Computer Networking
Topic: Fundamentals of Computer Networking
Source: Feleke Merin (Dr. – Engr.)
Senior Asst. Professor
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 1
Computer Networking Fundamentals
Objectives
After reading this chapter and completing the exercises, you will be able to:
Define Computer Network
Describe Network Benefits and Services
Identify Basic Network Elements
Differentiate various Data Transmission Modes
Compare Baseband vs Broadband
Categorize Computer Networks
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 2
Computer Network Definition
A group of computers
(hosts/nodes) and computer
peripherals connected via a
transmission media and
connecting devices
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 3
Network Benefits
1. Sharing Hardware Resources by multiple users
(reduce cost of hardware purchases)
• Printer 2. Sharing Software Resources
• Scanner • File Sharing
• Processor • Databases
• Applications
• Storage
Note: Software Sharing allows to use same software over network instead of
purchasing separate licensed software for each client in a network.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 4
Network Benefits (contd.)
3. Easy and Cheap Communication
4. Centralized Data administration
The data of all network users can be saved on hard disk of the server computer.
5. Maintain Data Security
6. Provides Internet Sharing
Local Area Network provides the facility to share a single internet connection among all the LAN
users. In Net Cafes, single internet connection sharing system keeps the internet expenses cheaper.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 5
Basic Network (or Data Communication) Elements
End Devices
Communicating with each other
(Send/Receive)
Connecting Devices
Switches, Routers, and Access Points
Medium
How devices connected?
Messages
Information travelling through network
Protocols
Rules governing information transfer SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 6
Data Transmission Modes
Simplex
Half-Duplex
Full-Duplex
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 7
Data Transmission Modes (contd.)
In simplex mode,
Communication is unidirectional, Only one of the two devices on a link can
transmit; the other can only receive
Examples of simplex devices: Keyboards and traditional monitors.
The keyboard can only introduce input; the monitor can only accept output.
The simplex mode can use the entire capacity of the channel to send data in one
direction.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 8
Data Transmission Modes (contd.)
In half-duplex mode,
Each station can both transmit and receive, but not at the same time.
(When one device is sending, the other can only receive, and vice versa )
The entire capacity of the channel can be utilized for each direction.
Examples of half-duplex devices: Walkie-talkies and CB (citizens band)
radios are both half-duplex systems.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 9
Data Transmission Modes (contd.)
In full-duplex mode,
Both stations can transmit and receive simultaneously
In full-duplex mode, signals going in one direction share the capacity of the
link with signals going in the other direction.
The capacity of the channel, must be divided between the two directions.
Example of full-duplex communication is the telephone network.
When two people are communicating by a telephone line, both can talk and
listen at the same time.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 10
Signal Transmission in a Network
Baseband
Broadband
The whole capacity of the medium
Divides the capacity of network media into
is occupied by the signal multiple channels using multiplexing
One signal at a time on network media Allows several signals
Uses Analog modulated signal
Uses Digital local signal (digital signaling)
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 11
Categorizing Computer Networks
Based on Geographical coverage Area
Local Area Network (LAN)
Metropolitan Area network (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Based on Administration Type
Client-Server based LAN
Peer-to-Peer LAN
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 12
Local Area Network (LAN)
• Connection: Group of computers
connected in small geographical area
• Physical size: less than 3Km (a room,
one building, campus or a site)
• Ownership: Private
• Transmission medium: Wired or
or Wireless
• Date rate: MBPS to GBPS
• Network__Technology Used:
Ethernet
Token Ring SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 13
Computer Network (LAN) Services
Hardware Peripheral Sharing Software Resources Centralization
Printer Files
Scanner Applications (Example: for
Banking, Transport, Medical, etc. )
Processor
Storage
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 14
LAN Components
Hardware
Computers (or nodes)
Transmission media (cables or Air/Vacuum)
Connecting devices (transceiver device, Hub or Switches,
Routers, Bridges, Wireless Access point)
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 15
LAN Components (contd.)
Software
Network Operating system (NOS)
•Novell Netware , Windows, UNIX/Linux
Application programs (Microsoft Office,
Payroll, Bank customer database, etc.)
