Datasheet

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Lab – Researching WAN Technologies (Instructor Version)
Instructor Note: Red font color or Gray highlights indicate text that appears in the instructor copy only.
Objectives
Part 1: Investigate Dedicated WAN Technologies and Providers
Part 2: Investigate a Dedicated Leased Line Service Provider in Your Area
Background / Scenario
Today’s broadband Internet services are fast, affordable, and secure using VPN technologies. However,
many companies still find the need for a 24-hour dedicated connection to the Internet or a dedicated point-to-
point connection from one office location to another. In this lab, you will investigate the cost and availability of
purchasing a dedicated T1 Internet connection for your home or business.
Required Resources
Device with Internet access
Part 1: Investigate Dedicated WAN Technologies and Providers
In Part 1, you will research basic characteristics of dedicated WAN technologies, and in Step 2, you will
discover providers that offer dedicated WAN services.
Step 1: Research WAN technology characteristics.
Use search engines and websites to research the following WAN technologies to complete the table below.
Last Mile Media
WAN Technology
Dedicated
Connection
(yes/no)
Copper
(yes/no)
Fiber
(yes/no)
Wireless
(yes/no)
Speed/Range
T1/DS1
yes
yes
yes
yes
1.544 Mb/s
T3/DS3
yes
yes
yes
yes
44.736 Mb/s
OC3 (SONET)
yes
no
yes
no
155.52 Mb/s
Frame Relay
yes
yes
yes
yes
56 Kb/s - 1.544 Mb/s
ATM
yes
yes
yes
yes
155 Mb/s – 622 Mb/s
MPLS
yes
yes
yes
yes
Up to 10 Gb/s
EPL (Ethernet Private Line)
yes
yes
yes
no
Up to 10 Gb/s
Step 2: Discover dedicated WAN technology service providers.
Navigate to http://www.telarus.com/carriers.html. This webpage lists the Internet service providers (also
known as carriers) that partner with Telarus to provide automated real-time telecom pricing. Click the links to
the various carrier partners and search for the dedicated WAN technologies that they provide. Complete the
table below by identifying each service provider’s dedicated WAN services, based on the information provided
on the website. Use the extra lines provided in the table to record additional service providers.