What is SD Wan in simple terms?

SD-WAN is an acronym for software-defined networking in a wide area network (WAN). SD-WAN simplifies the management and operation of a WAN by decoupling the networking hardware from its control mechanism. This concept is similar to how software-defined networking implements virtualization technology to improve data center management and operation.^[1]

A key application of SD-WAN is to allow companies to build higher-performance WANs using lower-cost and commercially available Internet access, enabling businesses to partially or wholly replace more expensive private WAN connection technologies such as MPLS.

American marketing research firm Gartner predicted in 2018 that by 2023 more than 90 percent of WAN edge infrastructure refresh initiatives will be based on virtualized customer premises equipment (vCPE) platforms or SD-WAN software/appliances.

WANs allow companies to extend their computer networks over large distances, connecting remote branch offices to data centers and each other, and delivering applications and services required to perform business functions. Due to the physical constraints imposed by the propagation time over large distances, and the need to integrate multiple service providers to cover global geographies (often crossing nation boundaries), WANs face important operational challenges, including network congestion, packet delay variation, packet loss, and even service outages. Modern applications such as VoIP calling, videoconferencing, streaming media, and virtualized applications and desktops require low latency.Bandwidth requirements are also increasing, especially for applications featuring high-definition video. It can be expensive and difficult to expand WAN capability, with corresponding difficulties related to network management and troubleshooting.^[1]

SD-WAN products are designed to address these network problems. By enhancing or even replacing traditional branch routers with virtualization appliances that can control application-level policies and offer a network overlay, less expensive consumer-grade Internet links can act more like a dedicated circuit. This simplifies the setup process for branch personnel. SD-WAN products can be physical appliances or virtual appliances, and are placed in small remote and branch offices, larger offices, corporate data centers, and increasingly on cloud platforms.

A centralized controller is used to set policies and prioritize traffic. The SD-WAN takes into account these policies and the availability of network bandwidth to route traffic. This helps ensure that application performance meets service level agreements (SLAs).

WAN - Wide Area Network

A wide area network (WAN) is a geographically distributed private telecommunications network that interconnects multiple local area networks (LANs). A LAN is a group of computers and network devices which are all connected to each other, typically from within a short relative geographical distance. In an enterprise or business, a WAN may consist of connections to a company's headquarters, branch offices, colocation facilities, cloud services and other facilities. Typically, a router or other multifunction device is used to connect a LAN to a WAN. Enterprise WANs allow users to share access to applications, services and other centrally located resources. This eliminates the need to install the same application server, firewall or other resources in multiple locations, for example.

WANs are not restricted to the same geographical location as a LAN would be. A LAN can be set up in any number of geographical areas and be connected to a WAN—meaning a WAN is not constrained to one specific location.

A virtual private network (VPN) facilitates connectivity and security between WAN sites. Different VPNs can be utilized for different use cases. An IPsec VPN is more commonly used in continuously open site-to-site connections, such as those between branch offices and headquarters locations. An SSL VPN is often the preferred choice for enabling remote access for individual users because the data transmitted from users across the WAN is encrypted. Direct fiber optic links are also used to connect sites on a WAN – and they almost always offer greater performance, reliability and security than VPNs, but they are cost-prohibitive for most enterprises to procure and operate.

Types of WAN connections and how WAN connections work

WAN connections can include wired and wireless technologies. Wired WAN services can consist of multiprotocol label switching, T1s, Carrier Ethernet and commercial broadband internet links. Wireless WAN technologies can include cellular data networks like 4G LTE, as well as public Wi-Fi or satellite networks.

What are the chances of growth for rf drive test engineer in telecom sector?

RF drive engineer opportunities are projected to grow steadily through 2015 - in terms of both salary and number of job opportunities. Rapid growth in RF product development should result in opportunities for experienced RF Engineers that have hands-on experience developing products.

The RF Engineers are the professional experts known within the electrical engineering arena of IT and Telecom sector. They are also called Radio Frequency Engineer. Usually, engineers work with gadgets that send or receive radio waves, with wireless devices, radios, and mobile phones. All kinds of communication run through radio waves, whether it is wireless or mobile devices, guided by RF engineer.

The Radio frequency engineering is a huge and rising industry. Over the last few years, it went up from simple commercial radio, TV and military communication techniques to being a crucial area of technology that is needed for the global economy. Wi-Fi, satellite communications, 4G networks and more are all possible through RF technology.

In cellular system propagation models designed for the specific areas or terrain. ... Drive testing is method of measuring and assessing the QoS of mobile network. Different sites of recent technology 2G, 3G, HSPA, WCDMA, Long Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX are analysed by drive testing with TEMS Investigation tools.

