Telecommunications Survival Guide, The: Understanding and Applying Telecommunications Technologies to Save Money and Develop New Business

Description

Based on one of the field's leading training courses, this book will help any telecom professional understand all of today's most important new technologies -- and how those technologies can be transformed into profitable product and service offerings. Telecommunications Survival Guide carries readers from theory to standards, technology through real-world product and service offerings. Coverage includes data and voice, LANs and WANs, wired and wireless, and every leading option for high-speed Internet access, including xDSL, cable modems, LMDS, satellite Internet services, power line-based systems, ISDN, and more. In straightforward, easy-to-follow language, author Pete Moulton demonstrates how computer and telecommunications technologies are converging, the best opportunities to use (and market) them for profit in global and enterprise networks; and the trends most likely to drive telecommunications over the next five years. The book makes extensive use of classroom-proven pictures and diagrams, and each chapter includes review questions and answers. For all telecommunications professionals (sales, marketing, managers, and support staff) that manage, sell, design, administer, or maintain telecommunications networks.

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Table of Contents

(NOTE: Each chapter concludes with Chapter Review Questions.)

1. Telecommunications.

Evolution and Future. Telephony vs. Telecommunications. Telephony. Telecommunications and Convergence. Convergence Implications. Telephony. Evolution. Telecommunications Evolution. Telephony Evolution. Data Communications Evolution0. LAN Evolution. The Influence of PC Technologies. Telecommunications Future. Telecommunications and Telephony. Residential Telecommunications. Telecommunications and Business. Balanced Tele-computing. Vending Machine Example. Laptop Example. PC in the Kitchen.

Standards Overview. The Importance of Standards. De Jure Standards. De Facto Standards. Inter-operability. OSI Model. Compatibility. Data Format Compatibility. Networking. OSI Functions and Implementation. Protocols and Interfaces. Protocols. Interfaces. The OSI Model. OSI Layers vs. Compatibility vs. Components. OSI Model Flow Example. Telecommunications Components. Components vs. Layers. ATM. Applying the OSI Model.

Voice Communications. Basic Voice Network Components and Their Functions. Voice Communications Frequencies. Voice Channel Pass Windows. Telephone Operation. Analog Phones. Digital Transmission and High Frequencies. Digital Phones. Common Channel vs. In-band Signaling. 2-Wire vs. 4-Wire Channels. Quality of Service. Voice Network Components. Customer Premise Equipment. Local Loops. Channel Bank Multiplexers. Coders/Decoders and Pulse Code Modulation. Central Offices. Central Office Switches. DS-1 vs. T-181. Point-Of-Presence. Inter-Exchange Carriers, or Long-Distance Carriers. Central Office Hierarchy. Signaling System Seven (SS-7). Packet-Switched Network using HDLC. SS-7 Nodes. SS-7 Operation. SS-7 and ISDN. SS-7 Common Channel Signaling.

North American Numbering Plan. Current NANP Numbering. Area Code Exhaustion. Area Code Subdivisions. Area Code Overlays. Number Portability. Local Access and Transport Areas. Carrier Identification Codes. International Numbers. Telephone Companies and Regulation. Pre-divestiture—“Universal Service”. Divestiture—Modified. Final Judgment—“Equal Access”. The Inter-Exchange Carriers. Regional Bell Operating Companies. Local Exchange Carriers. Other Common Carriers and Specialized Common Carriers. Competitive Access Providers. The Telecommunications Act of 1996. FCC 1996 Ruling and Current Rulings. Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers. Competitive Local Exchange Carriers. Telephony Services. Types of Channels. Measured Use or Dial-up. Leased. Packet Network Services. Dial-up Network Services. 500-Number Services. 555-Number Services. 700-Number Services. 800, 888, and 877 Services. 900-Number Services. Billing and Tariffs. Public Service Commissions. Intrastate Vs. Interstate. Metered Use. Leased Circuit. Slamming and Tariff Scams. Tariff Summary. Private Branch Exchanges and CENTREX. PBX Evolution. Traditional PBX. Common Voice Features. PBX Architecture and Operation. Line Cards. Trunk Cards. CPU. Computer Telephony Integration. PBX Selection. CENTREX—Central Office Exchange. CENTREX Vs. PBX. Advanced Intelligent Network. Virtual Private Network. Custom Local Area Signaling Services. CENTREX Line Assignment Service.

