Leased line

EPN Leased Line and dial-up Network

EPN Frame-Relay and Dial-up Network

Leased line is a dedicated telecommunications line that provides a constant and exclusive circuit between two or more locations. It is typically used by businesses and organizations to connect geographically distant offices or to provide a reliable and secure means of communication. Unlike traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) services, a leased line is not shared with any other customer, offering a private, fixed bandwidth connection.

Overview

Leased lines are used for various applications, including connecting local area networks (LANs) across different sites, Internet access, and business telephony systems. They can carry voice, data, and Internet traffic, making them versatile for corporate use. The key advantage of a leased line over other types of Internet connections is its ability to provide symmetric upload and download speeds, which is crucial for applications that require significant data upload capabilities, such as hosting servers or video conferencing.

Types of Leased Lines

There are several types of leased lines available, including:

• T1 and E1 Lines: T1 lines are predominantly used in North America and offer speeds of 1.544 Mbps, while E1 lines are used in Europe and other regions, providing speeds of 2.048 Mbps.
• T3 and E3 Lines: These offer higher capacities than T1 and E1 lines, with T3 lines delivering 44.736 Mbps and E3 lines 34.368 Mbps.
• Ethernet Leased Line: This is a popular choice for modern businesses, offering scalable speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps or more, depending on the provider and the service level agreement (SLA).

Benefits

The primary benefits of leased lines include:

• Guaranteed Bandwidth: Unlike broadband connections, the bandwidth of a leased line is dedicated and not affected by peak times.
• Symmetric Speed: Leased lines provide equal upload and download speeds, essential for many business applications.
• Reliability: They offer higher reliability and uptime compared to standard Internet connections, with service providers often providing SLAs that guarantee performance and availability.
• Security: As a private connection, leased lines are inherently more secure than Internet-based connections, reducing the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks.

Costs

The cost of a leased line is typically higher than that of broadband due to the dedicated nature of the service, installation charges, and ongoing rental fees. Prices vary depending on the capacity required, the distance between the connected points, and the service provider.

Applications

Leased lines are used in a variety of applications, including:

• Connecting multiple office locations for secure and reliable communication
• Providing high-speed Internet access with guaranteed bandwidth
• Supporting VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services for business telephony
• Enabling remote access to corporate networks for teleworkers and remote offices

Conclusion

Leased lines offer a reliable, secure, and high-capacity solution for businesses and organizations that require dedicated communication links between their various locations. While the cost may be higher than other types of connections, the benefits in terms of reliability, security, and performance often justify the investment for those who depend on uninterrupted and fast connectivity for their operations.