Introduction
Sharing of information has been part of humankind for generations. In the ancient times, people used to pass information through oral communication. However, invention of writing brought a new dimension to it. Moreover, advancement in technology revitalized transmission of information from one point to another.
Of great importance to telecommunication was invention of computers, which worked to aid sharing of information and hence improved information technology. Purple is a telecommunication company that plans to roll out its network infrastructure to improve connectivity. This paper will explore connection methods and services offered by the company (Caswell, 2010, p. 1).
Network classification in Connection method
Networking deals with individual connection of computer and hardware components via communication channels. This enables sharing of information, irrespective of one’s location. Networking is usually categorized by various means. For instance, network topology, architecture, connection method and scale. This section will classify networking with respect to connection method. In this regard, we shall consider optical fiber, wireless, wired and point-to-point laser methods (Martin, 2011, p. 1).
Optical fiber/users
This method of connection is done using an optical fiber. Optical fiber can be referred to as a transparent and flexible fiber, which is usually made of pure glass. It is generally less than human hair in width and is used primary as a wave-guide. This enables it to transmit light from one end to another. These materials are utilized widely in fiber-optic communications. This enables transmission over a wide area and at high bandwidths.
It is in this regard that they are utilized in communication between distant places. Furthermore, it can transmit at higher rates than other communication forms. It is quite important to note that optical fibers are generally efficient in their usage as compared to metals. For instance, they are immune to interference (electromagnetic) and hence allow signals to travel over them for long distances without significant signal loss.
Moreover, they can act as image carriers when wrapped in bundles (illumination). Others are specially designed for use in lasers and sensors, among others. In essence, it contains a transparent core, which is usually surrounded by a lower refractive index of transparent cladding. This ensures that light remains in the core due to internal reflection. Ultimately, this is what makes it a wave-guide.
In networking, there are two forms of optical fibers namely, multi mode and single mode fibers. The latter has a narrow core and is utilized in long distance communications while, the former has a wide core and is utilized in short connections. Optical fibers are utilized to transmit high bandwidths of data. This is convenient for companies and cyber cafes where users require high speeds of data (Bates, 2001, p. 10).
Wireless/users
Wireless technologies are used in networking for communication as well as information sharing. This includes use of wireless distribution networks such as OFDM or spread spectrum to transmit information. This is usually necessary for users who are mobile as they are given opportunity to shift rom one place to another, if the areas are covered. This includes the use of technologies such as communication satellites, terrestrial microwaves, wireless LANs, infrared communications, global area network as well as cellular and PCS systems.
These kinds of communication networks are convenient for mobile networking devices. In fact, users with laptops and mobile phones, among other devices that can fall within covered areas are well covered in wireless networks. However, it is quite important to note that this is only convenient in consumer environs. End users are well served when using wireless technologies; this is mainly because they use limited data at lower bandwidths. It is therefore convenient for end users and to some extent, retailers (Bates, 2001, p. 10).
Wired/users
Wired networking technologies use communication components for transmission of data from one place to another. These include twisted pair, which is usually used as the common medium for telecommunication. These are generally copper wires, which are twisted in pairs and are used for communication. Ethernet cables, for instance, contains four pairs of twisted copper and are usable in both data and voice communications.
Transmission speeds fro these cables range from two to ten million bits per second. This is way below optical fiber, which transmits at a rate of trillions of bits per second. Another component of wired network is coaxial cable. This is common in television networks or in (LAN) local area networks. These are usually made from aluminum or copper wires, which are insulated and surrounded by a conductive layer.
Interference is usually minimized by the insulation and they transmit data at speeds of two hundred to about over five hundred million bits pre second. Home wiring can also be attained using coaxial, and phone line to achieve about one gigabit per second. Wired networks also entail optical fibers, which transmit data in trillions of bits per second (Bates, 2001, p. 10).
Point to point laser/users
PPLT (Point to point laser Technology) is usually utilized to capture images in real time. This involves use of large bandwidth of data. The technology uses laser to transmit data from one area to another. This is important as it serves users faster than other forms of communication.
The technology is widely used in imaging solution and in structural engineering. Moreover, it gives real time details of images required. This underlines its importance to industries and large organizations. In addition, its ability to transmit real time images through laser technology underlines the speeds at which data is transmitted.
However, it is quite important to note that point-to-point laser requires energy to power its devices, which in combination with other maintenance costs makes it very expensive for small-scale users. In this regard, it is highly recommended for large-scale commercial users (Applewood Data Services Ltd, 2008, p. 1).
