One of the more obvious distinguishing features of future networks will be adaptability and flexibility. They will differ significantly from business to business. In other words the physical layout of the network will differ according to business requirements, operations and what has been earmarked as critical focal points.
It is unlikely that cable will disappear from the networking arena in the foreseeable future, but could become obsolete in the long term. For now, and certainly for some time to come, there will be a wired network of sorts, even if it is only a server communicating to a central switch, which then communicates to a small wired network and to a wireless component.
In terms of the broadband connection, this could then become either wired or wireless covering two areas.
The wireless could be through the normal cellphone operator running something like HSDPA or 3G, or ADSL on a fixed wire or it could be iBurst, which is becoming increasingly popular in metropolitan areas.
It could even be a combination of all three, depending on how critical you believe your external communications are. So there alone we already see a completely diversified view of how the network would be structured from an outside point of view.
Internally you will most probably find that wireless for your general desktop applications, as it stabilises and becomes more popular, is going to become the accepted norm. You would also find that your upwardly mobile user is going to be using a combination of product
The mobile professional could source a range of technologies for connectivity outside the office including 3G or HSDPA or Edge through a cell phone provider. He or she could use an 802.11 wireless connection in the office and, in the event of no cellular linkage or access to a hotspot, the option of iBurst is available. So there is the possibility of taking advantage of three means of communication.
Of course there is the additional option of using ADSL – which seems to be more stable at this point in time - at home, offering a fourth alternative.
If one looks at the mobile and wireless infrastructure that is entering the market, many of the products featuring a built-in dialup modem or Intel Centrino technology incorporated. In many cases the user is offered the benefit of an ethernet card that allows for plug into a broadband router or ADSL router. 3G cards are becoming obsolete in notebooks, largely being replaced by advanced products with a place for a SIM card inside the notebook. 3G and related technologies are now being incorporated as features on the notebook.
What does this mean for the consumer? Essentially, this will result in a significant increase in the methods and means of communications and the ability to connect and communicate anywhere. It means making decisions on the fly anywhere, anytime.
The ability to communicate with technology that the worker owns is now an accepted norm of the modern business culture. For the most part employers expect this, no matter what industry, sector or profession.
