ISDN vs PSTN

“PSTN” means “Public Switched Telephone Network,” and “ISDN” means “Integrated Services
Digital Network.”
One of the main differences that can be seen between the two is that PSTN lines are analogue
while ISDN lines are digital. When comparing the two networks, the PSTN lines are used for
small companies and ISDL are used for bigger companies.

Unlike the ISDN, the PSTN are mostly used as single lines for firms or companies that need
ADSL. With Integrated Services Digital Network, one can run as many as 2, 10, 20 or 30
channels that could be run with a single line.

ISDN is also called a circuit-switched telephone network system, which has been designed for
the digital transmission of data and voice over ordinary phones. Unlike the PSTN, the ISDN
provides better voice quality. Moreover, the ISDN provides 128 kbit/s, which is really good for
the Internet. PSTN has a disadvantage that it does not make the most possible use of the
broadband.

One of the key features of the Integrated Services Digital Network is that it integrates both
speech and data in the same line which is not available with ordinary telephone wires. When
using ISDN, one can make faster calls than when using the PSTN.

PSTN was first created by the use of fluctuating analogue signals and manually operated
switchboards. Later these switchboards were replaced by auto switchboards and then by digital
switching technologies.

It was in 1991 that the ISDN was developed. It was only a year later that it was really made
available for the public. Basic Rate Interface, Primary Rate Interface, and Broadband-ISDN are
the three types of ISDN available.

While PSTN does not allow two simultaneous connections, it is allowed in ISDN service. This
means that two simultaneous connections, such as telephone, fax, data transmissions, fax, or
video can be used.

Summary:

1.PSTN lines are analogue while ISDN lines are digital.

2.When comparing the two networks, the PSTN lines are used for small companies and ISDL are
used for bigger companies.
3.The ISDN provides 128 kbit/s, which is really good for the Internet. PSTN has a disadvantage
that it does not make the most possible use of the broadband.
4.While PSTN does not allow two simultaneous connections, it is allowed in ISDN service.
5.When using ISDN, one can make faster calls than when using the PSTN.
2G vs 2.5G

Cellular phone technologies are delineated by generations, with each generation having different
technologies and different features. If the improvements are not really very significant, there are
often characterized as half-steps. This is the case with 2G and 2.5G. The main difference
between 2G and 2.5G is the implementation of packet switching, which is what is used in
computer networks. The main focus of 2G is to provide voice services and utilize circuit
switching mainly.

The advantages that 2.5G provides are a result of the previous difference. Mainly, the increased
data speed ranging from 56kbps to 115kbps. Faster speeds are not really needed if you just use
your cellphone for voice calling or text messaging. But the increased speeds also opened up a
new set of services to the consumers.

Probably the most important service provided by 2.5G is web browsing via WAP. WAP is a
simplified version of websites that are necessary because mobile phones back then were unable
to render full web pages due to very weak hardware. Although very simple, it still provided a
basic level of web interaction that was not available till then.

Another new feature provided by 2.5G is the ability to send and receive photos and videos via
MMS, or the Multimedia Messaging Service. This uses the packet switched network, pretty
much like the internet to deliver the multimedia content from the one phone to the other. This
service is not possible without the new 2.5G technologies.

The jump from 2G to 2.5 is not really a major thing for telecoms because it is just an upgrade
over existing 2G infrastructures. It just needs compatible handsets and a few modifications to the
base stations. But the new features it implements make it very worthwhile for both the telecoms
and the subscribers.

2.5G was classified as such because it did not really provide adequate speed like true 3G does. It
also uses the transmitters and other infrastructure of the older 2G networks. 3G typically operates
in separate frequencies than 2G and 2.5G uses, thus allowing mobile phones to switch from one
to the other when capable.

Summary:

1. 2.5G implements packet switching along with the circuit switching in 2G

2. 2.5G has much faster data rates than 2G
3. 2.5G allows limited web browsing while 2G does not
4. 2.5G has MMS services while 2G does not
 Edge vs. 3G

The mobile phone market has been growing explosively during the last decade. Moving from
analog to digital in a very short period and becoming way more than a telephone by adding
features that you’ve never expected in a phone. One of the more prominent features of the
mobile phone is internet access. The standard 2G connection back then was GPRS which
offered speeds that are even much lower compared to what you can get from a DSL provider.

