COMPUTER

NETWORKING

ICTW111 – Lecture 5

PROF. DELALI KWASI DAKE

Computer
Networking
• Computer networking is the practice of connecting
two or more computing devices together to share
resources, exchange data, or communicate with
each other
• Computer networking refers to interconnected
computing devices that can exchange data and
share resources with each other
Computer
Networking
• The networking devices use communications
protocols, to transmit information over physical or
wireless medium.
• It enables devices such as computers,
smartphones, servers, printers, and other
hardware to communicate and interact with each
other within a network infrastructure.
Key Components of
Computer Networks
• Nodes: These are the individual devices or computers
connected within the network. Each node has a unique
identifier, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address, to
distinguish it from others on the network.
• Links: Links are the physical or logical connections
between nodes through which data is transmitted.
Links can be wired (e.g., Ethernet cables) or wireless
(e.g., Wi-Fi or cellular networks).
• Protocols: Protocols are rules and conventions that
govern communication between nodes on a network.
They define how data is formatted, transmitted,
received, and interpreted. Examples include TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), HTTP
(Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and SMTP (Simple Mail
Key Components of
Computer Networks
• Network Topology: Network topology refers to the
physical or logical layout of nodes and links in a
network. Common topologies include bus, star, ring,
mesh, and hybrid configurations.
• Networking Devices: These are hardware devices
that facilitate communication within a network.
Examples include routers, switches, hubs, modems,
access points, and network interface cards (NICs).
Some Applications of
Computer Networks
• Internet Communication: Computer networks
form the backbone of the internet, enabling global
communication through services such as email,
instant messaging, social media, and VoIP (Voice
over Internet Protocol).
• File Sharing and Data Storage: Networks
facilitate the sharing and storage of files and data
among multiple users or devices. This includes
centralized storage solutions like network-attached
storage (NAS) and cloud storage services.
• Resource Sharing: Networks allow multiple users
to share hardware resources such as printers,
scanners, and storage devices, enhancing efficiency
Some Applications of
Computer Networks
• Remote Access and Telecommuting: Networks
enable remote access to resources and systems,
allowing employees to work from home or access
company resources while traveling. This has become
especially important in recent times with the rise of
telecommuting.
• E-commerce and Online Services: Computer
networks facilitate online transactions, e-commerce
platforms, and various online services such as banking,
shopping, and entertainment streaming.
• IoT (Internet of Things): Networks connect IoT
devices, enabling them to communicate and exchange
data with each other and with centralized systems for
Some Applications of
Computer Networks
• Cloud Computing: Networks underpin cloud
computing services, providing on-demand access to
computing resources (such as servers, storage, and
applications) over the internet.
Types of Computer Networks
 The types of network is determined by the
geographical scope, size, protocols used and the
number of networking devices. Three main types:
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
Types of Computer Networks
 LAN
• LANs are networks that typically span a small
geographical area, such as an office building,
school, or home.
• They are often used for connecting devices within
a single location, allowing for resource sharing,
file sharing, and communication among
connected devices.
• LANs have high transmission speed with short
propagation delays
Types of Computer Networks
 MAN
• MANs are networks that cover a larger
geographical area than LANs but smaller than
WANs, typically spanning a city or metropolitan
area.
• They are often used to connect multiple LANs
within a city or to provide high-speed
connectivity to organizations with multiple
locations in a city.
• Average transmission speed with moderate
propagation delays
Types of Computer Networks
 WAN
• WANs cover a larger geographical area and
connect multiple LANs or other types of networks
across long distances, often spanning cities,
countries, or even continents.
• WANs rely on various communication
technologies, such as leased lines, satellite links,
and fiber optics, to transmit data over long
distances.
• Low transmission speed with long propagation
delays
Network Topology
• Network topology refers to the arrangement or
structure of a computer network, including its nodes
(such as computers, servers, routers, etc.) and the
connections between them. It defines how these
nodes are connected and how data is transmitted
between them
• Topology refers to the physical or logical layout of a
computer network. It defines how the network is
connected and how data flows between different
devices.
Network Topology
Network Topology
Network Topology
 Bus / Linear Topology
• Each computer and networking devices are
connected to a single cable (backbone) with a
terminator at both ends. Terminators are used at
the end of the cable, so that the electrical signal
does not bounce back
• It is a non-robust topology because if the
backbone fails the topology crashes
Network Topology
 Star Topology
• The star topology is the most widely used
topology in Ethernet LANs.
• In a star topology, all devices are connected to a
single central “hub”. The “hub” may be a router,
a switch or a hub.
• All data transmission passes through the central
hub, which manages and directs traffic.
Network Topology
 Ring Topology
• In a ring topology, each device is connected to
exactly two other devices, forming a closed loop
or ring. Data travels in one direction around the
ring until it reaches its destination.
• Each device in ring topology has a repeater, if
the received data is intended for other device,
then the repeater forwards this data until the
intended device receives it
Network Topology
 Mesh Topology
• In a mesh topology, every device is connected to
every other device. This provides redundant
paths for data transmission, improving fault
tolerance and reliability.
• It is used in WANs to interconnect LANs and for
mission critical networks like those used by
financial institutions.
• Implementing the mesh topology is expensive
and difficult and commonly used in wireless
networks
Network Topology
 Tree Topology
• Tree topology combines characteristics of star
and bus topologies. Devices are arranged in a
hierarchical structure, with multiple levels of
interconnected hubs or switches.
Network Model
• Network models refer to abstract representations
of how data flows and is processed within a
computer network. These models help in
understanding, designing, and analyzing various
aspects of network communication
• Network model is a set of guidelines and standards
that defines how data is transmitted and received
over a network
Types of Network Model
• Peer-to-Peer Model
• Client-Server Model
• TCP/IP Model (Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol)
• OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection)
Types of Network Model
• Client-Server Model: In a client-server network
model, devices are divided into clients (which
request services or resources) and servers (which
provide services or resources). Clients communicate
with servers to access resources or services such as
files, web pages, databases, etc
Strength of Client-Server
Model
• Centralized security
• Faster access
• Single password
Weakness of Client-Server
Model
• Central point of failure
• Administrator required
• Server software required
• Can cause network
congestion
Types of Network Model
• Peer-to-Peer Model: In a peer-to-peer network
model, all devices in the network are considered
equal and can act as both clients and servers,
sharing resources and services directly with each
other without the need for a central server.
Strength of P2P
• Use less expensive
hardware
• User has full accessibility
• Ideal for small business and
home users
• Easy setup and low cost
Weakness of P2P
• Not very secure
• No central point for storage
• User has full accessibility
• Additional load on computer
because of resource sharing
• May have duplication of
resources
Popular Networking Devices
 Ethernet Hubs
• It is a device connecting multiple Ethernet devices
together and makes them perform the functions as a
single unit. A hub is a common connection point for
devices in a network. Hubs are considered legacy
devices and have largely been replaced by switches
• Half-Duplex Operation: Hubs operate in half-duplex
mode, which means that devices connected to a hub
can either transmit or receive data at any given time,
but not both simultaneously.
• Hubs connect segments of a LAN. It contains multiple
ports so when a packet arrives at one port, it is copied
to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can
see all packets
• It operates at the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI
Popular Networking Devices
 Ethernet Hubs
• A Ethernet hub is typically the least expensive,
least intelligent, and least complicated of the
three. Its job is very simple – anything that
comes in one port is sent out to the others.

