Module II: Computer Networks:

Introduction to networking, Components,

Classification & Types of networks, Network
Topologies, Advantages, Disadvantages, LAN
Concepts.
 
Introduction to Networking

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Bandwidth –
what you can use to transfer data over the network
Broadcast (transfer) –
sends data to every other host on the network
Client
requests services (Client OS would be Windows 8, Server OS
would be Windows Server 2012)
Data Center
central area that contains central computers, servers, storage,
and networking. A Dat a Center Network interconnects all
data center resources together
Data Transfer Rate –
Or Data Rate, how fast data can be transferred (Gbps,
Mbps, Kbps).
Device
Refers to either a laptop (client device or Endpoint), or a
switch or appliance (network device). A wired device can
be a desktop computer or laptop/gaming console
connecting via Ethernet. A wireless device can be a
mobile phone, tablet, laptop/gaming console that
connects wirelessly.
IP Address –
Internet Protocol - a series of numbers that uniquely
identifies a client device, based on the default gateway
(e.g. 192.168.1.1 – “192.168.1” is the Network ID, and the
ending “1” is the Host ID)
Packet –a formatted unit of data carried by the
network. Contains control information like addresses,
as well as user data
Router –used to connect multiple devices together,
and communicate between two networks (home and
internet or WAN)
Servers –Fulfills services; more powerful computers
that provide centralized services (File, Print, Database,
Network controller, Messaging/Email, Web)
OSI –Open Systems Interconnection is divided into 7 layers and is used
to define how data communications occur between devices
Layer 1 –Physical Layer (Bits) – Physical network media and signal
methods
Layer 2 –Data Link Layer (Frame) – Provides error-free transfer of data
frames
Layer 3 –Network Layer (Packet) - Manages data routing and creating sub
networks
Layer 4 –Transport Layer (Segment) – Manages message fragmentation
and reassembly
Layer 5- Session Layer (Data) – Establishes a communication session
between devices
Layer 6 –Presentation Layer (Data) – Translates data into a common
format
Layer 7- Application Layer (Data) – Enables users and applications to
access network services
OSI MODEL
What is a Network?

A network consists of 2 or more computers

connected together, and they can communicate
and share resources (e.g. information)

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Types of Network
• Depending on one’s perspective, we can
classify networks in different ways
• Based on transmission media: Wired (UTP, coaxial
cables, fiber-optic cables) and Wireless
• Based on network size: LAN and WAN (and MAN)
• Based on management method: Peer-to-peer and
Client/Server
• Based on topology (connectivity): Bus, Star, Ring
…

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Transmission Media

Two main categories:

Wired :-wires, cables
Wireless :-wireless transmission, e.g. radio,
microwave, infrared, sound, sonar
Wired Transmission Media
Twisted-Pair cables:
 Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cables
 Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) cables
Coaxial cables
Fiber-optic cables

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Twisted-Pair Cables
A type of cable that consists of two independently
insulated wires twisted around one another.
 The use of two wires twisted together helps to reduce
crosstalk and electromagnetic induction.
While twisted-pair cable is used by older telephone
networks and is the least expensive type of local-area
network (LAN) cable, most networks contain some
twisted-pair cabling at some point along the network.
Other types of cables used for LANs include coaxial
cables and fiber optic cables.

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Shielded Twisted-Pair Cables
Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP)
Typically wrapped inside a plastic cover (for mechanical
protection)
A sample UTP cable with 5 unshielded twisted pairs of wires

Insulator Metal

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Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP)
STP cables are similar to UTP cables, except there is
a metal foil or braided-metal-mesh cover that
encases each pair of insulated wires

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Coaxial Cables
In general, coaxial cables, or coax, carry signals of
higher freq (100KHz–500MHz) than UTP cables
Outer metallic wrapping serves both as a shield
against noise and as the second conductor that
completes the circuit

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LAN and WAN
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Small network, short distance
• A room, a floor, a building
• Limited by no. of computers and distance covered
• Usually one kind of technology throughout the LAN
• Serve a department within an organization

• Examples:
• Network inside the Student Computer Room
• Network inside your home.

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Local Area Networks
Computer network connecting computers
and other devices in a workgroup,
department, building or campus.
File Server
 device which controls access to separately stored files,
as part of a multi-user system.
LAN
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
• A network that uses long-range telecommunication links to connect 2
or more LANs/computers housed in different places far apart.
• Towns, states, countries
• Examples:
• Network of our Campus
Your home
• Internet

USA
WAN
Student Computer
Centre

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WAN
Wide Area Networks
Difference LAN and WAN
The primary difference between the two is that a LAN
is generally confined to a limited geographical area.
A WAN covers a large geographical area. Most WANs
are made up of several connected LANs.
Peer-to-Peer Networks
• Peer-to-peer network is also called workgroup
• No hierarchy among computers  all are
equal
• No administrator responsible for the network

Peer-to-peer

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• Advantages of peer-to-peer networks:
• Low cost
• Simple to configure
• User has full accessibility of the computer

• Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks:

• May have duplication in resources
• Difficult to uphold security policy
• Difficult to handle uneven loading

• Where peer-to-peer network is appropriate:

• 10 or less users
• No specialized services required
• Security is not an issue
• Only limited growth in the foreseeable future
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Clients and Servers
• Network Clients (Workstation)
• Computers that request network resources or services
• Network Servers
• Computers that manage and provide network resources and services to
clients
• Usually have more processing power, memory and hard disk space
than clients
• Run Network Operating System that can manage not only data, but
also users, groups, security, and applications on the network
• Servers often have a more stringent requirement on its
performance and reliability

