E-Learning Course: Introduction to Wide Area Networks

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Training
7 Hours
PTT - Providers of Telecoms Training
ID: 4617236

This online course introduces the principles, operation and facilities of the various types of network that provide data communications over long distances. Both legacy and modern systems are described.

It is suggested that the PTT course SRC: “Data communication principles” is studied as preparation for this course.

The requirements for the various types of service that depend on wide area networks (WANs) are compared and the effects of impairments such as delay on these services described. The concepts of “quality of service” (QofS) and “class of service” are explained and the ability of the various types of WAN to deliver the required QofS is then compared. The principles and applications of the various types of addressing used in telecommunications systems are described with reference to the basic principles of routing. The principles, benefits and limitations of various error detection and correction technique are described. The concept of, benefits, and applications of virtual private networks are described.

Course prerequisites:

An understanding of the basic principles of data communications over packet-switched networks. It is recommended that the PTT course SRC: "Data communication principles" is studied before attempting this course.

Course objectives:

By the end of this course you will be able to:

describe the principles of operation of the various types of network that transport traffic over wide areas with reference to the concepts of circuits and virtual circuits.
give examples of the various types of wide area network (WAN) including Frame Relay, IP networks and MPLS, and compare their principle of operation, application and facilities.
explain the concept of, and benefits offered by, a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
describe the principles and applications of the various types of addressing used in telecommunications systems and describe the basic principles of routing.
describe the transmission characteristics and requirements of WAN applications such as file transfer, and telephone and video services with reference to bandwidth requirement, maximum tolerable delay and delay variation and the ffects of errors.
describe the cause of impairments such as delay and errors.
compare the ability of TDM and packet-switched networks to provide the sustained bandwidth and low delay required by voice and video traffic.
describe how advances in technology have allowed the provision of triple play services over IP networks.
explain the principles, benefits and limitations of various error detection and correction technique.
explain the meaning, relevance and application of the terms "Quality of Service" and "Class of Service" as applied to packet switched networks.
compare the ability of Frame Relay, MPLS, Carrier Ethernet and 4G mobile systems to offer an assured Quality of Service.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction

Module Aim:

To summarise the aims of each module and introduce the navigation and learning facilities provided by the course.

Module 2: Network types

Module aim:

To describe the principles, capabilities and applications of the various types of network that transport traffic over wide areas.

After completing this module, a trainee will be able to:

Define the terms channel and circuit with reference to TDM-based networks and explain that these provide a guaranteed bandwidth and low delay.
Explain the concepts of virtual channels and virtual circuits.
Define the terms permanent and switched virtual circuits and compare their properties.
Compare connectionless and connection-oriented operation of packet-switched networks with reference to the role of routers and switches.
Give examples of connection-oriented packet-switched networks including Frame Relay and ATM with reference to their application and facilities.
Explain that networks based on the Internet Protocol (IP) use connectionless operation.
Explain that IP forms the basis for the Internet, for most local area networks and for next generation networks operated by telecommunications providers.
Describe the characteristics of modern data services such as Carrier Ethernet and IP over MPLS.

Module 3: Wide Area Networks

Module aim:

To describe and compare the various methods of providing a Wide Area Network.

After completing this module, a trainee will be able to:

Describe typical applications of Wide Area Networks (WAN).
Describe and compare the benefits and applications of “hub and spoke” and mesh WAN topologies.
Explain the benefits and cost implications of using dedicated leased lines for a WAN.
Explain the concept and benefits of a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Explain that a VPN based on virtual circuits over a connection-oriented packet-
switched network offers connections with a defined Quality of Service (QofS).
Explain the concept of tunneling as applied to the provision of secure VPN connections over an IP-based network such as the Internet.
Describe the benefits and limitations of conventional IP-based VPNs.
Describe the features of various methods of accessing a VPN including digital subscriber line (DSL), fibre to the premises, and Ethernet-based connections.

Module 4: Addressing and routing

Module aim:

To describe the principles and applications of the various types of addressing used in telecommunications systems and describe the basic principles of routing.

Describe the principles and benefits of data link layer addressing with reference to its use in connection-oriented data services such as Frame Relay and MPLS.
Explain the benefits of hierarchical addressing in a telecommunications system.
List examples of address schemes used in telecommunications systems including E.164, IP and MAC addresses stating their applications.
Explain that the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Internet use hierarchical addressing with global significance.
Explain the principles of network layer addressing as used on the Internet.
Explain that an Ipv4 address consists of a network identity and host identity.
State that the newer IPv6 address format has four hierarchical levels.
Describe the role of a routing table and explain that a routing table can be manually configured or built using an automatic system.
Describe the basic role of a route discovery protocol.
Explain the concept and relevance of hop count as applied to route selection.

Module 5: Multimedia services

Module aim:

To describe the transmission requirements of various types of telecommunications service and compare the ability of various types of network to meet those requirements.

After completing this module, a trainee will be able to:
Describe and compare the requirements of traffic generated by various types of service including file transfer, telephone services, video, and interactive services in terms of their bandwidth requirement, and maximum tolerable delay and delay variation.
Compare the effects of errors on various types of traffic including file transfer, voice and video.
Compare the traffic flow patterns of file transfer, voice and video services.
Describe the causes of delay in a packet-switched network including propagation delay, buffer delay, and processing delay.
Compare the ability of TDM and packet-switched networks to provide the sustained bandwidth and low delay required by voice and video traffic.
Describe the role and applications of echo cancellers.
Describe how advances in technology have allowed the provision of triple play services over IP networks.

Who Should Attend

Target audience:
Those joining or planning to join the telecommunications sector in a technical role. This course is one of the PTT courses included in the “Level 3 Award in principles of telecommunications” study programme.

Course Content

Who Should Attend

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