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/ 31
Basics of Network
1.1 Introduction
We have entered in the era of communication technology. The dynamic world today
needs fast communication channels to move data frequently from one place to
another. To move data quickly from one place to another, the concept of networking
has been introduced. In networking, the computers in different parts of the world are
connected to each other to share data.
Data communications and networking are changing the way we do business and
the way we live. Business decisions have to be made ever more quickly, and the
decision makers require immediate access to accurate information. The development
of the personal computer brought about tremendous changes for business, industry,
science and education. A similar revolution is occurring in data communications
and networking. Technological advances are making it possible for communications
links to carry more and faster signals. As a result, services are evolving to allow
use of this expanded capacity.
This chapter is mainly focused on the computer networks, uses or applications of
computer networks, types of computer networks, network hardware and software.
1) ph
1.2
What is a Computer Network?
Computer network Is an Interconnection of various computers to share
software, hardware and data through a communication medium between them,
There is no limit to the distance between two computers in a network.
Technically defining, a computer network is an interconnected collection of
autonomous computers. Two computers are said to be Interconnected if they
are able to exchange information through transmission media like coaxial cables,
_ fibre optic, copper wire, microwaves, satellites etc.
The term “autonomous” means that no one computer can forcibly start or stop the
other computer.
Any type of data i.e. text, picture, audio and video can be transmitted by using
network.
Need for Networking
Acommon question comes in the mind, What is the need of a computer network?
Due to limited resources, we always want to share the resources with others. Also,
everyone want to communicate with his/her friends, relatives etc in a efficient way.
Therefore, we need the computer network due to the following reasons.
4. To share computer files : Networks enable users to share files with others.
For example, in an organization one file is to be shared by different departments
Once we place this file on network system, all the department can use this
file.
2. To-share computer equipment : Laser printers and large hard-disk drive’
A b
can be expensive. Networks enable users to share such equipment 4
networking microcomputers or workstations together. 7.
To enable unlike computer equipment to Communicate : A company
having computers of different makes using different operating systems such
as MS DOS, UNIX, WINDOWS 95 and Apple DOS cannot transfer files from
one computer to another unless they are networked using a Networking
operating system such as Netware 4.1 or Windows NT 4.0.
To improve communication speed and accuracy : Sending messages
through networks is virtually instantaneous, and there is also less chance of a
message being lost.
To reduce cost of data transfer : The cost of transfer of documents using
‘computers connected on networks is cheaper than other conventional means
like telegrams.
Group Working : The time taken to transmit the messages is very small.
Hence different computers on a network can be connected together and the
users can work together as a group. Software packages have been developed
for group working in Data Base Management systems (DBMS) and graphic
works.
Verity Data Transfer : Fluctuations of prices in foreign exchange and siiares/
equities can be communicated instantaneously using the medium of computer
communications. The transfer can be accelerated and verified at any instant
of time.
To increase Productivity : Computers can have fax systems integrated with
networking. The correspondents working for a particular news paper agency
can send their messages in ready to print condition to the central office from
were they are further edited and compiled for final print in the newspaper. A
newspapers correspondent can even send pictures along with the text.
High reliability : All files could be replicated (copied) on two or three machines,
so if one of them is unavailable (due to hardware failure), the other copies
could be used.
(3] NS
1.4 Uses (or applications) of Computer Network
Computer networking provides several uses, both to organizations and individu,
users.
1.4.1 Uses of Computer Network for Companies
The computer networks are useful to the organisation in the following ways.
(i) Resource Sharing
‘Sharing of hardware, software and data is a major benefit of computer networks,
Although printers are much cheaper than they were a few years ago, it is still
too expensive to provide every worker with his or her own printer. When several
workers can share a printer on a network, printing becomes less expensive
and easier to manage. Fig. 1.1 shows a printer being shared among various
users/workers in an organisation.
;
Laser Printer
FIGURE 1.1 (ii) Simultaneous Access
Computer network allows many users to access programs and data at the
same time. At any given moment in any business, several workers may need
to use the same data at the same time. A good example is a company’s quarterly
sales report, which needs to be viewed and updated by several managers.
We can store the data on a network server (or just server), which is a central
computer with a large storage device and other resources that all users can
share.
If the server stores files for users to access, it is commonly called a file server.
We can store a single copy of a data file on the server, which is accessible to
each employees in the organisation as shown in fig 1.2. Moreover, if one
user makes a change to the file, other users will see the change when they
use the file.
The hard disk in this server
is a shared storage device, which
the network's users can access.
FIGURE 1.2 (iil) High Reliability due to Alternative sources of Data
Reliability is a main benefit due to which networks are becoming Very popula,
among organizations. By using networks, the critical data Can be saveg at
more than one locations. If a computer fails or Crashes, the data can be
recovered from the other computers of the network. This
Way, the data ig
secured in a network.
The aspect of high reliability is very important for Military,
control, nuclear reactor ‘safety and many other applications
Operations is a must even if there are hardware or Softwa
(iv) Reduced Costs
banking, air traffic
where Continuous
re failures,
‘AS we can share software and hardware resot
urces, it will Automatically reduce
the cost of executing the data.
