COMPUTER NETWORKS &

TOPOLOGIES

Module 5
 Network

 Defined as the interconnection of two or

more systems
 Min no: required is two
 Exchanging information is possible
 Sharing the use of hardware devices eg:
Printer
 TYPES OF NETWORKS

 LocalArea Networks (LAN)

 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
 Wide Area Networks (WAN)
 Local Area Networks (LAN)
A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers
and associated devices that share a common
communications line or wireless link.
 Connected devices share the resources of a single
processor or server within a small geographic area (for
example, within an office building).
 Usually, the server has applications and data storage
that are shared in common by multiple computer users
 A local area network may serve as few as two or three
users (for example, in a home network) or as many as
thousands of users (for example, in an FDDI network
 Local Area Local Area
Networks (LAN )
 Provides for data transfer in digital form at
high speed
 Low implementation cost
 Cuts down a lot on hardware equipment
cost
 Local Area Networks (LAN
Some Applications
 File transfer and access
 Accessing the Internet
 Providing the Management information
Systems
 Network technologies
 Major local area network technologies are:

 Ethernet
 Token Ring:
 FDDI
 Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN)
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a large
computer network that spans a metropolitan area
or campus. Its geographic scope falls between a
WAN and LAN. MANs provide Internet
connectivity for LANs in a metropolitan region,
and connect them to wider area networks like the
Internet.
 Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN)
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is one
of a number of types of networks . A MAN
is a relatively new class of network, it
serves a role similar to an ISP, but for
corporate users with large LANs.
 MAN Vs LAN / WAN
1. The network size falls intermediate between LANs
and WANs. A MAN typically covers an area of
between 5 and 50 km diameter. Many MANs cover
an area the size of a city, although in some cases
MANs may be as small as a group of buildings or
as large as the North of Scotland.
2. A MAN (like a WAN) is not generally owned by a
single organisation. The MAN, its communications
links and equipment are generally owned by either
a consortium of users or by a single network
provider who sells the service to the users.
 Wide Area Network (WAN)
 Wide Area Network (WAN) is a computer
network that covers a broad area (i.e., any network
whose communications links cross metropolitan,
regional, or national boundaries .
 The largest and most well-known example of a
WAN is the Internet
 Typical communication links used in WANs are
telephone lines, microwave links & satellite
channels.
 Network topology

 Network topology is the study of the

arrangement or mapping of the elements
(links, nodes, etc.) of a network, especially
the physical (real) and logical (virtual)
interconnections between nodes
Different Network Topologies
Star networks
 Star networks
A star network consists of one central
switch, hub or computer, which acts as a
conduit to transmit messages.
 Direct communication b/w two computers
is not possible
 Star networks
Advantages
 Isolation of devices:
 Benefits from centralization:
 Simplicity
 Better performance
 Star networks
Disadvantage
 The primary disadvantage of a star topology
is the high dependence of the system on the
functioning of the central hub
 Two terminals cannot interact directly,
which leads to no privacy in the network
Mesh Topology
 Mesh Topology

 Mesh networking is a way to route data, voice

and instructions between nodes. It allows for
continuous connections and reconfiguration
around broken or blocked paths by “hopping”
from node to node until the destination is reached.

 Mesh networks are self-healing: the network can

still operate even when a node breaks
 Disadvantages
 One malfunctioning workstation can create
problems for the entire network
 Moves, adds and changes of devices can
affect the network
 Much slower than an Ethernet network
under normal load
Ring Topology
 Ring Topology
A ring network is a network topology in
which each node connects to exactly two
other nodes, forming a circular pathway for
signals - a ring. Data travels from node to
node, with each node handling every
packet.
 Tree Network

A Tree Network consists of star-

configured nodes connected to switches
/concentrators, each connected to a linear
bus backbone
 All peripheral nodes may thus communicate
with all others by transmitting to, and
receiving from, the central node only.
 Tree Network
Advantages:
 Point-to-point wiring for individual
segments.
 Supported by several hardware and
software vendors.
 Tree Network
Disadvantages:
 Overall length of each segment is limited by
the type of cabling used.
 If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment
goes down.
 More difficult to configure and wire than other
topologies.
 Bus Topology

 Thetype of topology in which all of the

nodes of the network are connected to a
common transmission medium which has
exactly two endpoints (this is the 'bus',
which is also commonly referred to as the
backbone, or trunk)
Thank you