CSI2103

Computer Networks and Data

Communications I

LECTURE 1
Objectives

• Discuss computer networking and its history

• Discuss the need for networking
• Define networking terminologies
• Define the types of network relationships
• Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each
• Discuss the important features of computer networks
• List and describe the hardware components of computer networks
• Describe the types and standards of network cables
• Define networking terminologies
Data and Communications Networks
• A network, is a collection of nodes (computers and devices)
interconnected by communication channels that facilitate communication
and allow sharing of resources and information among the devices.
• Some terms/concepts used in Data Communication Networks
• Node: physical system/device
• Data: raw facts; patterns of 1’s and 0’s (in a form offiles and software)
• Transmission
• Communication : moving information between nodes
• Communication Media: pathway of communication
• Data communication: moving data between nodes
• Data Processing: changing data within anode
• Signals –electronic, electromagnetic or photonic encoding of data
• Signaling –propagation of signals across a communication medium
Importance of Studying Networks
• Technical
• Understand what makes it work
• Understand how to investigate and extend the technology
•Business
• Understand how to apply the technology to business problems to create
competitive advantage for businesses;
• Sharing of data and resources
• Increased reliability (redundancy,etc)
• Efficiency
• Communications
• Media integration; emerging applications
Why Network?
• The real power and usability becomes apparent when they can
communicate with one another
• The desire to communicate with each other is a driving force among
humans
• Sharing of resources, e.g a device or an internet connection
• Collaboration
• Remote access
• Data protection and backups
Examples of Networks
• Telephone Networks; local and long distance
• Computer Networks; LAN, CAN, MAN, WAN, WLAN
• Cable TV networks
• Cellular phone networks
• The Internet
The Communication Model

• Sender (Source) –creates the message to be sent

• Transmitter –encodes the message and places it on the transmission
medium
• Media –carries the message via a pathway or channel
• Receiver –retrieves the message from the medium and passes it to
the destination
• Destination (Sink) –receives the message from the Receiver for
processing
Communication Protocols
• Protocols
• Set of rules and procedures; agreed-upon format for transmitting data
between two devices
• Facilitates the efficient and error free sending and receiving of data across
communication links
• Instructs nodes as to how exactly data is to be transferred between them
• Handles
• Data Sequencing: breaks long message into smaller fixed sized
• pieces
• Data Routing: finding the most efficient route from source to sink
• Data Flow: regulates the process of sending data
• Error Control: error detection and recovery to ensure error free delivery of data
Communication Modes
• Communication Mode has to do with the
three ways by which data can be
transmitted from source to destination
• Simplex
• Communication is in one direction only.
• The flow is uni-directional.
• Half-Duplex
• Communication is in both directions
• Communication is in one direction at a time
only
• Full-Duplex
• Communication is in both directions
• Communication is may take place in both
directions at the same time
• •Which is more efficient and why?
Digital and Analogue Transmission
• Data transmission is achieved, from one point to another point, by
means of electrical, electromagnetic or photonic signals by one of
two means:

Digital
Analogue
•Signal may assume only
•Signal varies over a
discrete set of values within a
continuous range
given range
Signal Conversion

