AAU School of

Commerce
Course Title: Introduction to Business
Information System
Dec -22, AA

Data Commn and 11

Networking
Computer Networks and Data Communications

Agenda:
▪ Introduction

▪ Introduction to network protocols

▪ Types of Networking

▪ Network Protocols

▪ Network Topologies

▪ Network Connectivity Devices

▪ Network Media (guided and unguided)

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Objectives:
After the end of this chapter students will be able to
▪ Define a network, mention its advantages/disadvantages
▪ Appreciate how protocols assist communication in computer networks.
▪ Classify networking using different criteria
▪ Appreciate the application of protocols in networking
▪ Identify and compare and contrast network topologies
▪ Identify applications of the various network connectivity devices
▪ Distinguish guided and unguided media; discuss both media types and
their application.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Introduction: Definitions
▪ Network: A computer network is an interconnection of computers,
network hardware and other telecommunication devices by
network media for the purpose of sharing resources.
▪ Resources: data/information, files, folders, hardware, software,
peripherals, etc.
▪ Sharing: Network sharing enables access to information and other
resources by more than one person through more than one device
at the same or at different times because of the connectivity.
▪ Computer networking may be considered a branch of computer
science, computer engineering, and telecommunications, since it
relies on the theoretical and practical application of the related
disciplines

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Introduction: Advantages
▪ Sharing of hardware: printers, servers computers
▪ Sharing of software: antivirus, servers
▪ Sharing of files, folders
▪ Sharing of internet connection
▪ Central administration and support
▪ Interpersonal communication: email, messaging, chat, voice and video calls,
and video conferencing
▪ Telemedicine
▪ Online education
▪ Ecommerce
▪ Etc.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Introduction: Disadvantages
▪ Security issue
o Fraud and theft
o Data loss
o Denial of service attack
o Physical attack

▪ Privacy issue
▪ Lack of robustness
▪ Virus / malicious software

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Introduction: Communication
▪ Communications, also called telecommunications, refers to the
transfer of data from a transmitter (sender or source) to a receiver
across a distance.
▪ Communication can also be define as the exchange of messages
between at least two parties by the help of medium and protocols.
▪ The term telecommunication means communication at a distance.
▪ The data transferred can be voice, sound, images, graphics, video,
text, or a combination thereof (multimedia).

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Introduction: Elements of communication systems

▪ Sender
▪ Receiver
▪ Data/Message
▪ Medium
▪ Protocols

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Introduction: Modes of communication
▪ Simplex: one directional communication. One device transmits and
the other only receives.
▪ Example: radio broadcasting, Tv

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Introduction: Modes of communication
▪ Half-duplex: bi-directional communication but not concurrently.
▪ Example: walkie-talkie

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Introduction: Modes of communication
▪ Duplex: bidirectional communication concurrently.
▪ Example: mobile communication

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Types: Based on computer configuration
Peer-to-peer:
▪ A P2P (peer to peer) network is a decentralized collection of
computers that has been established to exchange information with
everyone or only certain users.
▪ In a p2p network, all computers on the network are considered
equal, with each workstation offering access to resources and data.
▪ This means that each node in the p2p network model can both
request for services from the other peers or offer services to the
other peers. Each node can be both a client and a server.
▪ It is also one of the most straightforward forms of architecture to
construct if you have of course the proper software on each node.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Types: Based on computer configuration
Peer-to-peer:

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Types: Based on computer
configuration
▪ Client-server:
▪ The client-server model structure is a
centralized network in which the server
hosts, provides, and maintains the
majority of the client’s data and
services.

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 Network Types: Based on computer configuration: Peer-to-
peer vs Client-server:
Characteristic Client-Server Model Peer-to-Peer Model (p2p)
Prime focus data exchange. communication and connectivity.
Data the server provides all the services and all the members (peers) of the network act as the service
Transmission data while the clients request for services providers and consumers.
and data.

expensive to implement because a central cheaper to make than a client-server network as no

Cost server has to be built and it has to keep central server is required.
running constantly

better security because the file access is more vulnerable. The peers act like the server and the
Security controlled by the server, not the nodes. consumer at the same time which is why file access can’t
be handled centrally, the security is handled by the users.
more robust and can be extended as
Performance needed. As the number of nodes grows, performance decreases.