The need for faster internet connections led to the development of EDGE (Enhanced Data
Rates for GSM Evolution). This is a technology that uses the same equipment as GSM with
only a few minor modifications to provide faster data speeds and is often regarded as a
stepping stone towards 3G thus it is called 2.5G. It provides speeds that are actually
marginally better than that of a dial-up connection. The only advantage that EDGE had was
that it required very little from the telco to implement.

The introduction of 3G changed a lot of the accepted standards in the mobile phone industry.
It allowed the use of a greater bandwidth that allowed more features to be implemented on it.
3G is a family of standards established by the International Telecommunication Union to
supersede the current 2G technology that is in place. Features like video calls and TV apps
were possible because of the speed of 3G which began at 384kbps; well within DSL speeds.
Further development on 3G technologies have also created even faster data rate reaching 3.6
and even 7.2Mbps.

The speed acquired with the use of 3G technology doesn’t come without a price though. 3G
networks aren’t compatible with existing GSM networks; therefore a new infrastructure is
needed. Telcos have slowly rolled out 3G towers in areas where they feel that the demand is
the greatest. So basically, they have to operate two radios in certain areas; one for 3G and
one for GSM. Mobile phone owners are also required to switch mobile phones in order to
take advantage of the new features.

As more and more 3G radios are put up and more people are switching to 3G capable phones,
the 2G standard would begin to lose subscribers. It would only be a matter of years before the
newer 3G network would make the existence of a 2G network redundant. By then the current
2G network would be powered down and all the existing 2G phones would become as useful
as the analog phones that came before them, as a brick.

Global System for Mobile communications or GSM is the current and most widely used standard
for mobile phones today while 3G is the next generation mobile technology that has begun to
replace GSM. 3G is still in its infancy and only has a very small area covered when compared to
GSM.

GSM technology has been the most prominent mobile phone technology in the world. Although
there are other technologies that are competing with GSM, it has not budged in its dominance.
GSM offered a lot of possibilities to the world of mobile phones like text messaging and even
low speed internet access. Further improvements were made with the introduction of GPRS and
EDGE that extended the capabilities of GSM networks. Multimedia messaging was added to its
list of features allowing subscribers to send pictures, audio clips, and even short video clips to
each other. EDGE also increased the speed of mobile internet browsing to Dial-up speeds.

3G is a whole new technology that was introduced as a replacement to the aging GSM
technology. It offers substantial improvements over its predecessor in almost all aspects
imaginable. For starters, mobile internet speeds for 3G networks starts out at 384kbps which is
already within the range of DSL speeds. At the higher end of the 3G spectrum is HSDPA which
can achieve speeds of up to 7.2mbps, way faster than what GSM can offer. Theses faster speeds
also made it possible to add new features that were unavailable for GSM. One of which is video
calling, that allows people to see each other while talking.

The only drawback behind 3G technology is the fact that it is not backward compatible to the
older GSM technology. This means that your 3G mobile phones cannot communicate with GSM
towers and 2G phones cannot communicate with 3G towers. To preserve backwards
compatibility, most telecoms install newer 3G radios while still maintaining the older GSM
radios. Mobile phone makers also include 3G support into their phones without removing 2G
technologies. This would gradually fade as more and more 3G radios are put up and more 3G
mobile phones are built.

It would only be a matter of time until 3G technologies fully supersede the GSM network, this
not a competition but a natural transition from an older technology to a new one. Therefore, it
would make sense to consider this when you are purchasing a new mobile phone and get one that
already supports 3G technology.

2G vs 3G Network Technology

2G and 3G networks are the two current technologies in use today. Although both are good
enough for basic calls and text messaging features, the two are very different when it comes to
capabilities. The main difference between 3G and 2G network technology is bandwidth, which
people commonly refer to as speed. At the very minimum, 3G provides speeds that are roughly
twice the maximum speed possible with GPRS, a 2G network technology. 2G has been left in the
dust as current technologies have much faster speeds.

