Essential Guide to Telecommunications, The

Annabel Z. Dodd is on the faculty at Northeastern University's School of Professional Studies, where she teaches courses on data networks in the Master’s Degree Program in Informatics. She also presents seminars to organizations, worldwide. Her webinar on LTE Essentials for US Telecom attracted over 900 people.

Preface xvii

Acknowledgments xxi

About the Author xxiii

Part I: Fundamentals, Data Centers, and IP PBXs 1

Chapter 1: Computing and Enabling Technologies 3

Fiber-Optic and Copper Cabling 5

Chips–Building Blocks of the Digital Age 21

Packetized Data 23

Deep Packet Inspection: Monitoring, Prioritizing, and Censoring Traffic 26

Compression 30

Increasing Network Capacity via Multiplexing 37

Using Protocols to Establish a Common Set of Rules 40

Protocols and Layers 41

Virtualization: Space, Cost, and Maintenance Efficiencies 42

Managing Virtualization 44

The Cloud: Applications and Development at Providers’ Data Centers 47

Summary 62

Appendix 63

Chapter 2: Data Centers and LANs, Storage, and IP Private Branch Exchanges 67

Introduction 68

What Is a LAN? 69

Switches, Media, and Protocols in LANs 70

IP PBXs–Voice, Video, and Unified Communications 99

IP Telephony–Converting Voice Signals to Digital Data 101

Unified Communications, Contact Centers, and Video Conferencing 107

Appendix 118

Part II: Industry Overview and Regulations 123

Chapter 3: Competition, Industry Structures, and Regulations 125

Introduction 126

The 1984 Breakup of AT&T 128

Regulatory Issues 138

The State of the Industry–Consolidation via Mergers 149

Non-Traditional Competitors: Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Microsoft 156

Appendix 168

Part III: Managing Broadband Networks and Broadband Network Services 169

Chapter 4: Managing Broadband Networks 171

Introduction 172

The Public Network 173

Core Networks–Between Cities and Continents 175

Bandwidth Capabilities in Carrier Networks 187

Optical Transport Networks–Carrying Multiple Types of Traffic 191

Transporting Movies and TV in the Core 195

Middle-Mile Networks 197

Last-Mile Access Networks 199

Access Networks in Cable Operators’ Networks 209

Using Cable Modem Termination Systems for IP Traffic 211

Telecommunications Services in National Emergencies 217

Signaling 220

Appendix 224

Chapter 5: Broadband Network Services 227

Introduction 228

VoIP Calling Services over Broadband 231

Multi-Protocol Label Switching for Interoffice Connections 235

IP Virtual Private Networks over the Internet 238

Adding Security on Traffic Sent over IP VPNs 240

Managed Services 245

Digital Subscriber Line–Distance Limitations; Operates on Copper Cabling 247

Carrier Gigabit Ethernet 249

Network Topology on Dedicated, Private Lines 252

Appendix 266

Part IV: The Internet and Cellular Networks 269

Chapter 6: The Internet 271

Introduction 272

What Is the Internet? 273

Streaming–A Disruptive Technology 280

The Structure of the Internet 290

Security: Connected, Ubiquitous Networks–Vulnerable to Malicious Hackers 297

Privacy 306

The Impact of E-Commerce 308

Fostering Civic Participation and Engagement–Online Forums 309

Network Neutrality 311

The Digital Divide: Bandwidth, Skills, and Computers 315

Intranets and Extranets 317

Chapter 7: Mobile and Wi-Fi Networks 321

Introduction 322

Spectrum for Wireless Networks–A Critical Asset 323

More Efficient 4th Generation Digital Networks 333

LTE–The First True 4th Generation Cellular Protocol 336

5G Mobile Networks–Small Cells; Additional Capacity 359

The Internet of Things (IoT) 362

Applications and Services 366

Wi-Fi Standards, Architecture, and Their Use in Cellular Networks 368

Satellites–Geosynchronous and Low Earth Orbiting 380

Appendix 382

Glossary 389

Index 415