Data Communications Fundamentals. Serial vs. Parallel. Data Codes. American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). Data Transmission Concepts. Analog vs. Digital Transmission. Asynchronous vs. Synchronous vs. Isochronous. The Perplexing Plexes: Simplex, Half-Duplex, and Full Duplex. Modems and ISDN Modems. Baud vs. Bits Per Second vs. Bytes per Second. Modem Data Encoding. ISDN Modems-Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit. Modem Specification Summary. High-speed Modem Technologies. Voice, Image, and Video Encoding. Voice, Images (Pictures), and Video as Data. Data Communications Layer-2 Protocols. Layer-2 Protocol Generations. LAN Protocol Operation Examples. Ethernet-CSMA/CD Protocol. Token Ring-Token Passing Protocol. Ethernet vs. Token Ring. Protocol Summary. Component Interfaces. Parallel Port Interface. RS-232 Interface. Universal Serial Bus. IEEE 1394243. Multiplexers and Multiplexing Fundamentals. Frequency Division Multiplexing. Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (Optical FDM). Time Division Multiplexing. Statistical Time Division Multiplexers. FDM and TDM Applications Overview.

General LAN Structure and Components. Servers. Clients. Wiring. Software: Windows, NetWare, and UNIX. LAN Characteristics. LAN Types. Peer-to-Peer. Client/Server. Thin-Client/server. Basic Configuration for Disk and Printer Sharing. Disk Sharing Basics. Printer Sharing. User's View of a LAN. Drive Mapping. Universal Naming Convention. LAN Market Summary. LAN Boards and Protocols. Ethernet. Token Ring. Asynchronous Transfer Mode. LAN Board Installation. Other Layer-1 and Layer-2 LANs. LAN Internetworking Components. OSI Model vs. Basic LAN Components. Hubs and Repeaters. Bridges and Switches. Routers (Internet Gateways). Gateways. Clients. Servers. The Internet, Intranets, and Extranets. LAN to Internet Connectivity. Cable Modems. Digital Subscriber line. Frame Relay. Integrated Services Digital Network. Intranets. Extranets. IEEE Standards. IEEE LAN Standards. New IEEE Standards Development. Matching PC LAN Products to Layers. LAN Media (Cabling). Coaxial Cable. Twisted Pair Wiring. CAT-3 Cabling. CAT-5. Beyond CAT-5 Cabling. Fiber Optic Cable. Signal Loss in Fiber Cable. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing. Fiber Optic Cable System Components. Single-mode Fiber. Multi-mode Fiber. Plastic Fiber. Working with Fiber. Fiber Applications. LAN Wiring Hardware. UTP MOD-8/RJ-45 Connectors. Hubs and Intelligent Hubs. Token Ring Wiring. Ethernet Wiring. Wiring Rules. Preventing Common Cabling Problems. LAN Servers. Server Clustering. LAN Software. Microsoft. Novell NetWare. UNIX. LAN Protocol Suites. TCP/IP. SPX/IPX. NetBEUI. Others. LAN Telecommunications Applications. Groupware. Voice Over IP. Video Teleconferencing. Client/Server Applications.

