c) IDENTIFY AND COMPARE WAN CONFIGURATIONS

Question

d) COMPARE THE FOLLOWING WAN PROTOCOLS:
- TCP/IP
- SNA

Answer 1

c) WAN configurations refer to the way in which Wide Area Networks are set up and managed. There are several common configurations for WANs, including point-to-point, hub and spoke, mesh, and hybrid configurations.

- Point-to-point: In this configuration, a dedicated line connects two locations. It is a simple and direct connection between two devices.
- Hub and spoke: In this configuration, all network traffic flows through a central location (hub) which connects to multiple remote locations (spokes). This allows for efficient management and control of network traffic.
- Mesh: In a mesh configuration, each device is connected to every other device. This provides redundancy and multiple paths for data to travel, improving reliability and fault tolerance.
- Hybrid: A hybrid configuration combines elements of the other configurations to create a customized network that meets specific requirements. This could involve a combination of point-to-point, hub and spoke, and mesh connections.

d) WAN protocols are used to facilitate communication over Wide Area Networks. Two common WAN protocols are TCP/IP and SNA (Systems Network Architecture).

- TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): TCP/IP is the most widely used protocol suite for transferring data over networks, including WANs. It provides reliable, end-to-end communication by breaking data into packets and using IP addresses to route them to their destination. TCP ensures that packets are delivered in order and without errors, while IP handles addressing and routing.

- SNA (Systems Network Architecture): SNA is a networking architecture developed by IBM for mainframe computers. It defines standards for how devices communicate on a network, including protocols for data transmission, error recovery, and security. SNA is often used in legacy systems and is less common in modern networks compared to TCP/IP.

In comparison, TCP/IP is more widely used and versatile, as it supports a broader range of devices and applications. SNA, on the other hand, is more specialized and primarily used in mainframe environments. TCP/IP has become the de facto standard for WAN communication due to its flexibility, scalability, and compatibility with a wide range of devices and platforms.