Public Data Network

From ArticleWorld

A public data network (PDN) is a network that is set up and operated by an authorized telecommunications agency or a government recognized private firm, with the aim of providing data transmission services for the general public. It is designed to bring data and the internet available to businesses and ordinary users at all times.

A public data network may refer to a frame relay, ATM, GPRS, IP and other packet switching methods of data transmission.

The technology of PDNs

A public data network is a packet or circuit-switched service provided by carriers, separate from the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Access is given to a nationwide data network via a local phone call. This system was originally used as an X.25-based packet-switched network mainly for providing leased-line connections that connected local area networks (LAN) to the Internet by deploying permanent virtual circuits (PVC).

Packet switching as used by PDNs

Packet switching techniques existed before the advent of the Internet. Custom I/O devices used to be installed to allow for communication over the networks. Packets are routed to their destination as decided by a routing algorithm.

The technique of packet switching is predominant in telecommunications and networking. This paradigm of communications relies on routing of packets between nodes over data links that are shared with other traffic.

The future of public data networks

The use of telephone services over data networks like the Internet has been becoming increasingly common in the recent years. This is mainly because of the low charges that are levied to users of the Internet services. The Internet acts as a medium for carrying packet data over vast distances and can serve excellently for both voice and data communications.

Data communications by this method of sending across packets is expected to continue to thrive, with wireless technologies such as GPRS taking the lead. Recent advances in both hardware and software systems together with the development of e-business strategies have given the impetus to research and development in this arena.