Railnet, Wi-Fi System,

PRS, UTS & FOIS

(ST-48)
 Component of Data Communication
• MESSAGES - The information to be communicated
- It consists of text, numbers, pictures, sound & video.
• SENDER - Device that sends the message (data).
- It can be a computer, server, video camera etc.
• RECEIVER - Device that receives the message (data).
- It can be a computer, server, television.
• MEDIUM - Physical path by which messages travels from sender to receiver.
- It may be twisted pair, coaxial cable , OFC, radio waves etc.
• PROTOCOLS - Set of rules that governs data communication.
Protocol represents an agreement between communicating
devices.
- Protocol defines what is communicated, how it is
communicated and when it is communicated .
 Network classification
• All Data communication circuits are a combination of various networks.
• Network is a set of devices connected by media links.
• Link may be wired or Wireless

Classification of network (based on physical connections)

(i) LAN - Local Area Network
(ii) MAN- Metropolitan Area Network
(iii) WAN- Wide Area Network
 LAN
▪ Nodes are interconnected within a
geographically limited area, such as a
building or a campus.
• They transfer data at high speeds
(higher bandwidth).
• They exist in a limited geographical
area.
 WAN

• A wide area network (WAN)

interconnects LANs.
• They exist in an unlimited
geographical area.
• They usually interconnect multiple
LANs.
• They often transfer data at lower
speeds (lower bandwidth).
 Intranet

• Intranet: Intranet is the system

in which multiple PCs are
connected to each other.
• PCs in intranet are not available
to the world outside the
intranet.
• Each computer in Intranet is also
identified by an IP Address
which is unique among the
computers in that Intranet.
 Internet
• Internet is a network of networks. It is
the worldwide collection of multiple
computer networks.
• Internet is a network of thousand of
computer networks. It is capable to
transfer information across the
geographical boundaries in an electronic
format at a very fast speed. It is a huge
reservoir of information.
 Intranet Vs Internet
Intranet Internet
Private Network Public Network
Single Network Administrator No network administrator
Private IP is used Public IP is used
Limited number of users Large number of users
Highly secure Limited security
 Network Interface Card (NIC)

• NIC provides a hardware

interface between a computer
and a network.
• NIC allows both wired and
wireless communications.
• Provides physical addressing
system (MAC) for computer
 Switches
•Usually configured with 8,
12, or 24 RJ-45 ports
•Often used in a star or
tree topology
•Sold with specialized
software for port
management
•Also called intelligent
HUBS.
 Types Of Switches
• Unmanageable switch
• Manageable switch
• Layer-3 switch
 Unmanageable switch

• These switches operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model.

• These switches have no configuration interface or options, hence no

configuration can be done.

• These are cheap and plug and play devices.

• They cannot support any additional functionality and manageability.

 Manageable switch

• These switches also operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model like

unmanageable switch.

• This supports additional functionality and manageability like STP,

VLANS, SNMP etc.

• High-end or "enterprise" switches, provide a serial console and

command-line access via telnet and SSH, as well as management via
SNMP. More recent devices also provide a web interface.
 Layer 3 switch
• Layer 3 switch Operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model.

• It has the functionality of switch and router hence works either as a

switch or a router based on configuration.

• Layer 3 switches actually differ very little from routers.

• A Layer 3 switch can support the same routing protocols as network
routers do.
• The Only difference is, a Layer 3 switch will typically posses only
Ethernet interfaces and will not possess any WAN ports.
 Routers

• Routers are used to connect remote

LANs technologies.
• A router uses a combination of
hardware and software to actually
"route" data from its source to its
destination.
• It works at the network layer (layer 3).
Router’s port details
 IP Addresses
• IP Address is a Logical Address
• It works on Network Layer (Layer 3)
• Each & every device existing on the network should be given with
one IP address
• Two Versions of Address Scheme
(i) IP version 4 (IPv4) – 32 bit address - written Dotted decimal
notation Ex- 10.1.2.21
(ii) IP version 6 (IPv6) – 128 bit address –written in Colon-Hex
notation Ex- FEDC:BA98:7654:3210:FEDC:BA98:7654:3210
 IPv4 Representation

• IPv4 is 32-bit address.

• These 32 bits are shown as 4 octets known as Dotted Decimal
Notation
• 1st Octet 2nd Octet 3rd Octet 4th Octet

01010101. 00000101. 10111111. 00000001

 IPv4 classification
• Total IP Address Range is 0 . 0 . 0 . 0 to 255.255.255.255
• IPv4 is divided into 5 classes.
• Class A
• Class B LAN & WAN
• Class C

• Class D Multicasting

• Class E
 IPv4 classification
IP Class From To Remarks
Class A 0.0.0.0 127.255.255.255

Class B 128.0.0.0. 191.255.255.255

Class C 192.0.0.0 223.255.255.255

Class D 224.0.0.0. 239.255.255.255

Class E 240.0.0.0 255.255.255.255

 Network ID & Host ID
• IPv4= 32 bits= Network bits + Host bits

• Network bits(NID) determines the subnet mask.

