CSC 1113 Introduction to Computers

LECTURE NOTES

CHAPTER 7

I.
INTRODUCING COMPUTER NETWORKS: SYNERGY AT WORK
CIYF 7.03
Introduce students to the concept of synergy by expanding upon the examples in the textbook.
The idea that the sum of the parts working together exceeds the same components working alone
is a powerful metaphor.

A.

Types of Computer Networks: LANs and WANs

As you begin this section, define computer network and briefly explain each type of
network:
1. Local Area Network (LAN) uses direct cables, wireless radio, or infrared signals to link
computers within a small geographic area.
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) uses high speed fiber-optic lines to connect
computers within a major urban region.
3. Wide Area Network (WAN) uses long-distance transmission media to connect
computers separated by a few miles or thousands of miles. The Internet is a WAN open to
public use. Public Data Networks (PDNs) are WANs that are leased to business and
government customers.

B.

Networking Synergies in a Nutshell

Summarize the four major gains realized by having a computer network:

1. Reducing hardware costs. Give examples of various resources which can be shared in a
network environment, such as printers, scanners, and speedy processors.
2. Enabling shared applications. Give examples of the network versions of software
applications, such as Microsoft Office, which are distributed from the file server to each
users workstation.
3. Building massive information resources. Give examples of the power of a database
when it is readily accessible and updated in real time.
4. Connecting people. Define the term groupware and give examples of how shared
applications such as calendars can benefit organizations.
Teaching Tip: If your campus is currently using a groupware application such as
Microsoft Exchange or GroupWise as an administrative tool, take time to demonstrate
the use of shared calendars, distributed lists, and shared resources.
Web
Link:
Walla
Walla
College
uses
GroupWise
(www.wwc.edu/services/is/groupwise/) to share information on the campus. Encourage
students to visit the site and explore the options available to GroupWise users on the
campus.
II. NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
CIYF 7.05
Lay the groundwork for this discussion by categorizing the two basic components of a computer
network: physical media that guide messages to their destination, and standards (protocols) that
specify the form required for those messages to be communicated over the network.

CSC 1113 Introduction to Computers

Chapter 7 Lecture Notes

A.

Page 2

Physical Media

Explain to students that while the physical medium used on a network only impacts
the speed at which data travels, it is helpful to understand the terms that describe how
physical media transfer a message to its intended destination.

B.

Switching and Routing Techniques

Describe the two basic technologies responsible for routing messages to their correct
destination: circuit switching and packet switching.
Class Exercise: Which is best? Create two lists on the board entitled circuit and
packet. Ask students to list the pros and cons of each. Ask them to reach a conclusion
as to which technology is most efficient for a data network and which is most efficient
for a voice network.
Teaching Tip: Use a postal analogy to describe how packet switching works. Liken the
distribution of messages on a network to the mail system. Suppose that a message to be
sent is like a letter being dropped off at the local post office. The letter would be
opened and cut into little pieces. Then each piece would be put into a separate
envelope, addressed to the recipient, and reposted. The postman then collects the mail,
including our letter which may be in a number of different envelopes. The envelopes
are taken to the post office and added to all of the other mail to be sorted. Our
envelopes may end up in different bags, and the bags may be put in different trucks.
Now our envelopes travel to the destination taking a variety of routes. Eventually all of
the envelopes (packets) begin arriving at the recipients local post office. They are
progressively collected until all of the envelopes are received. Once all of the
envelopes are received, the post office opens the envelopes and pieces our message
back together again. The restored document is then given to the recipient who is then
able to read it. The local post office is the ISP. The postal system is the carrier. The
sender is the publisher, and the recipient is the reader.
Web Link: Encourage students to visit the Web site of Cisco Systems
(www.cisco.com), the worldwide leader in networking equipment for the Internet.

C.

Protocols

Explain to students that a protocol is a set of standards or code of behavior that

specifies network functions. Refer to the exchange in the text on page 8 that relates
networking protocols to manners. Compare and contrast proprietary protocols and
open protocols, and their importance on the growth and success of networking.
Introduce the term protocol suite as a collection of protocols which dictate the overall
design of a network, called the network architecture.
Web Link: The Destinations section discusses Web spiders. To enhance students
experience,
encourage
them
to
visit
The
Web
Robots
Pages
(www.robotstxt.org/wc/robots.html) for more information on related programs.

D.

Network Layers

Using the metaphor of a layer cake, explain a protocol stack and how a message
moves through the stack.
Teaching Tip: The information covered in this section is fairly technical. Depending
upon the level of your class, it may not be advisable to go into too much detail on
network switching and routing techniques because students may feel information

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overload. However, if you have students who already show a fair understanding of the
networking concept, encourage them to expand their knowledge by delving deeper into
the topics covered in this section.
III. LOCAL AREA NETWORKS (LANs): LIMITED REACH, FAST
CONNECTIONS
CIYF 7.10
Explain that the thing that sets the LAN apart from other types of networks is that it is
limited in geographic reach to about one mile. Most LANs are located within one
building. Networks for home use are typically LANs. The speed of LANs continues to
increase, with technology called Gigabit Ethernet allowing data transfer at the rate of
1 gigabit per second.

