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Computer Networks
ð computer network is a collection of independent
computers that communicate with one another over a
shared network medium.
E.g. 1. Two computers connected by a direct cable.
(NULL MODEM Cable)
2. ð Local ðrea Network (LðN)
Note: a workstation with a printer and a scanner cannot
be considered as a network.
Communication Node
ðny device attached to the network which is capable of
communicating with other network device is known as a
Communication Node.
n networking, each node in a network is given a unique
identification to distinguish it from others. Therefore, a
computer network is basically an interconnected array
of communication nodes.

ð Network of 2 - Nodes Network medium

Usually refers to the cable
(conductor or fiber-optic) that links

HUB computers on a network

Can also be wireless

ð network of 4 - Nodes
To access any network, computers must be attached to
the network medium with a physical interface Known as
Network interface card (NC)
Network —rotocols

—rotocols are sets of rules for communicating across a

network
Examples: TC— —, NetBEU, —
—
, NWLink

Network oftware

Network operating system (NO)

NO is a specialized collection of software that gives
a computer the ability to communicate over a network
and to take advantage of networking services.
Network services offered by a NO
1) File ervices
nformation is stored on the disk as files. These files and
folders are shared by many computers in a network. The
services offered would be Read, Write, Edit, Copy, Delete,
Move, Run or Execute.
2) —rint ervices
ðllow a computer to print to a remote printer in the
network.
3) ðpplication ervices
nstall applications in the application server and allow to
run applications.
4) Messaging ervices
Enable users to use several programs to transfer
information in various forms text, graphics, audio, video
etc. across to other users in the network by e-mail.
4 types of message services
e-mail
Workgroup application ² process common sets of
tasks among users.
E.g. a) documents, forms, notices etc.
b) linked object documents such as html doc :
with links to objects such as images, active x
components and ODBC databases.
 Object oriented applications ² programs that accomplish
complex tasks by combining small applications (objects)
into large tasks.
Directory services
s a network application that allows easy look up of user
names and services. Organized in a hierarchical way.
Workgroup
ð collection of computers that are grouped for sharing
resources (data peripherals ) over a LðN.
Each workgroup has a unique name.
ð workgroup is less sophisticated than a domain (lack in
central administration)
 ð peer-to peer network can be considered as a
workgroup.
Domain - ð computer used for administration purposes.
Network Models

ð network model is a method of describing logically, how

a network works.
t is a look at how communication occurs and how
resources are managed.
Does one computer on the network serve as a mediator
or master of information on the network? Or do all equally
share this responsibility with no one computer dominating
the network?
Client erver (>1990)

This is probably the most widely used.

The client server networking model describes a network

in which all information is provided and managed by a
single computer in the network, called the server.
nformation from the server is requested by client
computers.

The server itself must be a very fast computer. ince all

dependency of information is on this computer.
ð slow server can cause a bottleneck in the network.
The client server networking model describes the process
of information distribution over the WWW.
ð client computer·s browser makes a request to a remote
HTT— server for a particular web page or some information.
The web server then provides the information to the client
computer.

f the server is too slow, many users can be left waiting for
long periods of time to retrieve information.
n a situation when the traffic becomes more and more
so that the server cannot handle or maintain, the network
slows down.
This is why when you access some sites on the web, the
pages load up so slow. There may be hundreds of other
users trying to access pages on the server.
erver-based Networks - ðdvantages

imple network administration: centralized user accounts,

security, and access controls.
More powerful equipment means more efficient access to
network resources.
ð single password for network logon delivers access to all
resources.
ðppropriate for networks with 10 or more users or any
network where resources are used heavily.
erver-based Networks - Disadvantages

ðt worst, server failure renders a network unusable; at

best, it results in loss of network resources.
 Complex, special-purpose server software requires
allocation of expert staff, which increases expenses.
Dedicated hardware and specialized software add to the
cost.
—eer-to-—eer Networks
Most often used in smaller networks.
ðll computers on the network share equal responsibility
for managing and providing information.
in smaller networks, communication is quite fast.
n a large network the performance can decrease
significantly due to the lack of a centralized controlling
computer.
Most often peer-to-peer networking is used with less than
ten computers.
—eer-to-peer Networks - ðdvantages

Easy to install and configure.

