Data Networks: Communication, Convergence, and Security
Internal Factors Affecting Network Communication Quality
Internal factors that interfere with communication are related to the nature of the communication itself. Communication can vary in complexity and importance. Clear and concise messages are generally easier to understand than complex ones. Essential communications require more care to ensure that the intended meaning is correctly received. Some internal factors that affect the quality of communication are:
- The size of the message
- The complexity of the message
- The importance of the message
External Factors Affecting Network Communication
External factors affecting the quality of communication are related to the processes that devices use to communicate with each other and include:
- Whether confirmation of a message is returned to the sender
- The number of times the message has had to change its form
- The quality of the route between the sender and the recipient
- The amount of other messages in the communication network
- The number of times the message format changes
- The amount of time allocated to achieve successful communication
Technologies Supported by Networks
Technologies supported by networks affect the way people learn, work, and play. These include instant messaging, weblogs, podcasting, and collaboration tools that use text, graphics, audio, and video in mobile and fixed data networks.
Data, Data Networks, and Converged Networks
What are Data?
Data is information, such as files, audio, telephone calls, and videos, that are shared on the network.
What is a Data Network?
A data network includes:
- Devices communicating with each other
- A way to connect all these devices
- A medium that can carry messages from one device to another
- Digital messages or information units that travel from one device to another
- Rules or agreements to regulate how messages are sent, directed, and received
What are Converged Networks?
A converged network is not only a network capable of transmitting data and voice but also an environment in which there are advanced services that integrate these capabilities, enhancing the usefulness of the technology itself. The technology can now consolidate these networks on a single platform, a platform that we define as a converged network. Voice streaming, radio, video, and data traveling on the same network eliminate the need to create and maintain separate networks. As converged networks become more common, individual and corporate users can use a single network for their services instead of managing and using different physical networks for each type of service.
The Importance of Quality of Service (QoS) in Data Networks
Data networks carry different types of communication. However, network resources are always limited by budget, physical limitations, and technology. The existence of these limitations means that decisions must be made, taking into account the priority of different types of communication. The administration of the various types of communication involves balancing the volume of traffic and its characteristics. These two factors are taken into account when developing a Quality of Service (QoS) strategy to manage data in a data network.
Consequences of an Inadequate QoS Mechanism
Without a properly designed and implemented QoS mechanism, data packets would be discarded without considering the priority and characteristics of the application.
Security in the Context of Data Networks
The security of data networks has two aspects:
- The interception of data communications, which can be mitigated through data encryption
- Unauthorized access to the network and its data, which can be prevented through user authentication (user names, passwords, and classifications, in addition to security measures)