UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA

College of Science and Technology

Module ETE 4163:

Computer Networks
Fourth year: 2018-2019

Lecturer: Dr. Louis Sibomana

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 Course Objectives

 To provide the broad coverage of data

communications and computer networks related
topics
 This course covers theory, design, network
models and architecture, interfaces, and IP
addressing and subnetting

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 Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students

should be able to:
 Describe the major computer networks components
 Understand the Layered communication architectures
and OSI and TCP/IP layers
 Understand IP addressing and subnetting
 Understand routing and routing algorithms
 Know various aspects about computer networks
management and security

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 Course Grading
 Attendance & Participation
Attendance and participation are required. It is highly
recommended that students attend lectures to ask questions
 Assignments
All assignments must be submitted by deadlines given in class. No
late assignment will be accepted. Plagiarism is not permitted.
 Grading: 100 Marks
o CAT ( 50%)
 Assignment, Projects and Labs: 25 %
 Attendance and participation: 5 marks (80% of attendance)
 Mid term exam : 20 % ( Date to be announced in class)
o Final exam (FAT): 50 %
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 Course References

 The course in mainly based on the following books:

1. J.F. Kurose and K. W. Ross, ´´Computer Networking: A

Top-Down Approach ’’, sixth edition, Pearson, 2013
2. L. L. Peterson and B. S. Davie, ´´Computer Networks: A
systems Approach’’, Third edition, Elsevier, 2003
3. Behrouz A. Forouzan: ´´Data Communication and
Networking`` 4th Edition, 2007
4. A. Leon-Garcia & I. Widjaja: ´´ Communication
Networks: Fundamental Concepts and Key
Architecture`` 2001

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Understanding Networks:
 In a broad sense, a network consists:
 of two or more entities/objects sharing resources and
information or any collection of independent
nodes/devices that communicate with one another over a
shared medium /communication lines
 Networks are everywhere. For example
 Human networks:
 Family network: in which related people share
their resources and information
 Peer network: connects the family to the
community for resources sharing and trading
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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Understanding Networks:
Human networks:

The family network

A network connects
connects with the
members of a family
greater community.
together 7
 Lecture #1: Introduction
Understanding Networks:

Contact network: create a list of

friends and associates, for ex., help
you to find a job, the more people in
your network, the better your
Restaurant network: the client/customer
chances of finding that
and server/waiter perspective; making
perfect job
request and delivered of food items 8
 Lecture #1: Introduction

Understanding Networks:

What is a computer ?
 An electronic device which is capable of receiving
information (data) in a particular form and performing a
sequence of operations in accordance with a predetermined
but variable set of procedural instructions (program) to
produce a result in the form of information or signals

 Information: voice, video, data

When these devices/computers are joined in a network,
people can share files and other information 9
 Lecture #1: Introduction

Understanding Networks:

Computer Networks?

 A computer network
consists of two or more
computing devices that
are connected in order
to share the components
of your network (its resources)
and the information you
store there
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 Lecture #1: Introduction

What is computer network?

Every computer network includes:

 At least two computers: Server or Client workstation
 Networking Interface Card's (NIC)
 A connection medium: wire or cable, wireless
communication between networked computers and
peripherals
 Network Operating system software, such as
Microsoft Windows NT or 2000, Novell NetWare, Unix
and Linux

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Advantages of network

 Network supports the way we live: computer networks

have evolved to carry voice, video streams, text and
graphics between many different types of devices

Examples of today social interaction popular

communication tools: Instant messaging, Weblogs,
Podcasting, Collaboration tools , Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, what’s app, etc….

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Advantages of network

 Network supports the way we work:

Remote access: Business application can be accessed
remotely as if employees were on site
 Multiple resources: workers in any location can reach
each other and access multiple resources on the network

 Network supporting the way we play on-line games

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

What is data communication?

o By communicating, we share information (data)

o Data communications are the exchange of data between
two devices via some form of transmission medium such as
a wire cable or wireless
o Data itself may represent a wide range of information
such as:
the contents of a computer file, a digitized signal
representing an image in a webcam system, telemetry
measurements sent from a remote site to a central
base for monitoring and control purposes.
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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Data communication components

o A data communications system has five components.

