Fixed Networks

Whilst the underlying technology has changed in the last decade, the idea of a permanent physical connection between two (or more) points remains the same along with most of the original network infrastructure. We first plugged-in around 140 years ago and over 1.2 billion of us are now hard-wired to each other. Most corporations still rely upon private connections (leased lines) and landlines are the access technology of choice for most home broadband subscribers. In addition, mobile networks need to ‘backhaul’ through fixed networks to cope with data bandwidth demands and industrial networks require the robustness of wirelines t maintain integrity and efficiency particularly in harsh environments. We might not talk as much but fixed lines still keep us in touch.

PSTN (Publically Switched Telephone Network)

The original copper analogue landline developed by Bell Labs that largely remained unchanged for nearly a century. At just 64kbits, voice was the only application.

ISDN (Integrated Digital Services Network)

Digital arrives for business and doubles speed for data to 128kbits. It also enabled more advanced voice services.

Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)

Not quite a galaxy far far away but the Cable Guy alternative to provide multi-media services. It’s super-fast for internet access and video-on-demand and no need for a satellite dish!

Leased Lines

Large companies can connect data and voice services across the globe. Still widely used and can provide dedicated internet access at lightening speeds of 10Gbits!

IP Networks

Sometimes referred to as Next Generation Networks (NGN), a combination of internet protocol (IP) and advanced switching technologies meant lower costs and high-speed networks ready for the 21st Century.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Secure remote access or site-to-site connectivity across public networks. Home working and disparate offices suddenly became unified with the main corporate network.

Voice over IP (VoIP)

Making phone calls over the internet using your computer is now commonplace but amazingly services only began in 2004. International calls now cost pennies and distance has died with video calling.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Secure remote access or site-to-site connectivity across public networks. Home working and disparate offices suddenly became unified with the main corporate network.

P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Networks

You might think this is the domain of dodgy file-sharing and piracy but the reality is that distributed computing has liberated spare processing power, helped us map the galaxy and is the foundation of video services and media streaming.

FTTH (Fibre to the Home)

Think broadband then multiply it by five-fold through fibre-optics. Suddenly the light dawns for cloud based services including applications, streaming music and blockbuster movies!

ISDN (Integrated Digital Services Network)

Digital arrives for business and doubles speed for data to 128kbits. It also enabled more advanced voice services.

Network Virtualization Platform (NVPs)

Making virtualization software out of the Data Centre and into to the network. Programming, administration, traffic management and deployment is handled in one place. This approach will not only simplify network management but is a cornerstone of future network security and intrusion detection.

Machine-to-Machine (M2M)

From smarter energy systems to intelligent urban environments, M2M enables to wired and wireless devices to seamlessly communicate with each other to monitor and control without a human in sight.

Nanoscale Networks

Imagine networking at the molecular level. Somewhere between medical instruments and virus killing nanobots is a future where everything is interconnected and microscopically small!