Net I - Wide Area Network (WAN)
Network connections between all store sites and headquarters formed the WAN of ABC’s Net I. The team decided to construct a private frame relay network along with IP protocol as its WAN solution. Compared to other communication technologies such as X.25 packet switching network, frame relay was more appropriate technology than other alternatives to meet the needs of the company for faster data communication between store sites and headquarters. The team designed the frame relay network configuration in which groups of individual store sites were linked to a central store in the region called a concentrator site, which was then connected to the headquarters. The connections between store sites and a concentrator site were established by fractional T1 leased lines with 56 kbps data transmission rate whereas each concentrator site was connected to the headquarters by a full T1 leased line. All the network components of ABC’s Net I were owned or leased by ABC, which include routers, leased lines, and other communication devices. Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of ABC’s Net I. Note that in actuality, more than two stores were connected to a concentrator site, and more concentrator sites, desktop machines, and phones were present than are depicted in this diagram.