510
13 Fiber Optic Communication Networks
Campus
networks
Local area
networks
Access
switches
Business
park
University
campus
Fig. 13.2 Definitions of some terms used in describing different segments of a public network
Campus Network A campus network is an extension of a LAN and can be considered as an interconnection of a collection of LANs in a localized area. Similar to
a LAN, it is an autonomous network owned and managed by a single organization
that exists within a local geographical area. In networking terminology the word
campus refers to any group of buildings that are within reasonable walking distance
of each other. Thus a campus network could be deployed in a university campus, a
business park, a government center, a research center, or a medical center. Typically
a campus network uses routers to provide an access path into a larger network, such
as a metropolitan area network or the Internet.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) A MAN is commonly referred to as a metro
network and spans a larger area than a LAN or a campus network. The interconnected facilities could range from buildings located in several city blocks to an entire
city and the metropolitan area surrounding it. Thus the distances between central
switching offices for a metro network range from a few to several tens of kilometers. Metro network resources are owned and operated by many telecommunication
organizations.
Access Network An access network lies between a metro network and a LAN or
campus network. This network category encompasses connections that extend from a
centralized switching facility to individual businesses, organizations, and homes. One
function of an access network is to concentrate the information flows that originate
in a local network and send this aggregated traffic to the switching facility. This path
is called the upstream direction. In the other transmission direction (downstream
or toward the user), the network provides voice, data, video, and other services to
subscribers. The transmission distances tend to be up to 20 km. Typically a single
telecommunication service provider owns a particular access network.
13 Fiber Optic Communication Networks
Campus
networks
Local area
networks
Access
switches
Business
park
University
campus
Fig. 13.2 Definitions of some terms used in describing different segments of a public network
Campus Network A campus network is an extension of a LAN and can be considered as an interconnection of a collection of LANs in a localized area. Similar to
a LAN, it is an autonomous network owned and managed by a single organization
that exists within a local geographical area. In networking terminology the word
campus refers to any group of buildings that are within reasonable walking distance
of each other. Thus a campus network could be deployed in a university campus, a
business park, a government center, a research center, or a medical center. Typically
a campus network uses routers to provide an access path into a larger network, such
as a metropolitan area network or the Internet.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) A MAN is commonly referred to as a metro
network and spans a larger area than a LAN or a campus network. The interconnected facilities could range from buildings located in several city blocks to an entire
city and the metropolitan area surrounding it. Thus the distances between central
switching offices for a metro network range from a few to several tens of kilometers. Metro network resources are owned and operated by many telecommunication
organizations.
Access Network An access network lies between a metro network and a LAN or
campus network. This network category encompasses connections that extend from a
centralized switching facility to individual businesses, organizations, and homes. One
function of an access network is to concentrate the information flows that originate
in a local network and send this aggregated traffic to the switching facility. This path
is called the upstream direction. In the other transmission direction (downstream
or toward the user), the network provides voice, data, video, and other services to
subscribers. The transmission distances tend to be up to 20 km. Typically a single
telecommunication service provider owns a particular access network.