NETWORKING 1

Chapter 3

Types of Computer Networks

Network Classification by Geographical Location

Local Area Network (LAN)

 Local Area Network is a group of computers connected

to each other in a small area such as building, office.
 LAN is used for connecting two or more personal
computers through a communication medium such as
twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
 It is less costly as it is built with inexpensive hardware
such as hubs, network adapters, and ethernet cables.

Types of Local Area Network (LAN)

 Wired LANs (WLANs)

- Hosts, such as PCs or laptops, are connected to central
connecting
- Devices by copper-based twisted pair cabling
 Wireless LANs
- Hosts connect to networks through WAPs
- To connect to a WAP, a device must have a wireless
network adapter
- In larger WLANs, the WAP has to connect to a wired
switch
 Virtual LANs (VLANs)
- With VLANs, devices in a LAN are grouped based on
their function
• They are implemented to:
- Organize networks
- Enhance performance
- Increase security
- Physical location of devices does not matter
 Perimeter Networks
- Perimeter networks, or demilitarized zones (DMZs), are small LANs that are set
up outside of an organization’s LAN
- DMZs typically consist of servers that provide services, like web hosting or
email
- This setup allows users outside of an organization’s LAN to access the
servers, but not the organization’s LAN
 Personal Area Network (PAN)
- Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an individual person,
typically within a range of 10 meters.
- Personal Area Network is used for connecting the computer devices of personal
use.
- Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to bring the idea of the
Personal Area Network.
 - Personal Area Network covers an area of 30 feet.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

- MAN network covers larger area by connections LANs to a

larger network of computers.
- In Metropolitan area network various Local area networks are
connected with each other through telephone lines.
- The size of the Metropolitan area network is larger than LANs
and smaller than WANs(wide area networks), a MANs covers
the larger area of a city or town.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

- A Wide Area Network is a network that extends

over a large geographical area such as states or
countries.
- A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single
location, but it spans over a large geographical
area through a telephone line, fibre optic cable or
satellite links.
- The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the
world.

Differentiation between LAN, WAN and MAN

Network Classification by Role

 The Client/Server Model

- Servers are computers dedicated to providing specific types of
services or data
- A client (a computer) uses software to ask a server for data or
services
- The server provides the data or service to the client
Types of Server

 The Peer-to-Peer Model

Peers are clients that have equal capabilities and responsibilities

in this model

- Ability to request serve and request data

- No server in this model
Examples of file sharing networks
- Napster
- Gnutella
- G2
Other technologies also take advantage of P2P file sharing:
- Skype
- VoIP

Network Topologies

What is a network topology?

- A network topology defines the physical connections of hosts in a network

There are multiple types of topologies, including:

Bus Topology

- All devices are connected via copper cable in a line

- In a bus network all the workstations, servers and
printers are joined to one cable (the bus). At each end of
the cable a terminator is fitted to stop signals reflecting
back down the bus.

Advantages and disadvantages of a bus network:

- The advantages of a bus network are:

- it is easy to install
- it is cheap to install, as it doesn't require much cable
- The disadvantages of a bus network are:
- if the main cable fails or gets damaged the whole network will fail
- as more workstations are connected the performance of the network will become
slower because of data collisions
 - every workstation on the network "sees" all of the data on the network – this is a
security risk

Star Topology

- Each host is connected to a central connecting device with

twisted-pair cabling
- In a star network each device on the network has its own
cable that connects to a switch or hub. A hub sends every
packet of data to every device, whereas a switch only sends
a packet of data to the destination device.

Advantages and disadvantages of a star network:

- The advantages of a star network are:

- it is very reliable – if one cable or device fails then all the others will continue to
work
- it is high-performing as no data collisions can occur
- The disadvantages of a star network are:
- it is expensive to install as this type of network uses the most cable (network
cable is expensive)
- extra hardware is required (hubs or switches) which adds to cost
- if a hub or switch fails, all the devices connected to it will have no network
connection

Ring Topology

- Each device is connected to the LAN using a closed loop

- In a ring network each device (workstation, server, printer) is
connected to two other devices - this forms a ring for the signals to
travel around. Each packet of data on the network travels in one
direction and each device receives each packet in turn until the
destination device receives it.
- This type of network can transfer data quickly, even if there are a
large number of devices connected because the data only flows in
one direction, so there won’t be any data collisions. However, the
real disadvantage is that if the main cable fails or any device is
faulty, then the whole network will fail

Mesh Topology

- Each computer connects to every other computer in a LAN

- No central connecting device
- Setup is fault-tolerant

Advantages of mesh topology:

- Each connection can carry its own data load

- It is robust
- A fault is diagnosed easily
- Provides security and privacy
Disadvantages of mesh topology

- Installation and configuration are difficult if the connectivity gets more

- Cabling cost is more and the most in case of a fully connected mesh topology
- Bulk wiring is required

Chapter 4

THE OSI MODEL

What is the OSI model?

Previously, networks use different hardware and software implementations,

which result in:

- design complexity within networks

- incompatibilities among different networks.

A reference model is needed to provide interoperability between

computers over a network.

The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model is an

approved international standard for communication systems.

The model was introduced by the International Organization for

Standardization (ISO) to aid network interconnection.

What are the layers of the OSI model?

Tasks within the OSI model are broken down into

layers. A layered model gives the advantage of:

- reduced complexity

- interoperability between networks

- facilitation of modular engineering

Application Layer

- Facilitates the user in using services of the network

- It receives information directly from users and
displays incoming data it to the user

Presentation Layer

- Responsible for converting data into standard

format
- The presentation layer translates the commands
received from the application layer into universal, well-
known networking formats. Think of the presentation
layer as a more effective version of Google Translate
but for networks. This is the layer where data
encryption and character set conversion occur.
Session Layer

- Establishes dialog between two systems

- In order for a packet to reach its destination, the
session layer establishes a “mechanism for
opening, closing and managing a session between
end-user application processes and responses”.
The session layer makes it possible to establish
an open communication line to send the requested
packets.

Transport Layer

- Regulates information flow to achieve reliable

connectivity between host application

Network Layer

- Acts as a network controller

- Decides which routes should be taken by data
- Converts frames into packets

Link Layer

- Packages raw bits from the Physical Layer into frames;

provides reliable transmission of bits through flow
control, and error control and detection.
- The Data Link Layer ensures that a transmission occurs
without any errors. The Data Link Layer consists of two
sub-layers, Logical Link Control (LLC) and the Media
Access Control (MAC), that ensure a successful
transmission across different mediums.

Physical Layer

- Deals with the physical characteristics of the

transmission medium; transmits bits from one computer
to another

Modes of Transmission: