC-1 51.84 Mbps 1
OC-3 155.52 Mbps 3
OC-12 622.08 Mbps 12
OC-24 1.244 Gbps 18
OC-48 2.488 Gbps 48
OC-192 9.953 Gbps 192
FDDI
• Fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) is a standard for transmitting
data on fiber optic cables at a rate of around 100 Mbps
• Supports transmission distances beyond 50 miles
• The original FDDI standard called for a physical double ring topology
• FDDI is primarily a protocol used on backbone networks
DSL
• Digital subscriber line (DSL) is a family of technologies that provides data
transmissions over local telephone networks
• DSL allows for voice and data to be run over the same line
• DSL uses higher frequency bands to transmit data
• xDSL is the standard for the various digital subscriber lines
• ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber lines) The upload and download speed are
the different or asymmetrical
• SDSL (symmetrical digital subscriber line) The upload and download speed are the
same or symmetrical
Broadband Cable
• Broadband cable is used for cable Internet and cable television using
the cable television network
• It operates at a higher speed than DSL and rates can range from 384
kbps to 20 Mbps +
POTS/PSTN
• POTS/PSTN stands for plain old telephone system/public switched
telephone network.
• This is what we use now for “regular” phone lines, and it has been
around since the 1940s.
• POTS/PSTN is now digital at the switching office and some central
offices, but there analog lines run to people’s homes.
Summary
• The differences between static and dynamic routing.
• How to install and configure RRAS to function as a network router and how to
install the Routing Information Protocol.
• How to define packet switching types, such as X.25 and Frame Relay.
• What T-carrier lines are, the different types of lines, and their Japanese and
European counterparts.
• The basics about various other wide area networking technologies, such as ATM,
SONET, FDDI, and so on.
• An introduction to different personal and small business Internet connectivity types.
Additional Resources & Next Steps

Instructor-Led Courses
• 40033A: Windows Operating System and Windows
Server Fundamentals: Training 2-Pack for MTA
Exams 98-349 and 98-365 (5 Days)
• 40349A: Windows Operating System Fundamentals:
MTA Exam 98-349 (3 Days)
• 40032A: Networking and Security Fundamentals:
Training 2-Pack for MTA Exams 98-366 and 98-367
(5 Days)
• 40366A: Networking Fundamentals: MTA Exam 98-
Books 366

• Exam 98-366: MTA

Exams &
Networking Certifications
Fundamentals (Microsoft • Exam 98-366:
Official Academic Networking
Course) Fundamentals
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