Telecommunications Essentials: The Complete Global Source for Communications Fundamentals, Data Networking and the Internet, and Next-Generation Networks

Types of Network Connections

Three major types of networks connections can be made:

         Switched network connections A switched connection is referred to as a dialup connection. This implies that you're using a series of network switches to establish the connection between the parties.

         Leased-line network connections A leased line is also referred to as a private line. With a leased line, the same locations or the same devices are always connected, and transmission between those locations or devices always occurs on the same path.

         Dedicated network connections In essence, a dedicated line works exactly like a leased line. It is always connected and it always uses the same path for transmission. However, the end user may own the transmission facility (rather than lease it) such that it is exclusive to that user.