BSR151 Building Services II

Introduction to
Telecommunications

Applications of
Telecommunications
Business
Telecommunications
Telecommunications
Architectures
Electronic communications system

Electronic mail
Voice mail
Bulletin Board systems
Videotex
Fascimile
Public Information Service

Electronic meeting
systems
Desktop Video
conferencing
Decision room
conferencing
Computer
conferencing
Teleconferencing

OBrien 121

Centralized
Distributed
Client/server
Interorganizational
Global

Business process
systems
Online transaction
processing
Inquiry/Response
EDI / XML
Electronic Funds Transfer
Activity monitoring
Process control
Telecommuting

Trends

OBrien 122 - 124

Industry trends
Towards a greater number of competitive vendors, carriers, alliances
and telecommunications network services.

Technology trends
Towards open and interconnected local and global digital networks for voice,
data and video, using high-speed fiber-optics and satellites.

Application Trends
Towards a pervasive use of the internet and enterprise and interorganizational
intranets, to support collaborative computing, online business operations and
strategic advantage in local and global markets.

Technological Developments
General trend: Connect everybody to everybody
else.
Internet-network technologies
thousands new hardware- and software products
web-browsers, HTML- editors, firewalls

Open systems: based on standards

connectivity of systems: middleware
OSI, TCP/IP

Digital technologies

higher transmission speed

larger information streams
more efficient transmission method
less errors

text: OBrien : p. 168

Internet Revolution
Explosive growth
Terminology

WWW:
information via
E-mail:
Usenet:
board
IRC:
FTP:
Telnet:
Other:
conferencing, ...

text: OBrien : p. 172

inquiry sources of
graphical browser software
electronic mail
place messages on bulletin
real time dialogs
file transfer
login on other systems
telephone, video

Communications

Communications
The message (data and information) is
communicated via the signal
The transmission medium carries the signal

Transmission
medium
Sender

Signal

Receiver

Communications
Discussion
The transmission of data from one computer to
another, or from one
device to another. A communications device,
therefore, is any
machine that assists data transmission. For example,
modems,
cables, and ports are all communications devices.
Communications
software refers to programs that make it possible to
transmit data.

Telecommunications

Telecommunications
The electronic transmission of signals for
communications, including such means as:
Telephone
Radio
Television

Telecommunication medium
Anything that carries an electronic signal and interfaces
between a sending device and a receiving device

Communications and
Telecommunications

In human speech, the sender transmits a signal through

the transmission medium of the air
In telecommunications, the sender transmits a signal
through the transmission medium of a cable

Schematic

Data Communications

Data communications
A specialized subset of telecommunications that
refers to the electronic collection, processing, and
distribution of data -- typically between computer
system hardware devices

Elements of a
Telecommunications
System
Telecommunication devices
Relay signals between computer systems and
transmission media

Schematic

Computer Network

Computer network
The communications media, devices, and
software needed to connect two or more
computer systems and/or devices
Used to share hardware, programs, and databases
across the organization
Fosters teamwork, innovative ideas, and new
business strategies

Types of
Telecommunications
Media (1)

Twisted pair wire cable

Insulated pairs of wires historically used in
telephone service and to connect computer
devices

Coaxial cable
Consists of an inner conductor wire
surrounded by insulation, called the
dielectric
The dielectric is surrounded by a conductive
shield, which is surrounded by a nonconductive jacket. Coaxial cable has better
data transmission rate than twisted pair

Twisted-pair Discussion
A type of cable that consists of two independently
insulated wires
twisted around one another. One wire carries the signal
while the
other wire is grounded and absorbs signal interference.
Twisted-pair
cable is used by older telephone networks and is the least
expensive
type of local-area network (LAN) cable. Other types of
cables used
for LANs include coaxial cables and fiber optic cables.

Coaxial Cable Discussion

A type of wire that consists of a centre wire surrounded by
insulation and then a grounded shield of braided wire. The shield
minimizes electrical and radio frequency interference.
Coaxial cabling is the primary type of cabling used by the cable
television industry and is also widely used for computer networks.
Although more expensive than standard telephone wire, it is much
less susceptible to interference and can carry much more data.
Because the cable television industry has already connected millions
of homes with coaxial cable, many analysts believe that they are
the best positioned to capitalize on the much-heralded information
highway.