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 16
LAN Components (contd.)
Network Interface Card (NIC)
Network adapter
Interface between PC and the network cable
Resides in the motherboard of PC
Communicate with PC through the device driver
Contain transmitter/receiver (transceiver)
Wired or wireless (via antenna)
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 17
LAN Components (contd.)
Switch
Forward and filter frames
Work with full duplex communication
Mixture of speeds
One broadcast domain
Each port is a separate collision domain
No collisions
No Sniffing
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 18
LAN Components (contd.)
Wireless Access Point (AP)
Connects “data communication devices” wirelessly in LAN
Transmits “data frames” in the air media
Links wireless part to wired infrastructure
One broadcast domain
One collision domain
Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance
(CSMA/CA)
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 19
LAN Components (contd.)
Router
Redirects packets between networks
Works based on a routing table
Divides network into broadcast domains
Divides network into collision domains
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 20
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Wide Area network
Used to connect LANs at
different geographical locations
(country – to- country,
continent – to continent)
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 21
Wide Area Network (Contd.)
Group of computers connected
in large geographical area
Data transmissionspeed: relat. slow
Under ISP administrative control
Technologies used in WAN:
DSL
X.25
Frame Relay
ATM
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 22
Computer Network (WAN) Services
Web Services
Web Browsing
Web Searching
Social Media
E-mail Exchanging
File Transfer
Voice Calls
Video Conferencing
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 23
LAN Models (based on administration type)
Peer-to-Peer Network and
Client/Server Network
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 24
Peer-2-Peer Computer Network
Every computer can communicate
directly with every other computer.
Each computer can be configured to share
only some of its resources and keep other
resources inaccessible to the network.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 25
Peer-2-Peer Network (CONTD.)
Traditional peer-to-peer networks typically consist of two
or more general-purpose personal computers, with modest
processing capabilities.
Every computer is capable of sending and receiving information to
and from every other computer, as shown in Figure.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 26
Peer-2-Peer Network (CONTD.)
Advantages
They are simple to configure. For this reason, they may be used
in environments in which time or technical expertise is scarce.
They are typically less expensive to set up and maintain
than other types of networks.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 27
Peer-2-Peer Network (CONTD.)
Disadvantages
They are not very flexible. As a peer-to-peer network grows larger,
adding or changing significant elements of the network may be
difficult.
They are also not necessarily secure —meaning that in simple
installations, data and other resources shared by network users
can be easily discovered and used by unauthorized people.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 28
Client/Server Network
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 29
Client/Server Network(Contd.)
Elements Common to Client/Server Networks
Client Protocol
Server Data packets
Network interface card (NIC) Addressing
Network operating system (NOS)
Transmission media
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 30
Client/Server Network(Contd.)
Central computer (server)
Facilitates communication and resource sharing
Clients (other computers)
Personal computers
Known as workstations
Central resource sharing controlled by server
Data sharing, data storage space, devices
No direct sharing of client resources
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 31
Client/Server Network(Contd.)
Computer roles
Server
Clients
Run local applications
Store data locally
Use server shared applications, data, devices
Use server as intermediary
Communication
• Switches or routers
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 32
Client/Server Network(Contd.)
Server requirement
Network operating system
Manages client data, resources
Ensures authorized user access
Controls user file access
Restricts user network access
Dictates computer communication rules
Supplies application to clients
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 33
Client/Server Network(Contd.)
Servers capacity
Usually, servers have more memory, processing, and storage capacity than clients.
Servers may even be equipped with special hardware designed to provide network
management functions (Disk Mirroring, Load balancing, Asset management,
Security auditing, etc.)
Note: For example, a server may contain an extra hard disk and specialized software so that
if the primary hard disk fails, the secondary hard disk automatically takes its place.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 34
Client/Server Network(Contd.)
Advantages relative to peer-to-peer networks
User credential assigned from one place
Multiple shared resource access centrally controlled
Central problem monitoring, diagnostics, correction capabilities
User response time optimization capabilities
Efficient processing on large networks
Scalability
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 35
Client/Server Network(Contd.)