What is RF drive Test Engineer ?

RF Drives Test Engineers are radio frequency experts responsible for conducting test activities and making sure radio frequency circuits and systems function properly. Other duties listed on a RF Drive Test Engineer resume include monitoring system activity, running tests, and developing new test procedures. Based on our collection of resume samples, these professionals should demonstrate RF engineering experience, attention to details, accuracy, communication skills, teamwork, and problem solving orientation. Most candidates hold a college degree in a relevant discipline.
Radio frequency engineers are specialists within the electrical engineering field. They work with devices that transmit or receive radio waves, including wireless equipment, radios, and cellular phones. A background in general electronics, physics, and math is needed to design and improve wireless networks.

Radio-frequency (RF) engineering is not the type of career that has a high attrition rate. But if the profession is as good as it sounds, why are companies having such a difficult time finding RF engineers to fill their vacant positions?There are two main reasons. The first is due to the basic supply and demand rule. The wireless communications field has grown steadily in recent years, much like the software and computer engineering fields.Because the demand for software engineers has been so great, and the profession has a reputation of paying extremely high salaries, many engineering students have focused on this field."Most students in electrical engineering have been attracted by computer engineering," says Edward Jull. He's an electrical engineering professor.

"The present demand for radio-frequency engineers is also a result of the growth of wireless communications and the development of integrated circuits and computers."The other reason there seems to be a shortage of RF engineers is that courses in RF are often hard to find in many universities."It's quite difficult to find a direct path to RF," says Lorna Carr. She is a senior RF engineer.She says that when she was attending university, there were extremely few courses available in RF. Upon graduation, she says she was offered a position with a company where she was exposed to the skills required by an RF engineer.

What does Radio Frequency (RF) mean?

Radio frequency (RF) refers to the rate of oscillation of electromagnetic radio waves in the range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz, as well as the alternating currents carrying the radio signals. This is the frequency band that is used for communications transmission and broadcasting. Although RF really stands for the rate of oscillation of the waves, it is synonymous to the term "radio," or simply wireless communication.

Techopedia explains Radio Frequency (RF)

Radio frequency is being used in a lot of fields, but in the context of information and communications technology it refers to the frequency band at which wireless telecommunications signals are being transmitted and broadcast. The frequency band is being divided into different parts, which are then assigned to different technology industries. This is known as the radio spectrum. For example, the VHF (very high frequency) band, which ranges from 30-300 MHz, is being used for FM radio, TV broadcasts, and amateur radio and its counterparts. For a lot of electronic communication devices, the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band is being used. This is the space used by mobile phones, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, and TV and land radio.

Radio frequency is produced by oscillating current a specified number of times and then radiating it off a conductor, referred to as an antenna, into empty space (this refers to space occupied by air rather than solid objects and does not refer to outer space) as electromagnetic radio waves. RF signals are sent and received using conductors through the phenomenon known as the skin effect, where RF current latches itself and flows through the surface of conductors rather than penetrating and passing through them like it does with other non-conducting solids. This effect is the core and basis of radio technology.

What does a RF technician do?

What Are RF Systems Technicians?

Radio frequency (RF) systems technicians, also known as radio mechanics, install, maintain, and upgrade RF systems, such as wireless Internet access points, cellular telephone antennas, satellite systems, amplifiers, two-way radios, and other radio equipment. Other tasks may include testing RF systems and signal strength, assembling systems, maintaining records, and instructing customers on how to properly use the equipment.

Most RF technician jobs involve driving to client locations. Such technicians should be comfortable with heights. There is some risk of injury associated with this career due to the fact that technicians often work on towers or other high places, work closely with electricity, and use a range of potentially dangerous tools to complete their tasks. The majority of telecommunications technicians, such as RF systems technicians, work full-time, although overtime, on-call, evening, night, and weekend hours are a possibility.

What Does NOC Stand For

Stands for "Network Operations Center." It is the central location where a company's servers and networking equipment are located. The NOC may reside either within a company's campus or at an external location. Smaller businesses and organizations often have an internal NOC, in which local technicians administer and monitor the servers. Larger companies may have a NOC setup at a location developed specifically to house server equipment.

Network operations centers, often called datacenters, are almost always connected to a high-speed Internet connection. Large NOCs, such as those used by Web hosting companies, are often connected directly to the Internet backbone. This gives the servers the most bandwidth possible.

While NOCs are used by all Web hosting companies and ISPs, they are also useful to companies whose services are not related to the Internet. Many companies use a NOC to manage internal communications, administer employee e-mail accounts, and backup data. Because maintaining an Internet connection is vital to most businesses today, most NOCs are monitored 24/7, with automatic alerts that notify technicians when servers or network connections are down.