Tech Guide 4: Basics of Telecommunications and Networks

1. Compare and contrast the main wired communications channels ? (Ethernet & Fibre Optic)

The main telecommunications channels used to produce telecommunication and networked between people include Ethernet and fibre optic channels.
An Ethernet is a common local area network protocol. This connects two or more devices together within a local geographical region. An example of this is connecting the telecommunications system within an office building. Most firms use Ethernet which provides high data transmission speeds.
A fibre optic channel is a cable filled with glass filaments that transmit information by light pulses. They have an extremely high bandwidth, allowing the transference of information to be quick with little cost to the business. It has the capabilities of connecting many wide area networks together.

2. Describe the two technologies that enable users to send high-volume data over any network. (ISDN & ADSL)
The two technologies that enable users to send vast amount of information over a network include the following:
a. ISDN (integrated services digital network) is an international telephone standard for network access that allows users to transfer the voice, video, image and other related data simultaneously. This allows the user to transfer high-volume data quickly, inexpensively and accurately over a network, worldwide or within local networks.
b. ADSL (Digital subscriber lines) provides high-speed, digital data transmission over telephone lines.

1. What are the main business reasons for using networks?
The main reasons businesses use networks are:
- Networked computer systems enable organisations to be more flexible and they can be proactive in changing or establishing contingency plans for the changing nature of the business environment.
- Allows the business to share hardware, computer applications and data across the entirety of the firm
- Enables all employees to work for the company across the vast geographic regions of the country.
- Ability of the business to share documents, ideas and innovative plans of the organisation
- Networks are imperative in the value chain connecting the business to the consumer

2. What is the difference between LANs and WANs?
A LAN is a Local Area Network which connects two or more limited geographical regions together. For example it can be a building, so as to allow the organisation to communicate with one another sharing documents and other business information. It has file server which contain powerful microprocessors with large amounts of hard drives to allow easy access by the firm.
A WAN is a Wide Area Network is a network area that covers large geographical areas, and connects multiple LAN. WAN’s are usually provided by phone companies which are afforded large capacities of processing units and have multiple channels to transmit information’s across a worldwide network.

1. What is a network protocol?
A network protocol is computing devices that are connected to various network accesses and to share data. A network protocol is a common set of rules that enable users to communicate with one another. These rules establish how information and other transmissions will be used across a network.

2. Describe TCP/IP protocol.
The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is a file transfer that sends large amounts of information ensuring that it is not corrupted due to the differences in computer compatibility. This is the overall internet protocol, allowing information to be connected from various websites to be presented into locations.

1. Describe the various ways that you can connect to the Internet?
The various ways you can connect to the internet include:
- Accessing the internet from a LAN
- Opening an account with an internet service provider that allows your computer to be connected to the internet with a fee.
- Telephone providers allow internet access
- Network access points
- Wireless internet connections available anywhere, anytime
- Internet kiosks have been established in public places like libraries so users can access the internet
- Mobile phone connects of the internet through FTTH

2. Describe the parts of an Internet address.
An internet address is assigned an internet protocol that identifies the address with the website. It consists of numbers in four parts, separated by dots.
A domain name system allows the name of the site to be easily remembered by those using them. They are formulated from a mixture of names, dots which are read from right to left.
The top level domain is the right most part of the internet name that indicates what type of website it is. For example, education signified by .edu

1. What are the roles of browsers?
Browsers are software applications through which users access the web. Browsers provide a graphical front end that enable users to point and click their way across the internet, ‘surfing’ for information and other resources to collect information. An example of a browser is Google.

2. Describe the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web?
The internet is a global network of computers that use a common communications protocol. The IP establishes rules that allow information to be sent and received from one machine to another, one network to another. The World Wide Web is an application system that stores, retrieves, formats and displays information posted by a variety of sources through a web browser.