IT113 Structured Cabling

NT1310 Physical Networking Unit 2 Key Concept 1: Telecommunication Services

1Copyright 2012, ITT ESI

Copyright 2012, ITT ESI2 2Course Objectives Covered by this UnitContrast telecommunications services.System terminalsPhoto courtesy of Corning Cable SystemsCopyright 2012, ITT ESI3 3Unit Learning OutcomesDescribe cable TV systems.Compare the various service provider types.Identify the different telecommunication services offered today.Explain the importance and necessity of cloud computing.Compare service provider types.Describe telecommunication services and their value.Compare the similarities and differences between cloud vendors.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI4 4Keywords

Use the following keywords or keyword phrases to search for additional materials to support your work:Broadcast TVCommunity Antenna Television (CATV)RBOCSILECCLECMSOISPCloud Computing

Copyright 2012, ITT ESI5 5Exploring Cable TV and Internet SystemsThe global telecommunications system is made up of many subsystems such as:Fixed-line telephone systemsCable TV systemsInternet systems

Copyright 2012, ITT ESI6 6Broadcast TVPrior to the 1950s, information was primarily delivered over fixed lines or radio broadcasts. Toward the end of the 1940s and during the 1950s, the television broadcast infrastructure began to develop.During that time, the primary method employed to deliver TV broadcasts to consumers was radio waves.One critical limitation in the TV broadcast system is range.One solution to this problem is community antenna television (CATV), more commonly known as cable TV.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI7 7Community Antenna TelevisionThe early generations of CATV may have simply consisted of an antenna placed on the highest point, such as a hilltop.As CATV systems matured, amplifiers were added to boost the signal strength on the copper cable, allowing consumers further from the antenna access to the broadcast.Over the decades, this system has evolved into a complex combination of cabling and electronics.A typical cable TV system may use a combination of copper cabling, fiber-optic cabling, and wireless technology to bring programming to the consumer.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI8 8HeadendIn a cable TV system, headend refers to the main building or facility that contains the receiving antennas.These antennas may receive a combination of broadcasts ranging from local TV stations to premium cable providers.At the headend, these signals are combined or multiplexed for transmission over a single cable, typically referred to as the trunk cable.

Copyright 2012, ITT ESI9 9Trunk CablesThe trunk cables are the main output cables from the headend.Depending on the type of network, trunk cables may be:Copper coaxial cableFiber-optic cableThere are typically several trunk cables leaving the headend.Each of these trunk cables will provide TV access to a specific location or neighborhood.

Fiber optic trunk cables

Copyright 2012, ITT ESI10 10Feeder CablesDepending on the network design, the feeder cables may terminate at a network access point or a local convergence point.If the feeder cables terminate at a local convergence point, the signals will be split again and travel through distribution cables to the network access point.Local convergence cabinetPhoto courtesy of Corning Cable SystemsCopyright 2012, ITT ESI11 11Drop CablesA drop cable runs from a network access point to the residence or building and terminates at the network interface device.Copper coaxial drop cables are typically terminated in the field.Fiber-optic drop cables are typically terminated in the factory.

Copper and fiber optic drop cablesPhoto courtesy of Corning Cable SystemsCopyright 2012, ITT ESI12 12Network Access PointThe network access point (NAP) is located close to the homes or buildings it services. The NAP is a terminal that serves as a connection point for drop cables. It may be installed in an aerial installation, in a pedestal, or in a hand hole.

System terminal serves as a NAPPhoto courtesy of KITCO Fiber Optics

Copyright 2012, ITT ESI13 13Network Interface DeviceThe drop cable runs from the NAP to the network interface device (NID). The NID is typically mounted to the outside of the house or building.It is an all-plastic enclosure designed to house the electronics that support the network.The electronics in the NID will interface with existing cabling for television, telephone, and Internet connectivity.