Types of
Telecommunications
Media (2)

Fiber-optic Cable
Many extremely thin
strands of glass or
plastic bound together
in a sheathing which
transmits signals with
light beams
Can be used for voice,
data, and video

Fiber Optic Discussion (1)

A technology that uses glass (or plastic) threads (fibers) to
transmit
data. A fiber optic cable consists of a bundle of glass threads,
each
of which is capable of transmitting messages modulated onto
light
waves.
Fiber optics has several advantages over traditional metal
communications lines:

Fiber optic cables have a much greater bandwidth than metal cables.
This means that they can carry more data
Fiber optic cables are less susceptible than metal cables to interference
Fiber optic cables are much thinner and lighter than metal wires
Data can be transmitted digitally (the natural form for computer data)
rather than analogically.

Fiber Optic Discussion (2)

The main disadvantage of fiber optics is that the cables
are
expensive to install. In addition, they are more fragile
than wire and
are difficult to split.
Fiber optics is a particularly popular technology for
local-area
networks. In addition, telephone companies are
steadily replacing
traditional telephone lines with fiber optic cables. In the
future,
almost all communications will employ fiber optics.

Types of
Telecommunications
Media (3)

Microwave Communications
Line-of-sight devices which must be placed in
relatively high locations
Microwave usage
Information is converted to a microwave signal,
sent through the air to a receiver, and recovered

Pretty picture

Types of
Telecommunications
Media (4)

Satellite transmission
Communications satellites are relay stations that
receive signals from one earth station and
rebroadcast them to another
They use microwave signals

Pretty picture

Types of
Telecommunications
Media (5)

Cellular transmission
Signals from cells are transmitted to a receiver
and integrated into the regular network

Pretty picture

Cellular Discussion
Refers to communications systems, especially the Advance Mobile
Phone Service (AMPS), that divide a geographic region into sections,
called cells. The purpose of this division is to make the most use out
of a limited number of transmission frequencies. Each connection, or
conversation, requires its own dedicated frequency, and the total
number of available frequencies is about 1,000. To support more
than 1,000 simultaneous conversations, cellular systems allocate a
set number of frequencies for each cell. Two cells can use the same
frequency for different conversations so long as the cells are not
adjacent to each other.
For digital communications, several competing cellular systems exist,
including GSM and CDMA.

Types of
Telecommunications
Media (6)

Infrared transmission
Involves sending signals through the air via light
waves
Requires line-of-sight and short distances (a few
hundred yards)
Used to connect various computing devices such
as handheld computers

Terminology

Analog Signal
A continuous, curving signal

Digital Signal
A signal represented by bits

Modems
Devices that translate data from digital to analog
and analog to digital

Analog Discussion (1)

Almost everything in the world can be described or represented in
one of two forms: analog or digital. The principal feature of analog
representations is that they are continuous. In contrast, digital
representations consist of values measured at discrete intervals.
Digital watches are called digital because they go from one value to
the next without displaying all intermediate values. Consequently,
they can display only a finite number of times of the day. In
contrast, watches with hands are analog, because the hands move
continuously around the clock face. As the minute hand goes

Analog Discussion (1)

around, it not only touches the numbers 1 through 12,
but also the
infinite number of points in between.
Early attempts at building computers used analog
techniques, but
accuracy and reliability were not good enough. Today,
almost all
computers are digital.

Digital Discussion (1)

Describes any system based on discontinuous data or events.
Computers are digital machines because at their most basic level
they can distinguish between just two values, 0 and 1, or off and
on. There is no simple way to represent all the values in between,
such as 0.25. All data that a computer processes must be encoded
digitally, as a series of zeroes and ones.
The opposite of digital is analog. A typical analog device is a clock in
which the hands move continuously around the face. Such a clock is
capable of indicating every possible time of day. In contrast, a

Digital Discussion (2)

digital clock is capable of representing only a finite number of times
(every tenth of a second, for example).
In general, humans experience the world analogically. Vision, for
example, is an analog experience because we perceive infinitely
smooth gradations of shapes and colors. Most analog events,
however, can be simulated digitally. Photographs in newspapers, for
instance, consist of an array of dots that are either black or white.
From afar, the viewer does not see the dots (the digital form), but
only lines and shading, which appear to be continuous. Although

Digital Discussion (3)

digital representations are approximations of analog events, they are
useful because they are relatively easy to store and manipulate
electronically. The trick is in converting from analog to digital, and
back again.
This is the principle behind compact discs (CDs). The music itself
exists in an analog form, as waves in the air, but these sounds are
then translated into a digital form that is encoded onto the disk.
When you play a compact disc, the CD player reads the digital data,
translates it back into its original analog form, and sends it to the

Digital Discussion (4)

amplifier and eventually the speakers.
Internally, computers are digital because they consist
of discrete
units called bits that are either on or off. But by
combining many
bits in complex ways, computers simulate analog
events. In one
sense, this is what computer science is all about.

How a Modem Works

Modem
Modulates a digital signal into an analog signal for
transmission via analog medium, then
demodulates the signal into digital for receiving

Modem Discussion (1)

Acronym for modulator-demodulator. A modem is a device or
program that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone
lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information
transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog
waves. A modem converts between these two forms.
Fortunately, there is one standard interface for connecting external
modems to computers called RS-232. Consequently, any external
modem can be attached to any computer that has an RS-232 port,
which almost all personal computers have. There are also modems

Modem Discussion (2)

that come as an expansion board that you can insert
into a vacant
expansion slot. These are sometimes called onboard or
internal
modems.

Multiplexer

Multiplexer
Allows several telecommunications signals to be
transmitted over a single communications
medium at the same time

Communication
s
link

Multiplexor

Front-end
processor

Host
computer

Multiplexor Discussion
A communications device that multiplexes (combines) several
signals
for transmission over a single medium. A demultiplexor completes
the process by separating multiplexed signals from a transmission
line. Frequently a multiplexor and demultiplexor are combined
into a
single device capable of processing both outgoing and incoming
signals.
A multiplexor is sometimes called a mux.

Front-End Processor

Front-end processor
Special purpose computers that manage
communication to and from a computer system

Incoming
and outgoing
jobs

Job 1

Job 2

Job 3
Main
system

Front-end
processor
Job 4

Carriers and Services (1)

Carriers
Organizations that take the responsibility of ensuring
telecommunications can effectively take place between enterprises

Common carriers
Long-distance telephone companies

Value-added carriers
Companies that have developed private telecommunications systems
and offer their services for a fee

Switched lines
Lines that use switching equipment to allow one transmission device
to be connected to other transmission devices (e.g., standard
telephone line)

Dedicated line
A line that provides constant connection between two points. No
switching or dialing is needed

Carriers and Services (2)

Private branch exchange (PBX)

Communication system that can manage both voice and data
transfer within a location (e.g. a building) and to outside lines

Wide area telecommunication service (WATS)

Billing method for heavy users of voice services

Phone and dialing services

Includes automatic number identification (a.k.a. caller ID)

Integration of telephones and personal computers
Access code screening
Call priorities
One number portability (use anywhere)
Intelligent dialing (auto re-dial for a busy number)

Carriers and Services (3)

ISDN
ISDN = Integrated Services Digital Network
Technology that uses existing common-carrier lines
to simultaneously transmit voice, video, and image
data in digital form

Carriers and Services (4)

T1 carriers
An expensive service developed by AT&T to increase
the number of voice calls that could be handled
through existing cables

Digital subscriber lines (DSL)

Uses existing phone wires going into todays homes
and businesses to provide transmission speeds
exceeding 500 Kbps at a cost of $100 - $300 per
month

