Computer Network

Fundamentals
1. Network Models
 The Open Systems Interconnection(OSI) model
is a theoretical model of networking that
organizes network functions into seven layers
(physical, data link, network, transport, session,
presentation, and application) and specifies the
communication interfaces between the OSI
model layers and network endpoints utilizing .
 There are two basic types of networking
models: protocol models and reference models.

 A protocol model closely matches the structure

of a particular protocol suite. The hierarchical set
of related protocols in a suite t represents all the
functionality required to interface the human
network with the data network. The 4-layer
TCP/IP model is a protocol model because it
describes the functions that occur at each layer of
protocols within the TCP/IP suite.
 There are two basic types of networking models:
protocol models and reference models.

 A reference model provides a common reference for maintaining

consistency within all types of network protocols and services. A
reference model is not intended to be an implementation
specification or to provide a sufficient level of detail to define
precisely the services of the network architecture. The primary
purpose of a reference model is to aid in clearer understanding of
the functions and process involved. The 7-layer Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) model is the most widely known
internetwork reference model. It is used for data network design,
operation specifications, and troubleshooting.
2. Network Types
 Types of network
 Personal area network, or PAN
 refers to the interconnection of information
technology devices or gadgets within the
environment of an individual user

 Local area network, or LAN

 is a group of computers and associated devices
that share a common communications line or
wireless link to a server.
 Types of network
 Metropolitan area network, or MAN
 is a network that interconnects users with computer
resources in a geographic area or region larger than
that covered by even a large local area network (LAN)
but smaller than the area covered by a wide area
network (WAN).
 Wide area network, or WAN
 is a network that exists over a large-scale
geographical area. A WAN connects different
smaller networks, including local area networks
(LANs) and metro area networks (MANs).
3. Data Communication
Media Technology
 Communication media refers to the means of
delivering and receiving data or information.
In telecommunication, these means are
transmission and storage tools or channels for
data storage and transmission.

There are two forms of
communication media:
Analog
 Includes conventional radio, telephonic and
television transmissions

Digital
 Computer-mediated communication,
computer networking and telegraphy
4. Network Topology
 Network Topology

Network Topology refers to layout of a

network. How different nodes in a
network are connected to each other and
how they communicate is determined by
the network's topology.
Bus Topology
 in this arrangement
computers and devices
are connected to a single
linear cable called a
trunk. The trunk is also
referred to as the
backbone or a segment.
Each end of the trunk
must be discharged to
prevent the signal from
rebounding back up the
cable.
Ring Topology
 computers and devices are
connected to a closed
loop cable. Here there are
no terminating ends so if
one system crashes the
entire network goes down.
Each computer functions
as a repeater and charges
the signal before sending it
to the next station.
Star Topology
 all computers and devices
are connected to a main
hub or switch. The hub
or switch amasses and
disburses the flow of data
within the network. Star
topology is the most
common type of network
and follows the Ethernet
standard.
Mesh Topology
A network setup where each
computer and network device is
interconnected with one another,
allowing for most transmissions to
be distributed even if one of the
connections go down. It is a
topology commonly used
for wireless networks. Below is a
visual example of a simple
computer setup on a network using
a mesh topology.
 Mesh Topology
A mesh topology can be a full mesh topology or a partially connected mesh
topology.

 In a full mesh topology, every computer in the network has a connection to

each of the other computers in that network. The number of connections in
this network can be calculated using the following formula (n is the number of
computers in the network): n(n-1)/2
 In a partially connected mesh topology, at least two of the computers in the
network have connections to multiple other computers in that network. It is
an inexpensive way to implement redundancy in a network. In the event that
one of the primary computers or connections in the network fails, the rest of
the network continues to operate normally.
Tree Topology
 A tree topology is a special type of
structure in which many connected
elements are arranged like the branches of
a tree. For example, tree topologies are
frequently used to organize the computers
in a corporate network, or the information
in a database.
 In a tree topology, there can be only one
connection between any two connected
nodes. Because any two nodes can have
only one mutual connection, tree
topologies form a natural parent and
child hierarchy.
Hybrid Topology