Services provided by Purple telecommunications
Purple telecommunications aims to serve internet connectivity needs of its customers. To do this, the company has laid out strategies for provision of these services. These include providing business type connectivity such as DSL and home user connectivity like dial-up, among others. In this regard, the company provides wired and wireless connectivity services as follows:
Wired
As has been explained above, wired services entail use of twisted pair, coaxial cable and optical fiber, among others, as a medium for connecting communication components. This method has its advantages and disadvantages, which depends on the kind of connectivity method used. Generally, wired connections are reliable and fast. On the other hand, they are subject to vandalism. Otherwise, they are convenient for home users, companies and hence serve a wide range of users (Bates, 2001, p. 10). They include:
Twisted pair
This is the most commonly utilized technology for communication. It consists of a twisted pair of copper wires. When used for telephone services, only two twisted pairs are employed. On the other hand, when used for networking, four twisted pairs are utilized. Twisting is usually done to minimize electromagnetic induction and crosstalk.
One advantage that it commands is the fact that it is usable on a wide range of communication networks such as telephones and networking, among others. Its main disadvantage is the fact that it transmits data at a lower speed than coaxial and optical cables. Its expected use is still predominant, especially in telephone services and local area networks (Bates, 2001, p. 10).
Coaxial cable
Coaxial cable refers to aluminum or copper wire, which is wrapped with an insulating layer to minimize interference. Its use is predominant in television networks. It is significant in that it is cheap and transfers data at a rate faster than that of twisted pair. However, it is not usable in a wide range of components like the latter and transmits data at a rate lower than that of optical fiber. Its use is still strong in the television market and cable televisions (Bates, 2001, p. 10).
Optical fiber
Optical fiber is composed of filaments of glass fiber, which are usually wrapped in shielding of layers. They carry data through light pulses. They have the advantages of carrying big bandwidths of data over long distances. Their main disadvantage is on cost of building and maintenance. Its use is expected to sour when current process of layout is completed (Bates, 2001, p. 10).
Wireless technology
Wireless technology is important since it uses radio frequency to transmit information. It includes wireless distribution networks such as OFDM or spread spectrum to transmit data. Examples include wireless LANs, terrestrial and satellites, among others. It has the advantage of enabling mobility. However, it has a lower bandwidth than wired network (Bates, 2001, p. 10).
Terrestrial
Terrestrial microwave is a wireless communication medium that use earth based receivers and transmitters. They have low range of gigahertz, which limits communications to a line of sight. Terrestrial microwaves are important in that they are cheaper to install than satellites. However, they have limited coverage to a line of sight. Nonetheless, their use is still rampant in communication systems (Bates, 2001, p. 10).
Satellites
Satellites utilize microwave radio as medium of communication. This is mainly because they are not deflected by earth’s atmosphere. The satellites receive and relay data/voice/TV signals. Satellites are used in a wide range of communication systems such as TV, data and voice signals. However, they are expensive to install. Nonetheless, it use is still rampant, although data communications are turning to optical fiber, which leaves it as a back up (Bates, 2001, p. 10).
Wireless LAN
Wireless LANs use radio technology at high frequencies. This is quite similar to that of digital cellular. It utilizes spread spectrum technology, which enable communication between multiple devices within a given radius.
These include technologies like IEEE 802.11. It is cheaper to install than satellites and terrestrial. On the other hand, it covers limited areas. Nonetheless, it is important to note that its use is on the rise, especially due to introduction in personal laptops and other electronic devices like iPods, among others (Mitchell, 2011, p. 1).
Conclusion
Purple telecommunication is a company, which emphasizes the need to satisfy customer desires. The company is committed to provision of quality services at affordable rates to customers. Moreover, it offers variety of services, which tap into a range of customer needs concerning internet connectivity.
In this regard, the company plans to roll out provision of both home user and business type connectivity with focus on wired along with wireless connectivity methods. The company believes that by offering a wide range of services, customers would have variety of connectivity types to choose from and hence improve efficiency as well as customer satisfaction (Scribd, Inc., 2011, p. 1).
Reference List
Applewood Data Services Ltd. (2008). Laser Point to Point Wireless Link and Data Integrated Network Solution. Web.
Bates, R.J. (2001). Optical Switching and Networking Handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill. Web.
Caswell, W. (2010). HomeRF Archives. cazitech.com. Web.
Martin, T. (2011). Design Principles for DSL-Based Access Solutions. gsi.dit.upm.es. Web.
Mitchell, B. (2011). Internet Connection Alternatives for Home Networks: Types of Internet connections available in home networking. compnetworking.about. Web.
Scribd, Inc. (2011). Classification of Computer networks. Web.