The history of voice telephony has had little differentiation—
local versus long distance, similar input and output devices
voice in, voice out. We spoke with our mouths and listened
with our ears. A louder handset for the hard of hearing, a tape
recorder for storing the “data,” and eventually the ability to
“share” voice with more than one person was as innovative as
it got (and this hampered by the fact that no one seems to like
being put on speakerphone).
The ability to visually present data changes everything: It
increases the methods of input as well as allowing for various
types of output depending on the receiver’s current situation
and preference.
Cellular phones and PDAs are improving in many ways to
better accommodate the Wireless Internet. While some devices
opt for a qwerty type keyboard, others have operating systems
that allow the use of stylus or pointer devices to navigate and
input data. All have increased display size and resolution, and
many have added color as well.
It’s easy to find examples of situations when voice is not the
most convenient way to communicate detailed information
quickly and discreetly. Imagine you are in an important meeting
where the speaker has gone over the time limit, yet it would
be seen as rude to leave the room. The problem is you are
expected to meet your spouse at a restaurant and it looks like
you will be delayed by about an hour. The information you
need to communicate to your spouse is essentially:
“Hi honey! Look, I’m still at work in a meeting that’s running
late and I’m not sure when this guy is going to shut up
and let us get out of here. Can you please call the restaurant
and move our reservation back an hour? If I can escape this
snore fest and avoid my boss on the way out of the building
I’m sure I can make it by then OK? Love you Buttercup!”
Given the choice to make a wireless phone call or send a text
message to adjust your dinner plans, what would you do? If you
were my co-worker, I sincerely hope you would choose the text
method. I’m sure we can all agree that work environments can
become uncomfortable when co-workers allow personal phone
calls to be overheard and share too much personal information.
Mobility combined with nonvoice data creates a need for
the user to choose the preferred input and output for each
communication situation. Data can be manipulated in more
ways than pure voice and still communicate most if not the
entire intended message. Data such as text, graphics, and video
can be filtered, shortened, condensed, and reformatted to better
fit the output device.
Universal messaging has a history of being defined to
include only what a given vendor’s solution currently includes—
a system that allows the user to combine voicemail and email
might be called “universal messaging” even if it does not truly
allow the sender to leave a voicemail that the receiver can read
over email. Instead the system might send the voicemail as an
audio file to the receivers’ email inbox.
True universal messaging includes the ability to convert
inputs such as voice and text into the output preferred by the
receiver. Content that is visual—photos and video clips—would
not be converted into text but may someday be summarized by an
intelligent software program that could better describe the content.
This is a 20-second color video clip that shows a group of
children blowing out candles at a birthday party—so that the end
user can choose whether to view it, save it for later, or delete it.
Possible conversions include text-to-voice, voice-to-text,
email-to-fax, video-to-still images, and many other combinations,
such as condensing text and then converting it to voice.
Digital also adds the ability to sort, search, match, and store all
types data. 182
IT Certification CCIE,CCNP,CCIP,CCNA,CCSP,Cisco Network Optimization and Security Tips
WHO CAN I CONNECT WITH?
To increase the number of contactable users available and
reachable on a network requires the ability to be able to reach
others on different systems with different devices using various
protocols. The voice telephony system in the United States
today uses something called the SS7 layer as a common
method that all phone systems can use to transport voice calls
from one system to another. The same common connection for
Wireless data does not yet exist but is critical for growth of the
wireless Internet. This interconnection—ubiquitous availability
to communicate across networks, protocols, and media
types—will create the critical mass of users necessary to add
value to the network. Superior technology that does not
interconnect to legacy systems will offer limited value due to the
smaller network size and limited connections to other users
who do not have the same device or service.
Some systems allow for data to be sent but do not yet offer
a way to reply in kind. This inability to reply suffocates innovation
and adoption of new features and systems. For example all
digital phones are able to receive a text message but not all
have the required software to reply. Cellular phones on one
carriers system do not currently have the ability to send or
receive text messages from phones on other systems.
Proprietary technology only works if it allows for interconnection.
Many new features have these same issue and therefore
must start out focused on a niche market—a community of
some type, like a workgroup, service tech group, plumbers
union, or some other closed group that can all agree to use the
technology. Nextel is an example of a service that mixes general
access with private group access. Nextel wireless services offer
a unique service that allows the user to communicate with others
in a group by simply pushing a button and speaking. This
push-to-talk feature is great but only works if the others you
wish to contact have the same device on the same network.
