Computer Networks

Lecture 5
Part 1
 Network Definition
• Set of technologies that connects computers
• Allows communication and collaboration between
users.
• A network consists of 2 or more computers
connected together, and they can communicate and
share resources (Information/ assets)
 The Uses of a Network
• Simultaneous access to data
– Data files are shared
• Access can be limited
– Shared files stored on a server
– Software can be shared
• Site licenses
• Network versions
• Application servers
 Need of Computer Network

• File sharing

• Resource sharing

• Communication and collaboration  

• Remote access

• Data protection
4
 The Uses of a Network
• Shared peripheral device
– Printers and faxes are common shares
– Reduces the cost per user
– Devices can be connected to the network
– Print servers control network printing
• Manage the print queue
Sharing Data

File server contains documents

used by other computers.
 The Uses of a Network
• Personal communication
– Email
• Instantaneous communication
– Conferencing
• Tele conferencing
• Videoconferencing
• Audio-conferencing
• Data-conferencing
– Voice over IP
• Phone communication over network wires
Voice Over IP
 The Uses of a Network
• Easier data backup
– Backup copies data to removable media
– Server data backed up in one step
 Dial-up Services
• Modem
– Modulator/demodulator
– A device that converts analog signal to digital
(modulation) and vice versa (demodulation)
– Speed
• 1200/2400/9600 bps
• 14.4/28.8/33.6 Kbps
• 56 Kbps
 Dial-up Services
• ISDN
– Integrated Services Digital Network
– 2 data channel (56K each)
– 1 voice channel
– Like PTCL.
 Broadband Services
• xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
– A technology that provides digital data transmission over unused
frequencies on traditional telephone lines
– For example, ADSL (Asymmetric DSL)
– Speed
• Downlink
– 128Kbps - 4Mbps
• Uplink
– 64Kbps - 800Kbps
– Need a DSL modem
– Splitters are needed to separate the voice and data signal
 Broadband Services
• Cable
– A technology that provides digital data transmission over cable TV
infrastructure
– Speed
• Downlink
– 128Kbps - 3~5Mbps
• Uplink
– 64Kbps - 128Kbps~1Mbps
– Need a cable modem
 Broadband Services
• Satellite
– A technology that provide digital data transmission over satellites
– Speed
• Downlink
– 500Kbps - 1Mbps
• Uplink
– 50Kbps - 100Kbps
– Need a satellite dish
 Common Network Types
• Local Area Network (LAN)
– Contains printers, servers and computers
– Systems are close to each other
– Contained in one office or building
– Organizations often have several LANS
 Common Network Types
• Wide Area Networks (WAN)
– Two or more LANs connected
– Over a large geographic area
– Typically use public or leased lines
• Phone lines
• Satellite
– The Internet is a WAN
 Hybrid Network Types
• Campus Area Networks (CAN)
– A LAN in one large geographic area
– Resources related to the same organization
– Each department shares the LAN
– Remote campuses can also be connected through
CAN.
 Hybrid Network Types
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
– Large network that connects different
organizations
– Within one city or multiple cities
– A network provider sells time
 Hybrid Network Types
• Home Area Network (HAN)
– Small scale network
– Connects computers and entertainment
appliances
– Found mainly in the home
– Connects home devices to network
– Devices can e accessed remotely.
 Hybrid Network Types
• Personal Area Network (PAN)
– Very small scale network
– Range is less than 2 meters
– Cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players
– Personnel devices connected to one central point.
 How Networks Are Structured
• Server based network
– Node is any network device
– Servers control what the node accesses
– Users gain access by logging in
– Server is the most important computer
– Server sends information which is requested.
 How Networks Are Structured
• Client/Server network
– Nodes and servers share data roles
– Nodes are called clients/ Computers
– Servers are used to control access
– Database software
• Access to data controlled by server
– Shares database to the clients
– Clients have restricted access.
• 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
 How Networks Are Structured
• Peer to peer networks (P2PN)
– All nodes are equal
– Nodes access resources on other nodes
– Each node controls its own resources
– Most modern OS allow P2PN
– Distributing computing is a form
• 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
25
 Network Topologies
• Topology
– Logical layout of wires and equipment
– Choice affects
• Network performance
• Network size
• Network collision detection
– Several different types
 Network Topologies
• Packets
– Pieces of data transmitted over a network
– A small chunk of data transmitted over the Internet
• Packets are created by sending node
• Data is reassembled by receiving node
– Packet header
• Sending and receiving address
– Packet payload
• Number and size of data
• Actual data
– Packet error control
 Network Topologies
• Bus topology
– Also called linear bus
– One wire connects all nodes
– Terminator ends the wires
– Advantages
• Easy to setup
• Small amount of wire
– Disadvantages
• Slow
• Easy to crash
 Network Topologies
• Star topology
– All nodes connect to a hub
• Packets sent to hub
• Hub sends packet to destination
– Advantages
• Easy to setup
• One cable can not crash network
– Disadvantages
• One hub crashing downs entire network
• Uses lots of cable
– Most common topology
Star Topology
 Network Topologies
• Ring topology
– Nodes connected in a circle
– Tokens used to transmit data
• Nodes must wait for token to send
– Advantages
• Time to send data is known
• No data collisions
– Disadvantages
• Slow
• Lots of cable
 Network Topologies
• Mesh topology
– All computers connected together
– Internet is a mesh network
– Advantage
• Data will always be delivered
– Disadvantages
• Lots of cable
• Hard to setup
Mesh Topology
 Network Media
• Links that connect nodes
• Choice impacts
– Speed
– Security
– Size
 Wire Based Media
• Twisted-pair cabling
– Most common LAN cable
– Called Cat5 or 100BaseT
– Four pairs of copper
cable twisted
– May be shielded from
interference
– Speeds range from
1 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps
• Phone lines
• Used extensively in
telecommunications
• LANs
 Wire Based Media
• Coaxial cable
– Similar to cable TV wire
– One wire runs through cable
– Shielded from interference
– Speeds up to 10 Mbps
• Ethernet bus LANs
• Telephone trunks
• Mainframe networks
• Cable TVs
 Wire Based Media
• Fiber-optic cable
– Data is transmitted with light pulses
– Glass strand instead of cable
– Immune to interference
– Very secure
– Hard to work with
– Speeds up to
100 Gbps

