Introduction to

Computer Networks
Chapter 1

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Chapter Objectives

Explain the need of networks

Explain history of computer networks (ARPANET)
Explain the types of computer networks
Explain Client/Server configuration
Explain layers of OSI model
Explain network selection criteria
Application
Explain Standards Organizations

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Computer Network

Interconnection of two or more computers and

peripherals
Allows user to share and transfer information

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Types of Computer Networks

Networks are classified depending on the

geographical area covered by the network
Computer
Networks

Local
Area Network
(LAN)
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Campus
Area Network
(CAN)

Metropolitan
Area Network
(MAN)

Wide
Area Network
(WAN)
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Local Area Network (LAN) - I

Covers a small area

Connects computers and workstations covering a
local area like, office or home

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Local Area Network (LAN) - II

Advantages of LAN:
Improves productivity due to faster work
Provides easy maintenance
New systems can be installed and configured
easily
Disadvantages of LAN:
Limited number of systems can only be connected
Cannot cover large area
Network performance degrades as number of
users exceeds

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Types of LAN

LANs are classified depending on the techniques

used for data sharing
LAN Types

Ethernet

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Token Ring

Token Bus

FDDI

Campus Area Network (CAN)

Made up of multiple LANs within limited area

Connects different LANs in a campus

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Metropolitan Area Network

Interconnects networks within a city

Supports data and voice transmission

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Wide Area Network

Covers a wide geographical area which includes

multiple computers or LANs e.g. Internet

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Case Study - I
MoneyMaker is a bank having its registered office at
Delhi. It has branches at Mumbai, Chennai,
Hyderabad and Bangalore. The operating departments
in the bank are Finance, Insurance, Loan, IT,
Marketing, Customer Service and HR. MoneyMaker
bank uses LAN as their computer network for each
department. All the branches of the bank from different
cities are connected through WAN. The bank is
expanding and decided to open its branches at
different locations in the city.

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Problem

Determine which type of network to be used within a

city

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Suggested Solution

Use LAN computer network for each department in the

new branch. MAN can be used for connecting the
different branches of the bank within the city

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Client/Server Configuration

Consists of two elements, Client and Server

Server:
A centralized element which provides resources to
client
Manages data, printers or network traffic
Client:
Manages local resources used by users such as
monitor, keyboard, CPU and peripherals

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Open System Interconnection (OSI)

Model - I

Also known as ISO-OSI Reference Model

Developed by International Organization for
Standardization (ISO)
Describes flow of information from one computer to
another
Consists of seven layers

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Open System Interconnection (OSI)

Model - II

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Network Selection Criteria

Helps to improve network functionality

Network
Criteria

Performance

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Reliability

Security

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Case Study - II
The Customer Service department of MoneyMaker
bank provides online services to the customers. At
Hyderabad branch, the Customer Service department
network is not functioning properly. So the bank has
decided to build an alternative network for that
department .

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Problem

Selecting the network criteria

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Suggested Solution

Decide network type and configuration, number of

users, speed of the network, hardware to be used,
operating system to be installed and anti-virus
software

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Standards Organizations

Also known as Standards Development

Organization (SDO)
Develop, maintain, improve and revise standards
Classified as:
International organozations International
Organization for Standardization (ISO)
National organozations American National
Standards Institute (ANSI)
Regional organozations Euro-Asian Council for
Standardization (EASC)

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Summary - I

Computer network enables the user to share data

and network resources
Network allows remote users to communicate with
each other
Computer networks are divided into LAN, CAN,
MAN and WAN depending on the coverage area
LAN is a small network and easy to create
Client/Server configuration also called as two-tier
architecture, consist of two nodes, client and server

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Summary II

OSI model consists of seven layers and provides

standards for computer communication
Physical layer is responsible for actual transmission
of bits over the medium
Data Link layer is responsible for node to node
delivery of frames
Network layer is responsible for end to end delivery
of packets, and routing

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Summary - III

Transport layer is responsible for end to end delivery

of the entire message
Session layer is responsible for establishing,
managing and terminating sessions
Presentation layer is responsible for translation,
encryption and data compression
Application layer is responsible for providing access
to the network

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Summary - IV

Performance, reliability and security are the network

selection criterion which enables to choose efficient
network
Standards organizations like ISO and ANSI develop
technical and non- technical standards
International standards organizations are
International Standard Organization (ISO),
International Telecommunication Union (ITU),
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

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