Telecommunications and Networks: Ralph M. Stair - George W. Reynolds

Ralph M. Stair | George W.
Reynolds
Chapter 6
Telecommunications and
Networks
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or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
An Overview of Telecommunications
• Telecommunications is the electronic

transmission of signals for
communications
• Telecommunications medium: any material
substance that carries an electronic signal
to support communications between a
sending and receiving device
2
An Overview of Telecommunications
(cont’d.)
• Networking protocol: a set of rules,

algorithms, messages, and other
mechanisms that enable software and
hardware in networked devices to
communicate effectively
3
Elements of a Telecommunications
System
4
An Overview of Telecommunications:
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
• Synchronous communications
– Receiver gets message instantaneously
• Asynchronous communications
– Receiver gets message after some delay
5
Basic Telecommunications Channel
Characteristics
• A simplex channel transmits data in only

one direction
• A half-duplex channel transmits data in
either direction but not simultaneously
• A full-duplex channel permits data
transmission in both directions at the same
time
6
Channel Bandwidth
• Channel bandwidth: the rate at which data

is exchanged, measured in bits/sec
• Broadband communications: a relative
term; a telecommunications system that
can transmit data very quickly
7
Circuit Switching and Packet Switching
• A circuit-switching network sets up a

circuit between the sender and receiver
before any communications can occur
• A packet switching network has no fixed
path is created between the
communicating devices
– Data is broken into packets for sending
8
Telecommunications Media
• Two broad categories

– Wired (guided) transmission media: signals
are guided along a solid medium
– Wireless: the signal is broadcast over
airwaves as a form of electromagnetic
radiation
9
Table 6.1 Guided Transmission Media
Types
Media Type Description Advantages Disadvantages
Twisted-pair wire Twisted pairs of copper Used for telephone Transmission speed
wire, shielded or service; widely and distance
unshielded available limitations
Coaxial cable Inner conductor wire Cleaner and faster data More expensive
surrounded by transmission than than twisted-pair
insulation twisted-pair wire wire
Fiber-optic cable Many extremely thin Diameter of cable is much Expensive to

strands of glass bound smaller than coaxial cable; purchase and
together in a sheathing; less distortion of signal; install
uses light beams to capable of high
transmit signals transmission rates
10
Wireless Communications Options
• Wireless transmission involves the

broadcast of communications in one of
three frequency ranges
– Radio, microwave, or infrared frequencies
• In some cases, use of wireless
communications is regulated
– The signal must be broadcast within a specific
frequency range to avoid interference with
other wireless transmissions
11
Table 6.2 Frequency Ranges Used for
Wireless Communications
Technology Description Advantages Disadvantages
Radio Operates in the Supports mobile users; Signal highly

frequency 3 kHz–300 MHz range costs are dropping susceptible to
range interception
Microwave— High-frequency radio Avoids cost and effort Must have

terrestrial and signal (300 MHz–300 to lay cable or wires; unobstructed line of
satellite GHz) sent through capable of high-speed sight between sender
frequency atmosphere and space transmission and receiver; signal
range (often involves highly susceptible to
communications satellites) interception
Infrared Signals in the 300 GHz– Allows you to move, Must have
frequency 400 THz frequency range remove, and install unobstructed line of
range sent through air as light devices without sight between sender
waves expensive wiring and receiver;
transmission effective
only for short
distances
12
Short Range Wireless Options: Bluetooth
• Bluetooth: a wireless communications

specification that describes how cell
phones, computers, personal digital
assistants, etc., can be interconnected
13
Medium-Range Wireless Options: Wi-Fi
• A wireless telecommunications technology

brand owned by the Wi-Fi Alliance
• Employs a wireless access point (a
transmitter with an antenna) that receives
the signal and decodes it
• Maximum range of Wi-Fi access points
– 300-900 feet outdoors
– 100-300 feet within a dry-walled building
14
Wi-Fi Network
15
Wide Area Wireless Network Types
• Wide area network options include:

– Satellite and terrestrial microwave
transmission
– 4G
– 5G
– WiMAX
16
Wide Area Wireless Network Types:
Microwave Transmission
• Microwave is a high-frequency (300 MHz–

300 GHz) signal sent through the air
• Common forms of satellite
communications:
– Geostationary satellite
– Low earth orbit (LEO) satellite
– Very small aperture terminal (VSAT)
17
Microwave Communications
18
Satellite Transmission
19
Wide Area Wireless Network Options:
5G Wireless Communications
• The next major phase of mobile

telecommunications standards beyond 4G
• Anticipated in the early 2020s
• Expected characteristics
– Higher data transmission rates
– Lower power consumption
– Higher connect reliability and more coverage
– Lower infrastructure costs
20
Networks and Distributed Processing
• Computer network: the communications

media, devices, and software needed to
connect two or more computer systems or
devices
• Network nodes: the computers and
devices on the networks
• Organizations can use networks to share
hardware, programs, and databases
21
Network Topology
• A diagram that indicates how the

communications links and hardware
devices of the network are arranged
• Three most common network topologies
– Star network
– Bus network
– Mesh network
22
Network Types
• A personal area network (PAN) supports the

interconnection of information technology
close to one person
• A local area network (LAN) connects
computer systems and devices within a
small area (e.g., an office or a home)
• A metropolitan area network (MAN)
connects users and their devices in an area
that spans a campus or city
23
Typical LAN
24
Network Types: WANs
• A wide area network (WAN) connects