Personal computer one Per user and data is kept on one or more Shared file
Server machines. In this model, the users are called clients and the whole
arrangement is known as Client-server model as shown in fig 1.3.
Client Machine Server Machine
Client
FIGURE 1.3
The Client can request to the server asking for some work to be done. Thé
server then does the work and sends back the reply.
(6) ()
(vi)
Easler Backup
In business, data is extremely valuable, so it is important that employees back
up their data. As all data is stored on the server, backing up the critical data is
a simple process.
Communication Medium
Acomputer network provides a powerful communication medium among widely
separated employees. Using a network, it is easy for two or more people who
live far apart to write a report together.
1.4.2 Uses of Computer Network for People
The computer networks offer the following services to an individual person :
@
ail)
Access to Remote Information
‘Access to remote information comes in many forms. For example
() Home shopping, paying telephone/electricity bills, e-banking, online share
market etc.
(ii) _ Itis possible to access the information system like World wide web which
contains information about the arts, business, cooking, goverment,
health, history, recreation, science, sports etc.
(ii) Newspaper is now-a-days available online. You can access the news
according to your interest.
Person-to-person Communication
Person to person communication includes
(I) Electronic-mail (e-mall)
Sending and receiving e-mail over a typical network is shown in fig 1.4.
(71 SERVER
Memo
To: Chetan
Meeting Friday, 9:00
See you there,
‘The sender composes an
e-mail message and sends it.
‘The message is stored on
the server.
‘The server alerts the recipient
that there is a message.
Se ‘When the recipient is ready
to read the messages, the
Teci‘ent's computer retrieves
it frm the server.
FIGURE 1.4
(i) Teleconferencing and Video Conferencing
A teleconference is a virtual meeting in which a group of people in
different locations conduct discussions by typing messages to each
other. Each message can be seen by all the other people in the
teleconference.
Ifusers have the necessary hardware (a PC, video camera, microphone,
and speakers) and software, they can see and speak to each other as
they meet online, instead of merely typing messages. This process is
known as videoconferencing.
[8] (iil) Worldwide Newsgroups
Worldwide newsgroups in which one person posts a message and all
other subscribers to the newsgroup can read it or give their feedbacks.
(iii) Interactive Entertainment
Interactive entertainment includes :
@ Video on Demand
It is possible to select any movie and it displayed on your screen.
(i) Game Playing
You can enjoy multiperson real-time simulation games.
(ii) Participation in live TV programmes likes quiz, contest, discussions etc.
1.5 Network Devices : Nodes and Hosts
@
(b)
Node
A node is any device connected to a computer network and is capable of
sending, receiving or forwarding information over a communication channel.
Nodes can be computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), Cellphones, or
various other network appliances.
Host
Anetwork host is a computer connected to a computer network. A network
host may offer information resources, services and applications to users or
other nodes on the network.
[9] yy,
Every network host is a physical network node (i.e. a network device), but
ot every physical network node is a host. Network devices such as modems,
hubs and network switches are not considered as. Network hosts,
16 Types of Computer Networks
‘There are three types of computer networks :
1. Local Area Network (LAN)
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
3. Wide Area Network (WAN)
1.6.1 Local Area Network (LAN)
local area network is telatively smaller and id privately owned network with the
maximum Span of 10 f 10 km. to provide local Connectivity within a building or small
geographical area.
In private offices this type of Networking is very popular and effectively used. They
are widely used to connect personal Computers and workstations in corporate offices
and factories to share resources and exchange information,
Both wired or wireless communication can be used in LANs. Twisted pair cables
are the most common carriers of the information in a local area network.
[10] Finance Publication Magnetic Storage
FIGURE 1.5
The figure 1.5 shows a LAN having computers of several departments like Sales,
Finance, Production, Publication etc.
In general a given LAN will use only one type of transmission media. The most
common topologies used are bus, ring and star. Traditional LANs run at speeds of
10 to 100 Mbps, have low delay and make very few errors. Modern LANs may
operate at higher speeds, up to hundreds of megabytes per second.
(1) 1.6.1.1 Features of LAN
(i_.-Limited Geographic Limits pe
wr
YW,
ALANis designed for a small area. Generally it spans a single often, workgroup
floor in a building or in a campus etc. LAN uses different protocols or rules for
information transmission.
‘Limited number of users
Most LAN supports less numbers of users usually around five or Ten, More
users can be supported by connecting different LAN’S together, which gives
better results than making one big-network of the nature of LAN.
tener and Stability
7 LANs tend to be very Reliable Failures on a LAN are mostly due to wrong or
(0) Flexibility
<
improper installation. Monitoring software that comes along with a LAN provides
a number of useful programs like error detection, prevention of transmission
loss and excellent security features. ,
Major development in LANs today is flexibility they offer earlier verisons would
support only one type of desktop computers. Today advanced LANs however
can support different types of Computers. This flexibility also extends to
operating systems & storage media.
(9 Expandable
SF
Most LANs can be expanded easily. More nodes (Terminals) can be added.
Though this depends on design of Cabling plan (Topology) also. Also LANS
can have more servers on same network and a user at a terminal can connect
to one or many servers and work comfortably.
