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Computer Networks-Lec2

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8 views21 pages

Computer Networks-Lec2

Uploaded by

عذراء قيس
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Computer Networks

Introduction
to
Data Communication

Asst. Lecturer. Athraa Qays


Outlines
• Categories of Networks
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

• Interconnection of Networks: Internetwork

• The Internet

• Protocols and Standards


Categories of Networks
We are generally referring to two primary categories: local-area networks
and wide-area networks. The category into which a network falls is
determined by its size.

1. A LAN normally covers an area less than 2 miles.

2. A WAN can be worldwide.

3. Networks of a size in between are normally referred to as metropolitan


area networks and span tens of miles.
1) Local Area Networks (LANs)

A local area network (LAN) is usually privately owned and links the
devices in a single office, building, or campus. Depending on the needs
of an organization and the type of technology used, a LAN can be as
simple as two PCs and a printer in someone's home office; or it can
extend throughout a company and include audio and video peripherals.
Currently, LAN size is limited to a few kilometers.
Fig.10: An isolated LAN connecting 12 computers to a hub in a closet.
1) Local Area Networks (LANs)

In addition to size, LANs are distinguished from other types of


networks by their transmission media and topology. In general,
a given LAN will use only one type of transmission medium. The
most common LAN topologies are bus, ring, and star. Early LANs
had data rates in the 4 to 16 megabits per second (Mbps) range.
Today, however, speeds are normally 100 or 1000 Mbps.
2) Wide Area Network (WAN)

A wide area network (WAN) provides long-distance transmission of data,


image, audio, and video information over large geographic areas that may
comprise a country, a continent, or even the whole world. A WAN can be as
complex as the backbones that connect the Internet or as simple as a dial-
up line that connects a home computer to the Internet. We normally refer
to the first as a switched WAN and to the second as a point-to-point WAN
(Figure 11).
2) Wide Area Network (WAN)

• The switched WAN connects the end systems, which usually comprise a
router (internetworking connecting device) that connects to another LAN
or WAN.

• The point-to-point WAN is normally a line leased from a telephone or


cable TV provider that connects a home computer or a small LAN to an
Internet service provider (lSP). This type of WAN is often used to provide
Internet access.
Fig.11: WANs: a switched WAN and a point-to-point WAN
2) Wide Area Network (WAN)

An early example of a switched WAN is X.25, a network designed to provide


connectivity between end users. A good example of a switched WAN is the
asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, which is a network with fixed-
size data unit packets called cells.
3) Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network with a size between a


LAN and a WAN. It normally covers the area inside a town or a city. It is
designed for customers who need a high-speed connectivity, normally to
the Internet, and have endpoints spread over a city or part of city. A good
example of a MAN is the part of the telephone company network that can
provide a high-speed DSL line to the customer. Another example is the
cable TV network that originally was designed for cable TV, but today can
also be used for high-speed data connection to the Internet.
Interconnection of Networks:
Internetwork
Today, it is very rare to see a LAN, a MAN, or a LAN in isolation; they
are connected to one another. When two or more networks are
connected, they become an internetwork, or internet.
Fig.12: A heterogeneous network made of four WANs and two LANs.
The Internet
The Internet has revolutionized many aspects of our daily lives. It has
affected the way we do business as well as the way we spend our leisure
time.

The Internet is a communication system that has brought a wealth of


information to our fingertips and organized it for our use.
Fig.13: Hierarchical organization of the Internet.
Protocols and Standards

In this slide, we define two widely used terms: protocols and standards.

First, we define protocol, which is synonymous with rule. Then we discuss

standards, which are agreed-upon rules.


Protocols and Standards
A protocol is a set of rules that govern data communications. A protocol
defines what is communicated, how it is communicated, and when it is
communicated.

The key elements of a protocol are


• Syntax
• Semantics
• Timing
Protocols and Standards
• Syntax. refers to the structure or format of the data, meaning the order
in which they are presented.

• For example, a simple protocol might expect the first 8 bits of data to be
the address of the sender, the second 8 bits to be the address of the
receiver, and the rest of the stream to be the message itself.
Protocols and Standards
• Semantics. refers to the meaning of each section of bits. How is a
particular pattern to be interpreted, and what action is to be taken
based on that interpretation?

• For example, does an address identify the route to be taken or the final
destination of the message?
Protocols and Standards
• Timing. refers to two characteristics: when data should be sent and how
fast they can be sent.

• For example, if a sender produces data at 100 Mbps but the receiver
can process data at only 1 Mbps, the transmission will overload the
receiver and some data will be lost.

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