NETWORKING

FUNDAMENTALS

Selected Concepts
 WHAT IS A NETWORK?
 A network is simply two or more computers that
are linked together.
 The most common types of networks are:
 Local Area Networks (LANS) and
 Wide Area Networks (WANS).
 The primary difference between the two is that
a LAN is generally confined to a limited
geographical area, whereas a WAN covers a
large geographical area. Most WANs are made
up of several connected LANs.
 TYPES OF NETWORKS
 Local Area Network (LAN) – a network that spans a
small area such as a building or an office.
 Wide Area Network (WAN) – a network that spans a
wide geographical area; there are several types of
WANS
 Virtual Private Network(VPN) – a network deployed
over public facilities that provides similar levels of
privacy, security, quality of services, and
manageability compared to networks built entirely on
dedicated, privately owned or leased facilities.
 Virtual Private Network
 Thereare three types of VPN services,
which are not mutually exclusive to one
another. They are:
o Remote Access VPNs
o Intranet VPNs
o Extranet VPNs
 Remote Access VPN
 VPN access using dial-up or broadband
(DSL or cable) access to a service
provider network to connect remote or
mobile users to the company network.
 Intranet VPN

 Connecting main and branch offices at

geographically dispersed locations
using always-on connections for fast
and efficient communications.
 Extranet VPN

 Connecting a company with its

customers, suppliers, and other
business partners, to provide them with
limited access to specific portions of the
company network for collaboration and
co-ordination.
 BENEFITS OF A
NETWORK
 Information sharing: Authorized users can use other
computers on the network to access and share information and data.
This could include special group projects, databases, etc.
 Hardware sharing: One device connected to a network, such
as a printer or scanner, can be shared by many users.
 Software sharing: Instead of purchasing and installing a
software program on each computer, it can be installed on the server.
All of the users can then access the program from a single location.
 Collaborative environment: Users can work together on
group projects by combining the power and capabilities of diverse
equipment.

Ambrose, Bergerud, Busche, Morrison, and Wells-Pusins: IC3 BASICS, Thomson Course Technology, 2003
 RISKS OF NETWORK
COMPUTING
 The security of a computer network is
challenged everyday by:
 Equipment malfunctions
 System failures
 Note: equipment malfunctions and system failures may
be caused by natural disasters such as floods, storms, or
fires, and electrical disturbances
 Computer hackers
 Virus attacks

Ambrose, Bergerud, Busche, Morrison, and Wells-Pusins: IC3 BASICS, Thomson Course Technology, 2003
 COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA
 Communications Channel

 To transfer data from one computer to another

requires some type of link through which the data
can be transmitted. This link is known as the
communications channel.
 To send data through the channel requires some
type of transmission media, which may be either
physical or wireless.
 DATA TRANSMISSION
CHARACTERISTICS
 Bandwidth (rate of transmission)
 Analog or Digital (type of signal)

 Analog transmission – takes the form of

continuous waves transmitted over a

medium at a certain frequency rage
 Digital transmission – sends data in the

form of bits
Analog and Digital
Signalling
 Basic Signal Terminologies

 Kilo K 2^10
 MegaM 2^20
 Giga G 2^30
 Tera T 2^40
 Peta P 2^50
 Exa E 2^60
 Zetta Z 2^70
 Yotta Y 2^80
 Transmission Modes

 Simplex: information flows in only one

direction
 Half-duplex: information flows in two
directions, but only in one direction at a
time.
 Full-duplex: information flows in two
directions at the same time
 PHYSICAL MEDIA
 Twisted-pair cable – consists of two independently
insulated wires twisted around each other (least
expensive type of cable—the kind that is used in many telephone
systems)
 Coaxial cable – consists of an insulated center wire
grounded by a shield of braided wire (the primary type of
cabling used by the cable television industry; it is more expensive than
twisted pair)
 Fiber-optic cable – contains hundreds of clear
fiberglass or plastic fibers (threads) (made from thin, flexible
glass tubing; bandwidth is greater, so it can carry more data; it is lighter
than metal wires and is less susceptible to interference; it is fragile and
expensive)

Fuller, Floyd, Computers: Understanding Technology: EMC Paradigm, 2003.