The Internet is all about access to anything and everything—
the Wireless Internet must offer the same broad access
but Wireless Internet data will need to be altered to fit users’
needs in terms of technology, device, and environment.
reachable on a network requires the ability to be able to reach
others on different systems with different devices using various
protocols. The voice telephony system in the United States
today uses something called the SS7 layer as a common
method that all phone systems can use to transport voice calls
from one system to another. The same common connection for
Wireless data does not yet exist but is critical for growth of the
wireless Internet. This interconnection—ubiquitous availability
to communicate across networks, protocols, and media
types—will create the critical mass of users necessary to add
value to the network. Superior technology that does not
interconnect to legacy systems will offer limited value due to the
smaller network size and limited connections to other users
who do not have the same device or service.
Some systems allow for data to be sent but do not yet offer
a way to reply in kind. This inability to reply suffocates innovation
and adoption of new features and systems. For example all
digital phones are able to receive a text message but not all
have the required software to reply. Cellular phones on one
carriers system do not currently have the ability to send or
receive text messages from phones on other systems.
Proprietary technology only works if it allows for interconnection.
Many new features have these same issue and therefore
must start out focused on a niche market—a community of
some type, like a workgroup, service tech group, plumbers
union, or some other closed group that can all agree to use the
technology. Nextel is an example of a service that mixes general
access with private group access. Nextel wireless services offer
a unique service that allows the user to communicate with others
in a group by simply pushing a button and speaking. This
push-to-talk feature is great but only works if the others you
wish to contact have the same device on the same network.
The Internet is all about access to anything and everything—
the Wireless Internet must offer the same broad access
but Wireless Internet data will need to be altered to fit users’
needs in terms of technology, device, and environment.
METCALFE’S LAW IN REVERSE
There is a growing trend among wired and wireless services to
split the Internet into isolated mini-networks and gain an
advantage in directing and controlling users activities. This
technique is called the “Walled Garden” approach in that the
user is allowed access only to a limited area under the control
of the service provider. While giving the appearance of advantage
to the smaller closed network that can choose what content
and services the users are able to interact with, the reality
is that the mini-network loses value exponentially.
Examples of attempts to split the Internet into smaller isolated
networks include:
• The early days of email. Early email providers resisted giving
send/receive access to users of other email systems.
• Instant messaging systems. Closed IM systems such as AOL
IM have repeatedly blocked efforts of smaller IM systems to
interconnect users of various competing IM systems.
• WAP portals. Many wireless carriers have created WAP services
that are only able to access sites offered by the carrier or carrier
friendly providers. By locking the device settings or WAP
server settings other sites are blocked from access even when
users know and attempt to enter the competing WAP URLs.
• Blocking or banning the ability of other sites to link to specific
pages on another site (deep linking) requiring users to access
content only via the original homepage links. Some content
owners want to block any traffic that does not originate from
their marketing efforts while others welcome official or unofficial
affiliates that point to their site.
The effect of Metcalfe’s law in reverse reduces value for all
parties involved. The networks users lose the value of a larger
more complete network. The networks not only lose value individually
but as a (now separate) group as well. Because of
Metcalfe’s law, the largest network always wins over smaller
networks even when the smaller network initially offers value
creating features or benefits. As the larger networks grow, the
value of the sheer number of reachable users, services and content
ultimately favors the larger networks. Since the Internet is
the largest network of them all, it will not only eventually win
over smaller proprietary networks (wired or wireless) but the
wired internet and wireless internet will only benefit each other
as they join together into a common network.
Attempts to create walled gardens of content and services
for wireless Internet users have failed (and even been declared
illegal) in many European and Asian countries. Service
providers will only succeed in creating long-term value by
focusing on quality of services instead of limiting access to
other perhaps better services.
split the Internet into isolated mini-networks and gain an
advantage in directing and controlling users activities. This
technique is called the “Walled Garden” approach in that the
user is allowed access only to a limited area under the control
of the service provider. While giving the appearance of advantage
to the smaller closed network that can choose what content
and services the users are able to interact with, the reality
is that the mini-network loses value exponentially.
Examples of attempts to split the Internet into smaller isolated
networks include:
• The early days of email. Early email providers resisted giving
send/receive access to users of other email systems.
• Instant messaging systems. Closed IM systems such as AOL
IM have repeatedly blocked efforts of smaller IM systems to
interconnect users of various competing IM systems.
• WAP portals. Many wireless carriers have created WAP services
that are only able to access sites offered by the carrier or carrier
friendly providers. By locking the device settings or WAP
server settings other sites are blocked from access even when
users know and attempt to enter the competing WAP URLs.
• Blocking or banning the ability of other sites to link to specific
pages on another site (deep linking) requiring users to access
content only via the original homepage links. Some content
owners want to block any traffic that does not originate from
their marketing efforts while others welcome official or unofficial
affiliates that point to their site.
