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Lecture 4

The document provides an overview of networking and internetworking, detailing types of networks such as LAN, WAN, and MAN, and the importance of routers in connecting different networks. It discusses communication models, specifically the OSI and TCP/IP models, and contrasts message passing with stream-oriented communication, highlighting their characteristics, use cases, and protocols. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of understanding these concepts for designing efficient systems and includes an assignment for further research on real-world examples of each communication type.

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Kashmala Alam
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0 views

Lecture 4

The document provides an overview of networking and internetworking, detailing types of networks such as LAN, WAN, and MAN, and the importance of routers in connecting different networks. It discusses communication models, specifically the OSI and TCP/IP models, and contrasts message passing with stream-oriented communication, highlighting their characteristics, use cases, and protocols. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of understanding these concepts for designing efficient systems and includes an assignment for further research on real-world examples of each communication type.

Uploaded by

Kashmala Alam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Networking and Internetworking

Prepared By Mian Shafiq Ahmad


Contents:

• Networking Overview
• Internetworking
• Communication Models (OSI & TCP/IP)
• Message Passing in Communication
• Stream-Oriented Communication
• Key Differences between Message
Passing and Stream-Oriented Communication
• Conclusion & Assignment
1.1. Networking
Networking:
• Networking refers to the practice of connecting multiple computing devices (like
computers, smartphones, and servers) to exchange data and resources.
• A network can range from a simple local setup (such as in an office) to complex
structures spanning across cities or countries.
There are several types of networks:
• LAN (Local Area Network): A network that spans a small geographical area (e.g., an
office or building).
• WAN (Wide Area Network): A network that spans large geographical areas (e.g., a city,
country, or across continents). The internet is the most notable example of a WAN.
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): A network that spans a city or large campus.
Key components of a network:
• Nodes: Devices such as computers, routers, or printers
connected to the network.
• Transmission Media: The physical (e.g., cables) or wireless
channels used to transfer data.
• Network Interface Card (NIC): Hardware component in each
device that allows it to connect to the network.
• Protocols: Rules and conventions for communication (e.g.,
TCP/IP, HTTP).
1.2. Internetworking
• Internetworking is the process of connecting multiple
networks to form a larger network. The most common form
of internetworking is the Internet itself, which connects
millions of private, public, and corporate networks.
• Routers are critical in internetworking because they forward
data between different networks based on destination
addresses.
Why is internetworking important?
• It enables global communication by allowing heterogeneous
networks to work together.
• Provides scalability, meaning that smaller networks can be
expanded as needed.
• Interoperability is key: devices and networks from different
vendors must be able to communicate effectively.
2. Communication Models and Abstractions

• To understand how communication happens in a network, we


use models that abstract the complexities into simpler layers.
Two key models to discuss are the
– OSI Model
– TCP/IP Model.
2.1 OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection)
• The OSI model provides a conceptual framework for understanding
network communication by breaking it down into seven distinct layers:
1. Physical Layer: Deals with the transmission of raw data bits over a physical
medium (e.g., cables, radio frequencies).
2. Data Link Layer: Manages node-to-node data transfer and handles error
detection and correction.
3. Network Layer: Handles logical addressing and routing of packets across
different networks (IP addresses are used here).
4. Transport Layer: Ensures reliable transmission of data between devices. Common
protocols are TCP (reliable) and UDP (unreliable but faster).
2.1 OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection) cont.
5. Session Layer: Manages sessions or connections between two
applications (responsible for opening, maintaining, and closing
communication).
6. Presentation Layer: Translates data between the network and the
application layer. It deals with data encoding, encryption, and compression.
7. Application Layer: Provides network services directly to user applications
(e.g., HTTP for web browsers, SMTP for email).
2.2 TCP/IP Model
• The TCP/IP Model is a simpler and more practical model used in real-
world internet communications. It condenses the OSI layers into four:
1. Network Interface: Corresponds to the Physical and Data Link layers of
OSI.
2. Internet Layer: Deals with routing and addressing (similar to OSI’s Network
layer).
3. Transport Layer: Same as OSI's Transport layer, handling end-to-end data
transmission.
4. Application Layer: Combines OSI’s Session, Presentation, and Application
layers.
Key difference:

• The OSI model is a theoretical model for network


communication, while the TCP/IP model is more practical and
widely used in today's networks.
3. Message Passing
• In distributed computing and networking, message passing is a communication
method where processes or devices exchange information through discrete
messages.

Characteristics of Message Passing:

• Discrete Messages: Data is transmitted in small, individual chunks called


messages.
• Asynchronous Communication: The sender and receiver do not have to be
synchronized. Messages can be queued or stored until the recipient is ready to
process them.
• Synchronization: In some systems, message passing can be synchronous,
where the sender waits for the receiver to acknowledge receipt before
proceeding
Message passing (cont)
Uses of Message Passing
• Inter-process Communication (IPC): Message passing is often used in operating systems
to allow different processes to communicate and synchronize.
• Distributed Systems: Message passing is crucial in systems where processes run on
different computers connected by a network (e.g., cloud systems, databases).
Advantages:
• Simplicity in communication between distributed entities.
• Decoupling of sender and receiver.
Challenges:
• Potential for delays or message loss in unreliable networks.
• Difficulty in managing large numbers of messages.
4. Stream-Oriented Communication
In contrast to message passing, stream-oriented communication involves a continuous
flow of data between a sender and a receiver, much like a stream of water.
Characteristics of Stream-Oriented Communication
• Continuous Data Flow: The data flows in a steady stream, rather than being
broken into discrete messages.
• Connection-Oriented: It typically relies on a persistent connection between the
sender and receiver, which ensures the data stream is maintained.
• Real-Time Communication: Often used for applications that require real-time data
exchange, such as video calls, live audio streaming, or video streaming.
Common Protocols for Stream-Oriented Communication

• Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): The most common protocol for stream-
oriented communication, as it ensures that the data is reliably transmitted and
arrives in the correct order. TCP establishes a connection before any data is sent,
maintains that connection, and then terminates it when the communication is
complete.
• User Datagram Protocol (UDP): While primarily used for message passing, UDP
can also handle real-time stream-oriented communication (e.g., live gaming or
VoIP). Unlike TCP, it is connectionless and does not guarantee message delivery,
making it faster but less reliable.
5. Key Differences Between Message Passing and Stream-Oriented Communication

Stream-Oriented
Feature Message Passing
Communication
Data Format Discrete messages Continuous stream
Often connectionless (e.g., Connection-oriented (e.g.,
Connection
UDP) TCP)
Real-time continuous data
Use Case Event-driven communication
(e.g., live video, voice)
Can be reliable (TCP) or
Delivery Guarantee Typically reliable (TCP)
unreliable (UDP)
Synchronous, as a
Can be asynchronous or
Synchronization connection must be
synchronous
maintained
Conclusion
• Understanding networking, internetworking, and various communication models is
crucial for designing efficient systems that meet the needs of modern applications.
Whether we are sending discrete messages or streaming data in real-time, the
principles behind how this communication works remain essential in building
scalable, reliable networks.
Key takeaways:
• Networking connects devices, while internetworking connects networks.
• Communication models (like OSI and TCP/IP) help us understand how data moves
across networks.
• Message passing and stream-oriented communication offer two different
approaches to data transmission.
Assignment # 1
• Research a real-world example of each communication type
(message passing vs stream-oriented) and write a brief report
on the protocols and technologies used in each case.

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