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Data communication components

 Message : the information (data) to be communicated.
Examples of information include text, numbers,
pictures, audio, and video.
 Sender/transmitter: the device that sends the data message. It
can be a computer, workstation, telephone handset, video
camera
 Receiver: the device that receives the message. It can be a
computer, workstation, telephone handset, television
 Transmission medium: the physical path by which a message
travels from sender to receiver.
Protocol: a set of rules that govern data communications
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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Data communication

 For data communications to occur, the communicating

devices must be part of a communication system made up of
a combination of hardware (physical equipment) and
software (programs)

 Protocols and standards are vital to the implementation

of data communications and networking.
 Protocols refer to the rules
 Standard is a protocol that has been adopted by
vendors and manufacturers.

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Data communication

Three forces are driving the evolution of data

communications and networking
1. Growth of communication traffic
 Voice traffic: telephone
 Data traffic: Internet access, video conferencing
2. Development of new services
3. Advances in technology: Faster and cheaper computing
and communications
Question to discuss:
Challenges (to the network service providers):
How to maximize the capacity and minimize the cost?
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 Lecture #1: Introduction

A communication model

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

A simplified communications model:

Assume the source and destination are personal computers (PC).

The source wishes to send a message m to the destination

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Data Flow: simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Data Flow
Simplex: the communication is unidirectional. Only one of the
two devices on a link can transmit; the other can only receive.
Example: Broadcast networks
 Half-duplex: 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. Walkie-talkies radios are half-
duplex systems
 Full-duplex: both stations can transmit and receive
simultaneously. Example of full-duplex communication is the
telephone or mobile network. When two people are
communicating by a telephone line, both can talk and listen at
the same time. 22
 Lecture #1: Introduction

Key Communications Tasks

• Transmission system
• Error detection and
utilization (multiplexing)
correction
• Interfacing
• Addressing
• Signal generation (coding)
• Routing
• Synchronization between
• Recovery
transmitter and receiver
• Message formating
• Exchange management
(connection management) • Security
• Flow control • Network management

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Key Communications Tasks

Transmission system utilization

– Efficient use of Tx facilities, e.g., multiplexing, congestion
control
 Interfacing
– Electromagnetic signals propagated over the Tx medium
 Signal Generation
– Signal must be capable of being propagated through the Tx
system
– Signal must be interpretable as data at the Rx
 Synchronization
– Between Tx and Rx
– Rx should determine when a signal begins to arrive, when it
ends, and its duration 24
 Lecture #1: Introduction
Key Communications Tasks

Exchange Management
o e.g., if data are exchanged in both directions
o Must be decided whether both devices may transmit
simultaneously or in turns, the amount and format of data, etc
Error detection and correction: Errors may occur (Tx signals may be
distorted before reaching the Rx)
Flow control
o To assure that the source does not overwhelm the destination by
sending data faster than they can be processed by the Rx
Addressing and routing
oWhen more than two devices share a Tx facility, a source system
must indicate the identity of the intended destination. The Tx
system must assure that only the destination system receives the
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data
 Lecture #1: Introduction
Key Communications Tasks

 Recovery
o To resume activity in case of interruption during info exchange
 Formatting
o Agreement to the form of data to be exchanged
 Security
oThe sender of data wants to be assured that only the intended
receiver actually receives the data
 Network Management
o For system configuration
o Monitoring the system status
o Planning
o Alarm reporting and troubleshooting
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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Communications Aspect

 The Transmission of information:

 Transmission media: twisted-pair, coaxial cables, fiber
optic, wireless,..
 Antennas: dipole, yagi-uda, dish (parabolic) , microstrip,..
 Communication techniques:
Encoding : source, channel
Modulation: Analog, Digital
 Transmission efficiency:
Capacity issue: Multiplexing, compression,...
Data rate ...

