Computer Networks

1.Computer Networks
 A number of computers connected to one
another is called a computer network
 A network is a set of technologies including
H/W, S/W and media- that can be used to
connect computer systems together for
 Communicating with each other (email, instant
messaging etc.)
 Exchanging information
 Share resources in real time

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Uses of Networks
 Simultaneous Access
 Commonly used data and resources can be kept on a central location, called
Network Server, from where users can simultaneously access.
 If data is stored centrally, it is called a file server
 Programs also can be centrally located in the server, which can be accessed by
users on the network- Client server model
 Applications also can be centrally located on server ( Application Server)or in
clients in distributed mode of processing.
 Shared Peripheral devices- colour laser printers (either directly to network or
through Print Server), scanners, fax etc.
 Personal Communications- email, instant messaging, teleconferencing
 Video conferencing- real time communication over adistance by people at two or
more sites using video picture- cameras, mic, speakers, monitors etc.
 Audio conferencing- digital audio between groups of participants
 Data- conferencing- to have shared workspace on their computer desktops-
shared “whiteboards”, where they can draw, write, import or manipulate images
con real time. Used in conjunction with video and audio conferencing
 VOIP- Voice over internet protocol- cheap audio communication on long
distance calls
 Easier Backup- Keep backup on shared storage devices

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The Telecommunications System

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2. The Telecommunications system

 Telecommunications system: Combination of hardware and

software that transmits information (text, data, graphics, and
voice) from one location to another. Its components are:
 Hardware – computers, communications processors like modems
 Communications media – physical media through which
electronic signals are transmitted incl wireless media
 Communications Networks – links amongst computers and
communication devices
 Communications software – s/w that controls the entire
telecommunications system and the entire transmission process
 Data Communications providers – firms providing data
communication services
 Communications protocols – rules for transmitting information
across the system
 Communications applications – EDI, teleconferencing etc.
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Communications processors
 Hardware devices that support data transmission and
reception across a telecommunications system.
 Modem: Device that converts signals from analog to
digital and vice versa.
 Analog Signal – continuous waves that transmit
information by altering the amplitude and frequency of
the waves.
 Digital signal: A discrete pulse, either on or off, that
conveys information in a binary form.

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 Multiplexer: Electronic device that allows a
single communications channel to carry data
transmission simultaneously from many
sources.
 Front-end processor: A small secondary
computer, dedicated solely to communication,
that manages all routing communications with
peripheral devices.

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Communication media and channels

 Communication channel. Pathway for

communicating data form one location to
another.
Cable Media
Broadcast Media

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 Cable media: Communications channels that use physical
wires or cables to transmit data and information.
 Twisted pair wire – strands of copper wire twisted in
pairs –inexpensive, widely available, easy to work
with, unobtrusive – slow(low bandwidth- 10Mbps),
subject to interference, easily tapped (low security)
 Coaxial Cable – insulated and shielded copper wire –
higher bandwidth(100Mbps), less susceptible to
interference- expensive, easily tapped 9low to
medium security), difficult to work with
 Fibre optic cable- Thousand of very thin filaments of
glass fibers, surround by cladding, that transmit information
via light pulses generated by lasers – high bandwidth (6
Tbps) , theoretically upto 25Tbps– difficult to work with.
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 Broadcast ( wireless) media: Communication
channels that use electromagnetic media (the
‘’airwaves’’) to transmit data.
 Microwave transmission. Communication
channel that uses towers to send wireless
signals; used for high-volume, long-
distance, point-to-point communication
on line of sight (every 30 miles you need
towers to receive , amplify and retransmit)

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 Satellite transmission. Communications channel that
uses orbiting satellites to send digital transmission
point-to-point.
Geostationary satellites at 22,300miles above. Three
satellites sufficient to give global coverage. GEO-
Geostationary earth orbit
Medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites- 6000 miles above,
orbits inclined to equator.
Low earth orbit (LEO) satellites – 400-700 miles above-
require less power- cellular telephones- low battery power
reqd to reach (Iridium Satellites)
 Propagation delay. Brief pause between the sending
and receipt of a satellite transmission (about 0.25
second).
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 Radio transmission(R.F) Communications channel
that uses radio wave frequencies to send data directly
between transmitters and receivers over short
distances.
 Satellite radio (digital radio). Form of radio
transmission that offers uninterrupted, near CD-
quality music beamed to your radio from space.
 Infrared. Red light not commonly visible to human
eyes; can be modulated or pulsed for conveying
information.