NID, Photo courtesy of Corning Cable SystemsNID, Photo courtesy of KITCO Fiber OpticsCopyright 2012, ITT ESI14 14Additional ServicesCable TV providers make a considerable investment in their cable TV systems, and they are always looking for ways to achieve a better return on their investment.These systems are capable of delivering extensive information to the consumer.Cable TV providers offering Internet connectivity typically offer a variety of download rates.Email is another service typically offered by the cable TV provider.The cable TV provider may offer free virus scanning software.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI15 15Telecommunications ServicesHistorically, the main service provider was the telephone company, which offered plain old telephone service (POTS) using fixed telephone lines to your home.Today, there are a multitude of service provider types and service choices offered to consumers.Many service providers offer:Telephone serviceMobile (wireless) telephonyInternetTVCopyright 2012, ITT ESI16 16Understanding Service Provider TypesThere are various types of service providers that fit mainly into two categories:Your standard telecommunications providerfor example:VerizonAT&TCable TV companiesfor example:ComcastTime WarnerCharter CommunicationsCox Communications Copyright 2012, ITT ESI17 17RBOCsRBOC refers to a regional Bell operating company.In 1982, the U.S. government filed a suit against AT&T, which was considered a monopoly at the time.As a result, AT&T divested its local exchange carriers into seven baby Bells, or RBOCs, in 1984:AmeritechBell AtlanticBell SouthNYNEXPacific TelesisSouthwestern BellUS WestCopyright 2012, ITT ESI18 18ILECs, CLECs, and UnbundlingLocal exchange carriers (LECs) are divided into incumbent LECs (ILECs) and competitive LECs (CLECs).These carriers use the PSTN (public switched telephone network) system for accessing consumers.Unbundling the network helped to create the ability for CLECs to compete with ILECs.This is referred to as local-loop unbundling (LLU or LLUB).Copyright 2012, ITT ESI19 19MSOsAn MSO is a multiple system operator, operating multiple cable TV systems.MSOs are what we recognize as the cable TV company (CATV).Cable TV companies offer television service to consumers using radio frequency over HFC (hybrid fiber copper) and RFoG (radio frequency over glass) networks.Well-known MSOs in the United States are:Time Warner CableCablevisionComcastCharter CommunicationsCox CommunicationsCopyright 2012, ITT ESI20 20ISPsAn Internet service provider (ISP) is a company that provides access to the Internet. An access ISP connects a consumer to the Internet using copper or fiber-optic cables, or through a wireless connection.For homeowners, the Internet is accessed using:Broadband and WiFi wireless accessDialup (ISDN, modem)DSLFTTHCable servicesCopyright 2012, ITT ESI21 21Understanding ServicesThe main services offered by telecommunications service providers areTelephoneTelevisionHigh-speed InternetWireless telephoneBroadband serviceData storage.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI22 22Basic Services and Service ProvidersIn the old days, POTS using fixed telephone lines to your home was the main telecommunications service provided by telecommunications operators.Internet, and TV are becoming a greater source of revenue for these operators.Telecommunications is becoming less about voice and more about data and video.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI23 23Triple-PlayHigh-speed Internet access is a key service offered to consumers.Commonly referred to as a data package, high-speed Internet allows access to the Internet, or World Wide Web.Telephone service, is either provided using the traditional POTS method by telecommunications providers or through the Internet system using VOIP (voice over IP).Video service is basically TV programming and video-ondemand.Data is basically the Internet service that offers you email and Web access through the service provider network.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI24 24WirelessAs the name clearly implies, a wireless network is a computer or telephone connected to the telecommunications system without using a fixed, physical cable connection.Wireless telecommunication, or the use of mobile, or cell, phones, has become a necessity of life.Mobile phones are connected to the telephone network through cell sites.A common misconception is that mobile phones use satellites to send the voice signal over long distances.Mobile telephony is one of the largest drivers for increased investment in terrestrial cabling systems.

Copyright 2012, ITT ESI25 25Cloud ComputingIn the global telecommunications system, cloud computing is a way to increase the capabilities of a device or add new capabilities or services without making any hardware changes to the device.Some of the key cloud computing services being offered today address data storage.Easy access to the Internet is allowing virtually every user to take advantage of cloud computing.Through cloud computing, a handheld device, such as a tablet computer, can access the Internet, check email, purchase concert tickets, or monitor a webcam on another continent.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI26 26Data Access and StorageData access and storage is offered as a cloud computing service mostly to medium and large businesses.Data storage services store data on virtual servers hosted by third parties, instead of the data being stored locally in the data center of a particular business.There are some pros and cons to using cloud computing for data storage needs.Pros: Companies only pay for the storage space that they use instead of having a lot of unused data-storage overhead.Cons:Security of the stored dataSpeed of accessing the dataAvailability of the dataCopyright 2012, ITT ESI27 27 ComputationCloud computing is not a wholly new concept; it has been in use since mainframe computers and remote terminals were developed.Today cloud computing performs many computation functions.One typical use of cloud computing for data access/storage, computation, and software is a web-based timesheet.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI28 28 SoftwareCloud computing allows many different users the ability to access various types of software without having to load the software on their computer.One major advantage to this is eliminating the need and cost for a licensed copy of the software.The use of a web-accessed database is one example of a cloud computing software application. Copyright 2012, ITT ESI29 29SummaryDescribe cable TV systems.Compare the various service provider types.Identify the different telecommunication services offered today.Explain the importance and necessity of cloud computing.Compare service provider types.Describe telecommunication services and their value.Compare the similarities and differences between cloud vendors.Copyright 2012, ITT ESI30Questions?