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Client Server Network
• Advantages of client/server networks
• Facilitate resource sharing – centrally administrate and control
• Facilitate system backup and improve fault tolerance
• Enhance security – only administrator can have access to Server
• Support more users – difficult to achieve with peer-to-peer
networks

• Disadvantages of client/server networks

• High cost for Servers
• Need expert to configure the network
• Introduce a single point of failure to the system

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Peer To peer Vs Client Server
Basic Network Components
Servers - Servers are computers that hold shared files,
programs, and the network operating system.
Servers provide access to network resources to all the
users of the network.
There are many different kinds of servers, and one
server can provide several functions.
 For example, there are file servers, print servers, mail
servers, communication servers, database servers,
print servers, fax servers and web servers.
Clients - Clients are computers that access and use
the network and shared network resources. Client
computers are basically the customers(users) of the
network, as they request and receive services from the
servers.
Transmission Media - Transmission media are the
facilities used to interconnect computers in a network,
such as twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, and optical
fiber cable. Transmission media are sometimes called
channels, links or lines.
Network Interface Card - Each computer in a network has a
special expansion card called a network interface card (NIC).
The NIC prepares(formats) and sends data, receives data, and
controls data flow between the computer and the network.
On the transmit side, the NIC passes frames of data on to the
physical layer, which transmits the data to the physical link.
On the receiver's side, the NIC processes bits received from
the physical layer and processes the message based on its
contents.
Network Interface Card
Local Operating System - A local operating system
allows personal computers to access files, print to a
local printer, and have and use one or more disk and
CD drives that are located on the computer.
Examples are MS-DOS, Unix, Linux, Windows 2000,
Windows 98, Windows XP etc.
Network Operating System - The network operating
system is a program that runs on computers and
servers, and allows the computers to communicate
over the network.
Hub -
Hubs are used to build a LAN by connecting different
computers in a star/hierarchal network topology.
 Hub is a device that splits a network connection into
multiple computers.
It is like a distribution center. When a computer request
information from a network or a specific computer, it
sends the request to the hub through a cable.
The hub will receive the request and transmit it to the
entire network.
Hub
Switch - Switch is a telecommunication device
grouped as one of computer network components.
Switch is like a Hub but built in with advanced
features.
 It uses physical device addresses in each incoming
messages so that it can deliver the message to the right
destination or port.
Like a hub, switch doesn't broadcast the received
message to entire network, rather before sending it
checks to which system or port should the message be
sent
Router

A router is a networking device, commonly specialized

hardware, that forwards data packets between
computer networks.
 This creates an overlay internetwork, as a router is
connected to two or more data lines from different
networks.
When a data packet comes in one of the lines, the
router reads the address information in the packet to
determine its ultimate destination.
NETWORK
TOPOLOGIES
Network Topology (or layout) – refers to the way computers
and peripherals are configured to form networks
Bus topology – all computers are linked by a single line of
cable
Star topology – multiple computers and peripheral
devices are linked to a central computer, called a host

Ring topology – each computer or workstation is

connected to two other computers, with the entire
network forming a circle
Hybrid topology – combine network layout
types to meet their needs
Topology ― 3 basic types
• How so many computers are connected
together?
Bus Topology Ring Topology

Star Topology

Hub

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Bus
Single cable connects all network nodes without
intervening connectivity devices
Devices share responsibility for getting data from one
point to another
Terminators stop signals after reaching end of wire
Prevent signal bounce
Inexpensive, not very scalable
Difficult to troubleshoot, not fault-tolerant
Fault tolerance
Fault tolerance is the property that enables a system to
continue operating properly in the event of the failure of
some of its components.
Network Troubleshooting 
Network troubleshooting is the collective measures and
processes used to identify, diagnose and resolve problems
and issues within a computer network.
It is a systematic process that aims to resolve problems
and restore normal network operations within the
network.
Bus (continued)
Advantages of Bus Topology
Works well for small networks
Relatively inexpensive to implement
Easy to add to it
Disadvantages of
Bus Topology
Management costs can be high
Potential for congestion with network traffic
Ring topology

Ring topology
 Each node is connected to the two nearest nodes so the entire
network forms a circle
 One method for passing data on ring networks is token passing
Active topology
 Each workstation transmits data
Ring
Advantages of Ring Topology
Easier to manage; easier to locate a defective node or
cable problem
Well-suited for transmitting signals over long
distances on a LAN
Handles high-volume network traffic
Enables reliable communication
Disadvantages of
Ring Topology
Expensive
Requires more cable and network equipment at the
start
Not used as widely as bus topology
Fewer equipment options
Fewer options for expansion to high-speed
communication
Star topology
Every node on the network is connected through a
central device
Star (continued)
Any single cable connects only two devices
Cabling problems affect two nodes at most
Requires more cabling than ring or bus networks
More fault-tolerant
Easily moved, isolated, or interconnected with
other networks
Supports max of 1024 addressable nodes on
logical network
Star
Advantages of Star Topology
Good option for modern networks
Low startup costs
Easy to manage
Offers opportunities for expansion
Most popular topology in use; wide variety of
equipment available
Disadvantages of
Star Topology
Hub is a single point of failure
Requires more cable than the bus
Hybrid Physical Topologies:
Star-Wired Ring
Star-Wired Bus