large geographic regions
• WANs consist of:
– Computer equipment owned by the user
– Data communications equipment and
telecommunications links provided by various
carriers and service providers
• Communications may involve transborder
data flow
25
Wide Area Network
26
Basic Processing Alternatives
• Centralized processing occurs in a single

location or facility
• Decentralized processing involves devices
placed at various remote locations; the
devices do not communicate with one
another
• Distributed processing uses devices placed
at remote locations; devices are connected
to each other via a network
27
Client/Server Systems
• Client/server architecture features multiple

computer platforms dedicated to special
functions, e.g., database management,
printing, or communications
• A client is any computer that sends
messages requesting services from the
servers on the network
• A database server sends only the data that
meets a specific query—not the entire file
28
Client/Server Connection
29
Telecommunications Hardware
• Modem: a device that converts (modulates

and demodulates) communications signals
so they can be transmitted over the
communication media
30
How a Modem Works
31
Telecommunications Hardware: Routers,
Switches, and Other Devices
• Router: a telecommunications device that

forwards data packets between computer
networks
• Switch: a device containing ports to which
all the devices on the network can connect
– Uses the physical device address in each
incoming message to determine to which
output port it should forward the message to
reach its intended destination
32
Telecommunications Hardware: Routers,
Switches, and Other Devices (cont’d.)
• Gateway: a telecommunications device

that serves as an entrance to another
network
• Wireless access point: a device that
enables wireless devices to connect to a
wired network using Wi-Fi, or other
wireless network standards
33
Securing Data Transmission
• Encryption: the process of converting an

original message into a form that can only
be understood by the intended receiver
• Encryption key: a variable value that is
applied (using an algorithm) to a set of
unencrypted text to produce encrypted text
(ciphertext) or to decrypt encrypted text
34
Encryption Process
35
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• A private network that uses a public network

(usually the Internet) to connect multiple
remote locations
• Provides network connectivity over a
potentially long physical distance
• Supports secure, encrypted connections
between a company’s employees and
remote users through a third-party service
provider
36
Telecommuting and Virtual Workers and
Workgroups
• Telecommuting: the use of computing

devices and networks so that employees
can work effectively away from office
• Telecommuters need to be strongly self-
motivated, organized, and focused on their
tasks with minimal supervision
• Not all jobs are suitable for telecommuting,
e.g., jobs requiring close supervision or
those with many short-term deadlines
37
Electronic Meetings
• Videoconferencing:
– Enables people at multiple locations to
communicate using simultaneous two-way
video and audio transmissions
– Reduces travel expenses and time
– Increases managerial effectiveness through
faster response to problems, access to more
people, and less duplication of effort
38
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
• System of transferring money from one

bank account directly to another without
any paper money changing hands
• Used for:
– Credit transfers, e.g., payroll payments
– Debit transfers, e.g., mortgage payments
39
Electronic Funds Transfer (cont’d.)
• Benefits of EFT
– Reduced administrative costs
– Increased efficiency
– Simplified bookkeeping
– Greater security
40
Quick Response (QR) Codes
• Two dimensional barcodes that can be

scanned by users with a smartphone
camera
– Requires appropriate software
41
Summary – Principle 1
• A networking protocol defines the set of

rules that governs the exchange of
information over a telecommunications
channel
• Channel bandwidth refers to the rate at
which data is exchanged
• Wireless communications solutions are
available for very short distances, medium
distances, and long distances
42
• The three most common network

topologies are the star, bus, and mesh
• A network’s geographic area determines
whether it is a personal area network, local
area network, metropolitan area network,
or wide area network
• Three basic data-processing strategies
using two or more computers are
centralized, decentralized, or distributed
43
Summary – Principle 2 (cont’d.)
• A client/server system is a network that

connects a user’s computer (a client) to
one or more host computers (servers)
• Telecommunications software performs
important functions, such as error
checking and message formatting
• The interception of confidential information
by unauthorized parties is a major concern
for organizations
44
• Telecommunications and networks are

creating profound changes in business
because they remove the barriers of time
and distance
• Networks let users share hardware,
programs, and databases across the
organization
• Networks can improve organizational
effectiveness and efficiency
45

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Ralph M. Stair | George W.

• Telecommunications is the electronic

• Networking protocol: a set of rules,

• A simplex channel transmits data in only

• Channel bandwidth: the rate at which data

• A circuit-switching network sets up a

• Two broad categories

Fiber-optic cable Many extremely thin Diameter of cable is much Expensive to

• Wireless transmission involves the

Radio Operates in the Supports mobile users; Signal highly

Microwave— High-frequency radio Avoids cost and effort Must have

• Bluetooth: a wireless communications

• A wireless telecommunications technology

• Wide area network options include:

• Microwave is a high-frequency (300 MHz–

• The next major phase of mobile

• Computer network: the communications

• A diagram that indicates how the

• A personal area network (PAN) supports the

• A wide area network (WAN) connects

• Centralized processing occurs in a single

• Client/server architecture features multiple

• Modem: a device that converts (modulates

• Router: a telecommunications device that

• Gateway: a telecommunications device

• Encryption: the process of converting an

• A private network that uses a public network

• Telecommuting: the use of computing

• System of transferring money from one

• Two dimensional barcodes that can be

• A networking protocol defines the set of

• The three most common network

• A client/server system is a network that

• Telecommunications and networks are

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