Datasheet

Emerging WAN Technologies (Instructor Version)

Instructor Note: Red font color or Gray highlights indicate text that appears in the instructor copy only.

Objective

Troubleshoot WAN issues that affect internetwork communications in a small- to medium-sized business network.

Instructor Notes:

 This activity allows students to consider other options for WAN connectivity. They are mentioned in the

curriculum and allow students to explore the emerging network WAN communications options available to

today’s small- to medium-sized business networks.

 Students may work individually or in small groups to complete this activity.

Scenario

As the network administrator, in your small- to medium-sized business, you have already moved from leased-line

WAN to Frame Relay connectivity for WAN network communication. You are responsible to keep current with all

future network upgrades.

To stay current with emerging and developing technologies, you find that there are some alternate options

available for WAN connectivity. Some of these include:

 Frame Relay

 Broadband DSL

 Broadband cable modem

 GigaMAN

 VPN

 MPLS

Because you want to offer the best quality, lowest-cost WAN network service to your company, you decide to

research, at least, two emerging and developing technologies. It is your intent to gather information about these

two alternate WAN options to intelligently discuss the future goals of your network with your business manager

and other network administrators.

Resources

 Internet access to the World Wide Web

 Presentation software

Directions

Step 1: Choose two of the following emerging and developing WAN technologies:

a. Frame Relay

b. Broadband DSL

c. Broadband cable modem

d. GigaMAN

e. VPN

f. MPLS