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3. Network processing strategies

 Distributed processing. Network architecture that

divides processing work between two or more
computers, linked together in a network.
 Client/ server computing. Form of distributed
processing in which some machines (servers)
perform computing functions for end –user PCs
(clients).
 Peer- to–peer processing. A type of client/ server
distributed processing that allows two or more
computers to pool their resources, making each
computer both a client and a server

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4. Types of computer networks
 Local area network (LAN). Network that connects
communications devices in a limited geographical
region within 2000’ (e.g., a building ), so that every
user device on the network can communicate with
every other device.
 Topology. The physical layout and connectivity of a
network
•Hierarchical Topology
Bus Topology
Star Topology •Hybrid Topology
Ring Topology
Mesh Topology

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 Bus Topology
 One common cable with terminators at the ends is used
 Advantage- uses least amount of cabling

Server
Computer n

Laser Printer Scanner

Common Bus

Computer 1 Computer 2 Computer 3

Disadvantages
Extra Circuitry and s/w needed for collision prevention- CSMA/CD
used- carrier sensing multiple access with collision detection 15

broken connection can bring down all or part of network

 Star Topology
Most common
topology
Server
All nodes
connected Comp1 Comp4
through hub
Some hubs-
intelligent hubs Hub
can monitor traffic
and prevent
collisions
Comp2 Comp3
Broken
connection
affects node only
Broken hub
affects all 16
Ring Topology
Nodes are connected
in circular chain
Server
Each node examines
data as it travels
through ring
A small packet called
token is circulated in comp1
comp4
the ring
If token is not
addressed to the node
examining it, it passes
to the next node
comp3
No danger of collisions comp2
as only one packet of
data travels at a time in
the ring
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Mesh Topology

Least used
topology
Comp1 comp2
Most expensive
to implement
A cable runs
from every
computer to
other computers
Advantage-
data can never
fail to be comp3
delivered as comp4
there are
alternate paths
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Hierarchical Topology

Main Frame

Mini1 Mini2 Mini3

comp1 comp2 compn

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Hybrid Topology

comp1 Star
Server

Printer

Ring Hierarchical Main frame

Mini Mini
Printer
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 LAN technology
 File server. A repository of various software and data files
for the network, which determines who gets access to what
and in what sequence
 Network interface card. Hardware that specifics the data
transmission rate, the size of message units, the
addressing information attached to each message and
network topology.
 Gateway. A communications processor that connects
dissimilar networks by translating from one set of protocols
to another
 Bridge. A communications processor that connects two
networks of the same type.
 Router. A communications processor that routes message
through several connected LANs or to a wide area network.
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Lan Technology- contd.
 LANs employ
 Base Band technology or
 Broad Band Technology

 In base band entire cable capacity used to

transmit a single digitally coded signal
 In broad band, several signals can be carried
by the cable at the same time at different
frequencies

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Wireless local area networks (WLANs)
 WLANs: Technologies (e.g., Bluetooth and
wifi) that provide LAN connectivity over short
distance, typically limited to less than 150
meters.
 Bluetooth. A wireless technology that enables
temporary, short-range connection between
wireless devices and enables these devices to
communicate with each other via low-power radio
frequencies. Max transmission speed 720Kbps
 Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). A wireless technology
that can transmit information at a range up to 300
feet; another name for the 802.11b standard on
which most WLANs run.

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Wide area networks (WAN)
 A long- haul broad band (analog)networks,
generally provided by a common
telecommunications carrier, that covers a
wide geographic area.They can use any of
the five topologies and can include switched
and dedicated lines, microwave and satellite
communications. They are generally star
type
 Value-added network (VAN). A private, data-
only network that is managed by an outside
third party and used by multiple
organizations to obtain economies in the
cost of network service and network
management. 24
Wide area networks (WAN) cont…
 Virtual private network (VPN). A WAN
operated by a common carrier; provides
a gateway between a corporate LAN
and the Internet.

 Tunnelling. The process of sending data

over the Internet in encrypted form.

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Enterprise Networking
 Interconnected multiple LANs and
WANs.

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