Computer Networks

Computer Networks

TCP/IP has become a ubiquitous network architecture in both the LAN and WAN environments of many organizations. Coupled with the availability of small, low-cost embedded computer systems, TCP/IP networks provide those organizations with an opportunity to significantly reduce costs. Most legacy WANs use synchronous communications for their wide-area links. This white paper discusses the various types of legacy networks in use today, reasons for converting to TCP/IP networking, considerations for migration to TCP/IP and the use of a new device family - SyncServer - to permit cost-efficient migration to a TCP/IP infrastructure(Kurose, 2011).

The meaning of the term "legacy network" and the devices and networks to which it applies varies with individual opinion and industry. Generally it is taken to refer to networks, designs and devices which are today difficult to source because they are no longer produced or difficult to maintain because of inherent complexity or lack of design and maintenance expertise. Many older/legacy host computers or data collection devices only implement particular network protocols.

Consequently, to meet their communication requirements, those specific protocols are used.

Some examples of legacy protocols are SNA, X.25, AX.25 (airline X.25), BX.25 (telephone X.25), HDLC-LAPB, SDLC, Frame Relay, BiSync, and raw synchronous.

Companies today are faced with the challenges of controlling equipment and operating costs, protecting their current investments and having the ability to deploy new applications costeffectively.

The Software Group provides cost-effective TCP/IP enabling solutions that permit the conversion from legacy networks to TCP/IP infrastructure without major changes to network endpoints or application design.

As corporations become more reliant on Internet protocols, either as Intranet components or interfacing directly with the Internet for corporate communications, they will become more reliant on worldwide IP (Internet Protocol) services. IP will become far more important and ultimately will become the predominant data networking protocol. Managing one type of network based on the most commonly used network protocol (IP) is simpler and less costly than managing many different types of network protocols and devices (Andrew, 2010).

Whether or not there is resistance to convert from legacy networks to IP networking varies by organization. Many legacy networks have been in place for more than ten years with few or no updates to the hardware or software. The legacy system works and it is reliable - so why change it? There is resistance to converting to anything different if it involves a redesign of the network or installation and setup of new hardware or software.

On the other hand, TCP/IP networking has become ubiquitous inside corporations through their LANs. TCP/IP networking has also become ubiquitous because of the business potential of the Internet. Maintaining an internal TCP/IP network (Intranet), a network for Internet connectivity and a network for communication with legacy devices involves considerable management and familiarity with different networking systems and protocols. TCP/IP provides for "any-to-any " connectivity, as opposed to most legacy protocols, many of which are either implemented for proprietary systems, or are open systems co-opted to proprietary infrastructures(Gary, et al 2009).

Managing the performance of a single, TCP/IP-based Wide Area Network ...