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Communications Aspect

 Transmission of Information
 One basic choice facing a business user is the selection of
transmission medium!
Within the business premise: Completely up to the business
 Long-distance communications: Up to the long-distance carrier
Technologies: Wired versus wireless?
Wired (e.g., coaxial cables, optical fiber transmission)
Wireless transmission (e.g., Microwave, Satellite, radio)

Question to discuss:
Assume a business man wishes to interconnect north and south
regions (e.g., Musanze to Huye). As expert, discuss which
transmission medium to suggest
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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Network criteria

The most important network criteria are performance,

reliability, and security
Performance: can be measured in many ways and depends on
a number of factors, including the number of users, the type of
transmission medium, the capabilities of the connected
hardware, and the efficiency of the software.
Performance is often evaluated by two networking
metrics: throughput and delay

Question to discuss:
What happens (throughput or delay) when we send more data
on the network ? 29
 Lecture #1: Introduction
Network criteria

 Reliability: In addition to accuracy of delivery, network

reliability is measured by the frequency of failure, the time
it takes a link to recover from a failure, and the network's
robustness in a catastrophe.
 Reliability is a critical factor, especially for
businesses that rely on networking technology

Question to discuss:
If you are a network manager for a company, how will you
increase the reliability of your company’s network
connection?
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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Network criteria

 Security: Network security issues include protecting

data from unauthorized access, protecting data from
damage and development, and implementing policies and
procedures for recovery from breaches and data losses

Question to discuss:
If you are a network security engineer, discuss the network
vulnerabilities and strategies for securing the network

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Examples of types of network

 LAN: local area network

• private owned networks
• typical span short distance: single building, campus
•Ethernet, Token ring, star, wireless
 MAN: Metropolitan area network
• The communication infrastructures that have been
developed in and around large cities
•Radio, Microwave, Satellite
 WAN: Wide area network
• connects two or more LANs over a potentially large
geographic distance
•Telephone, ISDN, ATM, etc 32
 Lecture #1: Introduction

Examples of types of network

 LAN: local area network

 WAN: Wide area network

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Physical structure

• Type of Connection
 Point to Point: single transmitter and receiver
 Multipoint: multiple recipients of single transmission

• Physical Topology
 Connection of devices; the way in which a network is
laid out physically
 Type of transmission - unicast, mulitcast, broadcast

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Physical structure
• Type of Connection

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Physical structure
Physical topology : Examples of network topologies

Question to discuss:
1. Is it possible to use a topology alone or to combine
different topologies in a network?
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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Physical structure

• Physical Topology
 Modes/Types of communication:
o unicast: the process of sending a packet from one host
to an individual host
o mulitcast: the process of sending a packet from one
host to all hosts in the network
o broadcast: the process of sending a packet from one
host to a selected group of hosts

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Physical topology:
Modes of communication

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Physical topology:
Modes of communication:

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Protocol
 A protocol consists of a set of rules that govern data
communications. It determines what is communicated,
how it is communicated and when it is communicated.
 The key elements of a protocol are syntax, semantics
and timing
Syntax: Data structure or format. Indicates how to read
the bits: signal level
 Semantics: Interprets the meaning of the bits and control
information. Error handling
 Timing: Speed matching and sequencing
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 Lecture #1: Introduction

The Need for Protocol Architecture

 A protocol (set of rules or conventions) allows peer
layers to communicate
To transfer data several tasks are performed:
1) The source must activate the communications path or
inform network of destination
2) The source must make sure that destination is prepared
to receive data
3) The file transfer application on the source must confirm
file management program at destination is prepared to
accept and store the file
4) A format translation function may need to be
performed if the formats on the systems differ 41
 Lecture #1: Introduction

Protocol Architecture Logic

 Logic is divided into subtask modules

 Implemented separately
 Modules are arranged in a vertical stack
 Each layer in the stack performs a subset of
functions
 Rely on next layer for more primitive functions
 Changes in one layer should not require changes in
other layers

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
A simple Protocol Architecture
 Task of communication broken up into modules
 For example file transfer could use three modules
 File transfer application
 Communication service module
 Network access module

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Operational of Protocol Architecture

