Networks Edge and Technologies
Network Edge provides information exchange between the access network and the core network. The devices and facilities in the network edges are switches routers routing switches. IAD and a variety of MAN/ WAN devices which are often called edge devices.
Network edges provide entry points into carrier service provider core backbone networks. On an enterprise network, network edge may connect ANs ( Ethernet or liken Ring ) to an ATM backbone.
figre Network Edge Information exchange between the access netowrk and the core netowrk
Network edge devices may translate between one type of network protocol and another if different technologies in the access and the core networks are used. For example if the core network uses ATM switches send data in calls and use connection oriented virtual circuits while in the access network edge are responsible for handling this conversion. There is an ingress (input) and egress(output) edge devised for all connections. The edge device aggregates ingress traffic for high speed transmission in the core backbone network and then distribute egress traffic to end user through access devices.
Due to the variety and complexity at customer access technologies and multiple choices of a core network. A switch at the network edge for a WAN may be a multiservice unit, meaning that it supports a wide variety of communication technologies including voice and IP over dial up connections. ISDN frame relay and TAM.
A core network ( or network core ) is the central part of a telecom network that provides various services to customers who are connected by the access network.