Chapter 7. WAN Technologies

OBJECTIVES

This chapter covers the following CompTIA-specified objectives for the “Protocols and Standards” section of the Network+ exam.

Identify the basic characteristics (for example, speed, capacity, media) of the following WAN technologies:

• Packet switching versus circuit switching

• ISDN

• FDDI

• ATM

• Frame Relay

• SONET/SDH

• T1/E1

• T3/E3

• OC-x

• Wide area networking is one of the most interesting aspects of a network. Although for the Network+ exam, you will not be expected to understand detailed information about WANs, you will be expected to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the most commonly used WAN technologies.

OUTLINE

Introduction

Introduction to WAN Technologies

Public Networks

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

The Internet

Public Networks: Advantages and Disadvantages

Private Networks

Switching Methods

Packet Switching

Virtual-Circuit Packet Switching

Datagram Packet Switching

Circuit Switching

Message Switching

Switching Methods Comparison

WAN Technologies

Dial-up Modem Connections

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

Basic Rate Interface (BRI)

Primary Rate Interface (PRI)

BRI and PRI ISDN Comparison

T-carrier Lines

T1/E1 Lines

T3/E3 Lines

Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)

FDDI Versus IEEE 802.5

Implementing FDDI

FDDI Fault Detection

Advantages and Disadvantages of FDDI

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

ATM Media

X.25

Frame Relay

SONET/OCx

WAN Technology Summary

Chapter Summary

Apply Your Knowledge

STUDY STRATEGIES

• Read the objectives at the beginning of the chapter.

• Study the information in the chapter, paying special attention to the tables, which summarize key information.

• Review the objectives again.

• Answer the exam questions at the end of the chapter and check your results.

• Use the ExamGear test on the CD-ROM that accompanies this book to answer additional exam questions concerning this material.

• Review the notes, tips, and exam tips in this chapter. Be sure you understand the information in the exam tips. If you don't understand the topic referenced in an exam tip, refer to the information in the chapter text and then read the exam tip again.