Integrated Services Digital Network. Services and Applications. Bearer Channels, or B Channels. Data or Delta (Signaling) Channels, or D Channels. Basic Rate Interface-2B+D. Primary Rate Interface-23B+D. Broadband ISDN Services. ISDN Voice Services. ISDN High-Speed Data. ISDN Service Implementation. ISDN Terminal Adapters. Constructing a Circuit. National ISDN-199x, or NI-x. Service Profile Identifier Number. Bonding B Channels. ISDN Costs. PRI Costs. Saving Costs with ISDN. Backup Mission-critical Circuits. Saving Teleconferencing Costs. Predicted Data Overloads. Telecommuter Cost Savings Example. PBX Telephone Network Integration. Packet-switched Networks. Circuit vs. Packet Switching. Circuit-switched or Connection-oriented Services. Packet-switched or Connection-less Services. The X.25 Networks. X.25 (Layer 2) vs. Fast Packet (Layer 4) Operation. The X.25 Standard. X.75 and X.121 Standards. Packet Assemblers and Disassemblers (X.3, X.28, and X.29 Specifications). Packet Network Performance. Packets vs. Cells vs. Frames. Examining In-transit Delays. Fast Packet Vs. X.25 Packet Networks. Frame Relay Networks. Basic Configuration. Virtual Circuits. Committed Information Rate. Frame Relay Access Device. Voice and Video over Frame. Saving Costs Using Frame Relay and Packet Network Services. All Digital Network Technologies. T-Carrier Channels and Services. DS-0 Channels and T-1 Framing. Multiplexing Hierarchy (T-1, T-1C, T-2, and T-3). Fractional T-1, Digital Access, and Cross-connect Systems. Alternate Mark Inversion and Bipolar 8-Bit Zero Substitution. Extended Superframes Format. Connecting Sites with T-Carrier Channels. Switched Multi-megabit Data Service. Asynchronous Transfer Mode. Cell Relay Operation. Cell Format and Adaptation Layers. ATM Switching and Multiplexing. Virtual Circuits. ATM Broadband Interfaces and Routing. Applying ATM Products to Save Costs. Synchronous Optical Network. SONET Configurations. SONET Network Components. Multiplexing Over Fiber. SONET Self-healing Ring Operation. Add/Drop Multiplexers. Digital Access and Cross-connect Systems. SONET Network Component Interfaces. Applying Digital Network Services. Service Selection and Interconnection. Costs and Geographic Coverage. Equipment Interfaces. Managing Digital Networks.

Radio Frequency Communications. Basic RF Technology. Wireless Services Categories. Line-Of-Sight Microwave Transmission. Transmission Frequencies and Characteristics. RF Network Advantages and Disadvantages. Licensing. RF Networks that Save Costs. Local Multipoint Distribution Service. Wireless Local Loop. Wireless Office and Personal Area Networks. Wireless Private Branch Exchange. Wireless Local Area Networks and Personal Area Networks. Bluetooth. Satellite Communications. Satellite Orbits and Constellations. Satellite Signal Propagation Delay. Satellite RF Bands. Uplink/Downlink Transmission Differences. Satellite Life Expectancy. Space Shuttle Launches. Very Small Aperture Terminal. Satellite Network Technology. Transmission Security and Data Encryption. Satellite Services. Satellite Voice Services. Satellite Paging Services. Global Positioning System. Saving Costs by Using Satellite Communications. Earth Station Equipment and Satellite Channel Service Suppliers. Cellular Telecommunications. Cellular Communications Evolution. Cellular Network Components. Wire Line Vs. Non-wire Line Carriers. Cellular Technologies. Analog Cell Phones. Digital Phones. Cellular Networking Summary. Cellular Services. Personal Communications Services. Personal Communications Services vs. Cellular. Local and National Cellular Service Providers. Factors Determining Network Performance. Security and Privacy Issues. Cellular Digital Packet Data. PC Cellular Communications. Saving Costs Using Cellular Communications.