A.

Networking Hardware: Network Interface Cards (NICs)

Using Figure 7.5, describe that an NIC (Network Interface Card) is necessary to
enable a computer to work with a LAN. When an NIC is installed and a computer is
connected to a LAN, the computer is called a workstation. Any device connected to a
LAN (including a computer) is called a node. Explain that every node on the LAN has
its own unique numeric address, and that this addressing scheme is important to
understand when we learn about the Internet.
Teaching Tip: If you have an NIC in your box of demonstration hardware, pass it
around the room so students can see first-hand what one looks like.

B.

Networking Software

Explain that each computer on the LAN must have system software installed that
enables it to talk with the other computers on the network. Explain that most modern
operating systems contain this type of software in their standard installations.
1.
Peer-to-Peer Networks (P2PNs) are the simplest types of networks in that all
computers are equalthere is no file server. These simple LANs can be set up by using
operating system software such as Windows or Mac OS with no additional software.
These are the easiest LANs to set up, and are often used in the home to connect two or
three computers together.
2.
Client/Server Networks are used for connecting many computers together and
require one or more file servers and a network operating system in addition to the
operating system on each client computer. Use Figure 7.6 to help describe the
components of a client/server network.

C.

Media

Teaching Tip: If you have a box of hardware samples, be sure to include the various
types of physical media used in a LAN. Ask the IT department of your local cable
company for foot-long pieces of twisted pair, cat-5, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic
cable for demonstration use in your class. You may also want to include an old remote
control as an example of an infrared device. Since wireless radio transmission
devices are fairly new, you may not be able to get a physical example. However, use
what students already know about cell phones to explain how wireless connections
work.
Teaching Tip: Wireless LANs are on the rise. Engage students in a conversation about
the possible uses of wireless technology for connecting computers, sharing resources
and transferring data.

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Web Link: To gain understanding about the rapid proliferation of wireless LANS,
encourage students to visit www.hotspot.com for lists of sites where computers
outfitted with wireless LAN cards can connect to networks around the world.

D.

LAN Topologies

Define topology as the physical layout of a local area network.

Teaching Tip: As with the discussion on switching and routing techniques, this may be
too detailed for some of your students. If time is short, display graphical
representations of bus, star, and ring topologies as shown in Figure 7.7 a-c, and
briefly describe the benefits of each.

E.

LAN Technologies

Refer to Figure 7.8 to illustrate discussion on popular LAN technologies. Focus your
discussion on Ethernet because it is by far the most popular LAN standard.

F.

LAN Protocols
Explain that the LAN technologies discussed above provide the physical properties and
data links for the networks lower layers. It is the LAN protocols in this section which
handle transporting of data in the higher layers.
Teaching Tip: Briefly mention IPX/SPX and NetBEUI (pronounced net-boo-ee),
but reserve most of your discussion for the TCP/IP LAN protocol.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the core of the
Internet, but can also be used with a variety of lower-level LAN technologies like
Ethernet. Mention that a LAN that uses TCP/IP is called an intranet.

IV.

WIDE AREA NETWORKS (WANs): LONG-HAUL CARRIERS

CIYF 7.17
Ask students to recall that a LAN is limited in geographic reach to about one mile.
Explain that if you need to link computers separated by two miles or thousands of
miles, you would use a WAN (Wide Area Network).
Class Exercise: Be sure students read the Currents section Sharing Wireless
Communities. Engage students in the debate over the ethical question of sharing
bandwidth as introduced in the article. Beyond ethics, discuss the convenience of
having wireless access points, or hotspots, available throughout the world. Imagine
traveling through Europe with your laptop configured with a wireless NIC. Anywhere
you found a hotspot, you could connect to the Internet, check your e-mail, make
reservations, and upload images from your digital camera. Ask if anyone has had
experience with a wireless Internet community.

A.

How WANs Work

Introduce students to the concept of a WAN by drawing their attention to the

similarities between WANs and long-distance telephone systems as shown in Figure
7.9.
1. Point of Presence (POP) Explain that in order to obtain data to carry, the WAN
must be accessible from a local connection, much like the telephone in your house
enables you to connect to telephones all over the world. Connections can be made in a
variety of ways:

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Modem: Uses a standard local analog telephone line.

56Kbps Leased Line: A specially conditioned telephone line that enables

continuous, end-to-end communication between two points.

ISDN Services: Connections using ordinary twisted-pair telephone lines.

ADSL Services: Connections expected to provide 1Mbps access using

ordinary twisted-pair telephone lines.

T1 Lines: A fast, dedicated connection service that is expensive and usually

only used by larger organizations, corporations, and universities.

