ADSL Network Architecture, Protocols, and Equipment
A. J. Weissberger · 2001
This chapter discusses the transmission convergence layer. ADSL is attractive to both telcos and users, because it solves two problems simultaneously: 1 It provides a simple, affordable mechanism to get more bandwidth to end users: both residential and small- to medium-size business. This is increasingly important for Internet access, remote access to corporate servers, integrated voice/data access, and transparent LAN interconnection. 2 It enables carriers to offer value-added, high-speed networking services, without massive capital outlays, by “leveraging” the copper loop. Examples include access to frame relay or ATM networks, virtual private networks, video distribution, streaming, or video retrieval services. In North America, the driving applications of ADSL are high-speed Internet access and remote access to corporate LANs. Other applications include video retrieval or streaming, interactive multimedia communications, video on demand, video catalog shopping, and digital telephony: either voice telephony over ATM or voice over IP (VToA and VoIP). In Asia and parts of Europe (e.g., United Kingdom and Germany) video on demand (VoD) and audio playback are much more important than in the United States. Information is given on the advantages of ADSL, architecture, equipment necessary for ADSL use, requirements and network management details are given.