Networks and Distributed

Processing

Centralized processing

Data processing that occurs in a single location

or facility

Decentralized processing

Data processing that occurs when devices are

placed at various remote locations

Distributed processing

Data processing that occurs when computers

are placed at remote locations but are
connected to each other via
telecommunications devices

Network Concepts and

Considerations

Network Topology

A logical model that describes how networks are

structured or configured
Topologies

Ring (see chapter 1)

Bus (see chapter 1)
Star (see chapter 1)
Hierarchical
Hybrid

Hierarchical
Uses treelike
structures with
messages passed
along the branches of
the hierarchy

Hybrid
Network made up of
various types of
topologies

Network Types

Local area network (LAN)

Connects computer systems and devices in the

same geographic area (can be Ring, Bus,
Hierarchical, Star, Hybrid)

Wide area network (WAN)

Ties together large geographic regions using

microwave and satellite transmission or
telephone lines

International network

Links systems between countries

Terminal-to-Host
Connection
Applications and databases reside on the same
host computer
User interacts with the application using a dumb
terminal

Target PC
dumb
terminal

Host
computer

File Server Connection

Applications and databases reside on the same
host computer
File server transfers data and programs to PCs on
the network, where these target PCs perform
most of the processing

Target PC

File
downloaded to
user

File server

Host
computer

Client/Server Connection
Applications and databases reside on specialized
host computers
Servers do most or all of the processing and
transmit the results to the client

Client

Server

Server

Client

Server

Advantages &
Disadvantages of
Client/Server
Advantages
Reduced cost

potential
Improved
Performance
Increased Security

Disadvantages
Increased cost
potential
Loss of control
Complex multivendor environment

Communications
Software and Protocols
(1)
Communications software
Provides error checking, message formatting,
communications logs, data security and privacy, and
translation capabilities for networks

Network operating system (NOS)

Systems software that controls the computer systems
and devices on a network and allows them to
communicate with each other

Network management software

Enables a manager on a networked desktop to monitor
the use of individual computers and shared hardware,
scan for viruses, and ensure compliance with software
licenses

Communications
Software and Protocols
(2)
Protocol
Rules that ensure communications among computers
of different types and from different manufacturers.

Communications
Software and Protocols
(3)
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model
Serves as a standard model for network
architectures and is endorsed by the
International Standards Committee
Communication functions are represented in
seven layers to promote the development of
modular networks. Designed to permit
communication among different computers
from different operating systems
Seven layers (see figure 6.20)

Communications
Software and Protocols
(4)

TCP/IP
TCP/IP = Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
Standard originally developed by the U.S. government to
link defense research agencies; it is the primary
communication protocol of the Internet

Systems Network Architecture (SNA)

IBM communication protocol

Ethernet
Protocol standard developed forLANs using a bus
topology

X.400 and X.500

An international standard for message handling and
network directories

Bridges, Routers,
Gateways and Switches
Bridge
Connects two or more networks, with the same protocol,
at the media control portions of the data link layer

Router

Operates at the network level of the OSI model and

features more sophisticated addressing software than
bridges. Can determine preferred paths

Gateway

Operates at or above the OSI transport layer and links

LANs or networks that employ different architectures
and use dissimilar protocols

