Designed to provide users with an overall understanding of telecommunications technology trends, this introduction presents the newest and oldest technologies in the field today without the theoretical and mathematical aspects that can confuse all but the most advanced users. The book provides a solid understanding of how technology works, an historical perspective of how the technology came to its present state and also offers an emphasis on where the technology is headed. Technologies covered include OSI and standards, Layer 3 Switching, WAN Protocol Frame Relay, the Ethernet, T1 Digital Communications, SONE, ISDN, ATM, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, fiber optics and testing, voice technologies, LAN technologies, DWDM and future trends in IP technology. For individuals in telecommunications management and system administrators.