UNIT-1

An Introduction to Computer Network

Shyam B. Verma
(Assistant Professor)
1-1 DATA COMMUNICATIONS

Data communications are the exchange of data

between two devices via some form of transmission
medium such as a wire cable.
A network is a set of devices (often referred to as
nodes) connected by communication links.
A node can be a computer, printer, or any other
device capable of sending and/or receiving data
generated by other nodes on the network.
A link can be a cable, air, optical fiber, or any
medium which can transport a signal carrying
information.
 1.1.1 Components
A data communications system has five components:
1. Message
2. Sender
3. Receiver
4. Transmission Medium
5. protocols
Figure 1.1: Five components of data communication
 Data Representation

Information today comes in different forms such as:

• Text
• Numbers
• Images
• Audio
• Video
Three Categories of Connecting Devices
 Hubs
• A hub is a device that operates only in the physical
layer.
• Signals that carry information within a network can
travel a fixed distance before attenuation endangers
the integrity of the data.
• A repeater receives a signal and, before it becomes
too weak or corrupted, regenerates and retimes the
original bit pattern.
 Link-Layer Switches
• A link-layer switch (or switch) operates in both the
physical and the data-link layers.
• As a physical-layer device, it regenerates the signal
it receives.
• As a link-layer device, the link-layer switch can
check the MAC addresses (source and destination)
contained in the frame.
Learning switch
 Routers

• We will discuss routers in Unit-3 when we discuss

the network layer. In this section, we mention routers
to compare them with a two-layer switch and a hub.
• A router is a three-layer device; it operates in the
physical, data-link, and network layers.
NETWORK MODELS
Tasks involved in sending a letter
OSI Reference Model
An exchange using the OSI model
Functions of Physical Layer
Physical characteristics
Representation of bits
Data rate
Synchronization of bits
Line Configuration
Physical topology
Transmission mode
Functions of Data Link Layer
Framing
Physical addressing
Flow control
Error control
Access control
Functions of Network Layer
Logical addressing
Routing/Switching
Source to destination connectivity
Congestion control
Fragmentation
 Responsibilities of Transport Layer
End to End connectivity (Process to process delivery of
entire message) [Service Point Addressing-SPA]
Multiplexing/De-multiplexing
Congestion control
Flow control
Error control
Segmentation and reassembly
Session, Presentation, and Application layers
The Session layer is responsible for dialog control and
synchronization.

The Presentation layer is responsible for translation,

compression, and encryption.

The Application layer is responsible for providing

services to the user.
 Network virtual terminal
 File transfer, access & management
 Mail services
 Directory services
Summary of OSI Model
TCP/IP Model
SCTP [Stream Control Transmission Protocol] is a connection oriented protocol &
provides full duplex transmission of stream.
FTP: File Transfer Protocol
SMTP: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
DNS: Domain Name System
SNMP: Simple Network Management protocol
Signal Levels Vs Data Levels
Line Coding Schemes
 Note

In unipolar encoding, we use only one voltage

level.

120
 Note

In polar encoding, we use two voltage levels:

positive & negative

122
• Return to Zero (RZ) is a binary bit stream encoding scheme in which the signal
returns to zero voltage in between the data bits.
• A bit 0 is represented by negative voltage and bit 1 is represented by positive voltage.
 Manchester Encoding
There are two types of conventions in Manchester encoding:
1. Dr. Thomas: In this manchester encoding 0 is represented as low-to-
high and 1 is represented as high-to-low.

2. IEEE802.3: In this manchester encoding, 0 is represented as high-to-

low and 1 is represented as low-to-high.

Application of Manchester Encoding:

• It is used for IR protocols, RFID, and NFC system.
• Manchester Encoding is transparent.
• There is no signal-dropping issue.
 Differential Manchester Encoding
• It is also known as the Biphase mark code, etc.
• The presence and absence of the transition indicate the value.
• In  Differential Manchester Encoding 0 should contain an edge but 1
should not contain any edge it should be continuous.
 Manchester Encoding

130
 Differential Manchester Encoding

131
 Note

In Manchester and differential Manchester

encoding, the transition
at the middle of the bit is used for
synchronization.

132
 Note

In bipolar encoding, we use three levels:

positive, zero, and negative.

135
Alternate Mark Inversion :A binary '0' is represented by no signal and a 'binary 1' as a positive or
negative pulse.  The pulses corresponding to the binary 1's must have an alternating polarity.

Pseudoternary:
A binary '1' is represented by no signal and a binary '0' as a positive or negative pulse. The pulses
corresponding to the binary 0's must have an alternating polarity.
 ADVANTAGES

• There is no synchronization problem (binary 1 string in AMI and binary

0 string in Pseudoternaries ).
• There is no continuous component (string of 1 in AMI and string of 0 in
Pseudoternaries).
• Bandwidth is lower compared to NRZ.
• Error detection is easy due to the alternation between the pulses.
Optical Fibre Transmission Mode
Source-to-destination data transfer in a circuit-switch network
Delays in a circuit-switched network

Data transfer
Setup request in a virtual-circuit network
Setup acknowledgment in a virtual-circuit network
Delay in a virtual-circuit network
Integrated Digital Network
 Benefits to Subscribers
Single access line for all services
Ability to tailor service purchased to suit needs
Competition among equipment vendors due to
standards
Availability of competitive service providers