Wide area networks (WANs)

What is a WAN?
A wide area network (WAN) is a network that covers a large area, like a
neighbourhood, city, country or even the whole world.

A WAN links two or more local area networks (LANs) together. They are
often used in business networks to connect different parts of a company
so employees and departments can share resources. This can be done
with the help of satellites or telecommunication networks for sending and
receiving messages.

Many WANs are not private like LANs; instead, they are set up by
businesses or communities.

Equipment required for wired and wireless networks

The following are the three categories of networking hardware required to
set up a wired network:

★ Network adapters or network interface controllers (NICs) are

equipment added to computers that allow for connectivity to a
network.
★ Network cables are used to connect the computer to a network, as
well as to connect a network to another network.
★ Hubs, switches and routers are the hardware that allows multiple
devices to connect to the same network, as well as to connect two
separate networks.
 Important note

Even though hubs, switches and routers connect multiple devices together
in a LAN, there are differences in how they operate and what they are used
for:
★ A hub is the simplest of the three devices. When a device sends data
it is broadcasted to all the devices, whether it was intended for them
or not.
★ A switch is more advanced than a hub. It can direct data to a specific
device, it looks at the destination address and only sends data to
that specific device. This helps reduce network congestion and
improves performance.
★ A router directs data between different networks, such as LAN and
the Internet. Routers direct data to specific devices and make
decisions about how to route data to different networks.

The following are the two categories of networking hardware required to

set up a wireless network:

★ Wireless network adapters or wireless network interface controllers

(WNIC) are equipment added to a computer that allows for
connectivity to a wireless network. Laptops, notebooks, tablets and
cell phones have these adapters built into them.
★ Wireless access points (WAP) and routers are equipment that allows
devices to connect to a network without the use of cables. If no
Internet access is required for the network, a WAP device can be
used instead of a router. A WAP acts like a hub for wireless connected
devices.

The Internet as an example of a WAN

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that
enables users to communicate with one another, exchange information
and access a variety of entertainment forms. It is comprised of a large
number of distinct networks located in various nations all over the world.
These networks are all connected to one another to form one enormous
WAN.
The process of connecting to the Internet is depicted in Figure 4 below.
Keep in mind that the term 'user' might refer to a network of users who are
connected to an Internet service provider (ISP).

Additionally, there is a wide variety of ISPs, each of which has a network

connected to the Internet.

Internet services

Protocols
Users are connected to the Internet when their ISP grants them access to
the ISP's network. This connection can be achieved by means of
connecting to the ISP by telephone lines, wireless connections, or other
typical networking techniques. Protocols are a set of guidelines which
describe how data is sent between two computers.

Let's take a look at some of the most common protocols:

★ File transfer protocol (FTP)

FTP is used to store the files needed for a website on a web server.
Authorisation is required to access or download files and documents
using this protocol. FTP is a standard method for transmitting
information over a network. This protocol uses a client-server
architecture for sending large files and documents over the Internet.
★ Hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)
HTTP is a standard way to communicate over a network and manage
resources. Some of these resources are web pages and hypermedia
documents. HTTP is based on a client-server protocol for requesting
and receiving information through a hypertext markup language
(HTML) page.
★ Hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS)
HTTPS is a secure protocol similar to HTTP. This protocol is used for
secure communication, such as on banking websites. HTTPS requires
both user and server authentication to protect the data on both
ends of the connection.

★ Internet message access protocol (IMAP)

IMAP is a standard communications protocol used to receive and
access emails. It is responsible for managing remote mailboxes. IMAP
has replaced POP3, as it can synchronise emails across more than
one device.
 ★ Post office protocol version 3 (POP3)
POP3 is a standard communications protocol that downloads emails
from a server and stores them on the client's device. Once the email
has been transferred to the client, it is deleted from the mail server.
POP3 was replaced by IMAP and is rarely used anymore.
★ Simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP)
SMTP is a standard communications protocol used for transferring
emails. Mail applications use SMTP to send emails over the Internet.
★ Email client protocol
Email client protocol is a common technique for sending data
between email clients, such as Thunderbird and Apple Mail, and
email provider servers, such as Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo.
★ Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
VoIP is used for transmitting voice data (telephone calls) through the
Internet.

