Data Communications and

Computer Networks
1. Introduction
1.1 History and Overview
What is a Computer Network?
Network two or more entities sharing resources and information.
Computer network two or more computing devices connected to each
other to share resources and information.
Networked system is more powerful than the sum total of individual entities.
Computers on a network can act as a client or a server.
A client is a computer that requests for resources.
A server is a computer that controls and provides access to resources.
Use of Networks

A computer that operates independently from other computers is

called a stand-alone computer.
The process of printing or transferring data from one system to
another using various storage devices is called sneakernet.
Computer Networks are used to:
Enhance communication, e.g. e-mail
Share resources, e.g. data, applications
Facilitate centralized management, e.g. for maintenance and installation
Classification of Networks
Based on size or geographical area they cover.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Metropoitan Area Network (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Local Area Network )LAN)
A LAN covers relatively small area such as a classroom, a single building or
campus.
LANs are inexpensive to install and also provide higher speeds.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A MAN spans the distance of a typical metropolitan city.
The cost of installation and operation is higher.
MANs use high-speed connections such as fiber optics to achieve higher
speeds.
Wide Area Network
WANs span a larger area than a single city.
These use long distance telecommunication networks for connection, thereby
increasing the cost.
The Internet is a good example of a WAN.
Classification of Networks (contd)
Classification based on the roles the components play
Peer-to-peer
Server-based
Client-bases
Peer-to-peer Networks
All computers are considered equal.
Each computer controls its own information and is capable of functioning as
either a client or a server depending upon the requirement.
Peer-to-peer networks are inexpensive and easy to install.
They are popular as home networks and for use in small companies.
Most operating systems come with built-in peer-to-peer networking
capability.
The maximum number of peers that can operate on a peer-to-peer network is
ten.
Each peer shares resources and allows others open access to them.
Server-based Networks
A server-based network offers centralized control and is designed for secure
operations.
In a server-based network, a dedicated server controls the network.
A dedicated server is one that services the network by storing data,
applications, resources, and also provides access to resources required by the
client.
These servers can also control the networks security from one centralized
location or share it with other specially configured servers.
Client-based Networks
Client-based network servers process requests from clients and return just
the results.
These networks take advantage of the powerful processing capabilities of
both the client and the server.
Application servers and communications servers are examples of client-based
networks.
History of Networks
Major events in the history of computers are shown
1961 Kleinrock @ MIT - queuing theory shows effectiveness of packet-switching

1967 ARPAnet conceived by Advanced Research Projects Agency of DoD.

1969 ARPANET was born; 4 nodes inter-connected (UCLA, Stanford Research Institute,
UCSB, and the University of Utah)
First RFC published by Steve Crocker.

1970 ARPANET used NCP (Network Control Protocol), first end-to-end protocol ALOHAnet
satellite network in Hawaii (CSMA developed), later connects to ARPANet

1971 15 nodes were connected. Ray Tomlinson of BBN invented email program.

1972 Public demonstration of ARPANET

History of Networks (Contd)
1973 Ethernet was invented by Bob Metcalfe's (Harvard PhD Thesis)
1974 TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) was invented by Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn.
1978 TCP splited into TCP and IP.
1982 DoD used TCP/IP to inter-connect networks. Thus, the Internet!!!
1983 TCP/IP replaces NCP at the ARPANet
ARPANET was split into ARPANET and MILNET.
SMTP e-mail protocol defined
DNS defined for name-to-IP-address translation

1984 DNS (Domain Name System) was introduced.

> 1000 hosts.
History of Networks (Contd)
1985 FTP protocol defined

1986 NSFNET was created, connecting 5 super-computers.

IETF was formed.
NNTP was created.

1987 > 10,000 hosts.

1989 > 100,000 hosts
1990 ARPANET ceased. AOL, CompuServe provided dial-up service.
1991 WWW was created by Tim Berners-Lee from CERN.
Linux was released by Linus Torvalds.
1992 > 1,000,000 hosts.
1996 Browser war (Netscape vs. IE) began.
History of Networks (Contd)
1998 2M domain names registered.
Google founded.

1999 First online banking.

Napster released.

2000 Millennium bug.

2001 Wikipedia launched.

2002 Myspace launched.

2003 Facebook launched.

2006 > 439M hosts.

10 new computers joined the Internet every second.
1.2 Impact of Computers on Our Daily Life
With networks, we can:
check bank balance and pay bills electronically
find the least-congested route to a destination
use instant messaging and chat for both personal and business use
post and share your photographs, home videos and experiences
shop and sell at online auctions
use Internet phone services
obtain health information and nutritional advice
Impact of Computers (Contd)
Networks have changed the way we learn:
E-learning with online courses that contain voice, data and video.
Available anywhere, anytime.
Impact of Computers (Contd)
Learning by sharing and exploring
bulletin/discussion boards, chat rooms and instant messaging
Improved management and administration of courses
enrollment, assessment delivery and grade books
Impact of Computers (Contd)
Networks have changed the way we work:
Business applications can be accessed remotely as if employees were on site
Workers in any location can reach each other and access multiple resources
on the network

Remote Access Accessing Multiple Resources

Impact of Computers (Contd)
Networks have changed the Way We Play
Explore places of interest interactively or preview actual destinations before a
trip
Posting photographs about an event online for others to view
Participate in online games
Preview motion pictures
1.3 Computer Networks Vs Human Networks
Human networks between two or more humans; computer
networks between two or more computers.
Both facilitate communication and exchange of information.
Both require that information moves more quickly and reliably.
Data networks support the human network.
1.4 Computer Network As a Platform
Traditional networks required that:
Television, telephone, and computer networks work in very
different ways.
Telephone and television networks were maintained separately
from data networks.
Every one of these services to have a dedicated network, with
different communications channels and different technologies to
carry a particular communication signal.
Each service to have its own set of rules and standards to ensure
successful communication.
Computer Network As a Platform (contd)
Computer Network As a Platform (contd)
In Modern Networks:
Advances in technology are enabling us to consolidate these different kinds of
networks onto one platform, referred to as the converged network.
These converged networks are capable of delivering voice, video streams,
text, and graphics between many different types of devices over the same
communications channel and network structure.
Computer Network As a Platform (contd)
A wide range of alternative and new communication methods enable people
to interact directly with each other almost instantaneously.
There still are many points of contact and many specialized devices, such as
personal computers, phones, TVs, and tablet computers, but there is one
common network infrastructure.
This network infrastructure uses the same set of rules, agreements, and
implementation standards.
1.5 Network Elements and Roles
The Basic elements of a network are:
End devices or hosts the sources and destinations of the
communication.
E.g. Computers, IP phones, mobile phones, PDAs, etc.
Intermediary devices devices that give network access to the
attached end devices and transport.
E.g. hubs, switches, routers, modems, firewalls, etc.
Transmission media the physical media that connects the
devices, enabling the exchange of messages between them.
E.g. copper cable, optical fiber cable, wireless (like radio, infrared or microwave link)
Network Elements and Roles (contd)
Services network-aware software applications that request
network resources.
E.g. web browser
Messages the data/information that is required to be
transmitted.
E.g. telephone calls, e-mail, web pages, etc.
Network Elements and Roles (contd)
Communication Protocols define how devices in a network
communicate.
Key elements of a protocol are:
Syntax
Structure or format of the data
Indicates how to read the bits - field delineation
Semantics
Interprets the meaning of the bits
Knows which fields define what action
Timing
When data should be sent and what
Speed at which data should be sent or speed at which it is being received.