Access Network Basics and Types Explained

An access network is essentially the last mile of a telecommunications network, connecting users to the wider internet. It's the connection between your home or office and the nearest exchange.

Access networks can be either wired or wireless, with the latter becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience and flexibility.

In a wired access network, data is transmitted through physical cables, such as fiber optic or copper cables. This type of network is often faster and more reliable than wireless networks.

Wireless access networks, on the other hand, use radio waves to transmit data between devices, making it a great option for areas where running cables is impractical.

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A network is made up of two main parts: the core network and the access network. The core network is like the highway system, providing high-speed data transmission across long distances, while the access network is like the local roads, connecting end users to the service provider's network.

For another approach, see: GPRS Core Network

The core network is built for speed and resilience, prioritizing high capacity links and redundancy. It's like a well-designed highway system, always looking for ways to improve efficiency and reduce congestion.

The access network, on the other hand, is designed for coverage and cost-efficiency. It's often used in consumer networks, where bandwidth is shared with other users and internet speeds may fluctuate.

Here's a quick comparison of the two:

The core network is primarily used by ISPs, data centers, and large enterprises, while the access network links individual businesses, homes, and mobile devices.

There are several types of networks that make up an access network.

A wired network is a type of network that uses physical cables to connect devices.

Wired networks are typically faster and more reliable than wireless networks.

A wireless network, also known as a Wi-Fi network, uses radio waves to connect devices.

Wireless networks are often used in homes and businesses where it's not practical to run cables.

Worth a look: Municipal Wireless Network

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a type of network that connects multiple buildings in a city or town.

A MAN is often used to connect businesses and organizations in a specific geographic area.

A local area network (LAN) is a type of network that connects devices in a small geographic area, such as a home or office building.

A LAN is often used to connect devices on a single floor of a building.

If this caught your attention, see: O Connect to the Network.

Passive optical distribution networks use single-mode optical fiber in the outside plant.

A key component of PONs is the optical splitter, which creates a point-to-multipoint topology. This technology allows for easy upgradability by changing the optical network terminals (ONT) and optical line terminal (OLT) terminals at each end, with minimal change to the physical network.

In PONs, optical splitters are used to share a single fiber between multiple users, supporting a higher split ratio of users per PON. This can be further supported by reach extenders/amplifiers where extra coverage is needed.

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Coaxial access networks, on the other hand, use coaxial cables to connect end-users to the internet. These cables consist of a central conductor that carries the signal and an outer conductor that acts as a shield to reduce interference.

Here's a brief overview of the key components involved in access networks:

Network components play a crucial role in the access network, enabling data transmission between devices.

A network can be wired or wireless, with the former using physical cables to connect devices.

Wired networks are generally faster and more reliable than wireless ones.

In a wired network, devices are connected using Ethernet cables, which can transmit data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

The network can be managed using a network operating system, such as Windows or Linux.

A network operating system manages network resources, including devices, printers, and storage.

Network devices, such as routers and switches, are essential for routing data between devices.

Routers direct data packets to their destination, while switches manage data transmission within a local network.

Network security is critical, with firewalls and antivirus software protecting against cyber threats.

Firewalls block unauthorized access to the network, while antivirus software detects and removes malware.

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A Passive Optical Network, or PON, is a type of access network that uses fiber optic cables to connect end-users to the internet. It's a point-to-multipoint design, where a single point in the ISP's network fans out to reach up to 1024 homes.

PON uses passive splitters, which forward optical signals downstream and upstream without actively storing-and-forwarding frames. This means that framing happens at the source in the ISP's premises, in a device called an Optical Line Terminal (OLT), and at the end-points in individual homes, in a device called an Optical Network Unit (ONU).

The splitters in a PON are passive, which means they don't actively store-and-forward frames like repeaters do in classic Ethernet. Instead, they simply forward the optical signals downstream and upstream.

To implement multi-access protocol, PON transmits upstream and downstream traffic on two different optical wavelengths. This keeps the traffic completely independent of each other.

In a PON, downstream traffic starts at the OLT and propagates down every link in the network. Every frame reaches every ONU, which then looks at a unique identifier in the individual frames sent over the wavelength and either keeps the frame (if the identifier is for it) or drops it (if not).

PON is similar to Ethernet in the sense that it defines a sharing algorithm that has evolved over time to accommodate higher and higher bandwidths. The most widely deployed PON today is G-PON, which supports a bandwidth of 2.25-Gbps.

Expand your knowledge: Ethernet in the First Mile

Coaxial Networks are a type of wired access network that uses coaxial cables to connect end-users to the internet. These cables consist of a central conductor that carries the signal and an outer conductor that acts as a shield to reduce interference.

