Terminologi dan Konsep Dasar WAN (Wide Area Network)

Summary

In this video, the concept of Wide Area Networks (WAN) is explained using the example of a Digital Media company connecting geographically distant branches. The video contrasts WAN with Local Area Networks (LAN), highlighting the differences in ownership and operation. Key technologies like Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Frame Relay, and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) are introduced, as well as essential equipment such as routers, modems, and service provider network components. The video offers an easy-to-understand overview of how WANs facilitate data transfer between far-off locations, with a focus on practical real-world applications.

Takeaways

• 😀 WAN (Wide Area Network) connects multiple LANs over large geographic distances, enabling businesses to connect remote branches.
• 😀 Unlike LANs, WANs are typically owned and managed by third-party service providers, such as ISPs or telecom companies.
• 😀 WAN technology allows companies to use the services of ISPs for connectivity, instead of owning their own infrastructure for long-distance communication.
• 😀 WAN technologies operate at the physical (Layer 1) and data link layers (Layer 2) of the OSI model, with protocols like PPP and Frame-Relay ensuring reliable communication.
• 😀 MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a service offered by WAN providers, acting between the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) and Network Layer (Layer 3), improving traffic routing and efficiency.
• 😀 The 'cloud' in network diagrams represents the WAN or internet, abstracting away the details of how data travels between locations, which is managed by the service provider.
• 😀 Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) refers to devices at the customer’s site, like routers and modems, that connect to the WAN provider’s network.
• 😀 The 'local loop' or 'last mile' refers to the physical connection (e.g., copper or fiber) between the customer’s CPE and the service provider's network.
• 😀 Data Communication Equipment (DCE), like modems, formats data for transmission over the local loop, ensuring it’s in the right format for the network.
• 😀 Routers, switches, and other devices at the service provider’s site handle data flow, routing traffic between different locations and networks, including other service providers.
• 😀 WAN allows businesses to scale their networks as needed, enabling remote offices to access the same services and resources as their headquarters, regardless of geographical distance.

Q & A

What is the main difference between LAN and WAN?

The main difference between LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) is the geographical coverage. LANs are used for connecting devices within a small geographical area, such as a single building or office, and are owned and operated by the organization. In contrast, WANs are used to connect LANs over large geographical distances, often across cities or countries, and are typically leased from third-party service providers like telecommunication companies.

How does WAN technology help businesses connect distant branches?

WAN technology allows businesses to connect their geographically dispersed branches by using the services of third-party service providers. These providers use various communication technologies, such as fiber-optic cables or leased lines, to create a network that links the branches together, enabling seamless data transfer between remote locations.

What role do service providers play in a WAN?

Service providers play a crucial role in WANs by offering the infrastructure and network services needed to connect different locations. They own and operate the physical network that connects the LANs of a company over long distances, often using technologies like fiber optics, copper wires, or satellite links.

What is the purpose of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) in a WAN?

Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) refers to the communication devices, such as routers or modems, that are located at the customer's site. These devices are used to connect the customer's local network (LAN) to the service provider's WAN network, enabling data transmission across the broader network.

What is a local loop, and how does it fit into the WAN structure?

A local loop is the physical connection between a customer's premises and the service provider's network. This connection, often made of copper or fiber-optic cables, carries the data from the customer's equipment to the service provider's network, acting as the 'last-mile' link in the WAN infrastructure.

What is the difference between analog and digital signals in the context of WAN?

Analog signals are continuous electrical waves that vary in shape and can carry voice data, typically transmitted over copper lines (like traditional phone lines). Digital signals, on the other hand, are discrete signals represented by binary data (1s and 0s) and are used for transmitting computer data. WAN connections often use digital signals for data transmission due to their higher reliability and efficiency.

What is MPLS, and why is it important in WAN technology?

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a service offered by WAN providers that operates between Layer 2 (Data Link) and Layer 3 (Network) of the OSI model. MPLS improves the speed and efficiency of data routing in a WAN by using labels to direct packets along predetermined paths, reducing latency and enhancing performance.

What is Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) in the context of WAN?

Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) refers to the devices that generate and receive data for transmission across the WAN. In the example of a Digital Media company, the router acts as the DTE, taking data from the local network and passing it onto the WAN through the CPE and local loop.

How do service providers manage data transmission in a WAN?

Service providers manage data transmission in a WAN by using a series of interconnected Service Provider Offices (SIOs), which act as distribution centers. Data travels through these SIOs using high-speed networks like fiber-optic cables. Routers and switches within these offices direct the data to its final destination, ensuring reliable and efficient communication across the network.

Why are clouds used in network diagrams to represent WAN or the internet?

Clouds are used in network diagrams to represent WAN or the internet because they simplify the illustration of how data travels between networks. The cloud concept hides the details of the service provider's infrastructure, focusing instead on the flow of data between networks. It indicates that the customer doesn't need to know the specific path or equipment used for data transmission; they only need to ensure that the connection works as expected.