Services in a Converged WAN

Accessing the WAN Chapter 1

Version 4.0

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What is a Wide Area Network?

A WAN is a data communications network that extends beyond the geographical range of a LAN.

In order to implement a WAN, you have to subscribe with a WAN service provider so that you can use their network carrier services

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WAN Characteristics
WANs exist at the Physical and Data Link Layers of the OSI Model.

The WAN connection over the ISPs network is also called the cloud.
- In the cloud you can find the following devices: Asynchronous Transfer Mode switches, core routers, and Frame Relay switches

- Most WAN protocols use High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) as a framing mechanism

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The Growth of Business

Companies start out small with a handful of employees
With a little luck and a lot of hard work, eventually they grow and ultimately expand outside of one location The Internet allows those businesses to stay in communication even after the company expands beyond the reach of one LAN

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Questions!!!
At what two layers of the OSI model does a WAN operate? What 3 WAN devices can be found in the cloud? Which relies on the services of carriers (like telephone or cable companies), a WAN or a LAN?

What do most WAN protocols use as a framing mechanism?

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Ciscos Hierarchical Network Model

The Access layer allows our users access to network devices

- In our LAN, this is the layer that would provide switches for the user computers to plug into in order to access the network
- In a WAN, our remote users are able to access the company network via the WAN services provided by our service provider

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Ciscos Hierarchical Network Model

The Distribution Layer is where we can implement policy that will allow for us to segment our networks - This is where faster switches will be located (Layer 3) and is where we would implement our VLANs

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Ciscos Hierarchical Network Model

Finally, the Core Layer is where we are focused on high-speed switching of packets - In either our LAN model or WAN model, this is where we would definitely implement our fastest switches

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Questions!
In the Cisco Hierarchical Network Model, at what layer would we implement policy that would allow us to segment our networks?

At what layer do we focus on high speed switching of packets?

What layer allows us to connect our computers into the network?

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Cisco Enterprise Architecture

Companies dont grow perfectly. As a result, most network growth is in response to immediate need

You end up with a mixture of new and old equipment and the problems that come with this type of growth include network outages and poor performance
Cisco has developed the Cisco Enterprise Architecture as a method that network administrators can use to assist them through the stages of growth that a company experiences

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The Enterprise Campus Architecture

Below in yellow, you see an example of the Cisco Enterprise Campus Architecture

A campus network is a building or group of buildings connected into one enterprise network made up of many LANs
Campuses are limited to one fixed geographical area, but they can span over several buildings

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The Enterprise Edge Architecture

At the top of the diagram, in blue you see the Enterprise Edge Architecture This is where connectivity to voice, video, and data traffic outside of the Enterprise are offered Here you are able to access the Internet as well as provide resources for your customers In relation to the hierarchical model, this is where the distribution layer aggregates (combines) WAN connections

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The Enterprise Branch and Teleworker Architecture

Shown to the left and right in gray Allows your company to extend the applications and services found in your Campus Architecture to potentially thousands of remote users and locations This is where much of the focus of this class will be

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Questions!
What is a is a building or group of buildings connected into one enterprise network that is made up of many LANs?

Where is connectivity to voice, video, and data traffic outside of the Enterprise offered?
In relation to the hierarchical model, where does the distribution layer aggregate WAN connections?

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WANs and the OSI Reference Model

WANs focus primarily on layers 1 and 2 At the Data Link layer, the type of connection being used is our focus like Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), or High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC) At the Physical layer, were focused on our connections and getting the electrical or light signals out into the service providers network

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 Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) The devices and inside wiring in your building that you own (possibly lease from the ISP) Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) The customer devices that pass data from a customer network for transmission over the WAN Data Communications Equipment (DCE) Also called Data Circuit Terminating Equipment, belongs to your service provider and consists of devices that put data on the local loop

WAN Terminology

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 Demarcation Point The point where the service providers equipment ends and yours begins - Physically, it is a cabling junction box on your premises that connects the CPE wiring to the local loop Local Loop The copper or fiber telephone cable that connects the CPE to the Central Office of the Service Provider Central Office The service providers facility or building where local telephone cables link to long-haul, all digital, fiber-optic communications lines via a system of switches and other equipment The Last Mile The segment between the demarcation point and the central office.