If a message1 comes in for computer “A”, that

message is sent out all the other ports,
regardless of which one computer “A” is on:
Popular Networking Devices
 Switches
• Switches are the linkage points of an Ethernet
network. Just as in hub, devices in switches are
connected to them through twisted pair cabling.
• But the difference shows up in the manner both
the devices; hub and a switch treat the data
they receive. Hub works by sending the data to
all the ports on the device whereas a switch
transfers it only to that port which is connected to
the destination device.
Popular Networking Devices
 Switches
• A switch does so by having an in-built learning of the
MAC address of the devices connected to it. Since
the transmission of data signals are well defined in a
switch, the network performance is consequently
enhanced.
• Switches operate in full-duplex mode allowing for
devices connected to the switch to transmit and
receive data simultaneously. The transmission speed
in switches is double than in Ethernet hub.
• Switches operate at the data link layer (layer 2) of
Popular Networking Devices
 Routers
• Routers are network layer devices and are particularly
identified as Layer- 3 (network layer) devices of the OSI
Model and works on the basis of IP address.
• The router forwards data packets along networks. It is
connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs
or WANs or a LAN and its ISP's network. Routers are
located at gateways, the places where two or more
networks connect. Routers use headers and forwarding
tables to determine the best path for forwarding the
packets, and they use protocols to communicate with
each other and configure the best route between any
Popular Networking Devices
 Routers
• Routers are completely different devices. Where
a hub or switch is concerned with transmitting
frames, a router's job, as its name implies, is to
route packets to other networks until that
packet ultimately reaches its destination.
Popular Networking Devices
 Routers
• Hub and a Switch are networking devices
use to connect PC or any devices on the
same network. But router is a device use to
connect two or more different networks
Popular Networking Devices
• Switches are used to connect multiple devices
within a LAN and facilitate communication between
them. They forward data packets based on MAC
addresses, creating separate collision domains and
improving network performance.
• Routers are used to connect multiple networks
together, such as LANs or the internet. They
determine the best path for data packets to reach
their destination based on IP addresses, and they can
also perform functions like packet filtering, NAT
(Network Address Translation), and routing protocols.
Popular Networking Devices
• Switches forward data packets based on MAC
addresses, which are unique identifiers assigned to
network interfaces.
• Routers forward data packets based on IP
addresses, which identify devices and networks on
the internet or within a private network.
Assignment
• List five differences between the OSI reference model
and TCP/IP model