Cabrillo College

Chapter 2 – WANs (Wide Area Networks)

CCNA Semester 2
Rick Graziani, Instructor
Jan. 22, 2002
About this chapter
 The chapter is meant as only a brief introduction to
some of the concepts and terminology of Wide Area
Networks (WANs).
 CCNA Semester 4 will introduce you a little more to
WANs.
 CCNP Semester 6, Remote Access Networks, will
give you a much more thorough knowledge of WANs.
 Other suggested courses:
– Data Communications – CIS 180
– Telecommunications
– Specific technology courses, I.e. ATM, Frame
Relay, etc.
 Do not expect to know or understand many of the
topics in this chapter, after this presentation, as this is
only an introduction to the terminology and concepts.
This chart shows
a technology
(name) and the
distances, and
areas it may
apply to.
 WANs – Wide Area Networks

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester

6
 WAN Technologies

Application Layer
Presentation Layer
Session Layer TCP/IP, IPX, AppleTalk
Transport Layer
Network Layer
Data Link Layer WAN technologies
Physical Layer

Discussed further later this semester and in CCNA Semester 4

 WAN Technology Overview

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester

6
 WAN Authorities

 (ITU-T), formerly the (CCITT)

 (ISO) International Organization for
Standardization
 (IETF) Internet Engineering Task Force
 (EIA) Electronic Industries Association

Discussed further in Data Communications and

Telecommunication courses.
 WANs at the Physical Layer

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester

6
 WAN at Layer 1
WAN physical layer protocols
describe how to provide
connections:
– electrical
– mechanical
– operational
– functional

Discussed further in CCNP Semester 6 and Data

Communications
 WANs at the Data-Link Layer

• HDLC – High-Level Data Link Control

• Frame Relay – Simplified version of HDLC framing
• PPP – Point-to-Point Protocol
• ISDN – Integrated Service Digital Network

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester

6
 HDLC
High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC)
– HDLC implementations are proprietary
– Cisco serial interfaces default to HDLC
– Used when connecting one router
directly to another (point-to-point)
– HDLC is the default encapsulation in the
LMC lab.

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester 5 & 6

 Frame Relay
Frame Relay
– descendant of X.25
– simplified frame (no error correction)
– relies on today’s superior data links
– very fast
– cheap, can pay for what you use
– dedicated line not required
– one physical link can handle multiple logical links

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester

6
 Point-to-Point Protocol
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
– descendant of SLIP
– open standard (RFC 1661)
– unlike SLIP, allows multiple layer 3 protocols
– allows authentication (PAP, CHAP)
– used in point-to-point dedicated connections
– used by dial-up POTS users

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester

6
 ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
– the digitizing of the phone network
– designed to transmit voice, data, video over
existing phone lines
– used primarily for remote access via modems
– not very fast (especially BRI - 128 Kbps)
– may disappear with the emergence of cable
modems and DSL

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester

6
 The WAN interface
Your Ethernet LAN connects to your router.
But what does you router connect to?

802.3 LAN ? WAN

Cat5 UTP

Discussed further this semester and in CCNA Semester 4

and CCNP Semester 6
 Regional Bells Provide Media

SF PACBELL
NY
Regional Bells usually provide the media for
Wide-Area Network connectivity. However,
some organizations own their own WAN links.

Discussed further in Data Communications &

Telecommunications
 WAN Technologies

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester

6
 WAN Technologies

Discussed in Data Communications and future CCNP

courses (DSL/cable).
 Routers Connected by WAN
Technologies

Discussed further in CCNA Semester 4 and CCNP Semester

6
Path Determination (Layer 3)

Discussed further later this semester!

Communicate Path

Discussed further later this semester!

View of the Internet
Note: This diagram is not really as much of a “View of the Internet,” as
much as the difference between an Interior Gateway Protocol (OSPF) and
External Gateway Protocol (BGP). – This will be explained later.

Discussed further this semester and in CCNP Semester 5.

 WAN Technology Options

Discussed further in Data Communications, CCNA Semester

4 and CCNP Semester 6
 The WAN interface
How do routers connect to the phone companies
lines?

to phone company

Discussed further in Data Communications, CCNA Semester

4 and CCNP Semester 6
 Data Terminal Equipment
Routers are usually considered DTEs. DTEs are
devices at the end of a user’s network that serve as
a data source, destination, or both.

The router is a DTE, or

Data Terminal Equipment

Discussed further in Data Communications, CCNA Semester

4 and CCNP Semester 6
 Data Terminal Equipment
Your home computer can also be a DTE.
How do you connect to the phone company’s network at home?

modem

to phone company

Discussed further in Data Communications, CCNA Semester

4 and CCNP Semester 6
 DTEs and DCEs
 At home, you connect to the phone company’s network
using a modem.
 A modem is a DCE, or Data Circuit-Termination Equipment.
It’s the device at the end of the service provider’s network
(phone company).
 A DTE interfaces with a DCE to gain access to the phone
company’s network.
DTE

to phone company

DCE
Discussed further in Data Communications, CCNA Semester
4 and CCNP Semester 6
 DTEs and DCEs
 A DTE interfaces with a DCE to gain access to the phone company’s
network.
 The phone company uses a different signaling method than a
router’s serial interface.
 A router can connect to a phone company line through a
CSU/DSU, or a modem (depending on the kind of service).

Customer’s Provider’s
Network DTE DCE Network

PC Modem
Router CSU/DSU
Discussed further in Data Communications, CCNA Semester
4 and CCNP Semester 6
 Cabrillo College

Chapter 2 – WANs (Wide Area Networks)

CCNA Semester 2
Rick Graziani, Instructor