 WIRELESS MEDIA
 Microwave system – transmits data via high-frequency
radio signals through the atmosphere
 Satellite system – receive transmitted signals, amplify them,
and then transmit the signals to the appropriate locations
 Cellular technology – uses antennae resembling telephone
towers to pick up radio signals within a specific area (cell)
 Infrared technology – transmits data as infrared light waves
from one device to another, providing wireless links
between PCs and peripherals
Note: The type selected is determined by the type of
network, the size of the network, and the cost.

Fuller, Floyd, Computers: Understanding Technology: EMC Paradigm, 2003.

 COMMUNICATIONS
SOFTWARE

 E-Mail Software – used to send and receive

electronic messages using the Internet
 Web Browser – allows users to access and
view Web pages
 Groupware – allows groups of people on a
network to share information and to
collaborate on various projects
 HOW ARE NETWORKS
CATEGORIZED?
 Networks are usually classified using
three properties:
 Topology
 Protocol

 Architecture
 NETWORK
TOPOLOGIES
 Network Topology (or layout) – refers to the way
computers and peripherals are configured to form
networks
 Bus topology – all computers are linked by a single
line of cable
 Star topology – multiple computers and peripheral
devices are linked to a central computer, called a
host
 Ring topology – each computer or workstation is
connected to two other computers, with the entire
network forming a circle
 Bus Topology

The diagram shows a number of computers connected to a Bus

cable. Each computer has a network card installed, which directly
attaches to the network bus cable via a T-Connector.
 Bus Topology - Summary
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to Implement Limits on cable length and
Workstation numbers
Low Cost Difficult to isolate network
faults
A cable fault affects all
workstations
As the number of
workstations increase, the
speed of the network
slows down
 Star Topology

This type of network connects all the nodes (file server,

workstations, and peripherals) to a central network hub.
 Star Topology - Summary
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to install and wire Requires more cable
length than a linear
topology
No disruptions to the If the hub failes, nodes
network when attached are disabled
connecting or removing
devices
Easy to detect faults Hubs are slighty more
and to remove parts expensive than thin-
Ethernet
 Ring Topology

This type of network connects all the nodes (computers) in a

circle. Repeaters are included to boost the signal of messages.
 Ring Topology - Summary
Advantages Disadvantages
Cable failures affect Costly Wiring
limited users
Equal access for all Difficult Connections
users
Each workstation has Expensive Adaptor
full access Cards
speed to the ring
As workstation
numbers increase,
performance
diminishes slightly
 NETWORK/COMMUNICATION
PROTOCOLS
 A protocol is simply an agreed-on set of
rules and procedures for transmitting data
between two or more devices.
 Features determined by the protocol are:
 How the sending device indicates it has finished
sending the message.
 How the receiving device indicates it has received
the message.
 The type of error checking to be used.

Ambrose, Bergerud, Busche, Morrison, and Wells-Pusins: IC3 BASICS, Thomson Course Technology, 2003
 NETWORK/COMMUNICATIONS
PROTOCOLS

 Most networks use Ethernet, but some

network may use IBM’s Token Ring
protocol.
 On the Internet, the major protocol is
TCP/IP (an acronym for Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

EXAMPLE OF AN ETHERNET
BUS
 Ethernet LANs use a bus
topology.
 All stations are connected to
a single long cable.
 Any station can send a
signal along the cable, which
all other stations will
receive. Unlike ring
topologies, the cable doesn't
close a loop.

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

TOKEN RING NETWORK
 A token passing ring LAN is a
group of computers connected in a
loop. The group uses a token
passing access mechanism.
 A computer wishing to send data
should first receive permission.
When it gets control of the network
it may transmit a frame. Each
frame transmitted on the ring is
transmitted from one computer to
the next, until it ultimately returns
to the initiator of the transmission.

