Networking and Communication

• Computer Networks: Definition, Need for Networking

• Types of Computer Network
• Based on Geographic Coverage
• Based on Span of Control
• Network Topologies
• Network components
• Network communications and communication protocol
 Definitions: Network
• A Computer network is a "group of computers and
associated devices that are connected by
communications facilities."
• In General, the benefits of networking includes:
– Enhance communication.
– Share resources(Data/information, files, devices)
– Facilitate centralized management
 Enhance Communication
• Computer networks use electronic mail (e-mail)
as the choice for most of the communication.

• By using networks, information can be sent to a

larger audience in an extremely fast and efficient
manner.
 Share Resources
• A copy of data or application stored at a single

central location is shared over a network.

• Computer peripheral devices, referred to as

additional components, can be attached to a

computer and be shared in a network.

 Facilitate Centralized Management
• Networks are used to assist in management tasks
associated with their own operation and
maintenance.
• Using networks results in increased efficiency and a
resultant reduction in maintenance costs.
 Classification of Networks
• Classification by network geography.
• Classification by component roles.
 Classification by Network
Geography
• Networks are commonly classified according
to the geographical boundaries spanned by the
network itself.
• LAN, WAN, and MAN are the basic types of
classification, of which LAN and WAN are
frequently used.
 Classification by Network
Geography
Local area network (LAN):
– A LAN covers a relatively small area such as a
classroom, school, or a single building.
– LANs are inexpensive to install and also provide higher
speeds.
 Classification by Network
Geography
Metropolitan area network (MAN):
– A MAN spans the distance of a typical metropolitan
city.
– The cost of installation and operation is higher.
– MANs use high-speed connections such as fiber optics
to achieve higher speeds.
 Classification by Network
Geography
Wide area network (WAN):
– WANs span a larger area than a single city.
– These use long distance telecommunication
networks for connection, thereby increasing the
cost.
– The Internet is a good example of a WAN.
Classification by Network
Geography

Wide area network

 Classification by Component Roles
• Networks can also be classified according to the
roles that the networked computers play in the
network’s operation.
• Peer-to-peer, server-based, and client-based are
the types of roles into which networks are
classified.
Classification by Component Roles
Peer-to-peer:
– In a peer-to-peer network, all computers are
considered equal.

– Each computer controls its own information and is

capable of functioning as either a client or a server
depending upon the requirement.

– Peer-to-peer networks are inexpensive and easy to

install.
Classification by Component Roles
Peer-to-peer (continued):
– Most operating systems come with built-in peer-to-
peer networking capability.
– The maximum number of peers that can operate on
a peer-to-peer network is ten.
– Each peer shares resources and allows others open
access to them.
 Classification by Component Roles
Peer-to-peer (continued):
– Peer-to-peer networks become difficult to manage
when more security is added to resources, since the
users control their security by password-protecting
shares.
– Shares can be document folders, printers,
peripherals, and any other resource that they control
on their computers.
Classification by Component Roles

Peer-to-peer network
 Classification by Component Roles
Server-based:
– A server-based network offers centralized control and is
designed for secure operations.
– In a server-based network, a dedicated server controls the
network.
 Classification by Component Roles
Server-based (continued):
– A dedicated server is one that services the network by
storing data, applications, resources, and also provides
access to resources required by the client.
– These servers can also control the network’s security
from one centralized location or share it with other
specially configured servers.
Classification by Component Roles

Server-based network
 Network components
• Cablings
• Network devices
 Cabling
• Coaxial Cable
– Thinnet looks like regular TV cable. It is about 1/4 inch in diameter and is very
flexible and easy to work with.
– Thicknet is about 1/2 inch in diameter and not very flexible. Thicknet is older
and not very common anymore except as a backbone within and between
buildings. Coax transmits at 10 Mbps..
• Twisted Pair. Twisted pair looks like telephone wire and consists of
insulated strands of copper wire twisted together. There are two
versions of twisted pair cable:
– Shielded Twisted Pair (STP). STP is commonly used in Token Ring networks
– Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP). UTP is used in Ethernet
networks. Transmission rates vary between 10-100-1000-10000 Mbps.
• Fiber-Optic Cable. Fiber-optic cable consists of a thin cylinder of
glass surrounded by glass cladding, encased in protective outer
sheath. Fiber-optic cable is very fast (over 1Gbps). It can transmit
over long distances (2 km +) but is expensive.
 Cabling

• Top: Unshielded Twisted Pair and Shielded Twisted Pair Cable

• Bottom: Coaxial and Optical Fiber Cable
 Networks Devices
• Network Interface card: required by every computer to
interface the computer with the cabling/wireless access
• Modem: required by every computer to communicate data
over telephone wires(through the process of modulating and
demodulating data signals)
• Repeater: Extends a network
• Bridge: Connects two compatible networks, doesn’t
necessarily pass all the messages across the connection
• Switch: Connect several compatible networks, allowing it
to connect several busses rather than two.
• Router: helps to route data packets over large networks.
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 Routers and internet addressing
• Routers purpose is to route (forward messages) in their proper
directions.
• The forwarding process is based on an internet wide addressing
system which all the machines in the internet (including the machines
in the original networks as well as the routers) are assigned unique
addresses.
– Thus each machine in an internet has two addresses: its original local address
within its own network and the internet address
• A machine wanting to send a message to a machine in a distant
network, it will attach the internet address of the destination and will
direct the message to its local router. From there it is forwarded to the
proper direction (based on a forwarding table maintained by the
router).
 IP Addresses
– Every Host and Router on the Internet has an IP address, which
encodes its network number and host number.
– The combination is unique, no two machines have the same IP
address.
– All IP addresses are 32-bits long and are used in Source Address
& Destination Address fields of IP packets. Hence Allows for
4,294,967,296 unique addresses.
– When a network is set up, a netmask is also specified. The netmask
determines the class of the network. it specifies some number of most
significant bits with a 1's value(Net.par) and the rest have values of
0(host part).
 IP Addresses
Classes of IP addresses: The IP addresses can be
given from the different class where the classes are
defined by the format used:
Class 32 Bits
8 bits 8 bits 8 bits 8 bits
A
0 Netid Hostid
B
10 Netid Hostid
C 110 Netid Hostid
D 1110 Multicast Address
E 11110 Reserved for future use
 IP Addresses
• Network Address Range: Class A
– the first bit of the first byte in a Class A network address must
always be off, or 0. This means a Class A address must be between
0 and 127.
– Here is how those numbers are defined:
– 0xxxxxxx: If we turn the other 7 bits all off and then turn them all
on,
– we will find your Class A range of network addresses.
– 00000000=0
– 01111111=127
 IP Addresses
• Network Address Range: Class B
– In a Class B network, the first bit of the first byte must always be
turned on, but the second bit must always be turned off. If you turn
the other six bits all off and then all on, you will find the range for
a Class B network:
– 10000000=128
– 10111111=191
– this means that a Class B network can be defined when the first
byte is configured from 128 to 191.
 IP Addresses
• Network Address Range: Class C
– For Class C networks, the first two bits of the first octet always turned on, but
the third bit can never be on. Following the same process as the previous classes,
convert from binary to decimal to find the range.
Here is the range for a Class C network:

– 11000000=192
– 11011111=223

– So, if an IP address starts at 192 and goes to 223, you’ll , it is a Class C IP

address.
 IP Addresses
• Network Address Ranges: Classes D and E
– The addresses between 224 and 255 are reserved for
Class D and E networks.
– Class D is used for multicast addresses and Class E for
scientific purposes.
– We will not discuss Class D and E addresses in this book.