Switch

Routes or switches data to its destination

Schematic

Machine
#1
Application 7

Presentatio 6
n
Session 5

Transport 4

Bridge
box

Machine
#3

Gateway
box

Machin
e
#4 7

Network 3

Machine
#2

Router
box

Data link 2

Physical 1

Media

Telecommunication
Components

OBrien 126

5 components

Telecom
Channels and Media

Telecom
processors
End-user
workstation

Telecom
processors

Telecommunications
software

Computers

LAN

PC-workstation

OBrien 127 - 128

PC-workstation

PC-workstation
Databases and
Software packages

Shared hard disk

Network
Server
Shared
printer
PC-workstation

PC-workstation

PC-workstation
Port to
other networks

WAN - Internetwork
LANs

Mainframe,
hosts

network
in US
network
in Europe

LANs

Tymnet

Internet

network
in Australia

Cisco corporation network

Client/server network
Company A
Internet

Router

Intranet

Firewall

Firewall
Router

Company B

text: OBrien p 178

Intranet
Mainframe host system

Client - Server
Clients

DB.
server

Print
server

CAD
server

comm.
server

Clients

DB.
server

O.A.
server

comm.
server

The Internetwork-enterprise
The Internet
Intranets
Extranets

Enterprise

Intranets

Intranets

Supplier

Client

Intranets

Electronic Commerce
Other Organizations
text: OBrien p 180

Media and Channels

Signals
analog
digital

Cables

Twisted-pair
interference
Coaxial cable 20x more expensive

Medium
Metal wire
Microwave
Fiber optics

Transmission speed
.0012Mbps - 10 Mbps
.256 Mbps - 100Mbps
.5Mbps - 1,000Mbps

5.500 simultaneous phone calls

Fiber-optic
1 fiber 30.000 phone calls

Wireless

microwave
satellites

Radio, Infrared, Cellular Radio, Mobile computing

GPS global positioning system

text: OBrien p183 - 186

Communication hardware
Modems 9.600 14.400
Transmission mode

28.800 bps

Simplex 1 circuit , 1 direction

Half-duplex 1 circuit, 2 directions, difficult co-ordination
Full duplex

2 circuits, 2 directions

Transmission accurateness
parity bits forward and backward error correction

Processors
multiplexers frequency, time or statistic time distribution
front-end processors to handle routine communication tasks
with peripheral equipment

text: OBrien p 187 - 189

Network Topology

Star
all communications go via the central system

Bus
can easily be extended at the ends

Ring
more secure

Star network

OBrien 147 - 148

With direct
connections

Point-to-point lines

- Efficient , also for high speeds

- With a large number of workstations cabling might be a problem

Star network (multiplexed)

Access via
multiplexed
lines
eventually rented

- local speed up to 2000 char/sec , 1M char/sec very expensive

- internationally 1000 char/sec commonly available

Bus network
Shared usage of a
broadband network

Multidrop lines

- more complex hardware

- simpler cabling system
OBrien 191

Ring Networks

Ring Network

- more equal basis

OBrien 147

Public data networks

PAD =
Packet Assembler
and Disassembler

Data Network

PAD
E.g..: DCS 1000 - 6000 char/sec , cost / volume data ( X25 )
Due to high connection cost ($ 30.000 year) usage of PAD

ISDN

ISDN
Integrated services
Digital network

ISDN

- universal network for telephone and data

- > 6000 char/sec

Open systems
Definition: An open system is a system where the design has not
been made by a supplier but by an accredited
standardization organization (eg:ISO , IEEE , ANSI ,
CODASYL , ... )

This provides the user a better independence from a

specific hardware or software supplier and therefore a
better guarantee for his investments.
It allows the user to make always the most
appropriate and optimal choice for each of the subsystems .
Open systems are not yet sufficiently available on the
market.
The best examples are UNIX and the OSI network
model

The OSI model

Defined by ISO ( International Standard Organization ).
OSI ( Open System Interconnect ) describes a framework
to subdivide connection problems in networks into
almost independent sub-problems .

e.g.:

president x

diplomatic
rules

president y

interpreter x

common
language

interpreter y

cryptography

common
key

cryptography

operator

common
channel

operator

physical link

The TCP/IP and the 7 layer OSI

model
TCP/IP

OSI
Application layer

Application- or
process layer

Presentation layer
Session layer

Host-to-host
transport layer
Internet-protocol
IP
network-interface
Physical layer

OBrien 193

Transport layer
Network layer
data link
Physical layer

Communication services
for end users
Correct formatting
and coding
Support for session
initiation
Data transfers between
nodes
routing of
connections
Support for error-free
data transfer
physical access to
communication media

OSI 7-Layer Model

OBrien 150

7.Application (user application program)

6.

Presentation (user interface / screen display )

5.Session ( exchange between two nodes on the

network )
4.Transport ( protocol for encoding messages )
3.Network ( mechanism for separating multiple
messages )
2.Link ( data encoding schemes )
1.Physical ( wires, connectors , voltage )