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Standards

Standards provide guidelines to manufacturers, vendors,

government agencies, and other service providers to ensure
the interconnectivity/interoperability in today's
marketplace and in international communications
 Two standards:
 OSI (open system interconnection):
o reference model/A theoretical system
 TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet
protocol)
o Most widely used 45
 Lecture #1: Introduction

Elements of Standardization

 Protocolspecification
 Operates between the same layer on two systems
 May involve different operating systems
 Protocol specification must be precise, e.g.,:
 Format of data units
 Semantics of all fields
 Service definition
 Functional description of what is provided
 Addressing
Referenced by SAPs (service access points)
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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Internet
 Developed to solve the dilemma of communicating across
arbitrary, multiple, packet-switched network
 Communication between networks is called internetworking
 The Internet, as we know it today, is essentially the ultimate
wide-area network, spanning the entire globe

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 Lecture #1: Introduction

Internet connections
 Internet backbone:
 A set of high-speed networks that carry Internet
traffic
 These networks are provided by companies such as
KTRN, Liquid Telecom, MTN, Airtel (in Rwanda)
 Internet service provider (ISP) : A company that
provides other companies or individuals with access to the
Internet. For example in Rwanda: BSC, ISPA, MTN, Airtel
Question to discuss:
Who owns the Internet? 48
 Lecture #1: Introduction

Internet connections
Various technologies available to connect a home computer to
the Internet
 A phone modem converts computer data into an analog
audio signal for transfer over a telephone line, and then a
modem at the destination converts it back again into data
 A digital subscriber line (DSL) uses regular copper phone
lines to transfer digital data to and from the phone
company’s central office
 A cable modem uses the same line that your cable TV
signals come in on to transfer the data back and forth 49
 Lecture #1: Introduction

Internet connections
Various technologies available to connect a home computer to
the Internet
 Broadband : A connection in which transfer speeds are faster
than 128 bits per second
 DSL connections and cable modems are broadband
connections
The speed for downloads (getting data from the Internet to
your home computer) may not be the same as uploads
(sending data from your home computer to the Internet)

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Internet elements:
 The purpose of the Internet is to interconnect end systems, called
hosts such as PCs, servers, notebooks, PDAs, smart phones, etc.
 Most hosts that use the Internet are connected to a network, such as
a LAN or a WAN
 Networks are in turn connected by routers. Each router attaches to
two or more networks.
 A host may send data to another host anywhere on the Internet:
The source host breaks the data into a sequence of packets,
called IP packets, or IP datagrams.
 Each packet includes the unique numeric addresses of the
source host and destination host, called IP addresses.
 Based on the destination IP address, each packet travels through
a series of routers and networks from source to destination
 Each router, upon receiving an IP packet, makes a routing
decision and forwards the packet along its way to the destination.
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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Internet Architecure:

Internet is made up of thousands of overlapping

hierarchical networks
 Individual hosts and LANs are connected to an ISP
through a Point of Presence (POP).
 Customer Premises Equipment (CPE): the
communications equipment located onsite with the host,
such as the modem
 Different levels of ISPs:
Local ISP, Regional ISP, Backbone ISP
 Backbone ISPs may be connected through the Network
Access Point (NAP)
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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Hierarchical organization of the Internet

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Open Systems

 Proprietary system: A system that uses technologies kept

private by a particular commercial vendor
One system couldn’t communicate with another,
leading to the need for Interoperability
The ability of software and hardware on multiple machines
and from multiple commercial vendors to communicate
Leading to Open systems
 Systems based on a common model of network
architecture and a suite of protocols used in its
implementation

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 Lecture #1: Introduction
Reading Activities and Assignment 1
Discuss the folloing:
1) Features of different network topologies as well as their
advantages and disadvantages ( 2 pages)
2) Network performance metrics (1page)
3) Standardization organizations: committees, forums, and
government regulatory agencies (1 page)
4) Internet: development history and standards (2 pages)
5) Go through Lecture #1 and provide summarized answers
to all questions presented for discussion (2 pages)
Make five groups to discuss the above topics. Summarize
into 8 pages maximum. Submit your report next week on 20
Novemebr 2018
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