Computer Networks

By Lawrence .M.
Njoroge
 Introduction
 Computer network
 Types of network
 Classification of Network Architecture
 Network topology
 A computer network is a collection of computers, servers,
mainframes, network devices, peripherals, or other devices
connected to one another allowing for data to be shared
and used.
 The physical connection between networked computing
devices is established using either cable media or wireless
media.
 The best-known computer network is the internet.
 Facilitate communication via email, video conferencing,
instant messaging, etc.
 Enable multiple users to share a single hardware device
like a printer or scanner
 Enable file sharing across the network
 Allow for the sharing of software or operating programs on
remote systems
 Make information easier to access and maintain among
network users
 Sharing devices such as printers saves money.
 Site (software) licences are likely to be cheaper than
buying several standalone licences.
 Files can easily be shared between users.
 Network users can communicate by email and instant
messenger.
 Security is good - users cannot see other users' files unlike
on stand-alone machines.
 Data is easy to backup as all the data is stored on the file
server.
 Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be
expensive.
 Managing a large network is complicated, requires training
and a network manager usually needs to be employed.
 If the file server breaks down the files on the file server
become inaccessible. Email might still work if it is on a
separate server. The computers can still be used but are
isolated.
 Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer
network.
 There is a danger of hacking, particularly with wide area
networks. Security procedures are needed to prevent such
abuse, eg a firewall.
 Based on the size and the coverage area, networks
are categorized into the following types:
 Personal Area Networks (PANs)
 Local Area Networks (LANs)
 Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
 Wide Area Networks (WANs)
 A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for
communication among computer and different information
technological devices close to one person.
 Is a small network established for communication between different
devices, such as laptops, computers, mobiles, and PDAs.
 A pan may include wired and wireless devices.
 The reach of a pan typically extends to 10 meters.
 A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects
computers and devices in a limited geographical area such
as a home, school, office building, or closely positioned
group of buildings.
 Each computer or device on the network is a node.
 Wired LANs are most likely based on Ethernet technology.
 A wide area network (WAN) is a computer network that covers a
large geographic area such as a city, country, or spans even
intercontinental distances.
 A WAN uses a communications channel that combines many types of
media such as telephone lines, cables, and air waves.
 A WAN often makes use of transmission facilities
provided by common carriers, such as telephone
companies.
 One of the most prominent examples of the
existing wans is the Internet.
 It is relatively larger than LAN and extends across a city or
a metropolitan.
 It is created by connecting two or more LANs located at
different locations in a city.
The architecture of a network is a logical design that
determines how the devices in the network communicate.
The commonly used architectures for computer networks
are:
 Client-server architecture
 Peer-to-peer architecture
 Hybrid architecture
Peer-to-Peer Networks
• Peer-to-peer network is also called workgroup
• No hierarchy among computers  all are equal
• No administrator responsible for the network
Peer-to-peer
13
• Advantages of peer-to-peer networks:
• Low cost
• Simple to configure
• User has full accessibility of the computer
• Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks:

• May have duplication in resources
• Difficult to uphold security policy
• Difficult to handle uneven loading
• Where peer-to-peer network is appropriate:

• 10 or less users
• No specialized services required
• Security is not an issue
• Only limited growth in the foreseeable future
14
Clients and Servers
• Network Clients (Workstation)
• Computers that request network resources or services
• Network Servers
• Computers that manage and provide network resources and services to
clients
• Usually have more processing power, memory and hard disk space
than clients
• Run Network Operating System that can manage not only data, but
also users, groups, security, and applications on the network
• Servers often have a more stringent requirement on its performance
and reliability
15
• Advantages of client/server networks
• Facilitate resource sharing – centrally administrate and
control
• Facilitate system backup and improve fault tolerance
• Enhance security – only administrator can have access
to Server
• Support more users – difficult to achieve with peer-to-
peer networks
• Disadvantages of client/server networks

• High cost for Servers
• Need expert to configure the network
• Introduce a single point of failure to the system
16
 A hybrid, in general, is a composition of two different types of
elements.
 A hybrid network architecture is created to get the benefits of
both, the peer-to-peer and the client-server architectures, in
a network.
 The pattern of interconnection of nodes in a network is called the
Topology.
 This layout also determines the manner in which information is
exchanged within the network.
 The different types of network topologies that can be used to set up
a network are:
 Bus Topology
 Star Topology
 Ring Topology
 Mesh Topology
 Tree Topology
 Hybrid Topology
 Popular topology for data network.
 Single transmission medium onto which various
nodes are attached.
 Normally coaxial cable is used.
 Terminators at both end of BUS absorb signal,
removing it from BUS.
 The star topology connects nodes over a network using a central control unit
called the hub.
 You can easily add nodes to a star-based network by attaching the required
nodes to the hub.
 Setting up a star topology requires a lot of cabling because all
the nodes have to connect to the hub.
 The ring topology connects the nodes on a network through
a point-to-point connection.
 Data is accepted from one neighboring node transmitted to
other.
 Data travels in one direction.
 If one of the nodes on the network
stops, the entire network stops functioning.
 Each node is connected to more than one node.
 This provide an alternate route mechanism.
 Excellent for long distance networking.
 Supports back-up and rerouting.
 Used in large internetworking environments with stars,
rings and buses as nodes .
 The tree topology is created where the nodes are
connected in a hierarchical manner.
 In tree topology, the device at the root is referred to as the
parent for all the other nodes or devices in the network.
 The nodes below a parent node are referred
to as child nodes.
 The hybrid topology can be a combination of two or more
basic topologies, such as bus, ring, star, mesh, or tree.
 Hybrid networks combine more than two topologies,
which, in turn, enable you to get advantages of the
constituent topologies.

Computer Networks

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By Lawrence .M.

• Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks:

• Where peer-to-peer network is appropriate:

• Disadvantages of client/server networks

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