Concept vs Technology in Networking | Generated by AI
Question: Why is the answer “Connection-Oriented service” instead of “Modem Dial-up service”?
Answer:
The reason the answer is Connection-Oriented service rather than Modem Dial-up service lies in the distinction between a network architecture concept and a specific physical technology.
1. Concept vs. Technology
- Connection-Oriented Service (The Concept): This is a fundamental logical model in computer networking. It describes how data is managed: a path is established, data is transferred, and the path is terminated. This concept applies to many technologies, not just old telephone modems. For example, modern TCP/IP networks (the Internet) are connection-oriented at the transport layer, even though they don’t use audible dialing or analog modems.
- Modem Dial-up (The Technology): This refers to a specific, largely obsolete method of physically connecting a computer to the Internet using an analog telephone line and a modem. While dial-up uses a connection-oriented process, it is just one specific implementation.
2. The Scope of the Analogy
The question uses the daily phone call as an analogy to explain a networking principle:
- Phone Call: Setup (Dial) $\rightarrow$ Communication (Talk) $\rightarrow$ Termination (Hang up).
- Network Principle: Connection Establishment $\rightarrow$ Data Transfer $\rightarrow$ Connection Release.
If the answer were “Modem Dial-up,” it would imply that only systems that physically dial phone numbers fit this description. However, modern systems like TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) also follow this exact “setup-talk-hangup” logic without any physical dialing. Therefore, “Connection-Oriented” is the correct general term that covers the behavior described, regardless of the underlying hardware.
3. Summary Comparison
| Feature | Connection-Oriented Service | Modem Dial-up Service |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | A logical service model or paradigm. | A specific access technology. |
| Applicability | Applies to TCP, ATM, Frame Relay, and traditional phone circuits. | Applies only to analog telephone line connections. |
| Relevance to Question | Directly answers the process similarity (Setup $\rightarrow$ Transfer $\rightarrow$ Teardown). | Describes the hardware used in the past, not the abstract service model. |
| Current Usage | Still the backbone of reliable internet communication (TCP). | Largely obsolete. |
Conclusion: The question asks for the type of network service defined by the process flow (setup, transfer, teardown). Connection-Oriented is the standard terminology for this service model. “Modem Dial-up” is merely a historical example of a technology that utilized this model, but it is not the name of the service model itself.
References: