Business Data Communications

Chapter Eleven

Trends in Business Data Communications

Primary Learning Objectives

Understand the elements of convergence Define unified messaging Identify three leading wireless

implementations Describe IPv6 Name four emerging career areas

Elements of Convergence

Convergence: The integration of data, voice, audio, and video Carried seamlessly over the same infrastructure Available from any location Accessible from many types of devices Compatible with many types of software platforms Based on world-wide standards Resulting in pervasive computing

Elements of Convergence

Pervasive computing implies a technology so widely accepted and commonly used as to be an every day aspect of life, such as driving a car, using a telephone, or listening to the radio

Elements of Convergence

SOAP – Small Personal Object Technology SIP – Session Initiation Protocol IM – Instant messaging XML – Extensible Markup Language

SAML – Security Assertion Markup Language XMPP – Extensible Messaging and Presence

Protocol

Unified Messaging

A possible next “killer application” Is structured to deliver multiple message systems into

one common inbox Allows for multiple message systems access from one

common portal Is intended to simplify complex message systems

delivery into a single, integrated system: Fax Land phone Cell phone E-mail Web browser

Unified Messaging

Can be tied or associated with database technology

Provides for speech-to-text capability Provides for text-to-speech capability Is designed to accommodate different

communication technologies, using different media, and different devices

Must be flexible enough to accommodate traditional services, such as PBX implementations

Unified Messaging

Wireless Implementations

Are another possible next “killer application” Will be essential if applications such as IM

and UM are to meet their promise Must address concerns related to security,

bandwidth, and standardization Range from global, to local, to personal:

3G 802.11 Bluetooth

Wireless Implementations – 3G, Global

Third generation wireless: Evolved from 1G and 2G Designed to support traditional as well as

multimedia forms of data Provides for wide-area mobile communications

using a worldwide standard: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)

Is a broadband, packet-based wireless transmission Provides for three types of data rates

Wireless Implementations – 3G, Global

Data rates: 144 Kbps for automotive 384 Kbps for pedestrian 2 Mbps for interior

Is capable of: Fixed and variable rate bit traffic Bandwidth on demand Multimedia mail storage and forwarding

Allows for various billing methods including: Pay-per-bit Fixed flat rate

Wireless Implementations – 3G, Global

Summary of 1G to 4G

Wireless Implementations – 802.11, Local

An umbrella standard of the IEEE containing, from oldest to newest:

802.11b 802.11a 802.11g

Positioned as a wireless LAN solution Referred to as Wi-Fi, for wireless fidelity

Wireless Implementations – 802.11, Local

802.11b The oldest of the 802.11 protocols Operates in the 2.4 GHz range Provides for three non-overlapping channels Supports a maximum throughput of 11 Mbps per

channel Has a range of 328 feet Is not compatible with 802.11a Is compatible with 802.11g Generally less expensive than 802.11a and

802.11g

Wireless Implementations – 802.11, Local

802.11a Developed after 802.11b, even though it has an “a”

designation Operates in the 5 GHz range Provides for twelve non-overlapping channels Supports a maximum throughput of 54 Mbps per

channel Has a range of 80 feet Is not compatible with 802.11b Is not compatible with 802.11g Is generally more expensive than 802.11b but less

expensive than 802.11g

Wireless Implementations – 802.11, Local

802.11g The latest of the 802.11 group Operates in the 2.4 GHz range Provides for three non-overlapping channels Supports a maximum throughput of 54 Mbps per

channel Has a range of 328 feet Is compatible with 802.11b Is not compatible with 802.11a Is generally more expensive than either 802.11b or

802.11a

Wireless Implementations – 802.11, Local

Is associated with: WAP – Wireless Application Protocol

An application environment for mobile devices A platform-independent open standard Utilizes WML, Wireless Markup Language

WEP – Wired Equivalent Protocol Intended as a wireless security solution In practice, has proven easy to hack into

802.11i, a new IEEE wireless security protocol that addresses the weak security issues related to WEP

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), a wireless security protocol sponsored by Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, and Apple, also in response to WEP’s weaknesses

Wireless Implementations – Bluetooth, Personal

Creates a personal area network (PAN) Uses low-power radio transmissions Transmits at 1 Mbps Uses frequency hopping at 1,600 hops per

second for security Particularly associated with such devices as

scanners, cameras, keyboards, mice, printers, etc.

Intended for wireless communication among devices in close proximity – less than a 1,000 feet

Wireless Implementations

Hot spots: Locations where roaming users find wireless access

for Internet connectivity Generally requires users to pay a small fee Can be “sniffed” out, or in many cases located on

the WWW War driving

Associated with hackers in vehicles sniffing out wireless access points for unauthorized network penetration

IPv6

Will gradually replace IPv4 Is also called IPng for Internetworking

Protocol, next generation Provides for 128 bit addressing, referred to

as hexadecimal colon notation DA3F:38C7:1934:EC8B:5671:0000:A690:21ED

Allows for three addressing types: Unicast

Includes the Unspecified and Loopback addresses Multicast

Requires subscription Anycast

For packets with the same header prefix

IPv6

Defines a packet with three potential components:

A required header, fixed at 40 bytes An optional extension header The message, or payload

By design provides for and incorporates: Prioritization of packets Handling for multimedia types of data Encryption Authentication Significant flexibility in addressing design

IPv6

Transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6: Dual stack

Devices run both protocol stacks Tunneling:

Intended for two IPv6 devices that must communicate through an IPv4 network

Can be automatic or configured For configured tunneling a router is the

likely mechanism for protocol translation Header Translation

Intended for IPv6 packets traveling through an IPv6 network, but the receiver is ultimately an IPv4 device

Careers in Data Communications

The traditional job ladder: Entry-level: help desk, PC technician, network

technician assistant 2nd-level: network technician, typically sent out in

the field to maintain, configure, and troubleshoot client devices and also assist end-users

3rd-level: network architect/designer, helps the business to design local networking solutions

4th-level: network administration, managing a staff with departmental responsibilities, usually at a functional level

5th-level: upper management, assisting the business in planning its strategic direction and how to meet those goals

Careers in Data Communications

Research shows a direct relationship between formal education level achieved and potential income earned

The more you learn, the more you earn! Popular career certifications, one means of

demonstrating technical mastery, include: A+ Comptia - Vendor Neutral Network+ Comptia - Vendor Neutral CCNA and CCNP Cisco MCP and MCSE Microsoft CNA and CNE Novell

Emerging Careers in Data Communications

Predicted emerging career fields include: XML designers Security specialists Wireless technologists IPv6 professionals

Each of the technologies we have covered in this text (LANs, BNs, MANs, and WANs) has a host of career opportunities and specializations

In Summary

Pervasive computing is transforming what is meant by data communications

Emerging applications include IM and UM Wireless technologies are poised for wide-

scale implementation IPv6 will gradually replace IPv4 Your career is waiting for you

Good Luck!