 A hybrid topology is a type

of network topology that
uses two or more differing
network topologies. These
topologies include a mix
of bus topology, mesh
topology, ring topology, star
topology, and tree topology.
5. Network Connectivity and
Protocols
 Network Connectivity
 Network connectivity describes the extensive
process of connecting various parts of a network
to one another, for example, through the use of
routers, switches and gateways, and how that
process works.
Types of network connection
 Fixed Broadband Internet
 Mobile Internet
 Virtual Private Network (VPN)
 Dial-up Networks
 Local Area Network (LAN)
 Direct Networks
 Network Protocols
 are formal standards and policies made up of
rules, procedures and formats that defines
communication between two or more devices
over a network.
There are several broad types of networking
protocols, including:
 Network communication protocols: Basic data
communication protocols, such as TCP/IP and
HTTP.
 Network security protocols: Implement security
over network communications and include
HTTPS, SSL and SFTP.
 Network management protocols: Provide network
governance and maintenance and include SNMP
and ICMP.
6. Network Services
 is an application running at the network
application layer and above, that provides
data storage, manipulation, presentation,
communication or other capability which is
often implemented using a client-server or
peer-to-peer architecture based on application
layer network protocols.
7. Network Connecting
Devices
 Different networking devices:
 Network Hub:
 Network Hub is a networking device which is
used to connect multiple network hosts. A network
hub is also used to do data transfer. The data is
transferred in terms of packets on a computer
network. So when a host sends a data packet to a
network hub, the hub copies the data packet to all
of its ports connected to. Like this, all the ports
know about the data and the port for whom the
packet is intended, claims the packet.
 Different networking devices:

 Network Switch:
 Like a hub, a switch also works at the layer of LAN
(Local Area Network) but you can say that a switch is
more intelligent than a hub. While hub just does the
work of data forwarding, a switch does 'filter and
forwarding' which is a more intelligent way of dealing
with the data packets.
Different networking devices:
 Modem:
 A Modem is somewhat a more interesting
network device in our daily life. So if you have
noticed around, you get an internet connection
through a wire (there are different types of wires)
to your house. This wire is used to carry our
internet data outside to the internet world.
 Different networking devices:
 Network Router:
 A router is a network device which is responsible
for routing traffic from one to another network.
These two networks could be a private company
network to a public network. You can think of a
router as a traffic police who directs different
network traffic to different directions.
 Different networking devices:

 Bridge:
 If a router connects two different types of networks,
then a bridge connects two subnetworks as a part of
the same network. You can think of two different labs
or two different floors connected by a bridge.
Different networking devices:
 Repeater:
 A repeater is an electronic device that amplifies
the signal it receives. In other terms, you can think
of repeater as a device which receives a signal and
retransmits it at a higher level or higher power so
that the signal can cover longer distances.
8. Network Technologies
 What is a network?
 A group of computers and other devices that
communicate together and share resources (i.e.
file storage space and printing services).
 Types of Network technologies
1. Personal Area Network (PAN)
is the interconnection of information technology devices
within the range of an individual person, typically within a
range of 10 meters.

2. Local Area Network (LAN)

is a network that connects computers and other devices in a
relatively small area, typically a single building or a group of
buildings. Most LANs connect workstations and personal
computers and enable users to access data and devices (e.g.,
printers and modems) anywhere on the network.
 Types of Network technologies
3. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
 provides wireless network communication over short
distances using radio or infrared signals instead of traditional
network cabling.

4. Campus Area Network (CAN)

 is a network of multiple interconnected local area networks
(LAN) in a limited geographical area. A CAN is smaller than
a wide area network (WAN) or metropolitan area network
(MAN).
 Types of Network technologies
5. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
 a data network designed for a town or city. In terms of
geographic breadth, MANs are larger than local-area
networks (LANs), but smaller than wide-area networks
(WANs). MANs are usually characterized by very high-speed
connections using fiber optical cable or other digital media.

6. Wide Area Network (WAN)

 A wide area network is a telecommunications network or
computer network that extends over a large geographical
distance/place. Wide area networks are often established
with leased telecommunication circuits.
 Types of Network technologies
7. Storage-Area Network (SAN)
 A storage area network or storage network is a Computer network
which provides access to consolidated, block level data storage.
8. System-Area Network (also known as SAN)
 are high-performance, connection-oriented networks that link computer
clusters. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 uses it for high-performance
connectivity through Virtual Interface Adapter (VIA).
9. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
 is a telecommunications technology used to provide fiber to the end
consumer, both domestic and commercial.
 Types of Network technologies
10. Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
 is a computer network that helps enterprise companies
with a number of disparate offices connect those
offices to each in a secure way over a network.
11. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
 is a secure tunnel between two or more devices. VPNs
are used to protect private web traffic from snooping,
interference, and censorship.