PGDM TRI MESTER I

Computer Networks
Learning Objectives
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Define the basic terminology of computer networks
Recognize the individual components of the big
picture of computer networks
Outline the basic network connections
Define the term convergence and describe how it
applies to computer networks
Communication software and protocols
Network topology
Introduction
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Who today has not used a computer network?
Mass transit, interstate highways, 24-hour bankers,
grocery stores, cable television, cell phones,
businesses and schools, and retail outlets support
some form of computer network
Computer network an interconnection of computers and
computing equipment using either wires or radio waves
over small or large geographic areas

The Language of Computer Networks
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Types:
Personal area network a network spanning an area of a
few meters around an individual. Include devices such as
PDAs, laptops, and wireless connections.
Local area network networks that are small in geographic
size spanning a room, floor, building, or campus
Metropolitan area network networks that serve an area of
upto 30 miles, approximately the size of a typical city
Wide area network a large network that encompasses parts
of states, multiple states, countries, and the world
The Language of Computer Networks (cont.)
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Voice network a network that transmits telephone
signals
Data network a network that transmits computer
data
The merging of voice and data networks is termed
convergence.

The Language of Computer Networks (cont.)
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Data communications the transfer of digital or
analog data using digital or analog signals
Issues:
Data and Signal
Multiplexing
Compression
Error detection and control
Network management the design, installation, and
support of a network, including its hardware and
software
The Big Picture of Networks
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The Big Picture of Networks
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Networks are composed of many devices, including:
Workstations (computers, telephones)
Servers (store network software and shared or private user
files)
Network hubs and switches (bridges)
Routers (LAN to WAN and WAN to WAN)
Telephone switching gear
High speed transmission lines

Communications Networks Basic Connections
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Computer terminal / microcomputer-to-mainframe
Microcomputer-to-local area network
Microcomputer-to-Internet
Local area network-to-local area network
Personal area network-to-workstation
Local area network-to-metropolitan area network
Local area network-to-wide area network
Sensor-to-local area network
Satellite and microwave
Wireless telephone and wired telephone to network


Terminal/Microcomputer-to-Mainframe Computer
Connections
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Predominant form in
the 1960s and 1970s
Still used in many
types of businesses
for data entry and
data retrieval
Usually involves a
low-speed connection

Microcomputer-to-Local Area Network
Connections
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Highly common throughout business and academic
environments, and now homes
Objective: Resource sharing
Typically a medium- to high-speed connection
Computer (device) requires a NIC (network interface
card)
NIC connects to a hub-like device
Other issues:
Client/server system
Wireless LAN

Microcomputer-to-Local Area Network
Connections
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Microcomputer-to-Internet Connections
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Popular with home users and small businesses
Often a dial-up modem is used to connect users microcomputer to an
Internet service provider (ISP)
Technologies such as DSL and cable modems are replacing modems for
higher speeds.

LAN to LAN Connections
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Found in systems that have two or more LANs and a
need for them to intercommunicate
A bridge-like device (such as a switch) is typically
used to interconnect LANs
Switch can filter out traffic.


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LAN to LAN Connections
PAN -to-Workstation Connections
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Interconnects wireless devices such as PDAs, laptops
and notebooks, and music playback devices
Used over short distances such as a few meters

LAN-to-MAN Connections
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Used to interconnect companies (usually their local area networks) to
networks that encompass a city
High-speed networks using fiber-optic links
They can transfer data at fast, LAN speeds but over larger geographic
regions than typically associated with a LAN.

LAN-to-WAN Connections
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One of the most common ways to interconnect a user on a LAN
workstation to the Internet (a wide area network)
A router is the typical device that performs LAN to WAN connections
Routers are more complex devices than switches


WAN-to-WAN Connections
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High-speed routers and switches are used to connect
one wide area network to another
Internet: Collection of thousands of networks.
Issues:
Addressing
Sensor-to-Local Area Network Connections
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Often found in industrial and laboratory environments
Assembly lines and robotic controls depend heavily on
sensor-based local area networks

Satellite and Microwave Connections
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Typically long distance wireless connections
Many types of applications including long distance
telephone, television, radio, long-haul data transfers,
and wireless data services
Typically expensive services but many companies
offer competitive services and rates

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Satellite and Microwave Connections
(continued)
Wireless Telephone Connections
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Constantly expanding market across the U.S. and
world
Third generation services available in many areas
and under many types of plans

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Wireless Telephone Connections (continued)
CORPORATE NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
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Todays corporate
network infrastructure
is a collection of many
different networks
from the public
switched telephone
network, to the
Internet, to corporate
local area networks
linking workgroups,
departments, or office
floors.
Convergence
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As a process of coming together toward single point.
Voice transmission systems converging with data
transmission systems. telephone-to-network
Telephone systems are now carry more data than voice
Common configuration telephone connected to POTS
Newer configuration (VoIP) telephone-to-LAN via gateway or
telephone to gateway via DSL/cable
Cell phones can act as Web phones
Television sets connect to Internet
Wireless technologies combined in same device
enhance functionality

Packet switching
Method of slicing digital messages into parcels (packets), sending
packets along different communication paths as they become
available, and then reassembling packets at destination
Circuit-switched networks: requires complete point-to-point circuit as in
telephone system.
Packet switched: More efficient use of networks communications
capacity

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Communications Software and Protocols
Communications protocol: set of rules that governs the
exchange of information over a communications channel
The principal functions of protocols in a network are
Line access concerns how the sending device gains access to the
network to send a message.
Collision avoidance refers to managing message transmission so that
two messages do not collide with each other on the network.
Other functions of protocols are
to identify each device in the communication path,
to verify correct receipt of the transmitted message,
to verify that a message requires retransmission because it cannot be
correctly interpreted, and
to perform recovery when errors occur.

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TCP/IP
The Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP) is a protocol for
sending information across
sometimes-unreliable networks
with the assurance that it will
arrive in uncorrupted form.
TCP/IP allows efficient and
reasonably error free
transmission between different
systems and is the standard
protocol of the Internet and
intranets.

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TCP/IP
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Communications Software and Protocols
Common Telecommunications Protocols
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Communications Software
Network operating system (NOS): systems software that
controls computer systems and devices on a network and allows them
to communicate with each other
Network-management software : It performs functions
that decrease the human resources needed to manage the network.
These functions reduce time spent on routine tasks, such as remote,
electronic installation of new software on many devices across a
network.
They also provide faster response to network problems, greater
control over the network, and remote diagnosing of problems in
devices connected to the network.
Scans for viruses and Ensures compliance with software licenses

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Network Topology
The topology of a network is the physical layout and
connectivity of a network. Specific protocols, are
often used on specific topologies.
There are several basic network topologies:
star,
bus,
ring,
mesh, and
hierarchical.
Networks that combine more than one type (such as a ring
segment connected to a star segment) are considered
hybrid topologies
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Network Topology
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Topology
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