The bandwidth depends on the The full bandwidth is not allocated in advance in a peer-
Bandwidth
connection of the server to the rest of the to-peer connection. It uses the bandwidth node
distribution
network. according to the available bandwidth of each node
(peer) and then releases it when it is no longer required.
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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Types: Based on size
▪ PAN: Personal Area Networks
o Limited to personal utilization around homes
▪ LAN: Local Area Networks
o It may encompass an office, a building or a compound/campus
▪ MAN: Metropolitan Area Networks
o It spans a large city/metropolitan
▪ WAN: Wide Area Networks
o As big as a nation wide, continental or worldwide network.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Types: Based on network media
▪ Wired:
o Uses cables as a connection mechanism
▪ Wireless:
o Uses the air as a medium; to be specific the electromagnetic
spectrum suitable for communication is used as a
medium/interconnection mechanism.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Protocols
▪ A network protocol is an established set of rules that determine how
data is transmitted between different devices in a network.
▪ Essentially, it allows connected devices to communicate with each
other, regardless of any differences in their internal processes,
structure or design.
▪ The data transmission software or protocols performs the following
functions for the efficient and error free transmission of data
▪ Data sequencing: A long message to be transmitted is broken into
smaller packets of fixed size and a unique sequence number is
given for every packet.
▪ Data Routing: It is the process of finding the most efficient route
between source and destination before sending the data.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Protocols
▪ Flow control: enables a receiver to regulate the flow of data from a
sender so that the receiver’s buffers do not overflow. Regulates the
process of sending data between fast sender and slow receiver.
▪ Error Control: Error detecting and recovering is one of the main
function of communication software. It ensures that data is
transmitted without any error and loss. (retransmit if no ack.)
▪ Opening/closing comm. Lines, message switching, circuit switching,
multiple use of comm. lines, …

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Protocols: Elements of a Protocols
▪ Syntax
o Structure or format of the data blocks
o Indicates how to read the bits - field delineation
▪ Semantics
o Interprets the meaning of each section of bits
o Knows which fields define what action
o Includes control information for coordination and error handling
▪ Timing
o When data should be sent
o Speed at which data should be sent or speed at which it is being
received.
o Includes speed matching and sequencing

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Network Protocols: Layered tasks in communication

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Protocols: OSI vs TCP/IP Layers

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Protocols: OSI vs TCP/IP Layers
Data communication units segments, packets, and frames

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies
▪ Topology defines the structure of the network of how all the
components are interconnected to each other.
▪ There are two types of topology: physical and logical topology.
▪ Physical topology refers to the physical arrangement ot layout of
computers in a network.
▪ A logical topology is a concept in networking that defines the
architecture of the communication mechanism for all nodes in a
network. It defines how data flows in the network.
▪ Physical topologies include bus, star, ring, mesh, tree topologies.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Bus topology
▪ The bus topology connects each of its
computers or other devices through one
unbroken central cable called the bus.
▪ As the name indicates a bus topology is
analogous to travelling in a bus, where
multiple members share the same bus
space.
▪ It is also analogous to how different units
of a computer like CPU, Memory,
Input/Output Peripherals are connected
via. a common address bus and a
common data bus.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Bus topology
▪ Advantages:
o It works well when you have a small network.
o Easiest network topology for connecting computers or
peripherals in a linear fashion.
o Requires less cable length than a star topology.
o Easy to implement and extend
o Well suited for temporary networks.
o Initially less expensive than other topologies

