Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes Essay

Online gaming is big business these days, with thousands of people connected to each other every minute. Games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft connect massive numbers of players, sending both data and voice communications back and forth in real-time. In a 1-2 page paper, discuss HOW the data gets sent from a computer or gaming system to the computer/gaming system of all of the people with whom one is playing. Specifically, focus on the local exchange interfaces – access, regional, metro, long haul and ocean networks. Include in your paper a diagram showing the communication, labeling any important stops along the way (central offices, repeaters, etc.) Note: You don’t have to list EVERY repeater you’d need, but be creative and show that you understand the process. Submission Requirements Submit a 1-2 page Word document; double-spaced; Times New Roman 12 pt font. Cite all sources used. Local Exchange Online gaming is big business these days, with thousands of people connected to each other every minute. Games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft connect massive numbers of players, sending both data and voice communications back and forth in real-time Considering that video game consoles are almost computers; then it is clear that they can communicate as  computers does; and that is through TCP/IP networks. Therefore, it is possible to exchange data between gaming consoles. But let’s examine the aspects that are involved on this process. First, there is a physical connection running between two computers that want to connect. This could be phone lines that run from houses to switches to other houses that the phone company lets dial to each other. Or it could be network cables going to hubs and other computers. Or it could be cable lines running to fiber optic lines, through routers. Or it could be radio waves that computers can broadcast and receive. Second, there is a physical device that connects the computer to the network of lines he is communicating over. It could be a modem, a network card, a radio transmitter, or a router. Third, there is a set of software that allows the computer to send data across this network. There are a lot of layers to this software. At the top level, the computer sends some type of â€Å"packet† of data to the device and across the network. Typically, this is a TCP/IP packet. This basically tells you what the format of the data has to be, and what pieces of software computers need to have to send this kind of data. Finally, at the game layer, the game determines what other computer it needs to connect to, sends a request to the network device to establish the connection, and then sends data to the device so it can be sent. The network layer, when it receives data on a given connection, doesn’t just store it, it sends it on to the application who has the connection. So the connection is essentially between two applications. Focusing on the physical access; the possibility that data can be send to players around the globe is all thanks to the infrastructure of telecom companies. Starting with the local access, which is provided by the local telephone companies (Local Exchange Carriers). These entities are responsible for ensuring the necessary access to the network and the reliable transportation of the information. The Local Exchange Carriers provide the interface for  the users to connect to the internet. Behind the scene, the network access plays a vital role in this process; which is the part of the network that reaches the end users and â€Å"connects them†. This services are brought to the consumer through a cabling link between the consumer and the Local Exchange. This network pf cabling is also referred as â€Å"Distribution Network† At the transportation level, the data is handled by the regional/metro networks (MAN) is responsible for aggregating information from the local exchanges of a specific service provider and sending that information to the regional and long haul/core network. A regional network is responsible for aggregation of information from metro networks. It is typically the last point before information traffic is put onto the core network. Core network is responsible for transporting large amounts of information from metro and regional networks in one part of the geography over very long distances to the regional and metro networks of another part of the geography. An important part of the infrastructure are the ocean networks; these are the most demanding and technically advance networks in existence. There are a multitude of optical fiber cables underwater connecting continents and countries together; therefore, vital for internet communications. As you may imagine, there a multitude of devices and equipment involved within each network to make all this process (data exchange) possible.