, Suly-Seeurity and Administration
A LAN administrator is one who supervise the operation of a LAN. He takes
Care of tasks like adding or deleting users, creating Passwords, Providing
authorizations and other Fesources like printers and backing up data)All these
tasks can be performed without much difficulty since both hardware and
Software are quite easy to manage today.
(12)
eameeree te —— 1.6.1.2 Advantages of LAN
@Ariéxpensive transmission media.
(i) Inexpensive devices (modems, repeaters and transceivers) to interface to
the media.
“iy Easy physical connection of devices to the media.
(iv) High data transmission rates.
(v) Network data transmission are independent of the rates used by the attached
ee
devices, making it easier for devices of one speed to send information to
devices of another speed.
(vi) A high degree of interconnection between devices.
(vil) Every attached device having the potential to communicate with every other
device on the network.
(viii) There is seldom central controlling processor which polls the attached devices
on the network.
(x)_ In the majority of cases, each attached device hears (but does not process
messages intended for other devices as well as for itself.
(x) _ Itis flexible and growth-oriented.
(xi) It allows file/record. lo Kin ge
(xii) It provides fullproof security system against illegal access to data.
_ a High Reliability.
(xiv) It allows sharing of expensive resources such as laser printer & high capacity.
(xv) LANs are a productivity tool. In the case of a business, a LAN should be a
visible contributor to increased profitability.
t [13] A
1.6.1.3 Disadvantages of LAN
oS
aS
1.6.2 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Ka
[mae is defined for less than 50 km. and provides regional connectivity typically
cane a
within a campus or small geographical area. It is. designed to extend over an entire
(i) Local area networking software requires Memory space
i)
(iil)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
in each of th
Computers used on the network. This reduces the Memo °
"Y $P2C0 avait,
for the user's programs,-
Local area networking adds another level of Complexity to the co
™MPuter
Operation. Users may have difficulty in learning the Network Commands, The
installation and Management of a LAN requires
far more technica) and
administrative skills than installing and Managing sey
Vveral computers that ate
Not networked.
Some type of Security system must be implemented if itis important to protect
Private data.
lay have to share a Printer
with other users.
Many current application programs will Not run in a network environment.
The financial cost of local area networking is still high in comparison with
Many other alternatives,
oe
city. It may be a single network such as cable television Network, or it may be @
means of connecting a number of LANs into a large Network, so that resources may
be shared LAN to LAN as well as device to device. For éxample, a company can
ise a MAN to connect to the LANs in all of its offices through outa city as shown in
us
figure 1.6. MAN might be either private or publ
[14]
rear CEE, RE SBR By pe Network 1
interconnecting
Devices
FIGURE 1.6
When LANs of a Single «nterprise are distributed over a larger area like a city,
however, private connections are impractical. A better alternative is to use the
Services of existing utilities, such as the telephone. These service include.
© Distributed Queue Dual Bus (DQDB) and
°* Switched Muktimegabit Data Services (SMDS). ed
nnect
Dopp Consists of two unidirectional buses to which all the computers are co!
8 shown in figure 1.7
[15]
cage zg GRIT Direction of flow on bus A @—>>
Bus A
Bus B i
Direction of flow on busB <{—@
FIGURE 1.7
Traffic that is destined for a computer to the right of the sender uses the upper bus.
Traffic to the left uses the lower one. A key aspect of a MAN is that there is a
broadcast medium to which all the computers are attached.
1.6.2.1 Features of MAN
Main features of MAN are :
ye Intermediate Size : Man is defined for less than 50 Km. Therefore, size of ,
MAN is smaller than WAN and larger than LAN.
2A Hiign Speed Network : A MAN is high speed Network that allows sharing of
regional resources.
JO mterconnects LANs : The MANs are used to interconnect many LANs by
bridging them with backbone lines.
a Private or public owned : A MAN is either owned by private or public. For
example, a company can use a MAN to connect to the LANs in all of its offices
throughout a city.
a Connects City : A MAN connects a complete city and makes a single large
2 network.
[16] 1.6.3 Wide Area Network (WAN)
WAN provides no limit of distance. A WAN provides long distance transmission of
data, voice, image and video information over large geographical area that may
\y comprise a country, a continent or even the whole world.
0 * In fact in WAN, the data is transmitted via a satellite or through the telephone lines.
All the big organizations, which want to make a central data base to be used by all
the branches, use WAN.
Railway, Airlines and Banking companies are examples of such network as they
have a central database that is used by all the terminals. As a result you can operate
your bank account from any where in India or get your reservation from any place to
any other place for train joumey or air flight.
WAN contains a collection of machines|used for running user programs. A the
machines in WAN called hosts. The hosts are connected by a communication subnet 4
or just subnet as shown in figure 1.8.
Communication subnet
FIGURE 1.8
The function of the subnet is to carry messages from host to host, The subnet
consists of two important components; transmission lines and switching elements.
Transmission lines move bits from one machine to another. The switching
elements are specialised computers used to connect two or more transmission
lines. When data arrive on an incoming line of subnet, the switching element must
select an outgoing line to forward them. -
(17)