Instant messaging (IM)

IM is used to describe online messaging applications that allow users to
communicate information in real time over the Internet. This includes text
and multimedia messages, such as images, voice notes and videos.
Typically, two parties communicate using instant messages. You can,
however, have a group conversation in which other individuals can
contribute.

Examples of IM services and applications include:

★ WhatsApp: A popular IM service used on cell phones, tablets, laptops

and computers.
★ Facebook Messenger: A built-in IM service of Facebook.
★ iMessage: A built-in IM service offered on Apple devices.

The advantages of IM include:

★ It allows for real-time interaction with other users of the same IM

client.
★ If the recipient is currently connected to the Internet and online, the
message will be delivered instantly.
★ One can monitor the reception of their communication.
★ People can be brought together no matter where they are physically
located.
 ★ It provides the ability to hold a virtual meeting with a large group of
people, exchange ideas and establish consensus.

IM has significantly influenced the way we communicate on a regular

basis. This is because this type of communication offers a vast array of
applications. However, it is not faultless.

The disadvantages of IM are listed below:

★ You may not be able to revise a message sent due to the immediate
nature of the service.
★ Messages are not always saved.
★ IM eliminates personal, face-to-face encounters whilst
communicating in person.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

If you have ever had the opportunity to travel abroad, you have probably
realised that calling home is costly. Internet businesses have developed
technology that enables users to make voice calls over the Internet to
address this issue.

Examples of VoIP services and applications:

★ Google Hangouts and Google Voice: The standard VoIP services

offered by Google. They are built into Android devices.
★ WhatsApp: An IM service that allows VoIP calls.
★ Discord: A popular application among gamers, which allows them to
communicate during gaming sessions.
★ TeamSpeak: Another VoIP application similar to Discord, which allows
users to communicate across the Internet.
★ Skype: A VoIP software application used for voice, video and instant
messaging communications.

VoIP translates speech into digital signals. Once the information has been
sent via the Internet, it is transformed back into sound at the destination.

The majority of current call providers also support video calls, letting you
see the person(s) you're speaking to. Seeing a person's body language and
facial expressions while conversing with them can be quite helpful
because they are major components of non-verbal communication.
When numerous people are participating in the same video chat, such as
in a video conference, this is an invaluable feature. You can understand
and communicate more clearly if you can tell who is speaking in a
circumstance like that.

The advantages of VoIP include:

★ Reduces travel to attend meetings and gatherings.

★ Audio and video information can be recorded, saved and shared.
★ Allows individuals who work far away from one another to
collaborate easily.
★ VoIP is much cheaper compared to conventional telephone calls.

The disadvantages of VoIP are:

● Expensive set-up and maintenance.

● An active Internet connection is required.
● Power failures will cause interruptions during communications.

File transfer protocol (FTP)

FTP is a common network protocol for exchanging data across a network.
It achieves this by determining the parameters under which data may be
sent and received. The use of a login and password, for instance, may be
necessary to gain access to the server's files.

An example of FTP services and applications is:

★ FileZilla: An FTP server application available to Windows users.

Regardless of the type of industry, FTP is a viable option for transferring

large files and facilitating internal file sharing.

The advantages of FTP include:

★ With the proper training, FTP is easy to use.

★ You can send more than one file or folder at the same time.
★ A connection loss does not influence file transfer progress.
★ A schedule can be set up for file transfers.
The disadvantages of FTP are:

★ Requires training.
★ It is hard to keep track of data that has been mishandled and find
out where the problem started.
★ Authentication details may be shared as plain text, which makes it
easy for hackers to access information.
★ Not all FTP services encrypt your data to keep it safe against
hackers.

Cloud-based file sharing

Since the invention of the Internet, the technology industry has been
slowly moving away from local storage methods to remote storage and
processing on servers. This is called 'the cloud'.

