Data Communication Networks (DCN) in Microwave Transmission Networks

Have you ever wondered how different locations within a network are interconnected and managed by a central management center (EMS)? The answer lies in Data Communication Networks (DCN)!

DCN refers to the network infrastructure used to connect various sites to a central Network Operations Center (NOC). It plays a crucial role in the operation and management of the network, enabling remote management, fault detection, device communication, integration, and performance measurement.

There are two types of DCN:

1. Inband: In this method, management information is transmitted on the same channel used for user traffic. For example, control information for a microwave network can be sent on the same channel used for regular user traffic. It optimizes resources but requires careful coordination to avoid interference.
2. Outband: In this approach, the management information is sent on a dedicated channel separate from user traffic. This ensures isolation and provides dedicated bandwidth for management purposes.
   Configuring DCN involves various techniques, including DCN over VLANs, PPP, E1, as well as implementing routing for efficient management and communication.

Understanding and implementing the right DCN architecture is critical for ensuring seamless network operations, management troubleshooting and alarm , and improved performance.