layer 1 – Mikrotik Tips

Jun162017 by Achmad Mardiansyah1 Comment

Differences between RouterOS, SwitchOS and Routerboard

As a new mikrotik user, sometimes people get confused with Mikrotik products. Even though all mikrotik products can be found in http://routerboard.com, with lots of variations of products, people are wondering what are the differences between RouterOS, SwitchOS and Routerboard, and this article will discuss about that with historical background. What is RouterOS (ROS)? This was the first product from mikrotik. Mikrotik was established in 1996 as a company that was focused on networking. One of their task was managing networks which require them to setup hardware and software to make network running well. At that time, for cost saving, they use PC as router and build their own linux distribution that is specialised for networking. So people just download the ISO, burn it to a CD-ROM, and then install…

Jun152017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments

What is multiplex, multiple access?

multiplexing, telecommunication

For those who learns telecommunications or networking (computer) there is an important technology/concept that you need to know that is multiplexing. in this article, we will talk about what is multiplex, multiple access?. it would be better if you already familiar with the telecommunication terms. So what is multiplexing or demultiplexing? Multiplexing means a process to combine multiple signal stream (can be digital or analog signal) into one physical medium. At the end of communication link, there will be a demultiplexing process that split the combined signals into individual stream. These devices the job are called multiplexer (MUX) and demultiplexer (DEMUX / DMX). see picture below: (more…)

Jun142017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments

Central office, switch, trunks, local loop

layer 1, layer 2, telecommunication

In the early of telephone communication, a central office (aka. telephone exchange, switch) provides a coverage area where all telephones should connect to it. these physical connections from customer premise to central office is called access network / local loop / subscriber line. (Central office, switch, trunks, local loop) Why is it called switch? Because it switches (connects) connection between subscribers. With switching capability, 2 subscribers can communicate because their physical lines are connected by the switch. in the beginning, this switching process was done by human. later on, its automated by mechanical switches and then fully digital. max distance of cable? when the signal travels over cable, it gets attenuated. therefore, there is a maximum limit of local loop distance (around 3-4 km), which defines a coverage area of…

Jun132017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments

Differences between physical and logical topology

layer 1, layer 2, logical topology, physical topology

When you read this and this articles, there is a term called topology. For those who are not familiar with the term, this article will discuss about the Differences between physical and logical topology? What is physical topology? Physical topology means how the network is shaped physically. Some examples of physical topology? bus star, extended star ring dual ring topology (for redundancy, in case if one ring is broken) cellular (more…)