Data speed in itself is already a huge improvement as it opened up the internet to mobile phone
users, which 2G networks had a very limited version called WAP. Nowadays, you pretty much
get the same internet experience on your mobile devices as you would get from your computer.
But aside from opening that, 3G network technology also paved the way for the introduction of
new cellular phone features that were unheard of in 2G. This includes MMS, the ability to send
multimedia files like photos, videos, and sound files from one 3G capable phone to another; and
then there’s video calling, pretty much like traditional calling but you can see your conversation
partner with the use of the phone’s cameras. These features seem mundane to most people
nowadays but they were ground-breaking when they were introduced a few years back.

As is the case with every new technology that aims to replace an older technology, 3G did not
outright replace 2G. 2G networks were pretty established by then and migrating to 3G meant
purchasing new equipment for the telcos and purchasing new phones for the users. That is why a
gradual roll-out was the step taken by just about everyone, with 2G and 3G networks coexisting
in certain areas. This provides better flexibility to serve all customers. But in some areas where
the population is not as large, the introduction of 3G network technologies are not as cost
effective. That’s why there are still some areas with only 2G network technologies and not 3G.
This is not a problem for 3G phone owners as these phones are able to utilize 2G network
technologies as a fallback in case 3G network technologies are not available.

Summary:

1. 3G provides way more bandwidth than 2G network technology

2. 3G has more features than 2G network technology
3. 3G networks are not as widely deployed as 2G networks are

3G vs HSDPA

3G is the common name for the third generation of mobile phone technologies. But instead of
being a single standard, 3G is composed of multiple technologies that provide the same level of
service. HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) is a later addition to the 3G technologies
to provide better and faster data speeds to subscribers.

3G is an improvement of the older 2G standard and introduces multiple advanced features. The
most significant is video calling, which allows the two parties to see each other during the call.
Another improvement is the much faster internet connection speeds that are being offered by 3G.
But as more people are using the service and the demand for better and faster connection rose,
HSDPA was added to 3G. HSDPA does not offer any new features like 3G did, it simply offered
a faster connection that the 3G features can take advantage of.

HSDPA also provides better latency compared to the older technologies of 3G. Latency is the
time between the request was sent and the time for the reply to get back. This might not be
noticeable for most people who use their mobile phones to browse web sites, but it is quite
important for people who use real-time services like VoIP. A higher latency results to lag in the
voice signal or dropped packets which can deteriorate the call quality.

Implementing HSDPA is quite a big step for mobile companies who are still using the older 2G
standard. As with all 3G technologies, HSDPA is not compatible with 2G and requires a new
network altogether. But for companies who already have 3G networks deployed, implementing
HSDPA is relatively cheap and simple that there is really no argument against deploying it.
Aside from the network side, mobile phones must have HSDPA capabilities in order to take
advantage of the added speed. Just because a mobile phone advertises that it is capable of 3G
does not mean that is capable of performing at HSDPA speeds.

Summary:
1. 3G is a group of technologies for mobile communications while HSDPA is an extension of the
3G technologies to provide faster speeds
2. 3G introduced new features like video calling and online TV
3. HSDPA provides better latency compared to the older 3G technology
4. HSDPA is relatively easy and cheap upgrade to existing 3G networks
5. There are mobile phones that have 3G support but not HSDPA

Difference Between GPRS and 3G

From the beginning of the mobile phone, there has been a clamor for sending data over the
network aside from voice. Systems were created that enabled user to send text messages to each
other. From there, data communications began with technologies like GPRS (General Packet
Radio Service) and WAP (Wireless Access Protocol) has given us a glimpse of how mobile
internet would be.

