Unit I
Introduction
By
Dr. A Rajesh
Introduction
Computer Networks and Benefits
Evolution of Network
Types of Networks
Networks Categories
Networks Elements
Networks Topologies
Network Transmission Media
COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS
The term telecommunication means communication at
a distance.
The word data refers to information presented in
whatever form is agreed upon by the parties creating
and using the data.
Computer Communications (Data Communications)
are the exchange of data between two devices via some
form of transmission medium such as a wire cable.
NETWORKS
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.
Computer Communications and Networks
What is the Computer Network?
A communication network is a set of nodes connected by links
and able to communicate with one another.
A computer network is a communication network in which nodes
are computers.
Components
Sender
Message
Receiver
Medium
Protocol
Benefits of Computer Networks
Resources Sharing
File Sharing
Peripheral Sharing
Software Sharing with multi-user licenses.
Shared Internet Access
Networks -Types
Local Area Networks
A LAN is a group of computers connected in small
geographical area
Allow users to share files and services
Wide Area Networks
A WAN is a group of computers connected in Large
geographical area such as country
A WAN often connects two LANs (WAN Link)
Metropolitan Area Networks
A MAN connects an area larger than a LAN but smaller than
a WAN, such as a city, with dedicated or high-performance
hardware
A heterogeneous network made of
four WANs and two LANs
Network Categories
Two basic types of networks
Peer-to-Peer Networks
Client/Server Networks
Peer-to-Peer Networks
In a peer-to-peer network, all
computers are considered equal;
they all have the same abilities to
use the resources available on the
network.
Example : Windows Workgroup
Client/Server Networks
Some nodes (SERVER) are dedicated to present
services to other nodes (CLIENTS)
Examples:
Mail Server
Web Server
Client Server Model
Initiates a request
Client Replies with a service
Server
Client
Client
What do you need to build a computer
network?
Computers / Peripherals
NICs
Connecting Media
Networking Device(s)
Routers
Switches
Bridges
Hubs
Software
Protocols
Communication rules that all entity must agree on
Network Topologies
Topology refers to the shape of a network, or the
network's layout.
Type of connection
How different nodes in a network are connected to each
other and how they communicate are determined by the
network's topology.
The choice of topology is dependent upon
Type and number of equipment being used
Cost
Network Topologies
Computer networks topologies
Bus
Star
Ring
Mesh
Hybrid
Bus Topology
All devices are connected to a central cable, called the
bus or backbone.
Bus Topology
Both ends of the network must be terminated with a
terminator.
A barrel connector can be used to extend the
network.
Bus Topology
The backbone functions as a shared communication
medium
Device wanting to communicate with another device on
the network sends a message onto the backbone
The message is heard by all stations, but only the
intended recipient actually accepts and processes the
message.
Terminator absorbs frames at end of medium
Frame Transmission - Bus LAN
Example:
Station C want to
transmit a frame of data
to station A.
Bus Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Simple, easy to use and construct
Requires least amount of cable (less expensive)
Disadvantages
A faulty cable will take the entire LAN down
Difficult to troubleshoot
Heavy network traffic can slow bus considerably
Star Topology
A physical Star topology connects the devices via a
centralized unit such as a Hub or Switch.
Nodes communicate across the network by passing data
through the central device.
Star Types
Broadcasted Star
Topology (Hubbed Star)
Switched Star Topology
(Switched Star)
Star Advantages
Single computer failure doesn’t bring down whole
network
Adding new devices to a Star network is very simple
compared to any of the other topologies
No disruptions to the network when connecting or
removing devices.
Centralized control
Centralized network/hub monitoring
Easy to troubleshoot
Star Disadvantages
If central device fails, the whole network fails
Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally
requires more cable
More expensive than linear bus topologies because of
the cost of the central device
Ring Topology
All devices are connected to one another in the shape of
a closed loop, so that each device is connected directly
to two other devices, one on either side of it.
Data is passed one way from device to device.
Ring Topology
A short message (called a token) is circulated around the
ring, being passed from station to station.
The token originates from a controller or master station
which inserts it onto the ring.
A station which wants to transmit waits for the token to
arrive.
When the token arrives, the station changes it from a token
to a connector message, and appends its message. This new
message is then placed on the outgoing side of the ring.
Ring Topology
Each station passes on received tokens if they have nothing to
transmit.
They monitor connector messages to see if the message is
addressed to them.
If connector messages are addressed to them, they copy the
message, modify it to signify its receipt, then send it on around
the ring.
Connector messages which are not addressed to them are passed
directly on to the next station in the ring.
When the connector message travels full circle and arrives at the
original sending station, it checks the message to see if it's been
received. It then discards the message and replaces it with a
token.
Frame Transmission - Ring LAN
Frame Transmission - Ring LAN
Frame Transmission - Ring LAN
Frame Transmission - Ring LAN
Ring Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Equal access for all users
Perform well under heavy traffic
Disadvantages
If one device/cable fails then the whole network goes down.
Difficult to troubleshoot
Adding/Removing computers disrupts the whole network
Mesh Topology
In a mesh topology each device/PC is connected to
every other device/PC in the network by its own cable
Mesh Tye:
Full Mesh
Partial Mesh
Mesh Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages
Mesh topology boasts the highest fault tolerance of all of the
network topologies
Disadvantages
Because each connection needs its own cable a Mesh topology
can get very expensive.
Hybrid Topologies
Hybrid means that there is more
than one topology exist
Stared Bus
Groups of star-configured networks
are connected to a linear bus backbone
Hybrid Advantage and Disadvantage
Advantages:
Network expansion is simple
Disadvantages:
If hub fails connections between failed hub and other
hubs will fail
Network Transmission Media
To transmit data, a medium must exist
The medium can be in the form of cables or wireless
medium
Most common used media for data networks
Twisted pair cable
Coaxial cable
Fiber optic cable
Wireless media
Classes of transmission media
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