Not dependent on a dedicated server.
ndividual users control their own shared resources.
nexpensive to purchase and operate.
Needs no additional equipment or software beyond a
suitable operating system
Needs no dedicated administrator
Works best for networks with 10 or fewer users
—eer-to-peer Networks - Disadvantages
Network security applies only to a single resource at a
time.
Users may be forced to use as many passwords as there
are shared resources.
Each machine must be backed up individually to protect
all shared data.
Every time a user accesses a shared resource, the user at
the machine where the resource resides suffers reduced
performance
No centralized organizational scheme to locate or control
access to data.
 Does not usually work well with more than 10 users.
torage-ðrea Networks (ðNs)
n ordinary LðNs WðNs ² difficult to manage expand
storage
ðN has a centralized (consolidated) network storage.
Data transfer occurs over high-speed links for faster
ðccess.
ðppropriate for large-scale networks
torage-ðrea Networking ðdvantages
Use of high-speed links provides fast access to ðN
storage.
Consolidation of all server storage.
—ermits all backup to occur in a single location.
 —ermits organizations to buy the fastest, most reliable
storage subsystems.
Can add an extra level of security and access controls
Easy to increase storage capacity.

ðN
Disadvantages
More expensive
than conventional
storage
Hybrid Networks

ð
 

 


 
 



pecialized ervers

ðpplication ervers
upply the server side of client server applications, and
often the data that goes along with them, to network
clients
Communication ervers
—rovide access to network resources for users not directly
attached to the network (inbound communications)
 —ermit network users to access external resources not
directly attached to the network (outbound Communications)
Domain Controllers Directory ervers
Handle the logon services and manage the collection of
computers, users, and so on in a domain
Fax ervers
Manage fax traffic for a network
Receive incoming faxes from phone lines and direct them
to users across the network.
Collect outgoing faxes across the network before sending
them over a phone line
Typically use one or more fax modem interfaces.
File and —rint ervers
Most common type of network servers
—rovide basic networked file storage and retrieval
services and access to networked printers.
Let users run applications locally but keep their data files
on the server.

File and —rint ervers

Most common type of network servers
—rovide basic networked file storage and retrieval
services and access to networked printers
Let users run applications locally but keep their data files
on the server.
Mail ervers
Manage the flow of e-mail messages for network users
Commonly provide ´store-and-forwardµ services
Web ervers
The combination of hardware and software that stores
information that is accessible over the nternet via the
World Wide Web (WWW)
electing the Right Type of Network

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Choosing a —eer-to-peer Exclusively
Network includes no more than 10 users.
ðll networked computers are close enough to fit within
the span of a single LðN
Budget considerations are paramount
No specialized servers are needed
Using erver-based
More than 10 users must share network access
Centralized control, security, resource management, or
backup is desirable
Users need access to specialized servers, or place heavy
demands for network resources
ðn internetwork is in use, or WðN access is required
ðctive

ð set of technologies developed by Microsoft for sharing
information among different applications. ðctive
is an
outgrowth of two other Microsoft technologies called OLE
(Object Linking and Embedding) and COM (Component
Object Model).

ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity)

ð standard database access method developed by
Microsoft. The goal of ODBC is to make it possible to access
any data from any application, regardless of which
database management system (DBM) is handling the data.
ODBC manages this by inserting a middle layer, called a
database driver, between an application and the DBM. The
purpose of this layer is to translate the application·s data
queries into commands that the DBM understands.
R 232 Tx DTE R 232 Rx DTE

CD 1 1 CD
RD 2 2 RD

TD 3 3 TD
DTR 4 4 DTR
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DR 6 6 DR
RT 7 7 RT
CT 8 8 CT
R 9 9 R

DB9 NULL MODEM CðBLE DB9