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

INTERNET PROTOCOLS

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

 NETWORKING HARDWARE
AND SOFTWARE

 Hub – electronic device (with a number of ports) used

in a LAN to link groups of computers
 Repeaters (also called amplifiers) – electronic devices
that receive signals and amplify and send them along
the network
 Routers - electronic devices used to ensure
messages are sent to their intended destinations
 Gateway – consists of hardware and/or software that
allows communications between dissimilar networks
 Bridge – consists of hardware and/or software
that allows communication between two
similar networks
 Graphic Symbols

Bridge Switch Router Acces ISDN Multi- Network

s switc layer switch
server h switch
DSU/CSU

Personal File Server Data Service Unit/ Modem Web Server

computer Channel Service
Unit

WAN “cloud” VLAN Hub Network Cloud

(Color May Vary) or Broadcast
Domain
Etherne Fast Serial Line Circuit Switched
t Ethernet Line
 HUBS

The original Ethernet LANs relied on certain physical

characteristics of the cable carrying the network data
(usually coaxial cable). New Ethernet technologies
introduced new cable types that we unable to fulfill the
original physical requirements. New devices - hubs -
were introduced to simulate those characteristics.
Simply put, the hub's major function is to replicate data it
receives from one device attached to it to all others.

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

 REPEATERS
A common problem in the networking world is that of weakening
electrical signals. Electrical signals traveling through wires (such as
copper wires used in most networks), weaken due to the wire's
electrical resistance. This effect limits the lengths of the cable that can
be used. A repeater will overcome this limit, when there is a need to
connect two computers at a larger distance.
A repeater is connected to two cable segments. Any electrical signal
reaching the repeater from one segment, will be amplified and
retransmitted to the other segment.

An illustration of a repeater at work

The electrical signal entering the repeater at one end is weakened.
The repeater amplifies the electrical signals and resends the data.
Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/
 ROUTERS

 Routers connect two or more networks and forward data

packets between them. When data arrives from one of
the segments, the router decides, according to it's routing
table, to which segment to forward that data.

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

 GATEWAY

 "Gateway" is a term that was once used to refer to a routing device. Today, in
the TCP/IP world, the term "router" is used to describe such a device.

The term gateway now refers to special-purpose devices, that perform protocol
conversions. Gateways implement application layer conversions of
information received from various protocols.

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

 MODEMS

An illustration of data sent using a modem and a regular

telephone line.

A modem is a device that converts digital data originating from a

terminal or computer, to analog signals used by voice
communication networks such as the telephone system. At one
end, modems convert the digital pulses to audible tones and
convert audio tones back to digital pulses at the other.
The word "Modem" stands for "MOdulator-DEModulator".

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

 MODEMS
 Transmission speed

Modems are available in different transmission speeds, which are

measured in BPS (bits per second) also called BAUD rate.
Standard modems speeds: 9600 baud, 14400 baud, 28800 baud,
33600 baud, 56800 baud.

 Internal/External

Internal modems are electronic cards. An internal modem is installed in

one of the computer's expansion slot.
External modems are fully functioning external devices. The external
modem is connected to a computer using a serial
cable to one of the computer's serial ports, and draws power from an
external power source.

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

 EXAMPLE OF
FIREWALL

 Firewalls are systems that establish access control policies among networks. They
can block information from entering a network or from getting out of that network,
they can permit different users to perform different kinds of operations, according
to the user's authorizations.

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

 NETWORK
ARCHITECTURE
 Network architecture – refers to the way a
network is designed and built. The two major
types are:
 Peer-to-peer architecture – Computers connect
with each other in a workgroup to share files,
printers, and Internet access. This is used to
connect a small number of computers.
 Client/server architecture – sends information from
a client computer to a server, which then relays the
information back to the client computer, or to other
computers on the network

Networks for Beginners: http://compnetworking.about.com/

Peer-to-peer Networks
Client/Server Network
THANK YOU