GPRS is a 2G technology that allowed mobile phones to extend their usability a lot further than
by simply making calls. It is the main technology behind MMS features that allowed users to
send pictures, sound clips, and even videos to other MMS capable mobile phones. It has even
allowed access to a diluted version of the internet via WAP with speeds that ranged between 56
and 114 kbps. The main problem with GPRS though, aside from its slow connection speed, is the
fact that you are being charged on the kilobyte, which means that you would need moderate
downloading unless you want a very big bill.

The appearance of 3G technology has even expanded the capabilities of mobile phones even
further. 3G introduced video calls along with high speed data access that reach speed of up to
384kbps. Those speeds are already in the minimum speed of DSL connections and are more than
enough for browsing the internet. The mobile phones that are compatible with 3G networks have
also advanced enough to carry browsers that are capable of processing and displaying whole web
pages. Despite having a very small display, the workaround of zooming in still makes the
experience worthwhile. The added benefit of 3G is the fact that telcos are now charging by the
minute and some even offer data plans with unlimited access.This made mobile internet basically
just like DSL.

It is quite easy to see that 3G technologies are the wave of the future and it would only be a
matter of time before the 2G network is retired in favor of the much faster 3G. Despite being
incompatible to the existent GSM networks, 3G technology has proven itself to be significant
enough to warrant the gradual rollout of the infrastructure needed to support it. The speed that
we experience with 3G is so much more compared to GPRS and it has allowed multiple
capabilities like video calling and even live TV via streaming. Aside from all that, the
introduction of even newer technologies like HSDPA which provides over 7.2mbps of
bandwidth ensures that 3G would be here for the foreseeable future.

Broadband vs DSL

In order to enjoy the amenities that are provided by the internet, users need a data link to
connect; the faster the better. For an extended period of time, the world used dial-up connections
via the widespread telephone system. This was very slow at a theoretical maximum of only
56kbps and a lot of people experimented on some solutions to solve this bottleneck. Broadband
is the term used to refer to any technology that provided substantially faster connection speeds
compared to dial-up. Direct Subscriber line, commonly known as DSL, is one of these
technologies and it is one of the most popular technologies used in homes.

Broadband has opened up the internet to more than simple data. It allowed people to use the
internet for listening to music, watching videos, and even sharing photos and other files. Peer to
peer networks also started to appear after higher data speeds made it more feasible.

DSL is not the only technology that is capable of providing high speed access. There is ISDN,
satellite internet, cellular broadband, and power-line internet to name a few. Each of these
technologies has their own advantages and disadvantages that make them better for one
application but not for another. DSL is widely preferred by a lot of homes and phone companies
because they use the same infrastructure as standard telephone lines. It is easier for telephone
companies because they don’t have to lay new lines. All it takes on the subscriber’s end is a line
splitter/filter that separates the frequencies used for voice and the frequency used for data, and
DSL modem. It also requires a lot less expense in terms of hardware compared to wireless
technologies like cellular and satellite.

The definition of broadband has been evolving for as long as its existence. As of 2009, the FCC
defines broadband as any internet technology that exceeds 768kbps. This excludes a lot of what
we traditionally know as broadband. DSL has kept pace with the evolution of broadband internet
and higher speeds are quite possible, as long as the provider is capable. Speeds of over 1mbps is
quite commonplace and is even insufficient for a lot of users.

Summary:
1. Broadband is the umbrella terminology used for high speed internet access while DSL is only
one of these technologies
2. There are other broadband technologies in use aside from DSL
3. DSL is advantageous compared to other broadband technologies as it can integrate to existing
telephone systems

WiMAX vs Wi-Fi

WiMAX and Wi-Fi are wireless technologies. “WiMAX” stands for “Worldwide Interoperability
for Microwave Access” and “Wi-Fi” stands for “Wireless Fidelity.” They are different from each
other in many ways. In this article we will discuss WiMAX IEEE 802.16 and Wi-Fi 802.11.

One of the main differences is the range in which they operate. WiMAX can be used for long
ranges. It provides broadband connectivity up to varied ranges, around 30 km. The service is
provided from a central location, and the connectivity is inside or outside the service radius plus
the people moving in cars, etc., just like a mobile phone. Wi-Fi, however, is used for providing
connectivity to a smaller range, say, around 250m. It is used to provide connectivity to shorter
ranges like within an office or home.

