Introduction to Computer Networks

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER NETWORKS

Essentials for Communications

Source Transmitter Transmission Receiver Destination Text input information Input data digital bit stream Transmitted analog signal Received analog signal Output data digital bit stream Text output information

Introduction to Computer Networks

Computer Networks
Computer network connects two or more autonomous computers. Connections between computing devices can be physical using wires or cables or wireless using radio waves or infrared signals The computers can be geographically located anywhere.

Node (host) Any device on a network Data transfer rate (bandwidth) The speed with which data is moved from one place to another on a network Computer networks have opened up an entire frontier in the world of computing called the client/server model

Protocol A set of rules that defines how data is formatted and processed on a network; i.e., rules that allow client/server interaction File server A computer that stores and manages files for multiple users on a network Web server A computer dedicated to responding to requests (from the browser client) for web pages

Introduction to Computer Networks

LAN, MAN & WAN

Network in small geographical Area (Room, Building or a Campus) is called LAN (Local Area Network)

Network in a City is call MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

Network spread geographically (Country or across Globe) is called WAN (Wide Area Network)

Introduction to Computer Networks

Applications of Networks
Resource Sharing Hardware (computing resources, disks, printers) Software (application software)
Information Sharing Easy accessibility from anywhere (files, databases) Search Capability (WWW) Communication Email Message broadcast Remote computing Distributed processing (GRID Computing)

Introduction to Computer Networks

Network Topology
The network topology defines the way in which computers, printers, and other devices are connected. A network topology describes the layout of the wire and devices as well as the paths used by data transmissions.

Introduction to Computer Networks

Bus Topology
Commonly referred to as a linear bus, all the devices on a bus topology are connected by one single cable.

Introduction to Computer Networks

Star & Tree Topology

The star topology is the most commonly used architecture in Ethernet LANs. When installed, the star topology resembles spokes in a bicycle wheel.

Larger networks use the extended star topology also called tree topology. When used with network devices that filter frames or packets, like bridges, switches, and routers, this topology significantly reduces the traffic on the wires by sending packets only to the wires of the destination host.

Introduction to Computer Networks

Ring Topology
A frame travels around the ring, stopping at each node. If a node wants to transmit data, it adds the data as well as the destination address to the frame. The frame then continues around the ring until it finds the destination node, which takes the data out of the frame.

Single ring All the devices on the network share a single cable
Dual ring The dual ring topology allows data to be sent in both directions.

Introduction to Computer Networks

Mesh Topology
The mesh topology connects all devices (nodes) to each other for redundancy and fault tolerance.

It is used in WANs to interconnect LANs and for mission critical networks like those used by banks and financial institutions.
Implementing the mesh topology is expensive and difficult.

Introduction to Computer Networks

Network Components
Physical Media
Interconnecting Devices Computers

Networking Software
Applications

Introduction to Computer Networks

Networking Media
Networking media can be defined simply as the means by which signals (data) are sent from one computer to another (either by cable or wireless means).

 Twisted-pair wire:
Ordinary telephone wire Copper wire twisted into pairs

Coaxial cable:
Sturdy copper or aluminum wire wrapped with spacers to insulate and protect it

Fiber-optic cable:
One or more hair-thin filaments of glass fiber wrapped in a protective jacket Terrestrial microwave
Earthbound microwave systems that transmit highspeed radio signals in a line-of-sight path Between relay systems spaced approximately 30miles apart

 Communications satellites Satellite serves as relay stations for communications signals Uses microwave radio signals
Infrared- Tranceivers must be within line of sight of each other or via reflection,Does not penetrate walls like microwave,No frequency allocation or licensing Wireless LANs Radio signals within an office or building Connect PCs to networks Bluetooth Short-range wireless technology To connect PC to peripherals such as printer

Introduction to Computer Networks

Computers: Clients and Servers

In a client/server network arrangement, network services are located in a dedicated computer whose only function is to respond to the requests of clients. The server contains the file, print, application, security, and other services in a central computer that is continuously available to respond to client requests.

