IS 161
Fundamentals of Computer
Networks
Networking Fundamentals
Lecture 1
TYPES OF NETWORKS
TYPES OF NETWORKS
Local Area Networks (LANs)
Short distances
Designed to provide local interconnectivity
Wide Area Networks (WANs)
Long distances
Provide connectivity over large areas
Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
Provide connectivity over areas such as a city, a
campus
THE INTERNET, INTRANETS, AND
EXTRANETS
Internet
Worldwide collection of millions of computers and
networks
Derived from the term “internetworking”
No one actually owns or runs the Internet
Started in 1969 as a U.S. Department of Defense
project called Advanced Research Projects
Agency Network (ARPANET)
Evolved into National Science Foundation Network
(NSFNET) in 1987
Intranets
Network within an organization that uses
Internet protocols and technologies for
collecting, storing, and disseminating useful
information that supports business activities
For internal use by employees
Many companies also allow trusted business
partners to access their intranets
Different from a LAN
Define and limit access carefully
Applications of an Intranet
Human resources management
Sales and marketing
Production and operations
Accounting and finance
Help organizations move from a calendar- or
schedule-based document-publishing strategy
to one that’s based on events or need
Reduce the costs and time of document production
Extranets
Secure network
Uses the Internet and Web technologies to
connect intranets of business partners
Type of interorganizational system (IOS)
Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
Electronic data interchange (EDI)
Extranets (cont’d.)
Advantages of extranets:
Coordination
Feedback
Consumer satisfaction
Cost reduction
Expedited communication
Peer-to-Peer Networks
• Peer-to-peer network is also called workgroup
• No hierarchy among computers all are equal
• No administrator responsible for the network
Peer-to-peer
• Advantages of peer-to-peer networks:
• Low cost
• Simple to configure
• User has full accessibility of the computer
• Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks:
• May have duplication in resources
• Difficult to uphold security policy
• Where peer-to-peer network is appropriate:
• 10 or less users
• No specialized services required
• Security is not an issue
Clients and Servers
• Network Clients (Workstation)
• Computers that request network resources or services
• Network Servers
• Computers that manage and provide network resources and services to clients
• Usually have more processing power, memory and hard disk space than
clients
• Run Network Operating System that can manage not only data, but also
users, groups, security, and applications on the network.
1.11
• Advantages of client/server networks
• Facilitate resource sharing – centrally administrate and
control
• Facilitate system backup and improve fault tolerance
• Enhance security – only administrator can have access to
Server
• Support more users – difficult to achieve with peer-to-peer
networks
• Disadvantages of client/server networks
• High cost for Servers
• Need expert to configure the network
• Introduce a single point of failure to the system
Network topologies
Network Topology
Computer network topology is the way various
components of a network (like nodes, links,
peripherals, etc) are arranged.
Network topologies define the layout, virtual shape
or structure of network, not only physically but
also logically.
The way in which different systems and nodes are
connected and communicate with each other is
determined by topology of the network.
Topology can be physical or
logical
Physical Topology is the physical layout of
nodes, workstations and cables in the
network.
Logical topology is the way information flows
between different components.
Types of Physical Network
Topologies
Bus Topology
Star Topology
Ring Topology
Mesh Topology
Tree Topology
Hybrid Topology
Bus Topology
In the bus topology, the computers are
connected through a common communication
media.
A special type of central wire is used as
communication media.
This central wire is called Bus.
The computer are attached through the bus the
ends of the bus are closed with the terminator .
The terminators are used to absorb signals.
Advantages of Bus Topology
Easy to install and configure
Inexpensive
Easily extended
Disadvantages of Bus
Topology
Performance decreases
Weak signals
Difficult troubleshooting
Star Topology
The star topology uses a separate cable for
each work station as shown in fig(next slid).The
cable connects the work station to a central
device typically a HUB.
The configuration provides a more reliable
network that is easily expanded.
With star there is no central point of failure in the
cable .if there is a problem with the cable only
the station connected to that cable is a
effected .to add more work stations simply
connect another HUB
Advantages of Star Topology
Easily expended and modified
Easy to troubleshoot
Multiple cable types supported by hub
Disadvantages of Star
Topology
If hub fails then entire network will fail
Require more cables
May require a device to rebroadcast signals
across the network
Ring Topology
Every computer is connected to the next computer in the
ring and each transmits what it receives from the previous
computer. The messages flow around the ring in one
direction.
Some ring network do ring token passing. A short message
called token (memory area)is passed around a ring until a
computer wishes to send information to other computers.
That computer modifies token, adds an electronic address
and data and send it around the ring.
Each computer in sequence receives the token and next
computer until either the electronic address matches the
address of a computer Or the token return to its origin .
The receiving computer returns a message to the sender
indicating that message has been received.
Advantages
It provides an orderly network in which every
device has access to the token and can
transmit.
It performs well under a heavy load.
Disadvantages
Failure of one computer can effect the whole
network .
Difficult to troubleshoot.
Change mode with adding or removing a
device effect the entire network.
Mesh Topology
A mesh network or mesh topology uses
separate cable to connect each device to
every other device on the network, providing
a straight communication path.
For sending messages, check the cable
connected into two devices. A message is
send directly from sender to receiver because
each one has individual and separate
connection.
Advantages
Enhance for error tolerance provided by
redundant links.
Easy to troubleshoot.
Disadvantages
Difficult to install and maintain.
Expensive.
Hybrid Topology
Hybrid networks use a combination of any
two or more topologies in such a way that the
resulting network does not exhibit one of the
standard topologies (e.g., bus, star, ring,
etc.).
A hybrid topology is always produced when
two different basic network topologies are
connected. Two common examples for
Hybrid network are: star ring network and star
bus network.