• Network backbones
• Extending distance between network connections
• Connecting high speed switches
 Wireless Media
• Data transmitted through the air
• LANs use radio waves
• WANs use microwave signals
• Easy to setup
• Difficult to secure
 Network Hardware
• Network interface cards
– Network adapter
– Connects node to the media
– Unique Machine Access Code (MAC)
 Network Hardware
• Network linking devices
– Connect nodes in the network
– Cable runs from node to device
– Crossover cable connects two computers
 Network Hardware
• Hubs
– Center of a star network
– All nodes receive transmitted packets
– Slow and insecure
 Network Hardware
• Switches
– Replacement for hubs
– Only intended node receives transmission
– Fast and secure
 Network Hardware
• Bridge
– Connects two or more LANs together
– Packets sent to remote LAN cross
• Other packets do not cross
– Segments the network on MAC addresses
 Network Hardware
• Router
– Connects two or more LANs together
– Packets sent to remote LAN cross
– Network is segmented by IP address
– Connect internal networks to the Internet
– Need configured before installation
 Network Hardware
• Gateway
– Connects two dissimilar networks
– Connects coax to twisted pair
– Most gateways contained in other devices
 Network Cabling
• Cabling specifications
– Bandwidth measures cable speed
• Typically measured in Mbps
– Maximum cable length
– Connector describes the type of plug
 Network Cabling
• Ethernet
– Very popular cabling technology
– 10 Base T, 10Base2, 10Base5
– Maximum bandwidth 10 Mbps
– Maximum distances100 to 500 meters
 Network Cabling
• Fast Ethernet
– Newer version of Ethernet
– Bandwidth is 100 Mbps
– Uses Cat5 or greater cable
• Sometimes called 100Base T
– Requires a switch
 Network Cabling
• Gigabit Ethernet
– High bandwidth version of Ethernet
– 1 to 10 Gbps
– Cat 5 or fiber optic cable
– Video applications
 Network Cabling
• Token ring
– Uses shielded twisted pair cabling
– Bandwidth between 10 and 25 Mbps
– Uses a multiple access unit (MAU)
– Popular in manufacturing and finance
 Network Protocols
• Language of the network
– Rules of communication
– Error resolution
– Defines collision and collision recovery
– Size of packet
– Naming rules for computers
 Network Protocols
• TCP/IP
– Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
– Most popular protocol
– Machines assigned a name of 4 numbers
• IP address
• 209.8.166.179 is the White House’s web site
– Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• Simplifies assignment of IP addresses
– Required for Internet access
 Network Protocols
• IPX/SPX
– Internet Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet
Exchange
– Older protocol
– Associated with Novell Netware
– Replaced by TCP/IP
 Network Protocols
• NetBEUI
– Network BIOS Extended User Interface
– Used by Windows to name computers
– Transmission details handled by TCP/IP
Thanks….. 