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Bus topology
▪ Disadvantages:
o Difficult to identify the problems if the whole network goes down.
o It can be hard to troubleshoot individual device issues.
o Not great for large networks, performance degrades due to
heavy traffic.
o Terminators are required for both ends of the main cable.
o Additional devices slow the network down.
o If there is a problem with the central bus/cable, the entire
network goes down.
o Maintenance costs may be higher in the long run.
o Low security.
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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Star topology
▪ A star topology's computers are
connected to a central point with
their own individual cable or wireless
connections.
▪ The central point is a device like a
hub, a switch, or an access point.
▪ It is relatively more scalable all you
have to do if you want to add to it is
run a new cable and connect to the
machine at the core of star.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Star topology
▪ Advantages
▪ New station can be added easily and quickly.
▪ A single cable failure won't bring down the entire network.
▪ It's relatively easy to troubleshoot.
▪ Centralized management. It helps in monitoring the network.
▪ As compared to Bus topology it gives far much better
performance, signals don’t necessarily get transmitted to all the
workstations.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Star topology
▪ Disadvantages
▪ The total installation cost can be higher because of a large
number of cables, even through price becoming more
competitive.
▪ It has a single point of failure, at the hub or other central devices.
▪ The central network device determines the performance and
number of nodes the network can handle.
o Eg. An 8-port hub/switch can only support 8-computers.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Ring topology
▪ Ring Topology is basically a circle of
connected devices where one node is
connected to two nodes, one on the
left and one on the right.
▪ This forms a circular ring of connected
devices which gives it its name.
▪ The data is forwarded from one device
to the next, until it reaches the
intended destination.
▪ Data is commonly transferred in one
direction along the ring, (unidirectional
ring).
▪ In a bidirectional ring, data can travel
in either direction.
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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Ring topology
▪ There’s a distinct term in Ring Topology which is named Token
Passing.
o Empty information frames are continuously circulated on the ring.
o When a computer has a message to send, it seizes the token. The computer
will then be able to send the frame.
o The frame is then examined by each successive workstation. The workstation
that identifies itself to be the destination for the message copies it from the
frame and changes the token back to 0.
o When the frame gets back to the originator, it sees that the token has been
changed to 0 and that the message has been copied and received. It
removes the message from the frame.
o The frame continues to circulate as an empty frame, ready to be taken by a
workstation when it has a message to send.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Ring topology
▪ Advantages:
o Ring Topology is capable of taking heavy loads
o Token passing ensures that only the nodes that have the token
can transmit data that controls the traffic and avoids collision
o Ring Topology is pocket-friendly and cheaper to maintain.
o To check the connectivity between the stations, no server is
necessary.
o Adding more nodes doesn’t affect its’ performance.
o All the computers in this network have an equal right to access
resources.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Ring topology
▪ Disadvantages:
o If a node fails, the entire network fails.
o In the case of a unidirectional network, a token will have to pass
through all the nodes which makes it a very long process
considering a ring topology can consist of hundreds of nodes.
o It is not an easy process to add or remove nodes from the ring
network once the network has been set up. The installation of
the network may be easy but updates in the structure are a
whole different story.
o A ring network is slower than Ethernet.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Mesh Topology:
▪ In a mesh topology, every device is connected
to every other device via a particular channel.
▪ Suppose, the N number of devices are
connected with each other in a mesh
topology, the total number of ports that are
required by each device is N-1.
▪ In the Figure, there are 6 devices connected to
each other, hence the total number of ports
required by each device is 5.
▪ The total number of ports required=N*(N-1).
▪ The total number of dedicated links required to
connect them is N(N-1)/2.
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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Mesh Topology:
▪ Advantages:
o Data can be transmitted from different devices simultaneously.
o This topology can withstand high traffic.
o Each connection can carry its own data load.
o Even if one of the components fails there is always an
alternative present, so data transfer doesn’t get affected.
o It is robust.
o A fault is diagnosed easily.
o Expansion and modification in topology can be done without
disrupting other nodes.
o Provides security and privacy.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Mesh Topology:
▪ Disadvantages:
o Installation and configuration are difficult if the connectivity gets
more.
o There are high chances of redundancy in many of the network
connections.
o Overall cost of this network is too high as compared to other
network topologies.
o Cabling cost is more and the most in case of a fully connected
mesh topology, bulk wiring is required.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Tree topology
▪ A tree topology is a sort of structure in which each node is related to
the others in a hierarchy.
▪ Sometimes it is also called hierarchical topology as in this topology,
all elements are arranged like the branches of a tree.
▪ It is a lot like the star and bus topologies.
▪ When you have a multi-story building and wish to establish clusters
at each section of the network, you can utilise tree topology.
▪ If you have departments and sub-departments, you can segregate
the whole Tree Network with the help of several switches that makes
the entire network easy to maintain and more manageable.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Tree topology

