Telecom Basics, Second Edition
This guide presents the groundwork of telecom technolgies, network, systems, and call processing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Telecom Basics, Second Edition
Chapter 8: Networks
Networks are a series of points interconnected by communications channels. Networks can have different interconnection configurations. Data networks are designed specifically for the transmission of data information while other networks are better suited to transfer voice. Networks are composed of components that process and transfer information. Network elements or components can be standardized and combined to form larger networks that can be interconnected.
Network Configuration
Networks can have various configurations including star networks, ring networks, and bus networks.
Star Network
A star network interconnects each communication device (typically computers) to a central node in the network. At the center of the star network is a hub or concentrator that routes data to any of the point (nodes) that are connected to it. In a star network, each node requires its own individual cable.
Figure 8.1 shows a star topology network. Each node in this network is connected directly to a central node. Each station must communicate with or through the central node (usually a hub) to reach other stations in the network.
Figure 8.1: Star Network Configuration
Ring Network
A ring network connects each communication device (typically computers) to a neighboring computer and these interconnected computers form a ring where the last computer in the string is connected to the first computer in the network. The data transmission process in a ring network involves computers passing all network data from its neighboring computer to the next neighboring computer. When a computer in the ring network receives data, it looks for...
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