T1: A Survival Guide

Preface

In the past, T1 links formed the backbone of the telephone network in the U.S.; they were later used as the data circuits for the Internet backbone. Now, T1 is the standard for medium-speed access to the Internet. Widespread adoption is not to be confused with technical excellence, though. T1 is not elegant, efficient, easy to use, or even all that well suited to the needs of data transmission, largely because its development is intimately tied to the U.S. telephone system architecture of the late 1960s.

In spite of T1’s limitations, no competing technology has presented a significant challenge. T1 is proven, reliable technology that currently fills the need for medium-speed Internet access for institutions of many sizes, especially those not in metropolitan areas. Newer technologies require widespread availability of fiber and extensive regional networks, and the population density in rural areas is not well suited to the expense of building large fiber networks. For Internet access off the beaten path, traditional leased lines are the only solution.

In spite of its age, T1 technology is often learned by apprenticeship, filing away little troubleshooting tidbits until they may be needed again. For technology older than many of its users, this is an inexcusable state of affairs. As more networks use T1s, more engineers will require practical information on how to set up, test, and troubleshoot them. This book is intended to be a practical, applied reference for networkers ...