NETWORKS TUTORIAL

By Amritha Bhat (EDTECH 541)

Tutorial Overview
 Introduction
 What is a Network?/ What is Communications?
 Network types
 Categories of Network
 Network Topology
 Protocols/ OSI model
 Network Architecture
 Hardware/Software components of a Network
 Conclusion
Introduction
Most of us access email, browse the internet, share
printers and perform various other tasks using the
computer without knowing how all this is possible.
The purpose of this tutorial is to help us understand
what Networks are and how they play an important
role in our day to day activities both at home and at
work.
What is a computer network?

 A computer network
is a system of
interconnected
computers and
peripheral devices.
 For example, it may
connect computers,
printers, scanners and
cameras.
What is communications?
 Communications is
about the transfer of
information from a
sender, across a
distance, to a receiver.
 Communication is an
act of transmitting
messages.
Computer Network
Communication
 We transmit information or
data by using two types of
signals, namely analog and
digital .
 Computers communicate
with digital signals.
 The older forms of
communications technology,
such as telephones and
radios , use analog signals
Task 1
 Cite examples in your immediate
environment to show the
importance of networks and
communication.
 Present your finding.

Advantages of Network in school

s.
Common Types of Networks
 LAN-is used to connect devices within a small
area such as a building or a campus. e.g. Schools

 MAN-is a high-speed network that typically

connects LANs within a city or town. e.g.
School Districts

 WAN-is used to connect devices over large

geographical distances. A WAN can be one
widespread network or it can be a number of
LANs linked together. e.g. Internet- World’s
largest WAN
Comparison of LAN, MAN &
WAN
Criteria LAN MAN WAN

Cost Low High Higher

Network size Small Larger Largest

Speed Fastest Slower Slowest

Transmission Twisted-pair cable Twisted-pair/Fiber Fiber-optic, radio

Media Type –optics cables wave and satellite

Number of Smallest Large Largest

computers
 Some Additional types of
Networks
Internet
The Internet is a system of linked networks that are worldwide in scope and facilitate data
communication services such as remote login, file transfer, electronic mail, the World
Wide Web and newsgroups.

Intranet
With the advancements made in browser-based software for the Internet, many private
organizations are implementing intranets. An intranet is a private network utilizing
Internet-type tools, but available only within that organization. For large organizations, an
intranet provides an easy access mode to corporate information for employees.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

VPN uses a technique known as tunneling to transfer data securely on the Internet to a
remote access server on your workplace network. Using a VPN helps you save money by
using the public Internet instead of making long–distance phone calls to connect securely
with your private network. There are two ways to create a VPN connection, by dialing an
Internet service provider (ISP), or connecting directly to Internet.
Categories of Network
 Client/server network- Consists of a
group of computers, called clients,
connected to a server. A server is a
computer with more RAM, a larger
hard disk, and sometimes multiple
CPUs that is used to manage network
functions.

 Peer-to-peer network- Each computer

on the network is considered equal in
terms of responsibilities and resource
sharing.
Network Topology
Physical topology refers to the arrangement of
the nodes on a network. A node is a location on
the network with a device capable of processing
information, such as a computer or a printer.
There are three common physical topologies:

 Bus Topology

 Star Topology

 Ring Topology
 Differences In Topologies
Bus Topology Ring Topology Star Topology
Structure There is a single central All computers and other There is central host and
cable (backbone) and all devices are connected in a all nodes connect to it
computers and devices circle
connect to it