Cloud-based file sharing is a service that allows several users to access a

shared collection of file data in the cloud at the same time. User and
group permissions are used to manage security for cloud file sharing,
allowing administrators to tightly regulate access to shared file data.

Examples of cloud-based file-sharing services and applications:

★ Dropbox: A file-hosting service which offers cloud storage, file

synchronisation, a personal cloud and client software.
★ MediaFire: A service that lets you host, synchronise and store files in
the cloud.
★ Google Drive: A file-sharing service provided by Google.
★ iCloud: A file-sharing service provided by Apple.
★ OneDrive: A file-sharing service provided by Microsoft.

You need to use a service provider if you want to share files through the
cloud. The service provider is responsible for giving you a service that is
always up and running and gives you timely backups and file recovery.
These services give you seamless access to your crucial data—Word
documents, print-ready files (PDFs), spreadsheets, images and other
digital assets—from anywhere. Work files can now be accessed remotely.
Cloud syncing lets you access files from a smartphone on the train, a
tablet on the couch, or a laptop at home or away.

Your choice of service provider depends on the files you save, how much
protection you require if you collaborate, and which devices you use to
edit and view your files. It also depends on your computer skills. Some
services are quite user-friendly, while others offer deep customisation for
techies or people highly skilled and enthusiastic about technology.

The advantages of cloud-based file sharing include:

★ The drag-and-drop feature of cloud services makes it extremely easy

to use.
★ It can save data and bandwidth due to the ability to share a file with
multiple people.
★ The files can be accessed through any device that has an Internet
connection.
★ Reduces the time and effort to share information with multiple
people.

The disadvantages of cloud-based file sharing are listed below:

★ The files are not fully secure as multiple people can have access to
them.
★ People can misplace or delete files by mistake.
★ An Internet connection is required to access the files.
★ Some applications might require additional software to be
downloaded.

Grid and cloud computing

Our needs evolve along with the development of new technologies. To
analyse and store complicated data, a personal computer is no longer
adequate or cost-effective. It was obvious that another option was
required. The answer was found in distributed computing architectures
like cloud and grid computing.

Grid computing
Grid computing assists users through distributed computing over a vast
area. This means that several resources from different computers are
shared on the grid computing system, transforming a computer network
into a powerful supercomputer. With the correct user interface, accessing
a grid computing system would be no different than accessing the
resources of a local workstation except that it needs to link to a network.
Every authorised computer on the grid system would then have access to
massive processing and storage power. It is able to process massive
amounts of data with the assistance of a group of networked computers
that work together to find a solution to a problem.

Examples of grid computing services and applications:

★ Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing.

★ Advanced Resource Connector.
★ g-Eclipse Technology Project.

The advantages of grid computing include:

★ It can assist you in solving larger, more difficult problems in much

less time.
★ You will not need to purchase more powerful gear since you will make
greater use of the present hardware.
★ If one computer fails, the other computers will take over the work,
making the system extremely dependable.

The disadvantages of grid computing are listed below:

★ Grid computing requires training to be fully utilised.
★ The grid system may require the participation of several persons.

Cloud computing
Computing in the cloud refers to the practice of storing one's data and
programs on remote servers that are accessible via the Internet. Users
are able to utilise software or save data without having to worry about
filling up all of the available storage space.

Cloud computing is not to be confused with cloud-based file sharing.

Cloud computing is a service that offers processing power, whereas
cloud-based file sharing refers to the storage of files and documents on a
cloud-based server.
Examples of cloud computing services and applications:

★ Amazon Web Services

★ Microsoft Azure
★ Google Cloud platform

The advantages of cloud computing include:

★ The cloud platform is controlled and updated, so it is far more

dependable.
★ It can be accessed from any device that can connect to the Internet.

The disadvantages of cloud computing are:

★ If the cloud server is being serviced, you may suffer downtime.

★ Even though cloud computing employs security methods to
safeguard your data, there is still the possibility of files being
compromised.
★ Because the platform is owned and controlled by the service
provider, you do not have complete control over it.

