INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

NETWORKS
 A network is a group of interconnected two
or more computers that are linked in order to
share resources such as printers , exchange
files, or allow electronic communications.
 The computers on a network may be linked
through cables, telephone lines, radio waves,
satellites, or infrared light beams.
Resource Sharing
Hardware (computing resources, disks, printers)
Software (application software)
Information Sharing
Easy accessibility from anywhere (files, databases)
Search Capability (WWW)
Communication
Email
Message broadcast
Remote computing
Distributed processing (GRID Computing)
 Speed.
 Networks provide a very rapid method for sharing and
transferring files.
 Resource Sharing.
 Sharing resources is another area in which a network exceeds
stand-alone computers. Most organizations cannot afford
enough laser printers, fax machines, modems, scanners for
each computer.
 Ease of communication
 E-mail aids in personal and professional communication for all
personnel, and it facilitates the dissemination of general
information to the entire staff. If connected to the Internet,
staff can communicate with others throughout the world.

 Flexible Access.
 Networks allow users to access their files from computers
throughout the entire organization.
 Workgroup Computing.
 Networks allow many users to work on a document or project
concurrently. For example, architects located at various floors
within a building could simultaneously contribute their ideas
about new building complex to the same document.
 Security
 Files and programs on a network can be designated as "copy
inhibit," so that you do not have to worry about illegal copying
of programs. Also, passwords can be established for specific
directories to restrict access to authorized users.
 The network topology
defines the way in which
computers, printers, and
other devices are
connected.
 A network topology
describes the layout of the
wire and devices as well as
the paths used by data
transmissions.
 Therefore:
 A network Topology is the physical layout of
network hardware, which include computers,
cables and other peripherals.
 Bus Topology
 Commonly referred to as a linear bus, all the
devices on a bus topology are connected by one
single cable.
 A bus topology consists of a main run of cable with a
terminator at each end. All nodes (file server,
workstations, and peripherals) are connected to the
linear cable in a row.
Advantages of a Bus Topology

•Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus.

•Requires less cable length than a star topology.

Disadvantages of a Bus Topology

•Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.

•Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.
•Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
The star topology is the most commonly used
architecture in Ethernet LANs.
When installed, the star topology resembles spokes in a
bicycle wheel.
A star topology is designed with each node (file
server, workstations, and peripherals) connected
directly to a central network point eg a hub or a
switch.
 Larger networks use the extended star topology also called
tree topology.

 When used with network devices that filter frames or

packets, like bridges, switches, and routers, this topology
significantly reduces the traffic on the wires by sending
packets only to the wires of the destination host.
Advantages of a Star Topology
• Easy to install and wire.
• No disruptions to the network when connecting or removing
devices.
• Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

Disadvantages of a Star Topology

• Requires more cable length than a linear topology.
• If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.
• More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost
of the hubs/concentrators.
 In a Ring topology, computers are connected so that signals
travel around the network from one computer to another in a
logical ring.

A frame travels around the ring, stopping at
each node. If a node wants to transmit
data, it adds the data as well as the
destination address to the frame.
The frame then continues around the ring
until it finds the destination node, which
takes the data out of the frame.
 Advantages of a Ring Topology
 Equal access for all computers.
 Even performance despite many users.

Disadvantages of a Ring Topology

• Failure of one computer may impact the rest of the network .
• Problems hard to isolate.
The mesh topology connects all devices
(nodes) to each other for redundancy and
fault tolerance.
It is used in WANs to interconnect LANs
and for mission critical networks like those
used by banks and financial institutions.
Implementing the mesh topology is
expensive and difficult.
 What would you consider when choosing a
topology?

 Cost
 A bus network may be the least expensive way to install a
network; you do not have to purchase concentrators.

 Length of cable needed.

 The linear bus network uses shorter lengths of cable.
 Future growth.
 With a star topology, expanding a network is easily done by
adding another concentrator.

 Cable type.
 The most commonly used cable is unshielded twisted pair,
which is most often used with star topologies.
Physical Media
Interconnecting Devices
Computers
Networking Software
Applications
 Networking media can be defined simply as
the means by which signals (data) are sent
from one computer to another (either by
cable or wireless means).
 HUB, Switches, Routers, Wireless Access
Points, Modems etc.
 In a client/server network arrangement, network services are
located in a dedicated computer whose only function is to
respond to the requests of clients.

 The server contains the file, print, application, security, and

other services in a central computer that is continuously
available to respond to client requests.
E-mail
Searchable Data (Web
Sites)
E-Commerce
News Groups
Internet Telephony
(VoIP)
Video Conferencing
Chat Groups
Instant Messengers
Internet Radio
 Depending upon the geographical area
covered by a network, it is classified as:
 Local Area Networks (LAN)

 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

 Wide Area Network (WAN)

 Personal Area Network (PAN)

Local Area Network
 A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a
relatively small area.
 It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a room,
school, or building. Rarely are LAN computers more than a
mile apart.
 LAN’s enable the sharing of resources such as files or hardware
devices that may be needed by multiple users

 Is limited in size, typically spanning a few hundred meters, and

no more than a mile

 Is fast, with speeds from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps

 Requires little wiring, typically a single cable connecting to

each device

 Has lower cost compared to MAN’s or WAN’s

 LAN’s can be either wired or wireless. Twisted pair, coax or
fibre optic cable can be used in wired LAN’s.

 Every LAN uses a protocol a set of rules that governs how

packets are configured and transmitted.

 Nodes in a LAN are linked together with a certain topology.

These topologies include:
 Bus
 Ring
 Star
 LANs are capable of very high transmission rates (100s
 Mb/s to G b/s).
 Speed
 Cost
 Security
 E-mail
 Resource Sharing
 Expensive To Install
 Requires Administrative Time
 File Server May Fail
 Cables May Break
 A metropolitan area network(MAN) is a large computer
network that usually spans a city or a large campus.

 A MAN is optimized for a larger geographical area than a LAN,

ranging from several blocks of buildings to entire cities.

 A MAN might be owned and operated by a single organization,

but it usually will be used by many individuals and
organizations.
 A MAN often acts as a high speed network to
allow sharing of regional resources.

 A MAN typically covers an area of between 5

and 50 km diameter.

 Examples of MAN: Telephone company

network that provides a high speed DSL to
customers and cable TV network.
 WAN covers a large geographic area such as
country, continent or even whole of the world.

 A WAN is two or more LANs connected

together. The LANs can be many miles apart.

 To cover great distances, WANs may

transmit data over leased high-speed phone
lines or wireless links such as satellites.
 Multiple LANs can be connected together
using devices such as bridges, routers, or
gateways, which enable them to share data.

 The world's most popular WAN is the

Internet.
 A PAN is a network that is used for communicating among
computers and computer devices (including telephones) in
close proximity of around a few meters within a room.

 It can be used for communicating between the devices

themselves, or for connecting to a larger network such as the
internet.

 PAN’s can be wired or wireless

 A personal area network(PAN) is a computer
network used for communication among
computer devices, including telephones and
personal digital assistants, in proximity to an
individual's body.

 The devices may or may not belong to the

person in question. The reach of a PAN is
typically a few meters.