Host existence Depends on Network needs Depends on Network Yes

needs

Connection between Nodes No Yes No

Host failure Network can still run Network can still run Network will fail
Node failure Network can still run Network will fail Network can still run
Ease of troubleshooting If there is a backbone, Difficult. Need to search It is easier to repair the
troubleshooting is difficult. for the problematic node problematic host.
If there is no backbone, the one by one. However, if the nodes fail,
focus is on the two nodes then each node has to be
not communicating. searched.
Task 2
 Do you feel that the School’s current Network type,
Architecture and Topology is effective or not?
 If so, why?
OSI model & Protocols
 A protocol is a set of rules OSI
that governs the Name   Common Protocols
Layer
communications between
computers on a network. It 7 Application  
is like a common language
through which Computers HTTP | FTP | SMTP |
6 Presentation  
talk. DNS
5 Session  
 The
OSI (Open Systems Intercon 4 Transport   TCP SPX
nection)
Reference Model defines 3 Network   IP IPX
seven layers of networking
protocols. Its main purpose
2 Data Link  
is to standardize networking Ethernet
and to broaden the range of
1 Physical  
communication.
 Some Protocols & their Functions
Protocol Acronym Function
Transmission Control TCP/IP The backbone protocol of the
Protocol/internet Protocol internet. Popular also for
intranets using the internet
Internetwork Package IPX/SPX This is a standard protocol for
Exchange/Sequenced Packet Novell Network Operating
Exchange System
NetBIOS Extended User NetBEUI This is a Microsoft protocol that
Interface doesn't support routing to other
networks
File Transfer Protocol FTP Used to send and receive files
from a remote host
Network File Services NFS Allows network nodes or
workstations to access files and
drives as if they were their own.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol SMTP Used to send Email over a
network
Network Architectures
 Ethernet: It is the most popular physical layer LAN technology in use
today. It defines a number of wiring and signaling standards for the
Physical Layer of the OSI networking model as well as a common
addressing format and Media Access Control at the Data Link Layer.
Ethernet is standardized as IEEE 802.3.

 Token Ring: Token Ring is another form of network configuration which

differs from Ethernet in that all messages are transferred in a
unidirectional manner along the ring at all times.

 FDDI: FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface) is a standard for data

transmission on fiber optic lines in a local area network that can extend in
range up to 200 km (124 miles). The FDDI protocol is based on the token
ring protocol. In addition to being large geographically, an FDDI local
area network can support thousands of users.
 Hardware components of a Network
The major hardware components and interconnections of a computer network
are displayed in a clickable image map. Clicking on a component image
brings up a brief description.

ROUTER

BRIDG
SWITC E
H WORKSTATION
S
SERVERS

REPEATOR
Network Interface Card
 Transmission Media
Media Unshielded Shielded Coaxial Cable Fiber Optic Wireless
Twisted Pair Twisted Pair Cable LANs
Cable(UTP) Cable(STP)
Image

Description The cable has four It is similar to UTP Has a single Consists of a center Use high frequency
pairs of wires but the wires are copper conductor glass core radio signals, infrared
inside the jacket. shielded by a foil at its center surrounded by light beams, or lasers
either together or surrounded by a several layers of to communicate.
individually plastic insulator. protective materials

Cost Cheap Affordable Expensive Very Expensive Affordable

Advantages Least expensive Low interference Highly resistant to Ideal for certain Higher Mobility, fast
cable and help to extend signal interference environments that set up and
the maximum contain a large Expandability
distance of the amount of electrical
cables interference

Disadvantage Susceptible to radio Difficult to install Difficult to install Cost and limited Security, interference,
and electrical and cost and cost acceptance in the Power consumptions
frequency industry and inconsistent
interference connections
Software Components of a Network

Network Operating Systems:

Abbreviated as NOS, an operating
system that includes special functions
for connecting computers and devices
into a local-area network (LAN). Some
operating systems, such as UNIX and
the Mac OS, have networking functions
built in. The term network operating
system, however, is generally reserved
for software that enhances a basic
operating system by adding networking
features. Novell Netware, Artisoft's
LANtastic, Microsoft Windows Server,
and Windows NT are examples of an
NOS.
Task 3
 Understand and analyze the
schools current Networking
system including but not
limited to Hardware/Software
components .
 Use this opportunity to request
for a tour of the Schools
Network system.
How to use Networks effectively?
Once basic understanding of Networks is achieved, it becomes
easier to effectively apply this knowledge into the school system
with the help of trained professionals. Using a Network plan
which includes
 User needs assessment
 Wiring diagrams and network "blueprints"
 Data storage, security, and backup plans
 Hardware and software standards and specifications
 Network management and maintenance plans
 Access policies and procedures
would definitely help the School and ‘you’ !
References
 Computer Networks- http://madeit.co.cc/computer-network-part-23/
 An Educator's Guide to School Networks - http://fcit.usf.edu/network/
 Networks - http://www.lpdatafiles.com/supplements/Networks.pdf
 A Guide to Networking for K-12 Schools by NWREL -
http://www.netc.org/network_guide/
 Networks 101: What is a Network? -
http://www.tech-soup.com/learn...ge4774.cfm
 Networks 101: Peer to Peer Networks -
http://www.tech-soup.com/learn...ge4772.cfm
 Networks 101: Client Servers Networks -
http://www.tech-soup.com/learn...ge4773.cfm