The effect of Metcalfe’s law in reverse reduces value for all
parties involved. The networks users lose the value of a larger
more complete network. The networks not only lose value individually
but as a (now separate) group as well. Because of
Metcalfe’s law, the largest network always wins over smaller
networks even when the smaller network initially offers value
creating features or benefits. As the larger networks grow, the
value of the sheer number of reachable users, services and content
ultimately favors the larger networks. Since the Internet is
the largest network of them all, it will not only eventually win
over smaller proprietary networks (wired or wireless) but the
wired internet and wireless internet will only benefit each other
as they join together into a common network.
Attempts to create walled gardens of content and services
for wireless Internet users have failed (and even been declared
illegal) in many European and Asian countries. Service
providers will only succeed in creating long-term value by
focusing on quality of services instead of limiting access to
other perhaps better services.
BILLING AND SECURITY ISSUES
Voice-based wireless devices may have started out as new
and exciting technology but their success was partially due
to their ability to connect to the old dull technology of landline
telephones. Imagine what would have happened if early cellular
phones were only able to call other cellular phones. Who
would these early users have been able to call? Perhaps the
only other users would have been a very small and exclusive
club of executives with a habit of traveling in remote places. It’s
clear that cellular devices and service would not have been very
useful to mainstream society. (Unless you consider the value
generated by keeping the boss entertained while out in the
boondocks—useful for some, I’m sure.)
The CB radio is a good example of a device that is limited
to communicating only with other CB radios. CB’s are relatively
cheap to buy and free to talk on—no roaming or per
minute usage fees. But they don’t offer the best value because
you can’t reach everyone you wish to speak with, those you do
try to reach aren’t always on, and privacy doesn’t exist. This
points out the need for interconnections and the ability to convert
from one protocol or system to another.
It’s relatively easy to create concepts for cool new devices
and services but regardless of how cool and unique a device or
service, the value comes from the ability to connect and communicate
to others.
Metcalfe’s law is the theory that the value of the network
increases exponentially. If you double the size of the network
(let’s say from a network that serves 1,000 users to one that
reaches 2,000 users) you more than double the value—you
actually quadruple the value of the network.
Imagine if someone were to approach you and offer to
switch your Internet service to one that was half the cost. The
only difference would be that this cheaper service could only
reach half of your current network. Would you be willing to
switch? Most likely you would not.
This is why both the telephony system and the Internet
continue to grow in both users and value—the greater the size
of the network the greater the value.
Dr. Robert M. Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet, founder of
3Com Corp. and columnist for Infoworld. Dr. Metcalfe together
with D.R.Boggs invented Ethernet back in 1973 while working
for Xerox Corporation in their Palo Alto Research Center
(PARC). PARC was also involved in the invention of the PC
and Graphical User interface; however, it was not the place
where these innovations were developed into successful commercial
products. Ethernet, the name for Local Area
Networking (LAN) technology turned PC’s into communication
tools by linking them together into a common network.
In 1979, Metcalfe left Xerox and founded 3Com Corp. (so
named for three words—computer, communication and compatibility)
for the purpose of promoting PC LAN’s and
Ethernet as the standard. Metcalfe was successful in bringing
together companies such as Digital Equipment, Intel and
Xerox and made Ethernet the most widely used LAN.
Metcalfe retired from 3Com in 1990 and embarked on a
career in journalism that led to his writing a weekly column on
networking, “From the Ether,” for Infoworld. It was in this
forum that he published “From the Ether: A network becomes
more valuable as it reaches more users;” Infoworld Magazine,
October 2, 1995. This article set forth the principles now
known as Metcalfe’s Law.
This law is very important to the growth and adoption of
wireless Internet. The premise that the network value grows by
the square of the size of the network does not discriminate by
device or access method. The number of network users can be
a combination of various access devices using various access
technologies, each with their own network speeds. The sheer
number of wireless Internet mobile devices forecasted to be in
use in the future creates the yet another source of network
growth and source of value for all users of the network. 178
and exciting technology but their success was partially due
to their ability to connect to the old dull technology of landline
telephones. Imagine what would have happened if early cellular
phones were only able to call other cellular phones. Who
would these early users have been able to call? Perhaps the
only other users would have been a very small and exclusive
club of executives with a habit of traveling in remote places. It’s
clear that cellular devices and service would not have been very
useful to mainstream society. (Unless you consider the value
generated by keeping the boss entertained while out in the
boondocks—useful for some, I’m sure.)