• Subnet mask is used to extract the Network address of IP address.

 Network bits/Host bits/Subnet mask
Class of Default Default Host Default Format Default Subnet
IP Network bits of IP mask
bits

Class A 8 24 N.H.H.H 255.0.0.0

Class B 16 16 N.N.H.H 255.255.0.0

Class C 24 8 N.N.N.H 255.255.255.0

 Default subnet mask
• Class A IP address
Default Format N.H.H.H
11111111.00000000.00000000.00000000
Default Subnet Mask for Class A is 255.0.0.0
• Class B IP address
Default Format N.N.H.H
11111111.11111111.00000000.00000000
Default Subnet Mask for Class B is 255.255.0.0
Class C IP address
Default Format N.N.N.H
11111111.11111111.11111111.00000000
Default Subnet Mask for Class C is 255.255.255.0
 Customized Subnet Mask
• Take an IP address 192.168.1.1 /26
• This is a class C address. Here 26 represents network bits. Although a
class C address has 24 default network bits.
• Hence, the customized subnet mask for the given IP is
255.255.255.192
• 192.168.1.1 /27
• Here subnet mask is calculated as 255.255.255.224
 Private IP addresses(PIPA)

• Class A 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255

• Class B 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255

• Class C 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255

• These addresses are not routable & invalid over the Internet.

• They can be used for: LAN, Private Networks, home & office networks,
ATM machines, networks not connected to Internet.
 Public Vs Private IP
Public IP Private IP

1. Used on the internet (i.e Used within the Organization

Public network) (i.e Private network or LAN)
2. It should be unique over the It should be unique within the
internet. LAN.
3. Assigned by the Internet Assigned by the Network
Service provider(ISP) administrator
 Reserved or Special IPv4
• Universal Loopback address - address range of 127.x.x.x
(address from 127.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255)
Used for testing NIC card.

▪ Universal network - 0.0.0.0 is called universal network address.

▪ Universal host or universal broadcast address - 255.255.255.255
used for sending the broadcast messages.
 Assigning IP addresses to Hosts
• IP address to a host can be assigned in two ways
(i) Static method -Static IP address is a permanent number assigned
to a computer by Network administrator. Assigning static IP addresses
is a time consuming job, will burden the Network administrator.

(ii) Dynamic method- Dynamic IP addresses are assigned to a

computer by DHCP Server, using DHCP protocol, with no time entire
network can be configured.
DHCP -Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
 Need of DHCP

• Every device on a TCP/IP-based network must have a unique IP

address.
• IP configuration must be done for
• all new computers.
• computers moving from one subnet to
another.
• computers removed from the network.

By deploying DHCP in a network, this entire

process is automated and centrally managed.
How DHCP works
How DHCP works
 DNS(Domain Name System)
• DNS server resolves URL address into IP address.

• DNS is a mechanism which translates host name to IP address in

Internet ▪All the network elements in Internet understand only IP
address. To reach a site host name is to be converted to IP address.

▪DNS servers in the Internet search IP address of these host names.

• To access Internet, these DNS servers is maintained by ISPs.

DNS
 Wireless LAN (WLAN)
• IEEE standard for WLAN is IEEE 802.11.
• IEEE 802.11 is further divided into various sub-categories depending on frequency
band, speed, typical output power, range of coverage etc.
• IEEE 802.11 a - 5.0GHz - 54Mbps
• IEEE 802.11 b - 2.4 GHz - 10Mbps
• IEEE 802.11g - 2.4 GHZ - 54 Mbps
• IEEE 802.11n -2.4 GHz - 300Mbps
• Frequency band used in WLAN is either 2.4GHz or 5GHz band.
• CSMA/CA (Carrier sense Multiple access with collision avoidance) technology is
used.
• Modulation techniques used in WLAN are
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) and
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)
 Wi-fi (Wireless Fidelity)
• In a wired LAN, switches are used to • In Wi-Fi or Wireless network, Access
interconnect the computing devices. Points(APs) are used to interconnect
the computing devices.
 Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)
• Wi-Fi network can cover an area wherein one can access internet
without wire. This coverage area is called Hot-Spots.

• Each “HOT-SPOT” can have number of Access Points (APs) .

• Wi-Fi Components-
(i) Access Points (AP)
(ii) Antenna
(iii) PCI wireless card (peripheral component Interconnect)
(iv) CAT 6 cable
(v) Back-bone connectivity
 Access Points (AP)
• main component of Wi-Fi systems.
• It converts data into microwave
signals.
• It works on 220 V AC.