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Topologies: Tree topology
Features of Tree Topology
▪ If you want to add more computers at a certain place in tree topology,
you can do it by extending Star Networks connected to the main
Backbone Cable.
▪ If one of the computers on the network fails, it does not influence the
operation of the entire computer network. As a result, it is more fault-
tolerant and dependable.
▪ Its network performance might be quite good due to the use of a Switch
or Intelligent Hub.
▪ Tree topology is really a good option for your small-sized LAN (Local Area
Network).
▪ Furthermore, it offers more security that can also be improved by using
Intelligent Hub.

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Network Connectivity Devices: 1-Network
Interface Card (NIC)
▪ A NIC (pronounced 'nick') is also known as
a network card, connects the computer to
the cabling, which in turn links all of the
computers on the network together.
▪ Each computer on a network must have a
network card.
▪ Each network interface is associated with a
unique address called the MAC (media
access control) address.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices: 2-Network Repeater
▪ When data travels longer distance, its signal gets weaker
(aka attenuation)
▪ A repeater connects two segments of your network cable;
it receives and regenerates the signals to proper
amplitudes and sends them to the other segments.
▪ Repeaters require a small amount of time to regenerate
the signal.
▪ This can cause a propagation delay that can affect
network communication when there are several repeaters
in a row.
▪ Many network architectures limit the number of repeaters
that can be used in a row.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices:
2-Network Repeater
▪ A Wi-Fi repeater, extender, or
booster is a device that forwards
wireless signals from the router to
cover a larger area, such as multiple
floors of a house.
▪ The repeater creates a new network
based on signals from the originating
network, and the clients that
connect to the repeater are thus on
a separate network.
▪ If you have more than one repeater,
each repeater adds its own network.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices:
3-Network Hub
▪ A hub is a small box that connects
individual devices on a network so
that they can communicate with
one another.
▪ The hub works by gathering the
signals from individual network
devices, optionally amplifying
signals, and then sending them onto Hub
all other connected devices

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices:
3-Network Hub
▪ There are two types of network hubs
▪ Active hubs repeat and strengthen
incoming transmissions. They are
also sometimes referred to as
repeaters.
▪ Passive hubs simply serve as a point
of connectivity, without any
additional capabilities. Hub

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices: 4-Network Bridge
▪ Bridges connect two physical network segments.
▪ A bridge reads the outermost section of data on the data packet,
to tell where the message is going.
▪ It reduces the traffic on other network segments. How?

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices: 4-Network Bridge
▪ Each network bridge keeps track of the MAC addresses on the network
attached to each of its interfaces.
▪ When network traffic arrives at the bridge and its target address is local to
that side of the bridge, the bridge filters that Ethernet frame, so it stays on
the local side of the bridge only.
▪ If the bridge is unable to find the target address on the side that received
the traffic, it forwards the frame across the bridge, hoping the destination
will be on the other network segment.
▪ Bridges can be programmed to reject packets from particular networks.
▪ Bridges do not normally allow connection of networks with different
architectures.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices: 5-Network Switch
▪ Switches play a vital role in moving data from one device to another.
Specifically, switches greatly improve network performance
compared to hubs, by providing dedicated bandwidth to each end
device, supporting full-duplex connectivity, utilizing the MAC address
table to make forwarding decisions.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices: 5-Network Switch
▪ Switches use the best of hubs and bridges while adding more
abilities. They use the multi-port ability of the hub with the filtering of
a bridge, allowing only the destination to see the unicast traffic.
▪ Switches keep track of the MAC addresses in each interface so they
can rapidly send the traffic only to the frame's destination.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices:
6-Network Router
▪ A router is used to route data
packets between two networks
based on IP addresses.
▪ It is a network layer device
▪ If it is destined for an immediate
network it has access to, it will strip
the outer packet, readdress the
packet to the proper ethernet
address, and transmit it on that
network.
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Network Connectivity Devices: 6-Network Router
▪ If it is destined for another network and must be sent to another
router, it will re-package the outer packet to be received by the
next router and send it to the next router.
▪ Routers can connect networks with different architectures such as
Token Ring and Ethernet.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices: 7-Brouter
▪ It is also known as the bridging router.
▪ It is a device that combines features of both bridge and router.
▪ It can work either at the data link layer or a network layer.
▪ Working as a router, it is capable of routing packets across networks
and working as the bridge, it is capable of filtering local area
network traffic.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices: 8-Network Gateway
▪ A gateway can translate information between different network
data formats or network architectures.
▪ A gateway, as the name suggests, is a passage to connect two
networks that may work upon different networking models.
▪ They work as messenger agents that take data from one system,
interpret it, and transfer it to another system.
▪ Gateways are also called protocol converters and can operate at
any network layer.
▪ Gateways are generally more complex than switches or routers.