• Digital to Analogue conversion is called Modulation

• Analogue to Digital conversion is called Demodulation

• The device that converts from digital to analogue and

from analogue to digital is called a modem
Brief History of Networking
• Telegraph cables –Early 1800s –could transmit information at 20
characters per second. Spurred the development of networked
communications in the US
• The Telephone Network: Circuit Switching Technology –late 1800s.
Used an established circuit when one computer connects to another.
Worked well for voice transmission but not data.
• Telephone Network: Packet Switching Technology –1960s –developed
by researchers at MIT and NPL (National Physical Laboratory: UK).
Created the foundation for the communications technology used on
the internet today.)
Circuit Switching VS Packet Switching
• Circuit switching uses a single physical path or circuit for the duration
of the connection. E.g. POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service). Another
connection between same devices may use another circuit.
• With Packet Switching, no dedicated pathway or circuit is
established. (sometimes referred to as connectionless technology).
Uses packets (small chunks of data) in different routes but arrives at
the same destination. Internet traffic uses this technology
ARPAnet
• First packet switching computer network; originated in the 1960s by
the US Department of Defense (DoD). ARPAnet stands for Advanced
Research Project Agency network).
• Became a large wide area network (WAN) to share information for
research among universities
• Later became known as the Internet.
Today’s Networks
• Provide computing solutions for businesses (sharing of data,
communication, e-commerce, VPNsetc)
• Are used extensively in education and learning (e-learning)
• Provide cheap, reliable ways to communication (e-mail, conferencing,
VOIPetc)
• Used in other cutting-edge innovations such as e-medicine)
• Data and Resource Sharing
• Business Efficiency and Support for New Business Models
Key Networking Terms
• Networking model –a graphical representation of the processes involved in
network communications
• Client-server networking –a client is a computer or device that sends a
request for access to resources while a server is usually a computer that
responds.
• NIC network interface card or network adapter. A peripheral card (egPCI)
that connects to a network medium
• Media –means by when signals are sent from one computer to another
• Wireless Media –Radio, laser, infrared, satellite technologies are examples
• Coax –coaxial cable –copper core cable surrounded by thick shielding.
(Cable used for CableTV connections)
Key Networking Terms
• Twisted-pair –used for telephone communications and consists of
pairs of twisted copper wires inside an outer jacket. Can be UTP or
STP. Cat 5 is an example of UTP.
• Connecting devices –devices used to connect cable segments or two
or more smaller networks(subnets)
• Protocol –set of rules by which computers communicate
• NOS –Network Operating System eg. Windows 2000 server.
• Client Operating System –desktop operating system e.g Windows 10
Key Networking Terms
• LAN –Local area network that is confined to a limited geographic area, e.g
a room, floor, building.
• WAN –Wide area network –usually made up of interconnected LANs.
Spans wide geographical area
• MAN –Metropolitan area network (between size of LAN and WAN). Usually
spans a large city or metropolitan area
• Physical Topology –refers to the layout or physical shape of the network.
E.g how the cables and computers are arranged etc. Eg include bus
topology, ring topology, mesh topology etc)
• Logical Topology –the path that signals take from one computer to
another. For example a physical star topology network can be a logical ring
topology network. This will be addressed in a later lecture
Key Networking Terms
• Bit –smallest unit of data in a computer.
• Byte –equals 8 bits. Usually used to describe size of a data file or the amount of
data sent over a network.
• KB –Kilobyte –approximately 1000 bytes (actually 1024 bytes). Usually
abbreviated ‘K’
• MB –Megabyte –1 million bytes (actually 1,048,576). Usually referred to as a
“meg”
• kbps –Kilobits per second –standard measurement for the amount of data
transferred over a network per second
• KBps –kilobytes per second
• Hz –hertz –A unit of frequency. Rate of change in the state of a wave or
alternating current. Used to describe the speed of the CPU. E.g. MHz, GHz etc
Network Classification
• Geographical Cover (eg. LAN, MAN, WAN, Internet)
• Topology: physical layout, STAR, BUS, MESH, RING etc
• Switching Technique: connection and connectivity methods; packet
switching, circuit switching
• Architecture: peer-to-peer vs. client-server
• Speed (data rates)
• Protocol: Ethernet
• Data/information content: voice, data, video
Network Relationships /Types
• Network relationship deals with two different concepts of how one
computer makes use of another computer’s resources
• Peer-to-peer
• Client-server

• Can be compared with management philosophies of a company

(decentralized versus centralized management structure)
Peer-To-Peer Relationship
• Each computer makes available its own resources to other computers on
the network
• Each computer is responsible for setting and maintaining its own security
• Each computer is responsible for accessing resources it need for “peers”
and must understand where to and how to access them.
• There is no dedicated server or centralized administration
• Technically, each computer functions as a client and server at the same
time.
• More common in home networks and small office networks. See an
example in the next slide
A Peer-To-Peer Office Network
Peer-To-Peer Networks
• PROS
• Use less expensive hardware
• Easy to administer
• No NOS required
• More built in redundancy
• Fewer single points of failure

• CONS
• May affect computers’ performance
• Not very secure
• Difficult to backup
• Hard to maintain version control
The Client-Server Relationship
• Clear distinction from computer which provide resources and
services (the server) and the computer which accesses these
resources(client)
• All network resources are hosted and managed centrally.
• Typically no client computer shares resources with other clients or
the server
• Servers are also responsible for administering the security of these
resources
• See the example on the next slide.
The Client-Server Relationship
The Client-Server Relationship
• PROS
• Very secure
• Better performance
• Centralized backup
• Very reliable

• CONS
• Require professional administration
• More hardware intensive
• More costly
Network Features
• File Sharing
• Printer Sharing
• Application Services
• Email
• Remote Access
• Wide Area Networks
• Internet and Intranet
• Network Security
File Sharing
• Was the primary reason for a computer network
• Uses a shared directory for users to access across a network
• Uses file locking and row locking (for databases)
• The N.O.S is responsible for administering security to the shared files
• There are different levels of permissions
Printer Sharing
• Eliminates the need for many printers on a network
• More cost effective
• Can be done in two ways
• Print queue
• Direct print
• Uses a print server
• The print server can be one of the following:
• A computer dedicated to print services which connects to a printer
• A client computer that runs a special print server software
• A networked printer with built in print server on the NIC
• A dedicated device that is called a “print server”
Application Services

