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Communications Networks
This is the descriptive layer
 

Technological evolution of the telecommunications world are introducing to the Virtual Campus a whole range of new connection possibilities. The aim of the following sections is to throw light on the new concepts in order to help you to choose the configuration that will best suit your needs.

Connection from home to the Virtual Campus can be effected by means of the following networks: BTN, ISDN, ADSL and CABLE. Tests have also been conducted to search for new ways linked to mobile telephony such as the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) system. Even though from a technological standpoint this is a valid option, it is not an effective one for the UOC's educational system, owing to the costs involved. In the near future, new ways will appear, which will be linked to satellite. The following possibilities are currently available.

 

Cable

 

Cable was conceived of from the beginning as a network for the distribution of the television signal. Later on, coaxial cable* networks have been used to offer many more services, such as telephony, electronic press, digital radio … and the Internet.

Cable offers a wide-band connection service to the Internet by which the PC is always connected to the network and has a fixed identification (IP*). With cable Internet access speeds of up to 2 Mbps (megabyts per second*) can be achieved.

Even so, this telecommunications system needs an infrastructure based on optical fibre cabling (and the subsequent connection of coaxial cable to the house). For this reason, the system is not yet fully implemented in the territory of the Spanish state. In addition, another problem that use of cable may suppose is the risk of packet sniffing (espionage), as the user's PC is always connected to the network.

Advantages:

Higher speed and connection capacity. With cable it is possible to reach up to two million bits per second (most users currently make a connection at 56,000 bits per second).

Permanent connection to the network, without jams.

New integrated services.

Interactivity.

Disadvantages:

Lack of development of required infrastructure, which will require a huge investment of time and money.

Cable is not for individual use; it is communal, as it goes through the homes of all the neighbours in the community where it is installed.

It is a technology conceived of for television.

There is little security in the equipment of the user at the end of the line.

 

 

 

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