Advantages relative to peer-to-peer networks (contd.)
Popular in medium- and large-scale organizations
Disadvantages relative to peer-to-peer networks
Complex in design and maintenance
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 36
Client/Server VS Peer-2-Peer LANS
Peer-to-Peer Client/Server
Centralization No central server All client machines connect to
central server
Storage Each machine share All files/folders are on dedicated
files equally with others storage on server Client access such
files
Cost Inexpensive Expensive because of server cost
Scalability Home or small office Medium/large enterprises
Operating System Client operating system Server operating system to handle
multiple requests
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 37
LAN Advantages
1. Allows Hardware Resource Sharing
Sharing computer hardware resources like
Printers,
Scanners,
DVD Rom drives and hard disks
That leads to reduce cost of hardware purchases.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 38
LAN Advantages (contd.)
2. Provides Software Applications Sharing
It is cheaper to use same software over network instead of purchasing
separate licensed software for each client in a network. It will cost more
to purchase a separate licensed software for each computer in a network.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 39
LAN Advantages (contd.)
3. Provides Easy and Cheap Communication
Data and messages can easily be transferred over networked computers. It saves a
lot of time and money.
4. Allows Centralized Data administration
The data of all network users can be saved on hard disk of the server computer.
User will access their own data by logging into their accounts from any client
computer in the network.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 40
LAN Disadvantages
High setup Cost
Privacy Violations (Example: violation caused by System Administrator)
Data Security Threat
LAN Maintenance Job
Covers Limited Area
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 41
Review Questions
1. Which of the following networking solution is suitable for networking within a building?
a) LAN b) MAN c) WAN d) None above
2. List down three d/t types of media used in WANs.
3. In a _______network, every computer can communicate directly with any other computer.
a) client/server b) standalone c) file d) peer-to-peer
4. ____ensure that data are transferred whole, in sequence, and without error from one node on
the network to another.
a) Topologies b) File servers c) Communication servers d) Protocols
5. Which of the following is a LAN element?
a) Station b) Transmission medium c) Connecting devices d) All
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 42
Review Questions (Contd.)
6. Why do we need communication protocols?
7. Discuss the pros and cons of LAN.
8. Identify the five components of a data communications system.
9. What is the difference between half-duplex and full-duplex transmission modes?
10. What are some of the factors that determine whether a communication system is a
LAN or WAN?
11. List down LAN components.
12. What are the services provided by a Wide area network?
13. Compare Peer-2-Peer network with Client-Server network.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 43
Review Questions (Contd.)
14. Compare Baseband with Broadband signal transmission.
15. Discuss the role of Network Interface Card (NIC) (inside the computer’s
motherboard).
16. True or false? To function as a server, the computer must be running a network
operating system.
17. True or false? LANs typically connect separate offices in the same organization,
whether they are across town or around the world from each other.
18. True or false? Each network device must have a unique address so that data can be
transmitted reliably to and from that device.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 44
Review Questions (Contd.)
19. What is the purpose of ping command?
Answer:
The utility ping (Packet Internet Groper) is used to verify that TCP/IP is installed,
bound to the NIC, configured correctly, and communicating with the network.
The ping utility starts by sending out a signal called an echo request to another
computer, which is simply a request for a response.
The other computer then responds to the request in the form of an echo reply.
The process of sending this signal back and forth is known as pinging.
The protocol used by the echo request and echo reply is ICMP.
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 45
Review Questions (Contd.)
20. Gives some examples of how ping command and its options can be used.
ping command Description
ping www.google.com You can ping a host using its host name to verify you have
Internet access and name resolution. Google.com is a reliable site to use for
testing.
ping 8.8.8.8 The address 8.8.8.8, points to Google’s public DNS servers.
ping 127.0.0.1 Ping the loopback address (or 127.0.0.1 ) to determine whether your
workstation’s TCP/IP services are running.
ipconfig /all Displays TCP/IP configuration information for each network adapter.
ipconfig /? or ipconfig -? Displays the help text for the ipconfig command, including its syntax and a full
list of parameters.
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SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR. - ENGR.) 46