Streaming
For many years, broadcast, cable and satellite television were mainly
responsible for providing news and entertainment to households.
However, this may be coming to an end. With advancements in the
Internet, a more diverse service, i.e. streaming, has become available.

Streaming is a service that allows users to watch live events, programmes,

movies and athletic events. Streaming is nowadays a common service
made available through your smartphone, smart television or computer.

Examples of streaming services and applications:

★ Netflix is a platform for shows and movies. Netflix has grown in

popularity because it often distributes an entire season of a series
at once, allowing users to set aside time to binge-watch the series.
★ Twitch is a gaming-specific streaming platform. Some of the most
popular streams on this platform include gaming competitions and
'Let's Play'.
 ★ Showmax is a platform released in South Africa just before Netflix.
Showmax allows you to stream some titles that are not available on
Netflix, including Afrikaans movies and series.

Streaming has made it easy to catch up on shows, watch sports and stay
informed. But, like all other entertainment providers, it has benefits as well
as drawbacks.

The advantages of streaming services include:

★ You have complete control over what you view and when you watch it.
★ Streams can be paused, rewound and resumed whenever you
choose.
★ It saves storage space by not requiring you to have the shows saved
on a device.

The disadvantages of streaming services are listed below:

★ To stream, you must have an active and fast Internet connection.

★ Streaming utilises a lot of data.
★ The convenience of streaming may cause health issues because it is
easy to spend several continuous hours viewing series and shows.

Services to simplify life

Government online services are becoming increasingly popular since they
save time and effort. Let's see how other government Internet services can
simplify your life.

TV license payment
You can pay your TV license online by providing the necessary
information for your credit card, paying online on your own banking
website, using a banking app by providing the necessary information for
the TV licence account or going to the website for the EasyPay virtual
payment option.

Election information
One of the benefits of being in a democratic country is that you can vote
for the individuals you choose to lead your city and country. To achieve
this, one needs to be able to answer several questions, including:

★ Who are the candidates and political parties?

★ Are you registered to vote?
★ Where should one go to cast a vote?
★ What are the results of the election?

This and more information can be found on many government websites

accessible via the Internet.

Tax return submissions

Tax season is a stressful time of year for everyone concerned, especially
when you arrive at the SARS office and see how long the lines are. You
may need to return another day to finish filing your taxes. Fortunately,
SARS has devised an alternative solution.

Electronic filing (also known as e-filing) provides consumers with a free,

convenient and secure method of completing tax returns from the
comfort of their homes. It is accessible 24 hours a day and allows users to
view their tax status, update their information, and make any necessary
payments. You can e-file your tax returns on the SARS website.

ID and passport applications

Online applications for smart IDs and passports have been made
available in some countries. This is available through the eHomeAffairs
website in South Africa. Instead of waiting in long lines at Home Affairs
Offices, customers may be able to fill out an online application, upload
supporting documents, make payments, and set a time to pick up the
documents from a Home Affairs-approved bank.

Tertiary applications
The Department of Higher Education and Training operates an online
Central Applications Clearing House (CACH). This is only open in January
and February each year. Students who have not been successful in
getting a place at a tertiary university can submit an online application
through the CACH, and they will be aided in finding a place at a tertiary
institution.

Network connections

What is broadband?
In the early days of the Internet, one had to use a modem to connect to
the Internet through dial-up. This form of connection had several
disadvantages, such as:

★ Slow data transfer rates.

★ The need to dial up each time you want to connect to the Internet.
★ Your connection was lost once you used your telephone.

With the development of broadband, all of this changed. Let's investigate

the concept of broadband Internet.
Broadband is a high-speed Internet connection that allows users to
transfer data across several channels. This speeds up and improves the
reliability of the connection via dial-up. ADSL, 3G, 4G and fibre are all
examples of broadband.

Table 1: Different download speeds of different connection types.