WAN Terminology (cont.)

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WAN Devices
Modem Modulates/demodulates analog signals to digital and vice versa - Faster modems like cable and DSL modems transmit using higher broadband frequencies CSU/DSU T1 or T3 digital carrier lines require a Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit - CSU provides termination for the digital signal and guarantees integrity through error correction and line monitoring - DSU converts the T-carrier line frames into frames the LAN can interpret Access Server Used to control dial-in and dial-out services and allowing access to the companys resources

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WAN Devices (continued)

WAN Switch A multiport device used by service providers to switch traffic like Frame Relay, ATM, or X.25 Router Provides internetworking and WAN service ports allowing you to connect to the Internet Core Router Resides in the middle or the backbone of the WAN and must provide multiple telecommunications interfaces of the highest speed

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Questions!
Which networking device is used to concentrate dial-in and dialout traffic of multiple users to and from a network? Which two devices are used as data communications equipment allowing us to connect to the internet?

Which device is used to establish the communications link between the customer equipment and local loop for digital lines?
What is the segment between the demarc and the central office called?

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WAN Data Link Layer Protocols

These protocols define how data will be encapsulated for transmission to remote sites With WAN connections, your network packets are encapsulated within data link layer frames and both routers have to be using the same encapsulation type and settings All of the protocols shown use variable sized packets with the exception of ATM
- ATM uses fixed cells with a payload of 48 bytes

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WAN Encapsulation
Similar to the process that takes place in your LAN, before the IP packet (Layer 3) is sent out over the ISPs equipment, it is encapsulated in a Layer 2 frame To make sure the correct encapsulation protocol is used, you need to configure the serial port with the correct Layer 2 encapsulation protocol, like HDLC or Frame Relay

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Switching Technologies (Circuit Switching)

With circuit switching, think of a phone call - Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) are two examples of circuit switching in the WAN environment. - Very low cost and almost always available. - You only pay for the time you use, and no data can be transferred until the connection is made between the two locations

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Switching Technologies (Packet Switching)

Packet switching allows you to share bandwidth with other companies in order to save money - Frame relay and X.25 are packet switching technologies

- Unlike circuit switching, you dont have to wait for an end-to-end connection to be made before data can be sent
- The problem with packet switching is that you are competing with other companies for the same bandwidth

- Allows for multiple routes to be used inside a service provider network

- Not a good choice if your network connections need to be available all the time

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Virtual Circuits
In Packet Switched networks, routes may be established through the service providers network for end-to-end connections
Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs) cost more because they are a permanent route used for your data - Used when data transfer is needed constantly Switched Virtual Circuits (SVCs) - Involves three steps: circuit establishment, data transfer, and circuit termination - Used for intermittent data transfer to save money

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Leased Lines
Leased Lines are the most expensive type of connection between two WAN locations You are paying a premium for always on services Pricing is based on bandwidth and distance between locations T3 = 45 Mbps, E3 = 34 Mbps

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Questions!
Which WAN technology uses a fixed payload of 48 bytes?

What are two advantages of an analog PSTN WAN connection?

If you are only sending data once a day after hours and need very low bandwidth, what type of service would be the best: analog dialup or a T1 leased line? Which type of switching allows the communication devices in the provider network to be shared? Why is the call setup time of a circuit-switched WAN considered a drawback?

