The telecommunications industry is growing at a very rapid tempo. The number of people who need to communicate is increasing with time, as well as, how fast they need to communicate. Thus, organizations and businesses are utilizing the Internet, intranets, and other telecommunications networks to support their business operations. Here are a few key points which will help understand networking and the need for telecommunications within a business structure.
Telecommunication Networks
A telecommunications network is an assortment of terminals, links, and switches which connect to enable telecommunication between users within the structure of network. Telecommunication networks can be defined as computer networks, the internet, and telephone networks. Telecommunications networks enable managers and end users to electronically exchange data and information anywhere in the world with other end users, customers, and even vendors.
The use of telecommunication networks work in partnership innovatively, manages their business operations and organizational resources more efficiently, and stays current in the ever so changing networking industry. A good example of a how a telecommunication network works is the Open Systems Interconnect reference model (The OSI model). The OSI model divides network traffic into a seven layers. Each layer is independent, and all layers builds on the services provided by the layer below while providing new services to the layer above. Below you will find the seven layers of the OSI model.
1. The Physical Layer - is the lowest layer in the OSI model, and it refers to the physical medium over which communications take place. (Ex. Wires, cables)
2. The Data Link Layer – this layer is provides the reliable transit of the data transferred through the physical layer (Ex. Ethernet)
3. The Network Layer – this layer where routing layer of the OSI model. (Ex. Routing protocols)
4. The Transport Layer – this layer provides guarantees delivery of data with flow control, error recovery, and fault detection
5. The Session Layer – this layer is responsible for managing rational communications between applications
6. The Presentation Layer – this layer is responsible for retrieving the data, and formatting it for use on the network
7. The Application Layer – this is the final layer in the OSI model, and it refers to the applications being accessible to end users
Varieties of Networks Telephone networks and computer networks are most generally viewed as distinctive elements of telecommunication networks. However, I believe telephone networks and computer networks will not remain distinct in the near future. There have actually already been developments towards the integration of the two systems. One of the most important expansions is the many variety of network solution. This variety consists of networks that can be used for anything depending on the scale, scope, and purpose of the particular telecommunications solution.
The most commonly used networks can be classified within distinguished types based on their size, data transfer speed, and the audience. Here is a list of some of the networks:
1. Local Area Network (LAN) – network of computers in a single dwelling or areas within close immediacy
2. Wide Area Network (WAN) – Unlike the LAN, the network of computers cover a wide range of areas and in some cases spanning across cities.
3. Campus Area Networks (CAN) – this is a network made up of LANs in a limited radius in which just about all of the transmission is owned by said “campus”
4. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) – similar to a CAN this network is made up of LANs in a limited radius which provides connections to WANs
The usage, trust levels, and access rights often differs between each and every one of the before mentioned networks.
Network Media
Network media can be simply defined as the medium primarily utilized via computer networks. Unlike its counterparts network media brings a different type of approach as oppose to broadcast media or printed media. Network media is typically democratic and decentralized, requires the involvement of computers as a productivity device, and a district to participate.
As we know, networking has changed tremendously within the last decade.
The rapidly increasing digital era has prompted an emergence in networking. Here are a few examples of network media:
1. Text messaging
2. Web Browsing
3. Streaming video
4. VoIP
5. Peer-to-Peer file sharing
Businesses, ISP’s, & Protocols
Companies are obtaining strategic business values via the Internet and different types of protocols. The three ways businesses use internet services and protocols can include but are not limited to communication (VoIP), operations (Enterprise Applications), and web publishing (Microsoft Office). A VoIP is a phone service that utilizes the internet to connect users with one another. This allows businesses to send and receive e-mail, voicemail, and faxes to communicate with others within the organization, and externally via the Internet and extranets. VoIP also improves business partnership via audio and videoconferencing.
Business operations are vital to the successful functioning of the interworking of any organization. Most businesses utilize intranets for developing and positioning critical business applications to support business operations and managerial decision via an internal network. This allows many companies the ability to develop customer applications like order processing, inventory control, sales management, and executive information systems that can be implemented on Intranets, extranets, and the Internet. Thus, businesses are able to provide immediate access to business information by using web browsers from anywhere on the network whenever needed.
Businesses also utilize web publishing to obtain strategic business values. Web publishing provides a proportional ease, attractiveness, and lower cost of publishing and accessing multimedia business information internally. For example, companies can provide company newsletters and product catalogs in a variety of ways including hypermedia and web pages, e-mail, and net broadcasting. Companies also use web publishing to provide instant access to company information such as knowledge bases.
The telecommunications industry will continue to grow at a rapid pace. The number of businesses that utilize networks will increase over time. Thus, organizations and businesses should make it a priority to stay above the cutting edge to by utilizing the Internet, intranets, and other telecommunications networks to support their everyday business operations.