IFT 103: Networking technologies

Local Area Networks (LANs)

Connect devices in confined spaces like homes or offices. LANs enhance collaboration through shared resources and low-latency communication.

Ethernet (Wired LAN)
- Uses twisted-pair or fiber-optic cables and switches.
- Speeds range from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps.
- Ideal for stable, high-throughput needs (e.g., servers, desktops).
- Diagram: Various end devices tied to a central switch or router. wired.com+15phoenixnap.com+15techvertu.co.uk+15en.wikipedia.org+6lifewire.com+6elprocus.com+6en.wikipedia.org+7collectionperformance.com+7nwkings.com+7
Wi‑Fi (Wireless LAN)
- IEEE 802.11 standards (b/g/n/ac/ax).
- Speeds vary from 11 Mbps up to ~10 Gbps.
- Excellent for mobile/laptop access with flexible deployment.
- Diagram: Multiple wireless clients connecting through an access point.
Bluetooth
- Short-range (~10 m), low-power wireless (~3 Mbps).
- Used for peripherals (headphones, keyboards, IoT).
Wired LANs
- Traditional cabled connections ensure low latency and high reliability.

Span large regions by linking multiple LANs.

Leased Lines
- Dedicated, private connections (64 Kbps–10 Gbps).
- Used by businesses for secure, consistent site-to-site links.
T1/T3 and E1/E3 Lines
- T1: ~1.544 Mbps; T3: up to ~45 Mbps.
- North American digital backbones; legacy but reliable.
ISDN (BRI/PRI)
- Combines voice and data; BRI for small sites, PRI for larger setups.
DSL (ADSL/SDSL)
- Transmits data over phone lines; speeds up to ~100 Mbps.
- Common in home and small business contexts.
Cable (DOCSIS)
- Broadband over cable TV networks; can exceed 300 Mbps.
Satellite
- Offers global coverage (~400 Kbps–100+ Mbps); higher latency and weather-sensitive.

SDN (Software-Defined Networking)
- Separates control and data planes for centralized, flexible traffic management.
- Powers modern data centers and cloud networks. elprocus.com+3pubnub.com+3lifewire.com+3arxiv.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6arxiv.org+6
NFV (Network Functions Virtualization)
- Runs network functions (e.g., firewalls, routers) as software on commodity hardware.
- Makes scaling and deployment more agile. lifewire.com+15comparitech.com+15collectionperformance.com+15tekton.cloud
5G Wireless Networks
- Next-gen mobile connectivity with up to 10 Gbps and ultra-low latency.
- Supports IoT, IoT, and remote automation. en.wikipedia.org+1solveforce.com+1
IoT and Edge Computing
- Networks of sensors and edge-nodes process data close to the source, reducing latency. solveforce.com+2nwkings.com+2hotbot.com+2

Technology	Coverage	Speed	Pros	Cons
Ethernet	Home/Office	100 Mbps–100 Gbps	Reliable, low latency	Requires cabling
Wi‑Fi	Local	Up to ~10 Gbps	Fast, flexible	Wireless interference, security issues
Bluetooth	Short-range	~3 Mbps	Low power, easy peripheral link	Limited range and speed
Leased Lines	Regional/WAN	64 Kbps–10 Gbps+	Dedicated, stable	Expensive, fixed bandwidth
T1/T3	Regional	1.5–45 Mbps	Reliable legacy infrastructure	Lower speed, less flexible
DSL	Local/Regional	Up to ~100 Mbps	Uses phone lines	Distance-dependent speed degradation
Cable	Local/Regional	~300 Mbps+	High bandwidth, cost-effective	Shared medium, capacity variability
Satellite	Global	~400 Kbps–100 Mbps+	Wide coverage	Latency, weather sensitivity
5G	Wide/Local	Up to ~10 Gbps	Ultra-fast, low latency	Infrastructure cost, coverage needed
SDN/NFV	Data centers	Scalable	Agile network control	Complexity, security considerations

LAN technologies like Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and Bluetooth target small-scale deployment with varying performance and flexibility needs.
WAN technologies connect those LANs across distances using wired or wireless means, each with specific trade-offs.
New trends (5G, SDN, NFV, IoT) are steering networking toward flexibility, programmability, and smarter automation.