• It radiates power from 1 mw to 100

mw ( 0dBm to +20 dBm)

• Each AP with 100 mille water power

can cover an average 50-100 meters
radius depending on obstructions.
 Wi-Fi components
• Antenna- There are different types antennas with gains ranging from
1dB to 5dB to suit to the coverage needs.

PCI Wireless Card - This is used for connecting the Computer/ Laptop to
the Internet in a Hot Spot.
 Wi-Fi components
• CAT 6 Cable - It is a Category 6 twisted pair cable and carry up to
1000 Mbps.
• It is used for connecting the AP to the back haul Network
 Wi-fi Parameters
• SSID (Service Set Identifier)- It is a name that identifies a particular
wireless LAN
• A client device receives broadcast messages from all access points
within range advertising their SSIDs.
 Wi-Fi Security
Various Wi-Fi Protocols are
• WEP- Wired Equivalent Privacy, developed in 1999. uses 40-bit
encryption key, easily hackable.no longer used
• WPA- Wi-fi Protected Access, uses stronger encryption method called
TKIP(Temporal key Integrity Protocol) TKIP dynamically changes its key
• Although WPA is also vulnerable, but WPA is stronger encryption
technique than WEP.
• WPA2- provides stronger security than WPA.WPA2 uses AES(advanced
encryption standard) as encryption technique.
• Some Wi-Fi routers uses mixed security standard such as WPA2 & WPA
• WPA3- introduced in 2018. – stronger than WPA2
 Railnet
• RAILNET is a corporate wide information system (CWIS)
• provides computer connectivity between Railway Board, Zonal Railways,
Production units(Pus), RDSO, Centralized Training Institutes(CTIs), CORE,
and MTP / Kolkata etc.
• It is an Intranetwork of Railways.
Objectives Of Railnet
• Paperless working
• Information on Demand (no periodic reporting)
• Automatic Status Update
• Promote E-governance.
RAILNET GENERAL ARRANGEMENT
 LAN ARCHITECTURE –BOARD’S GUIDELINES
• All backbone wiring of LAN should be
on the fiber which is capable of
working on 1GBPS.
• Layer -3 switches at the core. Two Fiber
numbers. Should work as backup to backbone
each other.
• Layer-2 switch stack connected to both
the L3 switch using OFC forming a
network.
• L3 switches need not be PoE.
• L2 switches should be PoE enabled to
support VoIP telephony.
 Railnet Setup at Zones

Web proxy
server
Firewall

Switch
 Implementation of Wi-Fi System in Trains & on
Stations
• Indian Railways have partnered with
Google to provide Wi-Fi Broadband
facility to passengers at major railway
stations across the country.
• The Google RailTel initiative named
Rail Wire was launched in January
2016.
• Rail Wire is a free Wi-Fi internet
project across major railway stations
in India.
Wi-Fi connectivity links at Stations
 PASSENGER RESERVATION SYSTEM(PRS)
• PRS is a system that has been developed for reserving
the seats in the trains in advance for passengers from
different Railway reservation centers in India.

• COUNTRY-WIDE NETWORK FOR COMPUTERIZED

ENHANCED RESERVATION AND TICKETING (CONCERT)
developed by CRIS, is a total networking solution to
Indian Railways Passenger Reservation System
 NETWORK CONNECTIVITY
• A Booking Terminal on any locations attached to assign PRS via dedicated
2 Mbps links through Router- Modem connectivity.

• All the locations have redundant links, either RCIL & BSNL or both.

• Each Dumb terminal port is connected to Terminal server port which in

turn connected to central server via Switches, Router and Modems.

• PRS servers are located at 5 locations Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai &
Secunderabad.

• These servers are connected in fully mesh topology .

PRS SERVERS connectivity diagram
Connectivity diagram of UTS/PRS

STM
Link
 Freight Operations Information System(FOIS)
Advantages
• Increase business potentials
• Reduce operating costs
• Global tracking of consignments. in real time
• Promote e-commerce
• Ready details of wagons & racks.
• Monitoring of freights.
• Generate managerial reports.
 FOIS Components
• Rake Management System (RMS) -for handling the operating
portion
• Terminal Management System (TMS) –for commercial
transactions.
• Coaching Operations Information System(COIS) or
• Integrated Coaching Management System (ICMS) - entire
data of each coach on IR readily available on computer for its
optimum use and traffic management at all levels.
• Crew Management System(CMS)
• Computerized Control Charting
 FOIS Architecture
• Application servers are centrally placed at CRIS/NDLS
• CRIS SERVERS are connected to all Zonal HQ & Div HQ on 2 Mbps
WAN links hired from RCIL.
• Wayside field locations connected in tandem order and terminated
to div. or zonal HQ forming a mesh on 64 Kbps or 2 Mbps (WAN).
• VSAT communication is provided to establish connectivity to the
locations where other means of communication like railway’s own
links or BSNL link is not feasible.
• FOIS is a CLIENT –SERVER working model.
Connectivity Diagram of FOIS