The CB radio is a good example of a device that is limited
to communicating only with other CB radios. CB’s are relatively
cheap to buy and free to talk on—no roaming or per
minute usage fees. But they don’t offer the best value because
you can’t reach everyone you wish to speak with, those you do
try to reach aren’t always on, and privacy doesn’t exist. This
points out the need for interconnections and the ability to convert
from one protocol or system to another.
It’s relatively easy to create concepts for cool new devices
and services but regardless of how cool and unique a device or
service, the value comes from the ability to connect and communicate
to others.
Metcalfe’s law is the theory that the value of the network
increases exponentially. If you double the size of the network
(let’s say from a network that serves 1,000 users to one that
reaches 2,000 users) you more than double the value—you
actually quadruple the value of the network.
Imagine if someone were to approach you and offer to
switch your Internet service to one that was half the cost. The
only difference would be that this cheaper service could only
reach half of your current network. Would you be willing to
switch? Most likely you would not.
This is why both the telephony system and the Internet
continue to grow in both users and value—the greater the size
of the network the greater the value.
Dr. Robert M. Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet, founder of
3Com Corp. and columnist for Infoworld. Dr. Metcalfe together
with D.R.Boggs invented Ethernet back in 1973 while working
for Xerox Corporation in their Palo Alto Research Center
(PARC). PARC was also involved in the invention of the PC
and Graphical User interface; however, it was not the place
where these innovations were developed into successful commercial
products. Ethernet, the name for Local Area
Networking (LAN) technology turned PC’s into communication
tools by linking them together into a common network.
In 1979, Metcalfe left Xerox and founded 3Com Corp. (so
named for three words—computer, communication and compatibility)
for the purpose of promoting PC LAN’s and
Ethernet as the standard. Metcalfe was successful in bringing
together companies such as Digital Equipment, Intel and
Xerox and made Ethernet the most widely used LAN.
Metcalfe retired from 3Com in 1990 and embarked on a
career in journalism that led to his writing a weekly column on
networking, “From the Ether,” for Infoworld. It was in this
forum that he published “From the Ether: A network becomes
more valuable as it reaches more users;” Infoworld Magazine,
October 2, 1995. This article set forth the principles now
known as Metcalfe’s Law.
This law is very important to the growth and adoption of
wireless Internet. The premise that the network value grows by
the square of the size of the network does not discriminate by
device or access method. The number of network users can be
a combination of various access devices using various access
technologies, each with their own network speeds. The sheer
number of wireless Internet mobile devices forecasted to be in
use in the future creates the yet another source of network
growth and source of value for all users of the network. 178
SECURITY VIDEO MONITORING
SECURITY VIDEO MONITORING
Security video monitoring applications help to visually assure
that valuable assets are not eroded or destroyed by unauthorized
users. Traditionally, security video monitoring was limited
to on-site video monitors that security personnel viewed as
either videotapes or as real-time images. The introduction of
low-cost digital video cameras and data connections allow for
the remote location of video cameras. When these cameras are
connected through the Internet, they are called Web cameras
(WebCams.)
At the end of 2000, there were already in excess of 100,000
public WebCams in operation throughout the world* and private
video monitoring systems have millions of privately
installed video cameras. Although many of these video cameras
are connected by wire, some are connected by wireless links.
The key applications for wireless security monitoring
included traffic management (traffic cams), public access
monitoring (public safety), law enforcement (cameras on
police cars), and other applications that require a camera at
remote locations where wired connections are not practical or
where mobility (video monitoring while moving) is important.
Figure 4-12 shows the video camera that is normally
mounted in police cars. Using high-speed wireless systems,
images from police cars can be monitored at a central facility.
This may dramatically increase the safety for police officers. 176
Security video monitoring applications help to visually assure
that valuable assets are not eroded or destroyed by unauthorized
users. Traditionally, security video monitoring was limited
to on-site video monitors that security personnel viewed as
either videotapes or as real-time images. The introduction of
low-cost digital video cameras and data connections allow for
the remote location of video cameras. When these cameras are
connected through the Internet, they are called Web cameras
(WebCams.)
At the end of 2000, there were already in excess of 100,000
public WebCams in operation throughout the world* and private
video monitoring systems have millions of privately
installed video cameras. Although many of these video cameras
are connected by wire, some are connected by wireless links.
The key applications for wireless security monitoring
included traffic management (traffic cams), public access
monitoring (public safety), law enforcement (cameras on
police cars), and other applications that require a camera at
remote locations where wired connections are not practical or
where mobility (video monitoring while moving) is important.
Figure 4-12 shows the video camera that is normally
mounted in police cars. Using high-speed wireless systems,
images from police cars can be monitored at a central facility.
This may dramatically increase the safety for police officers. 176
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