The advancements in Information Technology (IT) have extended to all fields of business and networking plays a major role in communication and applications. As the adoption trend of new technologies continues upwards, enterprises constantly demand optimization techniques and products to manage network traffic. Business-critical applications are increasingly reliant on various technologies based on the Wide Area Network (WAN) or Internet and supporting devices. Among the technologies used for connecting networks and processing information, point-to-point is a technology used for connectivity to the network. It is important to have a basic understanding of the protocols, networks and circuits in point-to-point technology to avail its benefits.
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
The Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is used for establishing direct connectivity between two network nodes. It authenticates the connections, compresses, transmits after encryption thereby providing privacy. PPP is primarily designed for linking two networks and transporting IP packets between the two. The links are capable of providing simultaneous bi-directional functions, delivering data packets in a specific order. This protocol is a common solution to easily connect diverse types of hosts, bridges, and routers.
PPP operates as a data link layer protocol to connect synchronous and asynchronous circuits. Its design supports workability with numerous network layer protocols. Point-to-point protocol can be used over various physical networks such as cable links, telephone line/cellular, special radio links, fiber optic links, and others. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) facilitate customers with dial-up access to the Internet through employing PPP.
Multiple network layer protocols are allowed by PPP to function on the same communication link. There is a separate Network Control Protocol (NCP) assigned for each network layer protocol that is used so that encapsulation and options management is provided for multiple layer protocols. An integral part of PPP is the Link Control Protocol (LCP), which allows for automatic interface configuration at every end. The interface configuration includes tasks such as setting size of datagrams, magic number, and escaped characters. LCP’s automatic configuration also enables to select optional authentication. Prior to that, a basic PPP connection is required for LCP can configure, since the link control protocol runs over PPP.
Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) and Point-to-Point Protocol over ATM (PPPoA) are the two encapsulated forms of PPP that ISPs use for linking Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service. The network protocol PPPoA is used for encapsulation of PPP frames in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), through using services such as cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL). Features of PPP including encryption, authentication, and compression are provided by PPPoA. PPPoE is a network protocol used for encapsulation of PPP frames within Ethernet frames. Primarily, it is utilized with ADSL services for connecting users to the ADSL modem over Ethernet.
In Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology data is transferred between WAN nodes from point-to-point on the network regardless of the protocol. A specific path is set for the data packets in the sequence. The IP packets are passed over the network based on the assigned labels. MPLS is protocol agnostic and enables to create an end-to-end circuit or point-to-point link using any type of protocol over any transport medium. However the use of such technology necessitates redundancy, the key for business continuity. MPLS networks cannot be bonded together with Border Gateway Protocol. It requires far advanced technology for aggregation. FatPipe Networks’ (www.fatpipe.com) patented IPVPN technology can agnostically aggregate multiple privately routed network connections, such as MPLS, point-to-point, frame relay, etc., and/or public connections to the core network. IPVPN can also work with multiple managed VPN service providers and provide support of managed services for users.
Point-to-Point Networks
A Point-to-Point network comprises many connections individual computer systems. It provides data transmission from one computer system to another, where the data packets traverse through many intermediate systems on the network. The IP packets are forwarded from one point to another point across the network by making use of routing algorithms. Oftentimes multiple routes of varying length may be taken, which highlights the importance of routing algorithms. In most cases, larger networks make use of point-to-point networks while relatively small networks adopt broadcast networks. Point-to-point networks are also called store and forward network.
Point-to-Point Circuits
Point-to-Point Circuit is a service that is used to connect two locations using a secure and dedicated WAN connection. It is also sometimes referred to as Private Lines. Point-to-Point circuits allow users to maintain control over their connectivity, and capacitate transmission of data, voice, and video traffic in various bandwidth configurations. Users employ Point-to-point circuits for connectivity between a host location and remote locations within a secure Wide Area Network connection. These circuits are also utilized for connectivity to a service provider’s Post Office Protocol (POP) for Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) or for voice applications. This enables users to moderate their connectivity as well as switch over if required to a different provided POP. The operational efficiency of Point-to-Point circuits depends on the proximity of the user to the service provider. Tariffs are based on the distance between two points. Point-to-point circuits are provided with broad scale of bandwidth allocations ranging from T1/DS1 (1.544Mbps) up to OC48 (2488Mbps).
The Need for Optimized Technology
As with many technologies, there are few setbacks in using point-to-point links too. The main reason is that point-to-point links intensify the existing issues with network protocols. Assigning and managing IP addresses is complex when performed over circuit-switched point-to-point links such as dial-up-modem servers. However, these problems are handled by NCPs particular to requirements of the respective network-layer protocols.
Optimized technology solutions that increase WAN performance are the current necessity. Proven technology vendors such as FatPipe Networks (www.fatpipe.com) offer WAN optimization solutions and products that provide highest levels of reliability, security, and bandwidth management. FatPipe technology allows varied connections to ISPs, taking disparate connections and performing dynamic load balancing and failover functions. FatPipe devices do not need BGP programming. FatPipe’s patented WARP technology combines multiple WAN connections of varied types over multiple backbones and ISPs, or same ISPs that have different POPs in order to provide reliability and redundancy for inbound and outbound IP traffic. FatPipe products increase WAN efficiency with its array of advanced product features including automatic line failover, dynamic load balancing of IP traffic, site-to-site and unit failover capabilities. Technology users constantly seek improved technology products to have continuity in business operations. FatPipe helps users to get closer to achieving the same.
