Chapter 6

Topology is the way networks are constructed and connected.

For a network  topology means how the connections are

physically and electrically / logically made.

Node 1 Node 2

 Remember, a network is two or more nodes connected by

one or more channels.
 The simplest network is where there are only two nodes.
 it is a point-to-point topology.
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 • where many computers are connected
Topology to a common communication channel.
• all connections are local.

Physical • is how the wires are connected.

Topology

Logical • is how the data flows.

Topology
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In a peer-to-peer relationship, both computers are of the
same standing
• Neither is a master
• Neither is a slave or client

A node with Network

Node 1 NIC
Interface Card (NIC)
and a cable
Computer

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All but one of the computers
are user workstations and one
provides services to the rest.

Workstations are “clients” of

the server.

The nodes on the network are

not equal.

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 • Reduced number of peripherals
Cost savings due • Less storage space required per
to sharing workstation
• Reduced software cost

Cost savings due

to the common • Single-network communications
channel

• Reduced cost per resource item

• Potential availability of more expense
Sharing of peripherals
resources • Greater use of resources
• Reduced redundancy
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Cost savings
due to fewer • Savings in installation and maintenance
applications

• Interface with network

• Less or no involvement by users in operational
User Interface tasks
• Capability of sharing data and text for joint work
• Added functionality

• Control of the introduction of new technology

Encourages • One network management environment
Management • Equipment compatibility
Control • Uniformity of communication and resources

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A protocol is a standard, or a set of rules or guidelines, that
governs the interaction:
• between people
• between people and machines
• between machines
Protocol determines how data move on the network.

Collisions occur when two nodes transmit at the same time.

Collisions result in all communications being unintelligible.

Collisions cause everyone to lose, as all transmissions are

destroyed. 8
A. Communications communications initiated.
startup
B. Character identification determine text characters and which are
and framing control characters.

C. Message identification Separate characters into messages.

D. Line control Receiving unit says data were good, by

turnaround, and requests next block.

E. Error control What to do in case of error (retransmit),

what to do when communications breaks
and is reestablished.

F. Termination Normal and abnormal.

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Polling is the simplest method of collision control.

A central node has the ultimate control.

Polling takes two forms:

• First, the central node asks each receiving node, in turn, if it

has something to send.

• Second, the central node waits for a signal from a node

wishing to transmit and recognizes that node.
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In a ring topology, nodes are connected to form a ring.

• Any data are passed from one node to the next.

• Everyone receives all messages
• A node only reads messages destined for it

A data packet, called a token, is passed around the ring

from one node to the next.

A node wishing to transmit must first take possession of the

token.

If another node possesses it, the node wishing to transmit

must wait.
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The final method of collision control is to react to, rather than avoid,
collisions.
Method to recognize a collision has taken place.

Any node may transmit when it thinks it is permissible.

Nodes use carrier sense technology to listen to a common channel.

When one believes all is quiet, it can transmit.

If more than one transmits at a time, a collision takes place.

The network protocol causes offending nodes to stop transmitting.

The nodes wait a random time and try again.

Primary method used by Ethernet bus network.

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Topology is the electrical or channel configuration.

There are two types of topology:

• Physical
• Logical

For local networks, the physical topology is always a

star.

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The star is one of the simplest electrical
topologies.
Microcomputer

All channels terminate into a computer (or Microcomputer Microcomputer

switch). That is they radiate out from a Active Node

central point, like a star.

Printer

The nodes at the end of the channels Microcomputer

request the attention of the central node and

communication takes place.

Although the simplest form, the overload or

crashing of the central node causes the
network to stop.

POTS is an example of an analog star.

 In a bus topology, all nodes are
multipoint on a single shared
channel. Microcomputer

Microcomputer

In a bus, all wires are logically Notebook

connected to a central wire, making

a bus network. Server
Printer

Connections made through a hub.

Physical topology is still a star.

 • Used primarily in ring networks
• Transmission is only possible for node
that captures token.
• It then attaches the data to token and
send it on its way.
Token • Each node reads packet header, but
only the designated recipient reads
passing message.
protocol • The recipient then adds a message
noting correct receipt and send it back
to source.
• All node read header but only the
original sender reads the message.
• It then clears the token and releases it.
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 Third kind of local connectivity is
the ring network.

Each computer is connected to

Microcomputer those on either side of it on the ring.

All messages pass around the ring

Microcomputer Server
and each transited node will see
part of each message, e. g. the
token.

Physical topology is star with a hub

Printer or MSAU (multi station access unit)
Notebook
at the center, making it an electrical
ring.
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 MSAU

Hub

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Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD)

With an Ethernet bus, multiple access of many nodes is

possible because each single node uses carrier sense to
determine if the network is quiet.

If no signal is heard, the node in question broadcasts a

message on the network that all nodes hear.

Under normal conditions, every node receives and reads the

header of the message and only the named recipient reads the
actual message.
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Is the address used in the Internet.

Two types: IPv4 and IPv6

Each byte can take the value between 0 and 255.

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4 byte (32 bit) • Strings of 32 binary bits.
Addresses

• Used to make IP addresses easier to

understand for human readers.
Dotted Decimal • Breaks the address into four bytes
Notation and writes the digital equivalent for
each byte.
• Example: 128.192.56.1

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The IPv4 address space can be subdivided into 5 classes -
Class A, B, C, D and E. Each class consists of a contagious
subset of the overall IPv4 address range.

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 • was developed because we were
running out of IP addresses on the
Internet.
• IPv6 uses a 16-byte long address which
provides a theoretical maximum of 3.4 x
1038 addresses - more than enough for
the foreseeable future.

IPv6 • IPv4 has a four-byte address field,

which means there is a theoretical
maximum of about 4.2 billion
addresses.
• IPv4 uses decimal to express
addresses (e.g., 128.192.55.72), but
IPv6 uses hexadecimal (base 16),
which makes it slightly more confusing
to use.
 Ethernet

Traditional Fast Gigabit Switched

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All are configured as logical buses, although they may be
physically implemented in bus/star topologies.

Each frame is transmitted to every station on the link but is

read only by the destination station.

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Fast Ethernet is a collective term for a number of Ethernet
standards that carry traffic at the nominal rate of 100 Mbps,
against the original Ethernet speed of 10 Mbps.

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Gigabit Ethernet (GbE or 1 GigE) is a term describing
various technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a
rate of a gigabit per second.

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A network switch is a computer networking device that
connects network segments.

Ethernet implementations of network switches support

either 10/100Mbps or 10/100/1000 Mbps ports Ethernet
standards. Large switches may have 10 Gbps ports.

Switches differ from hubs in that they can have ports of

different speed.

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