Providing New Business Opportunities. The Internet. The Internet Evolution. The Internet Today. Internet Protocol Addresses. Domain Names. Internet Architecture. NAPS. Backbone Networks. Feeder Networks. Internet Performance Considerations. Internet II, or Internet2. The World Wide Web. Internet Service Providers. Making Money with Web Sites. Regulating the Internet. New Internet Capabilities. Intranets. Hardware Configurations. Extranets. Key Internet Telecommunications Applications. Voice over IP, or Internet Telephony. Video Teleconferencing, or Videoconferencing. Virtual Private Networks. Developing New Business Using the Internet. The Better Mouse Trap Misconception. Service Orientation. Real World Delivery. Dot COM (.COM) Business Opportunities. Accessing the Internet. Dial-up Access. High-Speed Access. Cable Modems. Cable Television Network Evolution. Cable Modem Operating Frequencies. High-Definition Television. Cable Modem Network Components. Cable Modem Services. Major Market Vendors and Competition. Digital Subscriber Lines. Digital Subscriber Line Technology. Digital Subscriber Line Offerings. Upgrading Digital Loop Carriers. Digital Subscriber Line Components. Benefits for Telephone Companies. New FCC Rulings.

Convergent Technology Evolution. Universal Communication Appliance. High-speed Networking Service Delivery. The Internet Conquers All. Telecommunication Network Management. Life Cycles.

Preface

Introduction

The overall objectives of this book are to help business professionals understand new telecommunications technologies, and to share information about how these technologies can be deployed to save costs and develop new business. Business professionals include management, sales, development, administrative, and maintenance staff at all levels of an organization.

The book identifies new computer and telecommunications technologies that will impact business operations over the next several years. Plain language and simple explanations of technologies and technical terms are used because people tend to make technology more complex and difficult than it really is. How telecommunications impacts business is illustrated by example and practical experience. Readers are helped to clearly understand these technologies and how they may be applied to save costs and develop new business. The book describes and explains classic, fundamental telecommunications technologies, products, and services, including:

• Voice communications or telephony networks designed to carry voice.
• Data communications or Wide Area Networks (WANs) designed originally to carry text and numbers.
• Local Area Networks (LANs) designed originally to carry data in a small geographic area such as a building or a floor in a building.
• Wireless networking.
• The Internet.

Today, voice, data, image, and video communications are delivered to desktop computer systems around the planet by a combination of data communications, such as Wide Area Networks (WANs), voice communications, and LAN technologies. The classic voice, data (WAN), and LAN technologies are converging so that voice, data, image, and video communications travel across the same network using the same protocols (rules of communications). All communications have largely become digital. The Internet is becoming the sole planet-wide communications network as existing voice telephone networks slowly disappear. LANs deliver the Internet to the desktop 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Networking technologies and products are converging to provide new business opportunities and services to consumers and to other businesses. Business-to-Business (B2B) commerce Web companies and their Web sites are an example of the way in which telecommunications is rapidly changing business activity and saving substantial costs over traditional distribution mechanisms. Residential users are beginning to be provided with increasingly useful information and services from the Internet like the emerging bill paying services, specialty shopping services with related information services, and investment services.

Implementing such new businesses and the technologies required to support them is not without problems and glitches. This book provides practical insight into what to expect and how to manage deployment of new telecommunications services and implementation of new telecommunications products.

Broadly stated, the goals of this book are to present in a simple and entertaining fashion descriptions of telecommunications technologies that are and will continue to change not only the way business is conducted, but what will happen in our day-to-day personal lives.

For example, telecommunications technologies are rapidly changing how we listen to music. New sound compression technologies implemented in MP3 compression algorithms (an algorithm is just a mathematical procedure or formula and MP3s use some cool math to compress music while preserving the original sound quality) permit storing and transmitting CD-quality sound across the Internet. This is, as I write, altering the way we listen to music and the music industry. Today, the most searched for word on the Internet is no longer "sex," but rather "MP3."

Telecommunications includes voice (telephony), data (WAN), LAN, wireless, Personal Computer (PC), and other technologies. These are blended together today to form the Internet, which is a very large WAN, and intranets, which are our LANs that deliver voice, data, and multimedia information to both corporate and residential computer appliances and PCs. This blending is labeled convergence in the telecommunications Industry. This is the reason why people are so excited today, because everything is converging together into one big happy network with everyone connected 24 hours a day from everywhere around the world.

Telecommunications networking fundamentals describe the application of computer and telecommunications technologies in global and enterprise networks.