WiMAX has two different versions; fixed and mobile versions. The mobile version is 802.16 m
and can replace CDMA and GSM technologies. The fixed version is 802.16d, and 802.16e is
used for home whereas Wi-Fi which comes in 802.11 families has many versions like 802.11a,
802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n

Wi-Fi operates in spectrum which is unlicensed. It may interfere with each other and with
cordless phones also. It can operate in uncontrolled environments along with Bluetooth, walkie-
talkies, and sometimes microwave frequencies too. This results in a powerful device, and the one
which is closer to the access point getting more airtime than its fair share. Whereas WiMAX was
developed in a way that it requires a license. The frequencies and license has to be purchased.
These frequencies are more powerful and of a higher range. It has more of control and command
and can be used for cable, Internet, and DSL. It helps in providing services like video, data,
voice, etc.

Some new spectrums which are licensed like 700MHz are available to WiMAX but not for Wi-
Fi. Thus, eventually WiMAX becomes more popular as it can operate in this frequency whereas
Wi-Fi cannot and may lose its popularity.

Summary:

1.“WiMAX” stands for “Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access”; “Wi-Fi” stands for
“Wireless Fidelity.”
2.WiMAX provides wireless broadband connectivity for long ranges; Wi-Fi provides short-
range, wireless broadband connectivity mostly within an office or home.
3.WiMAX is more controlled and requires a licensed spectrum; the service is deployed by the
service providers. Wi-Fi can work in a less controlled environment; it works in an unlicensed
environment and is less controlled. Moreover, the end users have to buy the devices.
4.WiMAX uses MAC protocol which is connection oriented; Wi-Fi uses connection-based or
connectionless protocol called CSMA/CA.

Modem vs Router

When subscribing to an ISP, they would usually provide you with a box that connects to your
phone line and to your computer. This box is usually both a router and a modem. A modem is a
device that negotiates the connection with your ISP through your telephone line while a router is
a device that is used to connect two networks together, in this case your network to your modem.

Traditionally modems were stand alone devices that can be connected straight to your computer
or to a router. It connects to the router via the standard RJ45 and with the telephone line via the
smaller RJ11. Its job is simply to translate data from one protocol to another since telephone
lines do not use the same signaling and transmission methods that are used in computer
networks. Because of this, data isn’t being screened by the modem and any potential threat
would still go through to your network.

Routers only use RJ45 since it is understood that it would only connect to computer networks. Its
job is to examine a data packet and determine where it should go; it chooses the route the data
should take, thus the name router. It is in a router where firewalls are implemented in order to
screen out potential attacks or threats that might try to gain access to your network.
You should know that modems are the means to connect to the internet and without modems the
internet would not exist. Routers on the other hand, are not really essential for internet
communication. It is still possible to connect to the internet without routers just like in the old
days with internal PCI modems. But you should remember that the main job of the router is to
protect you from possible threats and malware, and this shouldn’t be taken very lightly.

Summary:
1. A router is used to connect two or more networks while a modem is used to connect to a
phone line
2. A router only connects to RJ45 connectors while modems need an RJ45 and an RJ11 for the
phone line
3. A router provides security measures to protect your network but a modem does not
4. A modem is essential to connect to the internet while a router isn’t

3G vs 4G

3G is currently the world’s best connection method when it comes to mobile phones, and
especially mobile Internet. 3G stands for 3rd generation as it is just that in terms of the
evolutionary path of the mobile phone industry. 4G means 4th generation. This is a set of
standard that is being developed as a future successor of 3G in the very near future.

The biggest difference between the two is in the existence of compliant technologies. There are a
bunch of technologies that fall under 3G, including WCDMA, EV-DO, and HSPA among others.
Although a lot of mobile phone companies are quick to dub their technologies as 4G, such as
LTE, WiMax, and UMB, none of these are actually compliant to the specifications set forth by
the 4G standard. These technologies are often referred to as Pre-4G or 3.9G.