• Sharing of applications on a network

• Application is only installed on the network server
• Applications can be run on client by loading files into memory
• Reduces required disk space on client computers
• Require proper software license
• Applications services also can involved shared installation points
Remote Access
• Network users use remote access to access their files and emails
when working from a remote location, at home, for example.
• Network Administrators use remote access to login to their networks
from remote locations and administer or troubleshoot, if necessary.
• Remote access can be setup by:
• Using a simple remote access service (RAS) connection to a Windows Server
• Using a dedicated remote access system.
• Using a remote control program on a computer on the network. E.g. PC
Anywhere
• Setting up a virtual private network (VPN) connection to the internet.
• Installing Windows Terminal Services.
Wide Area Networks
• Connection of multiple LANs together
• Choice of type of WAN depends on
• How often the LANs need to be connected to one another
• How much data capacity (bandwidth) is required
• How great is the distance between the LANs
• Connection types include leased lines (56Kbps), T1 (1.544Mbps) or
T3 lines (44.736 Mbps), private satellites.
• Alternatively a WAN can be created by using a VPN over the internet
Internet & Intranet
• The Internet is vital to
productivity for most
businesses today
• Providing Internet access to
computers on a network is an
important aspect of
networking
• Networks use devices such as
routers, firewalls, proxies etc.
and usually a dedicated server
for sharing internet access
Internet & Intranet

• An intranet is an internally focused network that mimics the Internet

itself
• Intranet are usually not accessible from outside the LAN, although it
is possible
• Intranets usually use a web server that processes and handles
requests by LAN clients internally, for example sharing of files and
documents and intra-mail.
Network Security
• Information and confidential information need proper security to control
user access on a network
• Different user should have different levels of security on different
resources(for example, full access, read only etc)
• Network security is integrated into the NOS.
• Networks usually have security policy document which is implemented in
part by the network administrator and the users of the network
• Network security becomes an even greater issue when the LAN in
connected to the Internet. Devices like firewalls are usually common.
• Another aspect of network security is physical security.
Network Hardware Components
• Servers
• Hubs, Routers and Switches
• Cabling and Cabling Plants
• Workstation Hardware
Network Servers
• A server is any computer that performs network functions for other computers
• Servers fall into various categories
• File and print servers
• Application servers
• E-mail servers
• Networking servers –can perform DHCP, routing, encryption, VPN etc
• Internet servers
• Remote access servers
• Servers usually run a NOS, e.g. Windows 2003 Server
• A network may have one or more servers performing any or all of the services
mentioned here
• Servers are usually high-end computers with redundant components (power
supply, processor etc), and usually lots of memory and diskspace.
Hubs, Routers and Switches
• Connects internally to cable on a network
• Hubs and switches are device that connect a number of network
cables from client computers. They usually range in size from 2-port
to60-port.
• Hubs and switches look physically the same, but their logics are
different, and as such they are used for their specific purposes. (This
will be discussed later)
• A router routes data packets from one network to another, for
example a DSL modem/router.
Cabling and Cable Plants
• The most cabling type for LANs is the CAT5 twisted pair cable and
usually used to support 100BaseT Ethernet networks.
• Newer cabling uses CAT5E, CAT6 and CAT7.
• Coaxial cable is less common in LANS but still the type used on CATV
connections
• “Cable plant” refers to the entire installation of all the network
cables, including cable connectors, wall plates, patch panelsetc.
Work Station Hardware
• A computer on the network other than a server(s) is called a network
workstation (network client)
• Usually runs a client OS, like Windows XP.
• Workstations usually have NIC or a wireless adapter.
Networking Cables
• A network can be compared to the physical layout of the human
nervous system
• The nerves are like the cables of a computer network
• Network cabling determines how the network functions, how fast it
functions, how reliable the network is and how easy it can be
expanded
• Network cabling, however, depends on the network topology to be
used on a network. (Network Topologies will be addressed later).
Types of Cables
• The main types of cable used on networks are:
• UTP (Unshielded twisted pair)
• Coaxial
• STP (Shielded twisted pair)
• Fiber-Optic
• UTP
• Consists of two or more pairs of twisted plastic insulated conductors inside
a cables heath
• Twisting reduces outside electrical interference
• There exists rigid standards for how the cable is made, including how the
twists are arranged
• STP
• Similar to UTP but with a braided metal shielding aroundthe twisted pairs to
further reduce outsideinterference
• Coaxial
• Consists of a central copper conductor
wrapped in plastic insulation and
surrounded by a braided wire shield, then
finally wrapped plastic cables heath.

• There are two main types used on networks

• Thin Ethernet (10Base-2) which uses RG-58
cables
• Thick Ethernet (100Base-5) uses a much thicker
cable called RG-8
• Fiber-Optic
• Uses a glass strand
• Carries data by light as compared to electricity
• Provides significantly higher speeds
• Usually expensive to purchase, install and maintain
• Common for LAN backbones
• Fiber optic cables have much longer ranges (usually able to span 2
miles at 100Mbps)
• How fiber-optic cables work?