Chapter 1 Data Communications Industry

Objectives of Chapter 1 To understand the meaning of data communications To study the basic components of data communications as an industry To understand standards and regulations To have a general idea of the data communications industry challenges and solutions. GOAL: introduce you to the industry of data communications.

What is Data Communication Subset of Telecommunications. It is the encoded transmission of data via electrical, optical or wireless means between computer or network processors.

You will never know all there is to know about data communications

Data Communications Industry Forces that derive the data communication as an industry: The Regulatory Process The Standards Process Manufacturing, Research and Technology

Data Communications Industry Interacting components in data communication industry:

Figure 1-1 The Data Communications Industry: A Series of Interacting Components

Figure 1-2 Systems Relationship of Regulatory Agencies and Carriers The Regulatory Process

We must understand first the basic telecommunications infrastructure and the components of PSTN

Figure 1-3 Basic Telecommunications Infrastructure

Figure 1-4 Area Codes vs. LATAs

The Standards Process A Standard is an agreed upon protocol Thanks to standards users can be confident that devices will operate as specified and will interoperate successfully

Standardization Process 7 Steps to make standards: 1. Recognize the need for a standard 2. Formation of a committee 3. Information gathering 4. Tentative standards issued 5. Feedback on tentative standards is gathered 6. Final standards issued 7. Compliance with final standards

Organizations Standard making organizations are two categories Officially-sanctioned Ad-Hoc (task force, user group, interest group…etc.)

Organizations Usually vendor-initiated ad-hoc standard making organizations are organized into opposing camps with users left as victims between multiple standards for a single operation. Most often the development of a new technology precedes its standardization. Standardization process can be very political

Figure 1-8 Technology Development and Standards Creation

Confusion in standards Two issues can lead to confusion and might cause bad purchase decisions: 1. Standards Extension 2. The Jargon Jungle. “There is no data communications police”

Manufacturing, Research and Technology Supply and demand as driving forces of data communications. Technology push / Demand pull

Manufacturing, Research and Technology Technology should tie business demand for network services to carriers supply of these services: Business demand + available technology = emerging network services

Challenges and Solutions In the business of data communications there are lots of challenges. Network analyst must identify key challenges to succeed in data communication field We will address two challenges: Investment Vs. Productivity (Productivity Paradox) Data Compatibility

Investment Vs. Productivity Something is wrong with an analysis and design process which recommends technology implementation that fails to meet the strategic business objective of increased productivity. We need a structured methodology to insure that the network implemented actually meets the business objectives For this we introduce: The Top-Down Approach

Figure 1-10 The Top-Down Model

Benchmarking How can we measure the impact of the implemented network on the business process, in other words, how can we be sure that eventually the implemented network really meets the business requirements. We use Benchmarking: tying network cost to business value

Benchmarking Examine and document quantifiable improvements to business process Measure customer satisfaction, maybe by surveys Compare actual implementation cost with the cost of purchasing similar services from outside vendor (outsourcing), or examine other companies in the same market to compare cost.

Connectivity and Compatibility Compatibility: Bridging the communications gap between two or more technology components (HW or SW) This gap is referred to as Interface, it can be HW-to-HW or SW-to-SW or HW-to-SW.

Figure 1-12 Interfaces, Protocols, and Compatibility

Compatibility Compatibility is possible because we have Protocols A Protocol is a set of rules about how communicating components can talk to each other.

Protocols Protocols can be proprietary or open They can also be officially sanctioned or market driven (de facto) The sum of all protocols employed in a particular computer is referred to as “protocol stack”

Protocols The problem with protocols is that they are too many. How can a network analyst keep track of all the potential interfaces and their associated protocols. So, protocols must be organized in some kind of framework or most likely known as “communications architecture” Two of the most popular communications architecture are: the 7-layer OSI model and the 4- layer Internet Suite of Protocols (or TCP/IP) model

The OSI model Open Systems Interconnection It is neither a protocol nor a group of protocols. It is a standardized empty framework into which protocols can be listed to perform effective network analysis and design Each layer depends on previous layer to perform some function (transparency) Protocol Conversion

Internet Suite of Protocols Known as TCP/IP protocol suite or TCP/IP architecture TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol Like the OSI model but it has 4 layers

Figure 1-14 Internet Suite of Protocols vs. OSI

I-P-O Model Input – Processing – Output Ex. Connecting the computer (serial port) to the printer (parallel port) Identify and document the process you want to make on the input and what kind of output it should provide.

The Data Communications Profession – Professional Development What critical skills are required for data communications professionals. To know the skills you must know the environment in which they will work, which is a knowledge- based economy. Data Communications professionals are thought of today more as partners or change agents rather than consultants.

Required Skills 1. Speak the language of Business 2. Demonstrate the ability to solve business problems in a partnership role 3. Demonstrate the ability to look outside their own expertise for solutions 4. Understand the need for lifelong learning 5. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate technology as to cost/benefit 6. Understand comparative value and proper applications of available network services 7. Communicate effectively, both verbally and orally, with both technology oriented people and business management personnel

Figure 1-16 Critical Skills for Data Communications Professionals

Professional Certification Why seek certification? It is an indication of mastery of a particular vendor’s technology, that may be important in some employment situations The problem with certification: The amount of material required to earn a certificate The amount of continuing education and experience required to retain this certificate Vendor-specific certifications do not provide the broad background required for today’s multivendor internetworks