4G speeds are meant to exceed that of 3G. Current 3G speeds are topped out at 14Mbps
downlink and 5.8Mbps uplink. To be able to qualify as a 4G technology, speeds of up to
100Mbps must be reached for a moving user and 1Gbps for a stationary user. So far, these
speeds are only reachable with wired LANs.

Another key change in 4G is the abandonment of circuit switching. 3G technologies use a hybrid
of circuit switching and packet switching. Circuit switching is a very old technology that has
been used in telephone systems for a very long time. The downside to this technology is that it
ties up the resource for as long as the connection is kept up. Packet switching is a technology that
is very prevalent in computer networks but has since appeared in mobile phones as well. With
packet switching, resources are only used when there is information to be sent across. The
efficiency of packet switching allows the mobile phone company to squeeze more conversations
into the same bandwidth. 4G technologies would no longer utilize circuit switching even for
voice calls and video calls. All information that is passed around would be packet switched to
enhance efficiency.

Summary:
1. 3G stands for 3rd generation while 4G stands for 4th generation

2. 3G technologies are in widespread use while 4G compliant technologies are still in the horizon

3. 4G speeds are much faster compared to 3G

4. 3G is a mix of circuit and packet switching network while 4G is only a packet switching
network

TCP UDP

User Datagram Protocol or Universal

Acronym for Transmission Control Protocol
Datagram Protocol

Connection TCP is a connection-oriented protocol. UDP is a connectionless protocol.

UDP is also a protocol used in message

As a message makes its way across the transport or transfer. This is not connection
Function internet from one computer to based which means that one program can
another. This is connection based. send a load of packets to another and that
would be the end of the relationship.

UDP is suitable for applications that need

TCP is suited for applications that
fast, efficient transmission, such as games.
require high reliability, and
Usage UDP's stateless nature is also useful for
transmission time is relatively less
servers that answer small queries from huge
critical.
numbers of clients.

Use by other
HTTP, HTTPs, FTP, SMTP, Telnet DNS, DHCP, TFTP, SNMP, RIP, VOIP.
protocols

UDP has no inherent order as all packets are

Ordering of data TCP rearranges data packets in the independent of each other. If ordering is
packets order specified. required, it has to be managed by the
application layer.

UDP is faster because there is no error-

Speed of transfer The speed for TCP is slower than UDP.
checking for packets.

There is absolute guarantee that the

data transferred remains intact and There is no guarantee that the messages or
Reliability
arrives in the same order in which it packets sent would reach at all.
was sent.

Header Size TCP header size is 20 bytes UDP Header size is 8 bytes.
 TCP UDP

Common Header Source port, Destination port, Check

Source port, Destination port, Check Sum
Fields Sum

Packets are sent individually and are checked

Data is read as a byte stream, no for integrity only if they arrive. Packets have
distinguishing indications are definite boundaries which are honored upon
Streaming of data
transmitted to signal message receipt, meaning a read operation at the
(segment) boundaries. receiver socket will yield an entire message
as it was originally sent.

TCP is heavy-weight. TCP requires

three packets to set up a socket UDP is lightweight. There is no ordering of
Weight connection, before any user data can messages, no tracking connections, etc. It is
be sent. TCP handles reliability and a small transport layer designed on top of IP.
congestion control.

TCP does Flow Control. TCP requires

three packets to set up a socket
UDP does not have an option for flow
Data Flow Control connection, before any user data can
control
be sent. TCP handles reliability and
congestion control.

UDP does error checking, but no recovery

Error Checking TCP does error checking
options.

1. Sequence Number, 2. AcK number,

3. Data offset, 4. Reserved, 5. Control
1. Length, 2. Source port, 3. Destination port,
Fields bit, 6. Window, 7. Urgent Pointer 8.
4. Check Sum
Options, 9. Padding, 10. Check Sum,
11. Source port, 12. Destination port

Acknowledgement Acknowledgement segments No Acknowledgment

Handshake SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK No handshake (connectionless protocol)

Checksum checksum to detect errors