2.7 - Internet Connection Types

Question 1

Satellite networking

Answer 1

• Communication to a satellite
  – Non-terrestrial communication
• High cost relative to terrestrial networking
  – 50 Mbit/s down, 3 Mbit/s up are common
  – Remote sites, difficult-to-network sites
• High latency
  – 250 ms up, 250 ms down
  – Starlink advertises 40 ms and is working on 20 ms
• High frequencies - 2 GHz
  – Line of sight, rain fade

Question 2

Fiber

Answer 2

• High speed data communication
  – Frequencies of light
• Higher installation cost than copper
  – Equipment is more costly
  – More difficult to repair
  – Communicate over long distances
• Large installation in the WAN core
  – Supports very high data rates
  – SONET, wavelength division multiplexing
• Fiber is slowly approaching the premises
  – Business and home use

Question 3

Cable broadband

Answer 3

• Broadband
  – Transmission across multiple frequencies
  – Different traffic types
• Data on the “cable” network
  – DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface
  Specification)
• High-speed networking
  – 50 Mbits/s through 1,000+ Mbit/s are common
• Multiple services
  – Data, voice, video

Question 4

DSL

Answer 4

• ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
  – Uses telephone lines
• Download speed is faster than the upload speed
  (asymmetric)
  – 200 Mbit/s downstream / 20 Mbit/s upstream
  are common
  – ~10,000 foot limitation from the central office (CO)
  – Faster speeds may be possible if closer to the CO

Question 5

Cellular networks

Answer 5

• Mobile devices
  – “Cell” phones
• Separate land into “cells”
  – Antenna covers a cell with certain frequencies
• Tethering
  – Turn your phone into a wireless router
• Mobile hotspot
  – Standalone devices
  – Use your phone for other things

Question 6

WISP

Answer 6

• Wireless Internet Service Provider
  – Terrestrial internet access using wireless
• Connect rural or remote locations
  – Internet access for everyone
• Many different deployment technologies
  – Meshed 802.11
  – 5G home internet
  – Proprietary wireless
• Need an outdoor antenna
  – Speeds can range from ~ 10 to 1,000 megabits per second