What This Book Covers

This book provides a concentrated, high-level overview of the terminology and issues that comprise telecommunications, and it discusses the major telecommunications infrastructures, including the PSTN, the Internet, cable TV, and wireless.

The book is divided into three parts. Part I, "Telecommunications Fundamentals," explains the basics, the arts and sciences of telecommunications. It begins by explaining the factors that are contributing to the telecommunications revolution and talks about some of the exciting new technologies that are on the horizon. Part I gives you a good grounding in the basics of telecommunications technology and terminology, covering communications fundamentals, and including the characteristics and uses of the various transmission media. Part I also discusses the processes involved in establishing communications channels, examining the differences between circuit-switched and packet-switched networks, and it explores the nature of the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Part II, "Data Networking Basics," introduces the basics of data communications and networking. It discusses today's wide area and local area networking alternatives, as well as how the public Internet is structured. It also explores next-generation network services, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), Voice over IP, and streaming media.

Part III, "Next-Generation Networks," explores the realm of broadband networking and emerging technologies, including the near and distant future of communications and its convergence with related infotech industries. Part III covers next-generation network architectures, optical networking, broadband access alternatives, home area networking, and the realm of wireless communications.

In almost every aspect of life, it's important to put and keep things in context. A good idea in one situation might be a terrible idea in another situation. This is often the case with telecommunications; there is no one-size-fits-all be-all and end-all telecommunications solution. In assessing telecommunications needs, it is important to think about the prevailing conditions, so that you can choose the best transmission media, the best network architecture, and so on for the situation. It's also important to remember that prevailing conditions change. So what's right for you today may change six months down the road. As you plan a telecommunications strategy, it is important to look as far into the future as you can, to make your network as adaptable to future innovations as possible.