Coaxial access networks are widely available and can provide high-speed internet access at affordable prices. They're commonly used to provide cable TV and broadband internet access to homes and businesses.

Coaxial cables used in these networks can transmit data at speeds of up to 1 Gbps or higher, depending on the quality of the cables and technology used. This makes them a reliable choice for high-speed internet access.

However, the quality of the internet connection can be affected by the distance between the end-user and the central node. The farther away the end-user is, the weaker the internet signal will be, resulting in slower speeds and more interference.

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Cellular networks are a type of wireless access network that provides internet connectivity to mobile devices.

They use cellular technology to transmit data over a cellular network, which is made up of a series of interconnected base stations. Cellular access networks are commonly used by mobile network operators to provide mobile internet access to their subscribers.

Each cell in a cellular network is served by a base station or cell tower. As you move from one cell to another, your device automatically switches to the nearest base station to maintain internet connection.

Cellular networks use different generations of cellular technology, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G, to transmit data between devices and base stations.

One advantage of cellular networks is that they offer mobility and flexibility, allowing you to connect to the internet from almost anywhere.

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The open access network component is designed to provide secure and reliable access to the network.

It's typically deployed in a point-to-multipoint configuration, which allows a single device to connect to multiple users.

The open access network component uses a hub-and-spoke architecture, with the hub serving as the central point of connection.

This architecture enables efficient management and maintenance of the network.

The open access network component can be managed remotely, reducing the need for physical site visits.

This feature is particularly useful for large networks with multiple locations.

Worth a look: Open Base Station Architecture Initiative

Data flow between the core and access networks is a crucial aspect of connectivity. Core networks carry large volumes of aggregated traffic over long distances, linking to national backbones, internet exchanges, cloud platforms, and data centres.

The regional network plays a vital role in transporting traffic across towns, cities, or regions, aggregating data between the access and core layers. This process ensures seamless connectivity between different parts of the network.

Here's a simplified breakdown of the different types of networks that work together to connect end users to the internet, cloud platforms, and business-critical services:

The core network is designed to carry large volumes of aggregated traffic over long distances, linking to national backbones, internet exchanges, cloud platforms, and data centres.

It's a crucial part of the network infrastructure, as it enables fast and reliable data transfer between different locations.

Core networks typically transport data across national or international borders, making them a vital component of global communication networks.

Here's a breakdown of the core network's key functions:

By understanding how core networks work, you can appreciate the complexity and importance of modern communication systems.

Neos Networks delivers high capacity connectivity for UK businesses of all sizes, with a focus on low latency to ensure smooth data flow. This is particularly important for organisations that rely on real-time data exchange.

As a Critical National Infrastructure provider, Neos Networks has the UK's largest business-dedicated fibre network. This extensive network enables always-on connections for businesses nationwide.

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Whether your business needs Dedicated Internet Access, Business Ethernet, Optical Wavelengths, or Dark Fibre, Neos Networks can design a tailored network solution. This approach ensures that your connectivity is scalable for long-term growth.

Neos Networks' expertise in network design and deployment allows businesses to focus on their core operations, while the company handles the complexity of connectivity.

Passive Optical Networks (PONs) use single-mode optical fiber and optical splitters to distribute signals to multiple users, with faster PON standards supporting higher split ratios and using reach extenders/amplifiers for extra coverage.

These networks can be upgraded by changing the optical network terminals (ONT) and optical line terminal (OLT) terminals at each end, with minimal change to the physical network.

Optical splitters create a point-to-multipoint topology, making PON networks upgradable and flexible.

Access networks often support point-to-point technologies like Ethernet, which bypasses outside plant splitters to achieve a dedicated link to the telephone exchange.

Cellular access networks use cellular technology to transmit data over a cellular network made up of interconnected base stations.

They offer mobility and flexibility, allowing users to connect to the internet from almost anywhere, and are more reliable compared to other wireless access networks.

Cellular networks use different generations of cellular technology, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G, to transmit data between devices and base stations, with each generation offering faster speeds and more advanced features.

Some PON networks use a "home run" topology, where roadside cabinets only contain patch panels, with all splitters located centrally, encouraging a more competitive wholesale market and higher use of providers' equipment.

Here's a list of network technologies mentioned in this section:

Access charges are billed directly to interexchange carriers for use of local exchange facilities.

Some access charges are paid by local end users, making up a significant percentage of all access charges.

Local exchange carriers charge for access to their facilities for purposes like origination or termination of network traffic.

This charge is typically made for traffic carried to or from a distant exchange by an interexchange carrier.

Additional reading: Telephone Exchange