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Circuit Switching Options

Dial-up modems are a very slow, low-end solution
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) allows the local loop to carry digital signals making it faster than analog based dial-up - Time-division multiplexed signals allow for two connections to carry data at the same time speeding up the process

- Basic Rate Interface allows for two bearer channels of 64 kbps combined for a total of 128 kbps of data transfer with an additional D channel that uses16 kbps to set up, maintain, and take down the communication channels
- Primary Rate Interface allows for 23 64 kbps bearer channels and one D channel of 64 kbps for a combined total of 1.544 Mbps

- In Europe, the standard is 30 B channels and 1 D (64) for a total of 2.048 Mbps

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Packet Switching Options (X.25)

X.25 is a legacy network-layer protocol
Point-of-sale card readers are an example of X.25 in use Speeds vary from 2400 bps up to 2 Mbps, however public networks are usually low capacity with speeds rarely exceeding 64 kbps Has been replaced by Frame Relay, ATM, and ADSL

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Packet Switching Options (Frame Relay)

Frame Relay works at the Data Link layer and offers data rates up to 4 Mbps
- Frame Relay Virtual Circuits are identified by a unique Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI) that has to be configured for the connection - Provides permanent (PVC), shared, medium-bandwidth connectivity and carries both data and voice traffic

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Cell Switching Options (ATM)

Asynchronous Transfer Mode is used to transfer voice, video, and data through private and public networks Cell based architecture sending cells that are 53 bytes long
- Can handle data rates from155 Mbps

- Because the cells are small, it benefits voice and video because it reduces delays that can occur related to larger packets

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Broadband Services (DSL)

Digital Subscriber Line is an always-on connection that converts an Ethernet signal from your computer to a DSL signal which is sent to the Central Office A DSLAM (DSL Access Multiplexer) is used by the ISP to combine many subscriber lines into one DSL can achieve connection speeds up to 8.192 Mbps (textbook) The further away from the CO you are, the slower your connection This is a popular choice for connecting home workers

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Cable Modem
Coaxial cable is used to distribute TV signals to homes in urban areas and most allow for network access
The local cable office (cable headend) contains the computer system and databases required to provide internet access The cable modem termination system (CMTS) is located at the headend and it is used to send and receive the digital cable modem signals on a cable network that make Cable Internet possible The more subscribers there are on a Cable Internet network, the slower the connection

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Broadband Wireless
Until recently, one major limitation with wireless was the need to be within less than 100 feet of a wireless router Municipal WiFi Some cities have set up municipal wireless networks - Using a wireless modem that is more powerful than a wireless adapter, you can connect in to the network WiMax stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is also known as 802.16 and provides wireless access more like a cellular network than through small WiFi hotspots - It uses WiMax towers that are similar to cell phone towers Satellite Internet Used in rural areas where cable and DSL arent available - Faster than dial-up, but slower than DSL or Cable Internet

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Virtual Private Networks

A VPN is an encrypted connection between private networks over a public network Virtual connections called VPN tunnels are routed through the Internet from the private network of the company to the remote location It saves money over dedicated WAN links, provides the highest level of security using both encryption and authentication, and is compatible with DSL and Cable Internet Site-to-site VPNs connect entire networks to each other like connecting a branch office to the corporate network - Each site has a VPN gateway used to establish the connection which is either a router, firewall, VPN concentrator, or security appliance

Remote access VPNs allows individuals to access the company network

- Each host will typically have VPN client software loaded or they will use a web based client

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Metro Ethernet
IP Aware Ethernet Switches are used by service providers to offer Enterprises converged voice, data, and video services This allows Enterprises to provide their remote offices with reliable access to applications and data on the corporate LAN Metro Ethernet is less expensive than Frame Relay or ATM, connects easily to existing LANs, and allows for managing data, voice and video on the same infrastructure A packet switching technology

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Questions!
Which packet-switched WAN technology offers high-bandwidth connectivity that can manage data, voice and video? Which packet-switched technology has the following features: DLCI and PVC? What causes things to slow down with a cable broadband connection? How about DSL? When a VPN is run from a remote site to a private network, what type of connection is established, ensuring security? Which type of WAN connection allows for the transfer of voice, video, and data at a minimum data rate of 155 Mbps?

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