Introduction to Computer Networks

Networking Protocol: TCP/IP

TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) Software that breaks messages into packets, hands them off to the IP software for delivery, and then orders and reassembles the packets at their destination Internet Protocol (IP) Software that deals with the routing of packets through the maze of interconnected networks to their final destination

Other protocols build on TCP/IP protocol suite

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) used to specify transfer of electronic mail File Transfer Protocol (FTP) allows a user to transfer files to and from another computer Telnet used to log onto one computer from another Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (http) allows exchange of Web documents

DNS
Host number The part of the IP address that specifies a particular host (machine) on the network Yes, but what is it? Domain name The part of a hostname that specifies a specific organization or group Top-level domain (TLD) The last section of a domain name that specifies the type of organization or its country of origin matisse.csc.villanova.edu

Open Systems Interconnection Model

The seven layers of the OSI Model are: A sevenlayer logical break down of network interaction to facilitate communication standards Each layer deals with a particular aspect of network communication La yer 1 PH YSICAL La yer 2 DATA- LIN K La yer 3 N ETWORK La yer 4 TRAN SPORT La yer 5 SESSION La yer 6 PRESEN TATION La yer 7 APPLICATION

Introduction to Computer Networks

Applications
E-mail Searchable Data (Web Sites) E-Commerce News Groups Internet Telephony (VoIP) Video Conferencing Chat Groups Instant Messengers Internet Radio

Network Components
Network Hardware A hub is the place where data converges from one or more directions and is forwarded out in one or more directions. Seen in local area networks A gateway is a network point that acts as an entrance to another network. On the internet, in terms of routing, the network consists of gateway nodes and host nodes. Host nodes are computer of network users and the computers that serve contents (such as Web pages). Gateway nodes are computers that control traffic within your companys network or at your local internet service provider (ISP)

 A router is a device or a software in a computer that determines the next network point to which a packet should be forwarded toward its destination. Allow different networks to communicate with each other A router creates and maintain a table of the available routes and their conditions and uses this information along with distance and cost algorithms to determine the best route for a given packet. A packet will travel through a number of network points with routers before arriving at its destination.

 A Bridge is a product that connects a local area network (LAN) to another local area network that uses the same protocol (for example, Ethernet or token ring). A bridge examines each message on a LAN, "passing" those known to be within the same LAN, and forwarding those known to be on the other interconnected LAN (or LANs). Difference between- Bridge: device to interconnect two LANs that use the SAME logical link control protocol but may use different medium access control protocols. Router: device to interconnect SIMILAR networks, e.g. similar protocols and workstations and servers Gateway: device to interconnect DISSIMILAR protocols and servers, and Macintosh and IBM LANs and equipment

 Switches- Allow different nodes of a network to communicate directly with each other. Allow several users to send information over a network at the same time without slowing each other down. Other Components Clients
Computers that request or order information from a server

 Servers
Computers that work behind the scenes to provide (serve) the resources requested by the clients Two types
Non-dedicated provides many different services to its client computers such as file retrieval, printing, and emailing Dedicated provides only one type of resource to its clients, such as printing

 Shared peripherals a device that is connected to a computer and controlled by its microprocessor Media physical pieces used to transport data from one computer to another computer or peripheral on the network Data - packets File Servers Print Servers Application Servers Mail Servers Communication Servers Directory Services Servers Backup Servers

Intranet vs. Internet

Intranet
A private network that is contained within an enterprise Could be LANs and WANs

Internet
A public network of networks

Both are using TCP/IP

-Various technologies available to connect a home computer to the Internet

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 Digital subscriber line (DSL) uses regular copper phone lines to transfer digital data to and from the phone companys central office

Cable modem uses the same line that your cable TV signals come in on to transfer the data back and forth

Business Value of Internet

Intranets
Within an organization Uses Internet technologies
A LAN that uses the Internet technologies within an organization Open only those inside the organization Example: insurance related information provided to employees over an intranet

Business value of Intranets

Used for information sharing, communication, collaboration, & support of business processes. Web publishing Comparatively easy, attractive, & lower cost alternative for publishing & accessing multimedia business information

Extranets
Network links that use Internet technologies to interconnect the firms intranet with the intranets of customers, suppliers, or other business partners
Consultants, subcontractors, business prospects, & others

Business value
Improve communication with customers and business partners Gain competitive advantage in
Product development Cost savings Marketing Distribution Leveraging their partnerships

Packet Switching
Packet A unit of data sent across a network Router A network device that directs a packet between networks toward its final destination Packet switching Messages are divided into fixed-sized, numbered packets; packets are individually routed to their destination, then reassembled

Advantages of Network Environment

Speed Cost Security Centralized software management Resource sharing E-mail Flexible Access Workgroup Computing-Many users can work concurrently