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Connectivity Devices:
9-MoDem
▪ MODEM = MOdulation + DEModulation
▪ Modem is a device that enables a
computer to send or receive data over
telephone or cable lines.
▪ The data stored on the computer is
digital whereas a telephone line or cable
wire can transmit only analog data.
▪ Modulation: converts digital data into
analog data
▪ Demodulation: converts analog data
into digital data
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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Media:
▪ Network media refers to the communication channels used to
interconnect nodes on a computer network.
▪ Typical examples of network media include copper coaxial
cable, copper twisted pair cables and optical fiber cables
used in wired networks, and radio waves used in wireless data
communications networks.
▪ Guided
▪ Twisted pair cable
▪ Coaxial cable
▪ Optical fiber cable
▪ Unguided
▪ Radio frequency spectrum
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Network Media: Guided Media (Cable)
▪ Twisted pair cable
▪ UTP-unshielded twisted pair
▪ STP-shielded twisted pair

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Media: Guided Media (Cable)
▪ Coaxial cable
o Thinnet
o Thicknet

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Media: Guided Media (Cable)
▪ Optical fiber cable

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Computer Networks and Data Communications
Network Media: Unguided Media
▪ Unguided : Radio frequency spectrum

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Network Media: Unguided Media
▪ Unguided Media : Radio frequency spectrum
▪ Radio wave ( 3(0)KHz – 1GHz )
▪ AM and FM radio (FM radio band goes from 88 to 108 MHz),
television, and maritime radio, etc.
▪ Microwave (1GHz – 300GHz )
▪ Cellular phones, Wifi, WiMax, satellite, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.
▪ Infrared (300 GHz to 400 THz)
▪ Tv remote control, etc.

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Network Media: Unguided Media
Satellite Communication
▪ Satellite communication is
transporting information from one
place to another using a
communication satellite in orbit
around the Earth.
▪ A communication satellite is an
artificial satellite that transmits the
signal via a transponder by
creating a channel between the
transmitter and the receiver at
different Earth locations.

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Network Media: Unguided Media
Satellite Communication
▪ How Satellite Communications Work?
▪ The communication satellites are similar to the space mirrors that
help us bounce signals such as radio, internet data, and television
from one side of the earth to another.
▪ Three stages are involved, which explain the working of satellite
communications. These are:
o Uplink ,
o Transponders ,
o Downlink

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Network Media: Unguided Media
Satellite Communication
▪ Let’s consider an example of signals from a television.
▪ In the first stage, the signal from the television broadcast on the
other side of the earth is first beamed up to the satellite from the
ground station on the earth. This process is known as uplink.
▪ The second stage involves transponders such as radio receivers,
amplifiers, and transmitters. These transponders boost the incoming
signal and change its frequency so that the outgoing signals are not
altered. Depending on the incoming signal sources, the
transponders vary.
▪ The final stage involves a downlink in which the data is sent to the
other end of the receiver on the earth. It is important to understand
that usually, there is one uplink and multiple downlinks.
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