Communicating over the

Network

Network Fundamentals – Chapter 2

Objectives
• Describe the structure of a network, including the
devices and media that are necessary for successful
communications.
• Explain the function of protocols in network
communications.
• Explain the advantages of using a layered model to
describe network functionality.
• Describe the role of each layer in two recognized
network models: The TCP/IP model and the OSI
model.
• Describe the importance of addressing and naming
schemes in network communications.

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Network Structure
• Define the elements of communication
o 3 common elements of communication
 message source
 the channel
 message destination

• Define a network
data or information networks capable of carrying many different
types of communications

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Network Structure
• Describe how messages are communicated
Data is sent across a network in small “chunks” called
segments

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 • Messages could be sent as one massive
data stream, but this would cause
unacceptable delays
o If a link in the interconnected network
infrastructure failed during the transmission, the
complete message would be lost and have to be
retransmitted in full.
• Divide the data stream into smaller pieces
o Called Segmentation

2.1.2
 • Segmenting messages has two primary benefits.
o Makes possible for many different conversations to
be interleaved on the network.
o Called Multiplexing
o Segmentation can increase the reliability of network
communications.
o The separate pieces of each message do not need
to travel the same pathway across the network from
source to destination.
o If a particular pathway becomes unavailable the
pieces of the message can be redirected onto
alternate paths to the destination.
2.1.2
 Network Structure
• Define the components of a network
o Network components
 hardware
 software

2.1.3 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
 • End Devices are know as hosts
o Host is either the source or destination
device
o Each host is identified by an address

2.1.4
 Network Structure
• End Devices and their Role in the Network
o End devices form interface with human network &
communications network
o Role of end devices:
 client
 server
 both client and server

2.1.4 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Network Structure
• Identify the role of an intermediary device in a data
network and be able to contrast that role with the role
of an end device
o Role of an intermediary device
 provides connectivity and ensures data flows
across network

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 • These devices connect the individual hosts
to the network and can connect multiple
individual networks to form an internetwork.
• Examples
o Network Access Devices (Hubs, switches, and
wireless access points)
o Internetworking Devices (routers)
o Communication Servers and Modems
o Security Devices (firewalls)

2.1.5
 Network Structure
• Define network media and criteria for making a
network media choice
Network media
this is the channel over which a message travels

Criteria for choosing

a network media:

1. Distance
• Environment
• Speed
• Cost

2.1.6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Network Types
• Define Local Area Networks (LANs)
- A network serving a home, building or campus is considered a
Local Area Network (LAN)

Networks
infrastructures can
vary greatly in:

1. Size of Area
• Number of users
• Number and types of
services

A LAN is usually administered by a single

organization.
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Network Types
• Define Wide Area Networks (WANs)
o LANs separated by geographic distance are connected by a
network known as a Wide Area Network (WAN)
o Individual organizations usually lease WAN connections from a
telecommunications service provider network

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Network Types
• Define the Internet
The internet (internetworks) is defined as a
global mesh of interconnected networks

An intranet is a private
connection of LANs and
WANs that belong to an
organization, and is
designed to be accessible
only by the organization's
members, employees, or
others with authorization.

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Network Types
• Describe network representations

NIC - provides the

physical connection to the
network at the PC or other
host device.

Physical Port - A
connector or outlet on a
networking device where
the media is connected

Interface - Specialized
ports on an
internetworking device that
connect to individual
networks
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Function of Protocol in Network
Communication
• The importance of protocols and how they are used to
facilitate communication over data networks
A protocol is a set of predetermined rules

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Function of Protocol in Network
Communication
• Explain network protocols
Network protocols are used
to allow devices to
communicate
successfully

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Function of Protocol in Network
Communication
• Describe Protocol suites and industry standards

A standard is a process or protocol that has been endorsed by

the networking industry and ratified by a standards organization:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) or the
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

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 Function of Protocol in Network
Communication
• Define different protocols and how they interact

A protocol stack shows how the individual protocols within the suite are
implemented.

The lower layers of the stack are concerned with moving data over the network
and providing services to the upper layers, which are focused on the content of
the message being sent and the user interface.
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Function of Protocol in Network
Communication
• Technology independent Protocols
-Many diverse types of devices can communicate using the
same sets of protocols. This is because protocols specify
network functionality, not the underlying technology to support
this functionality.

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Layers with TCP/IP and OSI Model
• Explain the benefits of using a layered model
o Benefits include
 assists in protocol design
 fosters competition
 changes in one layer do not affect other layers
 provides a common language

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Layers with TCP/IP and OSI Model
• Describe TCP/IP Mode ( an open standard)

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Layers with TCP/IP and OSI Model
• Describe the Communication Process

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Layers with TCP/IP and OSI Model
• A complete communication process includes:
• 1. Creation of data at the application layer of the originating source end
device
• 2. Segmentation and encapsulation of data as it passes down the
protocol stack in the source end device
• 3. Generation of the data onto the media at the network access layer of
the stack
• 4. Transportation of the data through the internetwork, which consists of
media and any intermediary devices
• 5. Reception of the data at the network access layer of the destination
end device
• 6. Decapsulation and reassembly of the data as it passes up the stack in
the destination device
• 7. Passing this data to the destination application at the Application layer
of the destination end device

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Layers with TCP/IP and OSI Model
• Explain protocol data units (PDU) and encapsulation
Data - The general term for
the PDU used at the
Application layer
Segment - Transport Layer
PDU

Packet - Internetwork Layer

PDU
Frame - Network Access
Layer PDU

Bits - A PDU used when

physically transmitting data
over the medium

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Layers with TCP/IP and OSI Model
• Describe the process of sending and receiving
messages
The IP header
contains source and
destination host IP
addresses (logical
address).

Each frame header

contains a source and
destination physical
address.
The physical address
uniquely identifies the
devices on the local
network.

The trailer contains

error checking
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 Layers with TCP/IP and OSI Model
• Explain protocol and
reference models
A protocol model
provides a model that
closely matches the
structure of a particular
protocol suite.

A reference model
provides a common
reference for maintaining
consistency within all
types of network
protocols and services.

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Layers with TCP/IP and OSI Model
• Define OSI

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Layers with TCP/IP and OSI Model
• Compare OSI and TCP/IP model

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Addressing and Naming Schemes
• Explain how labels in encapsulation headers are used
to manage communication in data networks

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Addressing and Naming Schemes
• Describe examples of Ethernet MAC Addresses, IP
Addresses, and TCP/UDP Port numbers

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 Addressing and Naming Schemes
• Explain how labels in encapsulation headers are used
to manage communication in data networks

Layer 3 addresses are used to move data from one local network to another
local network within an internetwork.
Layer 2 addresses are only used to communicate between devices on a
single local network, © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Addressing and Naming Schemes
• Describe how information in the encapsulation header
is used to identify the source and destination
processes for data communication
Each application or
service is represented
at Layer 4 by a port
number.

A unique dialogue
between devices is
identified with a pair of
Layer 4 source and
destination port
numbers that are
representative of the
two communicating
applications.
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Summary

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© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public