Course #405

Computer &
Information
Systems II
https://tinyurl.com/405Folder
 Networks

Terminology and Hardware

 Network
⚫ A network is a group of connected
computers that can communicate with
each other to share information and
equipment, such as printers.
 Advantages of a network
⚫ Sharing Data Reliably – without passing physical
volumes, easy backup
⚫ Sharing Resources – reduces cost of buying
hardware
⚫ Sharing Programs – programs can run centrally.
⚫ Communication - people can communicate and
exchange messages with each other easily,
effectively, and instantly.
⚫ Security Options – restricted access
 Netwotk Classification
Networks are classified by their:

⚫ Size
⚫ Architecture
⚫ Topology
 Size of Networks
⚫ LAN – Local Area Network: Connects
computers and devices in close proximity
such as a small office or building.
⚫ WAN – Wide Area Network: Connects a
number of local area networks together
over long distances (across cities,
countries etc…)
⚫ WLAN - A wireless LAN is a wireless
computer network that links two or more
devices using wireless communication to
 Architecture Configurations
⚫ Peer to Peer (p2p): People on a peer to peer
network store their files on their own computers.
Anyone may access files stored on any other
computer.
Before the advent of TCP/IP protocols (Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol) , peer to peer provided a simple
and inexpensive way to connect fewer than 10
computers. (provided in Windows 98, 2000, & XP
Home)
 Two Network Configurations
⚫ Client/Server - all files stored on a central
computer.
Everyone connected to the network can access the files
stored on the central server.
A Client is a computer that can access information
stored on a server.
 Terminology
Protocol – set of rules for communication

Network Interface Card (NIC) – Every node is connected

through an NIC – most use a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet card

Node – Anything that is connected to the network

(computers, printers, scanners etc…)

Backbone – The main cabling of a network that all of the

segments connect to. (usually faster than the connection
to each NIC)

Segment – Any portion of a network that is separated by a

switch, bridge or router, from other parts of the network
 The 4 Common Wired Topologies
Topology – The configuration of nodes
connected to the network.
⚫ Bus – Each node is directly connected to a
single central cable called a bus or backbone.
All information travels along the backbone until it
reaches its destination node.
Each end must be terminated (resistor) to keep
messages from bouncing back when it reaches the
end of the cable.
1. Bus
 2. Ring (Token Ring)
⚫ Nodes are daisy-chained.
⚫ The end of the network comes back around to the first
node – completes a circuit.
⚫ Nodes take turns sending and receiving info through use
of a token.
⚫ Only node with token can send info or receive info
(developed by IBM).
 3. Star
⚫ Star – each node is connected to a central
device called a hub. The hub/concentrator takes
a signal that comes from any node and passes it
to all other nodes on the network.
 4. Tree (Star-Bus)
⚫ The most common - combines star and bus
topologies – nodes in areas are connected to
hubs/concentrators (creating stars), hubs are
connected together along network backbone –
stars are often nested
 Basics of Ethernet
⚫ What it is: Currently, Ethernet is a type of
wired network that connects computers
and other devices.
The cables are usually copper Nodes
communicate with Packets or Frames of data
⚫ Where it came from:
Originally, the material used to connect
computers was ether. It was a good
conductor, and it was thought that it would be
less susceptible to interference.
Problem: it was too expensive
 Basics of Ethernet cont’d

⚫ There are practical limits to the size of the

network: concerns include:
⚫ Distance limitations – electrical signals
weaken as they travel.
⚫ Electrical interference scrambles signals
⚫ Practical number of devices as only one
device can transmit at any given time.
 Ethernet Network Standards
⚫ 10BaseT
10 Mbps
Uses UTP or CAT 5 cables
Baseband transmission – only one signal allowed on a
transmission wire
⚫ 100BaseT
100 Mbps (fast ethernet)
Use CAT5 cables – fiber optic available
Broadband – multiple signals on a single wire.
⚫ 1000BaseT – Gigabit Ethernet
1000 Mbps - Broadband
Use CAT5e or CAT6 cables
Connecting Nodes
UTP - Unshielded Twisted Pair STP - CAT5 – Shielded Twisted Pair –
used to reduce electrical interference
10/100 BaseT – cheap, 100m max.

Coaxial Cable – must run in a ring.

Fiber Optics
–expensive –
largest
bandwidth
4 Types of Connectors
AUI – D-shaped plug with 15 pins –
common on routers and some hubs
RJ45 – connectors look like big phone
connectors – uses eight wires – used by
most hubs and NICs
BNC – small round barrel-like connectors –
twist and lock together – used for coaxial
Fiber Optic – usually for only one fiber
optic strand
 CSMA/CD
⚫ CSMA/CD – Carrier
Sense Multiple Access
with Collision Detection
⚫ Regulates
communication
among nodes
⚫ Provides a “fair” set of
rules for use of the
line
 Hub (how hubs work)
⚫ Receive data
⚫ Broadcast out data on all lines
⚫ Receiving computers are responsible for
listening to see if the data is for them
Problems:
More computers more collisions
Can’t scale more than 10 computers (Scalability)
Takes more time on average for information to reach
the intended node (Latency)
 Router (how routers work)
⚫ Receive data
⚫ Find out who the data is for
⚫ Send out data on a port that can
eventually reach the intended receiver
without going through a high traffic area
⚫ Keeps a table inside the router to keep
track of where the high traffic areas are
Switch/Bridge (how switch’s work)
⚫ LAN Switches
break hub networks into distinct segments - makes it
possible for several users to send data over the
network at the same time without slowing each other
down
creates a series of instant networks that contain only
two devices communicating with each other at that
particular moment.
Nodes communicate only with the switch, so it creates a
collision free environment
 Wireless
⚫ Bluetooth
⚫ WiFi: Wireless Fidelity - Otherwise known
as Wireless Networking
 IEEE Standards
⚫ 802.3 – Ethernet wired standard
802.3 is the 10 Mbps standard
802.3u is the 100 Mbps standard
802.3z is the 1000 Mbps standard
⚫ 802.11 – Ethernet wireless standard
802.11b is the 11 Mbps standard
802.11g is the 54 Mbps standard
 IP Address
⚫ A four part number assigned to every
computer on a network
ie 192.168.1.2
Each part of the number can be between 0-255
⚫ A device can be manually configured to
have the same address every time the
device turns on
⚫ A device can be set to take an assigned
number from a server or router every time
it is turned on
 MAC Address
⚫ A six part hexadecimal number that is
unique to every network card
Ie 00:02:3F:DC:75:C4
No two network cards have the same MAC
address.
The address is permanently put into the NIC at
the manufacturer
 TCP/IP
⚫ Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
Uses IP addresses for communication
(i.e. 199.175.20.10)
⚫ Developed by ARPA (Advanced Research
Projects Agency) at BB&N in 1969.
⚫ Allows for Packet Switching
Large pieces of data are broken into smaller pieces
called packets
Included with each data packet is the address of the
sending node and receiving devices.
 UDP/IP
⚫ User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
⚫ A connection-less, unreliable, transport
protocol
⚫ Perfect for real time communication
Internet radio
Voice over IP (internet telephone)
Music on demand
Video conferencing
Video on demand
Speeds
 Security
⚫ What can you do to stop someone from
breaking into your system?