Backbone Network

(Regional, LH, ULH)

A backbone network is a network containing a high capacity connectivity infrastructure that forms the main link, or backbone, to the different parts of the network. The connectivity may cover vast geographical areas. The backbone has a capacity that far exceeds that of the individual networks connected to it.

Metro & Aggregation Network

(Regional, City)

The metro network (or Metropolitan Area Network/MAN) is the part of a telecommunications network that collects & aggregates the various access networks. Its geographical coverage goes up to a few 10’s of km. It provides point-to-point connectivity. Physical infrastructure is mainly optical fiber.

Access & Last Mile Network

The access network is the part of a telecommunications network that gives the residential user and the enterprise user access to the telecommunications service. Its geographical extension is limited to a few km. Connectivity can be point-to-point or point-to-multipoint. Physical infrastructure can be copper, fiber or wireless.

Data Center & Large Enterprise

(P2P & DCI)

Both manipulate huge amount of data. Data Centers (DC) mission consists in storing, computing & delivering data to the requesters. As for the large enterprises, they use but also produce big quantities of data. These data must flow via an enterprise private connectivity. These data can be both private and public. The enterprise can store & manage its data via proper DC or DC external services.