Network Engineering 1A:

(NWEG5111)
Lecturer : Maodza Brian (PhD Student; MSc; BSc)
Email : bmaodza02@gmail.com
Cell : 0672836216
INTRODUCTION

• In this module you will cover basic theoretical concepts of network architecture,
which include topologies, protocols, media and network standards and models.

• The theoretical knowledge and practical experience in configuration and the

troubleshooting of local area networks provide a foundation for all areas of
Information and Communications Technology.

• In this learning unit, you will learn about basic computer network concepts and
models.
• Not only will a solid understanding of these concepts and models assist you in
developing an understanding of the functions and roles of each layer within the
models, they will also improve your knowledge of computer networking in
general.

• The relationship between TCP/IP and the computer network model layers, is also
important to assist you with network design.

WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

• Two hours of lectures

• Two hours Lab Work

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:

• Define the basic terminology of computer networks;

• Explain the components of computer networks;

• Explain how the reasons for a network model apply to current network system;

• Discuss the reasons for using a network model;

• Explain what data communication is and describe the types of communication

systems;
• Explain the fundamental characteristics of an effective data communication
system;

• Outline the components of a communication system in the context of computer

networks;

• Explain how the reasons for a network model apply to current network systems;

• Describe the roles and functions of each layer of the TCP/ IP Protocol model;

• Describe the roles and functions of each layer of the OSI model;

• Compare the OSI and TCP/IP models.

• Module Outline
The module will cover the following:

Unit 1 : Introduction to Computer Networks, Data Communication and Network Engineering

Unit 2 : Fundamentals of Data and Signals
Unit 3 : Network Media
Unit 4 : Network Connections and Connectivity.
Unit 5 : Local Area Networks.
Unit 6 : Introduction to Metropolitan Area Networks and Wide Area Networks.
Unit 7 : Voice and Data Delivery Networks
Unit 8 : Network Security
Unit 9 : Design and Management of Networks
Details of assessment

Overall unit pass mark is equal to or greater than 50%

Consultations ,Tutorials

• During Lab/ Tutorial classes, you are expected to work on tutorial/Lab

problems and/or activities, which will be shared with you .

• The primary time for consultation is during the tutorial classes. Urgent
issues can be sent via email.
Assignment Work

• All work submitted by a team must be solely the work of that team.

• All work submitted by an individual must solely be the work of that individual.

• If any student or team of students submits work which is not their own, they will
be disciplined according to the University and Faculty policies.
Computer Networking Fundamentals

What is a Network ?

A computer or data network is a collection of two or more devices connected

together over cable or wireless media to communicate and share resources.

A resource is anything that a person on one computer may want to access on a

different computer.

 
• People create networks to share and access a wide range of resources and
services, including files, emails, databases, applications, telephony and
hardware such as hard drives and printers.

• The people who access and use the network are called users or end users and
the people who take care of the network are called network administrators, or
simply administrators.
 Computer Networks Today
• Among all of the essentials for human existence, the need to interact with
others ranks just below our need to sustain life.
• Communication is almost as important to us as our reliance on air, water,
food, and shelter.
• The creation and interconnection of robust data networks has had a
profound effect on communication, and has become the new platform on
which modern communications occur.
• Networks are helping to create a world in which national borders,
geographic distances, and physical limitations become less relevant.

• Networks have changed the way people work, the way we learn, the
way we play, the way we communicate & the way we work.
Activity
• Discuss how networks have affected:
i. The way we communicate
ii. The way we work.
iii. The way we play
 Common networking terms
• Node - Refers  to a single device such as a computer, server or printer that is
connected to a network. It might be called a station on a wireless network and
it is typically used by end users on a regular basis.

• A host is a node or another device such as a router that is assigned a unique

TCP/IP network address that enables it to communicate with other hosts
connected to the network.
• Transmission is the process of transmitting data signals or the progress of those
data signals after having been transmitted. 

• Transmission media are the communication pathways that carry the data signals
between devices. 

• Wired (bounded or guided) transmission media involve sending data through a

cable using light or electrical signals between nodes. 

• Wireless (unbounded or unguided) transmission media involve sending data

over the air using radio, microwave or infrared signals between nodes.
• Internetwork device - A device such as a switch or wireless access point that
connects nodes to each other and to the local network.

• Segment- A part of the network, a single length of cable, or more technically, an

electrical connection between devices that share a communication pathway,
such as cable between a computer and a switch.

• A network is broken up (segmented) to cope with the restrictions placed on the

media by standards and to improve network performance and security.
• Data communications - The transfer of data using analogue or digital signals.

• Link - An active connection created over media between devices.

• Backborne - The fast link that connects segments and shared devices (such as
routers, switches and servers) on a LAN. Backbones are also created between
LANs, between WANs, and between networks and the Internet by internetwork
devices.
• Server- is a computer or system that provides resources, data, services, or
programs to other computers, known as clients, over a network. In theory,
whenever computers share resources with client machines they are considered
servers.
• Router - is a device that communicates between the internet and the devices in
your home that connect to the internet. As its name implies, it “routes” traffic
between the devices and the internet.
• Switch – is a device facilitate the sharing of resources by connecting together all
the devices, including computers, printers, and servers, in a small business
network.
Activity
• Discuss the different types of servers.
• Discuss the differences between switch and a router
• Example of a network
 Common Examples of Communications Networks
1. The desktop and Internet

It has a computer that has a fixed on the desk and its connection to the network
using a cable .
2. A laptop and a wireless connection
This is the network that uses wireless connection for laptops and other portable
devices like Smartphones , tablets, laptops etc.
3. Cell phone system
• This allows smartphone and cell phone users to make calls, communicate
using sms and have access to mobile broadband data.
4. Television Satellite system
 Convergence in Networks

• Convergence in networking occurs when one network provider delivers

networking services for voice, data, and video in a single network offering,
instead of providing a separate network for each of these services.
Activity
• Discuss the benefits and challenges of implementing covegence
Benefits
• Consistent performance on the same network
• Universal security
• Easy to manage and reduces cost
Challenges
• Security
• If the link goes down all services wont be available.
• Constraint due to competing standards.
 Network Models
• Network models divide the networks into layers which divides the process of
sending and receiving data into small tasks.

• Each layer defines what services either hardware or software provides.

• The most common models are : TCP/IP protocol suite(Internet model) and the
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model.
• Discuss the benefits of network models
 TCP/IP Protocol Suite

• TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol. TCP/IP

Protocol Stack is specifically designed as a model to offer highly reliable and
end-to-end byte stream over an unreliable internetwork.
 Essential characteristics of TCP/IP protocols
• Support for a flexible TCP/IP architecture

• Adding more system to a network is easy.

• In TCP/IP, the network remains intact until the source, and destination machines were
functioning properly.

• TCP is a connection-oriented protocol.

• TCP offers reliability and ensures that data which arrives out of sequence should put
back into order.

• TCP allows you to implement flow control, so sender never overpowers a receiver with
data.
The Layers of the TCP/IP Protocol Suite
 OSI Reference Model

• The OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection Model) is a conceptual

framework used to describe the functions of a networking system.

• The OSI model characterizes computing functions into a universal set of

rules and requirements in order to support interoperability between
different products and software.
Layers of the Model
Activity
• Discuss the functions of the Internet Model Layers
• Discuss the differences between the Internet Model and the OSI
Model
References
• https://www.guru99.com/tcp-ip-model.html