Connection Minimum Speed Average speed Maximum Speed

ADSL 1Mbps 19.9Mbps 40Mbps

3G 1Mbps 3Mbps 7.2Mbps

4G 11Mbps 23.8Mbps 57.2Mbps

Fibre 5Mbps 28.6Mbps 995Mbps

It should be noted that not all broadband connections are available in all
areas. When deciding whether to have a wired or wireless connection, you
should evaluate the coverage and availability of the different connections
in your region. This information may be obtained from your service
provider and using a network coverage map on a service provider's
website.

What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the quantity of data that can be sent via a network in a
given length of time. The greater the bandwidth, the more data can be
transferred in less time.

The transfer of data from the Internet to your computer is referred to as

downloading. This involves both downloading items, such as movies, and
accessing the Internet.

In contrast, uploading is the process of transferring data from a

computer to the Internet, such as uploading a video to YouTube.

Remember bandwidth can indeed fluctuate based on network conditions,

congestion, and other factors. Network bandwidth can vary over time
depending on the demand and capacity of the network.

Therefore, when selecting an Internet connection, the upload and

download speeds ought to be considered, as well as the type of
connections available.

Connection considerations
Before one selects an Internet connection, one needs to understand
several factors that affect the overall experience of the connection:

★ The bandwidth or transfer rate.

★ The connection bandwidth cap.
★ The cost of an active connection.
★ The equipment and hardware required.
Bandwidth
As previously stated, bandwidth is the amount of data that can be
delivered through a network in a given amount of time. The more
bandwidth available, the more data can be transported in less time.

The bandwidth of a connection is determined by the upload and

download speeds. For ADSL, a common speed is 10 Mbps for downloads
and 1 Mbps for uploads.

The bandwidth requirements vary depending on the main tasks

performed.

For instance, if one only accesses the Internet to send and receive emails,
browse websites, and stream music and videos at a standard quality, high
bandwidth would not be a necessity.

In contrast, if you enjoy online gaming, perform remote work, or stream

music and videos at a much higher quality, a higher bandwidth would be
preferred to accommodate the larger amounts of data and information
shared between your devices and the Internet.

Bandwidth caps and data bundles

A bandwidth cap, also known as a data cap, is a limit set by a service
provider on the quantity of data sent at a certain level of throughput over
a specified time period for a cost. Both home Internet services and mobile
data plans can include bandwidth caps.

Data limits are often enforced as a maximum quantity of data permitted

in a month for an agreed-upon fee. When a user surpasses that limit, they
are often charged at a higher cost for further data consumption.
However, the provider may not charge, but instead reduce the users'
transfer rate per second when it exceeds the limit.

For example, a mobile customer with a 4G contract may be downgraded

to 3G if their data quota is exceeded.

When a client shares access with several users, uses file-sharing software,
or violates the terms of service, an ISP may impose a data cap. When a
service provider has a monopoly in a certain area, they may also impose
data limitations.

Data limitations reduce access to online information, particularly

multimedia and streaming video, which is a concern for content
developers and advertisers. Customers are also often opposed to data
limitations. As a result, service providers frequently refer to data
limitations as fair usage or fair access rules, usage-based charging or
band caps.

A data bundle provides Internet access. To browse, we consume Internet

data, which is measured in bytes. With data bundles, it is not how many
minutes you stay connected, but how many bytes you use.

Data bundles provide a less expensive and more convenient way to

connect to the Internet. It's still a good choice if you just want to surf or
download. It operates in much the same manner that we surf using cell
phone airtime.

Connection costs
Another factor to consider is the cost of Internet access. Unfortunately,
most people in South Africa consider the Internet a luxury service.

A fast Internet connection with a big data cap will generally be more
expensive than a sluggish connection with a small data cap.

Required equipment
A factor to consider is the equipment you will need to establish a
connection to the Internet.

This consists of four essential components:

★ A device, such as a computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet.

★ The Internet connection channel refers to a transmission medium,
such as ADSL, fibre lines, or satellite services.
★ The Internet communication device, such as a NIC, router or Wi-Fi
access point.
★ An ISP that establishes and manages your connection.