PVC (permanent virtual circuit) connections: A new local connection

service using a type of packet switching known as frame relay.

Explain to students that this is just a introduction to the types of connections available,
and that in Chapter 10 we will discuss this topic in greater detail.
2. Backbones. Discuss the fact that backbones are the high-capacity transmission lines
that carry WAN traffic. Some are regional while others are continental or
transcontinental in scope. The main purpose of a backbone is to carry huge amounts of
data traffic.

B.

How WANs Are Organized

Explain to students that the Internet is the mother of all WANs. Most WAN traffic
travels over connections leased by backbone providers who charge fees to local
Internet service providers (ISPs), who in turn sell connections to individuals and
organizations.
1. PDN (Public Data Network) is a for-public data communications network that
assures good security and adequate guaranteed bandwidth for a fee.
2. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are networks that are constructed by using public
wires to connect nodes. These nodes are not open to the public or to any other users
and are exclusively leased to a single company, ensuring excellent security.

C.

WAN Protocols

Ask students to recall that one of the components of a network is the protocol used for
communications. Because WANs are networks, they also use protocols. Because this
chapter uses quite a few acronyms and contains a large amount of technical
information, it is not important that students remember the names and types of
protocols commonly used for WANs.

D.

WAN Applications

WANs enable companies to use many of the same applications we use on the Internet,
such as e-mail, conferencing, document exchange, and remote database access.
Emphasize the concept that the reason for using a company-wide WAN for providing
these applications rather than the Internet is because WANs can be made more secure.
1.
LAN-to-LAN Connections: WANs are often used to connect LANs that are
located in separate geographic locations.
2.
Transaction Acquisition: Computers such as point-of-sale (POS) terminals
collect data and relay the information to central computers through WANs.

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3.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): EDI is a set of standards that specify how
companies communicate information about their financial transactions.
Class Exercise: Lead students in a discussion about how the use of WANs has made it
easier for businesses to manage business and meet customer needs. Ask if anyone has
gone into a retail store for a certain item only to have the item unavailable at that
location. The salesperson then looks the item up on the company-wide WAN and finds
the item in question at a store nearby. Are there other examples where a shared
database can save time and energy tracking down an item? Discuss the possibilities of
sharing a system-wide database in a university or state library system.
Class Exercise: Before embarking upon discussion, direct students to read the Impacts
section entitled The PARC Mystery: Why Did Xerox Not Take Advantage of Its Own
Innovations? Based upon information gained in the article, engage students in a
discussion about the importance of innovation and research in the development of new
technology. Where would we be today if short-term marketability drove research?
What types of research in computer technology are being done today, and which
companies are at the forefront?
V.
CHAPTER REVIEW
CIYF 7.26
Web Link: Refer students to www.prenhall.com/ciyf2004 for a review of the chapter, to
answer the questions, and to complete the exercises and Web research questions.
Takeaway Points:
Ask students to recall the objectives identified at the beginning of this lesson. Tie the initial
objectives with the essential points that met the objectives.

Definition: Computer networks link two or more computers so that they can exchange
data and share resources.
Objective: List the three main types of computer networks. The three types of computer
networks are local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide
area networks (WANs).
Objective: Discuss the ways that connecting computers increases the value of an
organizations information technology investment. Computer networks can reduce
hardware costs, enable users to share applications, create the means to pool all of an
organizations mission-critical data, and foster teamwork and collaboration.
Objective: Explain the importance of protocols in a computer network. Computer
networks require physical media, but their most important component consists of the
protocols that define how network devices can communicate with each other. A network
requires many protocols to function smoothly. When a computer sends a message over
the network, the application hands the message down the protocol stack, where a series of
protocols prepares the message for transmission through the network. At the other end,
the message goes up a similar stack.
Objective: Contrast circuit switching and packet switching networks and explain their
respective strengths and weaknesses. Circuit switching creates a permanent, end-to-end
circuit that is optimal for voice and real-time data. Packet switching does not require a
permanent switched circuit and can funnel more data through a medium with a given data
transfer capacity. But packet switching introduces slight delays that make the technology
less than optimal for voice or real-time data.

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Objective: Distinguish between peer-to-peer and client/server LANs. A peer-to-peer

LAN doesnt use a file server and is most appropriate for small networks. Client/server
networks offer network navigation tools, shared applications, shared databases,
groupware, and e-mail, but trained technicians are required to configure and maintain
them.
Objective: Name the most widely used LAN protocol and discuss its benefits. By far the
most widely used LAN protocol is Ethernet, which is available in 10 or 100 Mbps star
topology configurations that use hubs and twisted-pair wiring. The newest LAN
technology, Gigabit Ethernet, can transfer data at the rate of 1,000 Mbps.
Objective: Identify three business applications of WANs. Businesses use WANs for LANto-LAN connections, transaction acquisition, and electronic data interchange.