Who this Book Is For

The target audience of this book is entry-level and experienced professionals that manage businesses, as well as those that sell, design, administer, and maintain telecommunications networks. Readers should understand some PC basics (the difference between bits and bytes) and some fundamental electrical concepts (for example, what is voltage). Don't worry too much about terminology; we explain all the terms used in this book.

This book includes practical explanations of basic telephony, data communications, LANs, and wireless communications as they relate to telecommunications technologies and products sold today. These concepts are directly related to the topic being covered (e.g., multiplexing is combining multiple streams of information into a single river of information and being able to split the river back into the individual streams) as it relates to cellular telephony and how that in turn relates to TDMA and CDMA. (TDMA and CDMA are means that cell phones use to communicate to cell towers). It is not a general book on fundamental PC and electronics concepts.

If you become bogged down or burdened by some details, stop and step up to the higher conceptual level. It is not necessary to understand the details in this book. Actually, many technical people would say this book is not detailed. However, it is their job to design and build telecommunications components and networks. To do that requires a good knowledge of the exact details on how to build, manufacture, and implement telecommunications components. That is why there is specialized training on Cisco, Microsoft, and other technical products. This book presents only those details required to understand the basic technologies. After reading this book, you should understand telecommunications components and understand what questions you need to ask so you can more fully understand the telecommunications world around you. Increased knowledge in any one area is left to books that specialize in that area.

Some people plan to retire before telecommunications technology impacts their job. Regardless, there is no escape. "Resistance is futile" as the Star Trek Borg would say. Even in retirement, changing telecommunications technologies and services will impact our lives. For example, the DialPad.com free telephone service saves long distance charges when calling family and friends, and the free Web services from Netzero.com and Freeweb.com save Internet access charges. Thus, using these telecommunications technologies and free services in retirement to communicate with family and friends when income is limited saves money. No one can escape the impact of telecommunications technology and services on their professional and personal life, even if they retire. There is no turning back from the telecommunications technologies insidiously invading all aspects of our lives.

In the new information millennium, those that master the application of telecommunications and information technologies will be the "haves" of the planet. Those that do not will become the "have nots." Bill Gates best exemplifies this. He was the right person at the right place at the right time with the motivation to put it all together. There will be other Bill Gates' in the future, just as there was an Andrew Carnegie and a J. D. Rockefeller. None of us are likely to be so lucky as any of these people. However, in our own small way, we can become much more effective than people that ignore telecommunications technologies and the impending changes that they will impose on our lives. If you want to survive telecommunications and master telecommunications technologies in a way that will enchance your life, this book is for you!

How the Book Is Organized

The structure of this book is to present an historic perspective of the evolution of telecommunications technologies. The historic perspective helps us better understand both the limitations imposed upon the implementation of new technologies and the development of new products and services based upon these technologies. The evolution description begins with original telephony (Chapters 1-4), then progresses on to data communications (Chapters 5 and 6), and finally concludes with wireless technologies (Chapters 7-10). Blended throughout the book are the impacts of PC and microelectronic technologies because these are the driving forces behind telecommunications convergence.

Conventions Used

Pictures with supporting text are used to explain the concepts. This is my own personal bias. I am not much of a reader—I guess it was the classic comics I read for book reports in high school—but more of a picture person. Maybe it is better to think "A picture is worth a thousand words." Regardless, pictures make it easy for me to explain and for the reader to grasp the concepts presented.

Review questions and answers are included at the end of each chapter for your enjoyment. It is always fun to test your knowledge so that you avoid "technical harassment."

Technical harassment is a "Pete" term describing the all-too-common situation where one is sitting across the table from the resident geek and they are saying we must absolutely implement ATM because everyone else is implementing ATM. This implies that you know what ATM is besides some terminals (machines) that spit out money. It also is designed to intimidate you into signing off on the $1,000,000 project. That is "technical harassment."

Finally, "Brain Teaser" sidebars are provided throughout the book to induce practical thinking.

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