Question

Use a Web search tool to locate useful, general, and noncommercial information about the following topics: MBone, ATM, MPEG, IPv6, and Ethernet.

Short answer

Search each term with 'general information noncommercial' and collect data from educational and reputable sources.

Step-by-step solution

- Introduction to Web Search

Understand how to use web search tools, such as Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo, to find relevant and reliable information. Keep in mind the difference between general information and commercial content.

- Searching for MBone

Enter the search term 'MBone general information noncommercial' into the web search tool. Look for sources like educational websites, research articles, and encyclopedias.

- Searching for ATM

Enter the search term 'ATM technology general information noncommercial' into the web search tool. Filter the results to find educational or government websites that provide an overview of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).

- Searching for MPEG

Enter the search term 'MPEG general information noncommercial' into the web search tool. Seek out sources such as academic publications, tutorials, or informational articles that explain the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG).

- Searching for IPv6

Enter the search term 'IPv6 general information noncommercial' into the web search tool. Look for results from reputable sources like university websites, network organizations, or standardization bodies.

- Searching for Ethernet

Enter the search term 'Ethernet general information noncommercial' into the web search tool. Focus on finding articles, tutorials, and educational resources from authoritative sources.

- Summarizing the Information

Collect the most useful and general pieces of information from each search. Ensure that the sources are noncommercial and provide a comprehensive overview of each topic.

Key concepts

MBone Information

MBone stands for 'Multicast Backbone'. It is a technical solution that allows for the efficient distribution of multimedia and streaming content over the Internet. It was primarily developed to transmit audio and video data to multiple destinations simultaneously.

• **History and Uses**: MBone emerged in the early 1990s to support the growing need for multimedia capabilities.
• **Technical Details**: MBone utilizes IP multicast, a method designed to send data from one source to multiple receivers efficiently.

This translates to less bandwidth usage, making it ideal for live video broadcasts and teleconferencing.

ATM Technology

ATM, which stands for Asynchronous Transfer Mode, is a telecommunications technology designed for the real-time transfer of data. Its unique approach allows it to handle both voice and data on the same network.

• **Cell-Switching**: ATM uses small, fixed-size packets called 'cells' to achieve high-speed data transmission.
• **QoS**: It also supports Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees, making it highly reliable for applications that require consistent data flow.

Despite its high performance, ATM has seen a decline in use, mainly overtaken by alternatives like Ethernet.

MPEG Explanation

MPEG stands for Moving Picture Experts Group, a working group responsible for setting standards in the realm of video and audio compression.

• **Compression Techniques**: MPEG standards like MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 use various algorithms to compress audio and video data effectively, making it easier to store and transmit.
• **Applications**: These standards are widely used in DVDs, digital television, video streaming, and more. MPEG has been instrumental in making high-quality multimedia content accessible globally.

MPEG's role in the world of multimedia cannot be overstated, impacting everything from digital broadcasts to online streaming services.

IPv6 Overview

IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol, which provides an identification system for devices on networks and routes traffic across the Internet.

• **Address Space**: IPv6 addresses have a length of 128 bits, compared to IPv4's 32 bits. This allows for an almost infinite number of unique IP addresses, solving the address exhaustion problem faced by IPv4.
• **Improved Performance**: IPv6 comes with enhancements such as simplified packet header structures, which can improve performance and efficiency.

IPv6 is crucial in expanding the Internet's capabilities and ensuring future growth is supported.

Ethernet Basics

Ethernet is one of the most widely used technologies for local area networks (LANs). It allows computers and other devices to communicate over a network.

• **History and Evolution**: Initiated in the 1970s, Ethernet has evolved through various standards and speeds, such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and now 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
• **Technology**: Ethernet connections are generally made via cables like twisted pair or fiber optics, utilizing a protocol to handle data collisions.

Its ease of deployment and reliability have made Ethernet a staple in both home and business networking environments.