MIS 4477
Network and Security Infrastructure
JAKE MESSINGER (jake@uh.edu)
Class 15

Fitzgerald/Dennis Chapter 7: Backbone Networks

Links:
Author’s PowerPoint Presentation (Chapter 7)

Chapter 7: Backbone Networks

Teaching Notes

We will not spend much time on FDDI and token ring as they are faded technologies. Fast Ethernet, gigabit Ethernet and switched networks are the new “hot” technologies so we spend a significant amount of time on them. You will need to understand the difference between 10Base-T switched Ethernet versus 10Base-T shared Ethernet.

We also spend some amount of time on ATM. It is quite different from the other technologies we have examined and students have a harder time understanding it. It is useful for you to understand the concepts of an edge switch.

Gigabit Ethernet and switch technologies (especially layer-3 and layer-4 switches) are the least mature of the technologies in this chapter. They will probably need careful watching to stay current.

Chapter Outline

INTRODUCTION

BACKBONE NETWORK COMPONENTS

Switches

Routers

Gateways

A Caution

BACKBONE ARCHITECTURES

Backbone Architecture Layers

Routed Backbone

Collapsed Backbone

Virtual LAN

THE BEST PRACTICE BACKBONE

IMPROVING BACKBONE PERFORMANCE

Improving Computer and Device Performance

Improving Circuit Capacity

Reducing Network Demand

IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY

Be able to answer the questions in the back of the chapter!

End of Class 15