Computer Networks

Introduction

Prof. Dr. Ehsan Munir

Department of Computer Science
COMSATS University Islamabad, Wah Campus
ehsanmunnir@gmail.com

The slides are adapted from the publisher’s material

Data Communications and Networking by Behrouz A. Forouzan, 5th edition
Data and Computer Communications by William Stallings, 8th Edition
Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach by J F Kurose, K W Ross, 7th Edition
Computer Networks, by L. Peterson, and B. Davie, 5th edition
Network Criteria

◼ Performance
◼ Depends on Network Elements
◼ Measured in terms of Delay and Throughput
◼ Reliability
◼ Failure rate of network components
◼ Measured in terms of availability/robustness
◼ Security
◼ Data protection against corruption/loss of data due to:
◼ Errors
◼ Malicious users
Types of Networks
◼ Local Area Network (LAN)
◼ Links the nodes in a single office, building or
campus (usually less than 1 km)
◼ Wide Area Network (WAN)
◼ Links the nodes in states, countries or in the
whole world (world wide)
◼ Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
◼ Between LAN and WAN
◼ Links the nodes in a town or city (tens of kms)
◼ HAN, PAN, SAN
3
LAN

4
A heterogeneous network made of four WANs and two LANs