A Dedicated-Circuit Network is a type of communication network in which a fixed, private communication path is established between two or more locations.
- These networks are commonly used for high-speed and reliable communication between corporate offices, data centers, or other critical locations.
Basic Architecture of Dedicated-Circuit Networks
1.) Point-to-Point Circuit:
A point-to-point circuit fixed connection that directly links two locations without sharing the bandwidth with others.
- This circuit is private and used exclusively for communication between these two endpoints.
- Example: Connecting two office buildings for secure and fast communication.
2.) Multipoint Circuit:
A multipoint circuit is a shared communication line used by three or more locations.
- All locations share the same bandwidth, and communication may occur between multiple endpoints.
- It is cost-effective since the circuit is shared among multiple users.
3.) Switching:
Switching refers to the method of establishing a communication path between devices in a network.
- In dedicated-circuit networks, switching typically ensures a constant and unchanging communication path.
4.) Connection Methods:
Dedicated circuits can be established using technologies like fiber optics, coaxial cables, or microwave links.
T-Carrier Services
The T-Carrier system is a digital transmission system used to provide dedicated communication channels.
T1 Line:
- Provides 1.544 Mbps bandwidth.
- Often used by small businesses for inter-office connectivity.
T3 Line:
- Provides 44.736 Mbps bandwidth.
- Suitable for large enterprises requiring high-speed data transfer.
SONET Services (Synchronous Optical Network)
SONET is a high-speed, fiber-optic transmission standard used for dedicated-circuit networks
Standardized Multiplexing:
- SONET allows multiple digital signals to be transmitted simultaneously over the same optical fiber.
High Bandwidth:
- Supports data rates from 51.84 Mbps (OC-1) to 39.8 Gbps (OC-768).
Reliable and Fault-Tolerant:
- SONET networks use a ring topology for redundancy. If one path fails, the data reroutes automatically.
Applications:
- Ideal for large-scale, high-speed connectivity, such as connecting data centers or metropolitan networks.
Advantages of Dedicated-Circuit Networks
- Reliability: Always available with guaranteed performance.
- Security: Private connection, minimizing unauthorized access risks.
- Consistency: Fixed bandwidth ensures predictable data transfer rates.