Communications and Security: Data Communications

Five basic components make up telecommunication architecture. They are terminal, processor, channel, computer, and control software. Terminal is where input signals are made. Processor converts signals from analog to digital (and back to the receiving end). Channel is the cable that transmits signals from one end to the other. Computer does the communication task, specifically running the control software; which, in turn, handles network activities and functionality.

Some widely known telecommunication networks are the Internet and the telephone system. The Internet is a network of computers (also act as terminal most of the cases) communicating with each other via TCP/IP protocol. Each connected terminal is given an IP address to identify itself within the network. In addition, TCP/IP is the method which data is communicating between terminals.

Lately, there is a new technology for telecommunications networks called Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS). MPLS is a mechanism in high-performance telecommunications networks that directs data from one network node to the next base on short path labels rather than long network addresses, avoiding complex lookups in a routing table. MPLS can encapsulate packets of various network protocols. MPLS supports a range of access technologies, including T1/E1, ATM, Frame Relay, and DSL.

The need to carry voice using the Internet gives rise to VoIP (voice over the Internet). Now that mobile phones are commonplace, the competition for a single network to carry voice and data is bustling.

From what-when-how.com