Computer Networks

Sarbjeet Prasad
jeet@vitalmail.com
Computer Network
A network is a group of computers connected
together in a way that allows information to
be exchanged between the computers.
Computer Network contd.
A network is first and foremost a system to
enable communications among multiple
locations and people.
A network also creates synergy, where the
sum of the whole is potentially greater than
the sum total of the parts.
Why Network?
In today's business world, reliable and
efficient access to information has become
an important asset in the quest to achieve a
competitive advantage.
File cabinets and mountains of papers have
given way to computers that store and
manage information electronically.


Why Network? contd.
Coworkers thousands of miles apart can
share information instantaneously, just as
hundreds of workers in a single location can
simultaneously review research data
maintained online.
Why Network? contd.
The Internet is the most striking example of
computer networking, linking millions of
computers around the world.
Physical Networking-the Hardware

The physical part of networking is all
hardware. Its tangible-you can hold it in your
hand. Its the wiring and network cards and
computers and hub and all other stuff that
allows the network to function.
Physical topology
A physical topology is simply the
arrangement of a network.
Kind of topologies:
Bus (simplicity)
Star (Reliability)
Ring (Reliability and speed)


Bus

Star

Token ring

Logical topology
Bus and star topologies are often used for
Ethernet networks, which are the most
popular types of network; ring topologies are
used for Token Ring, which is less popular
but equally functional
The main differences between Ethernet,
Token Ring and FDDI (complex star
topology) topologies stem from how they
allow computers to communicate with each
other.
Logical topology contd.
Ethernet, Token Ring and FDDI are referred
as logical topologies. Unlike physical
topologies, which you can touch and pick up,
logical topologies are not concerned with
wires, cabling, and hardware; logical
topologies are the rules of the road for
networks.

FDDI (pronounced fid-ee) and stands for Fiber Distributed Data Interface.
A typical network consists of:

nodes (computers)
a connecting medium (wired or wireless)
specialized network equipment like routers or
hubs or switch.

Node
A node is anything that is connected to the
network. While a node is typically a
computer, it can also be something like a
printer or CD-ROM tower.

Medium
Ethernet devices attach to a common
medium that provides a path along which the
electronic signals will travel. Historically, this
medium has been coaxial copper cable, but
today it is more commonly a twisted pair or
fiber optic cabling.





coaxial copper cable
twisted pair
Specialized network equipment
Switches (a network connection point) allow
different nodes, typically a computer of a
network to communicate directly with one
another in a smooth and efficient manner.
Networking hardware's
Wiring and cabling are used to connect
devices.
A Hub or Switch or MAU is a device that
provide the network with a single point of
contact for all other devices.
Router and bridges are devices that move
(manages) data flow between networks.
LAN and WAN
Local Area Network (LAN) - A LAN is a
network of computers that are in the same
general physical location, usually within a
building or a campus. If the computers are far
apart (such as across town or in different
cities), then a Wide Area Network (WAN) is
typically used.

Protocols
Protocols
In networking, the term protocol refers to a
set of rules that govern communications.
Protocols are to computers what language is
to humans. Since this slide is in English, to
understand it you must be able to read
English. Similarly, for two devices on a
network to successfully communicate, they
must both understand the same protocols.
The Ethernet rule (CSMA/CD)
The acronym CSMA/CD signifies carrier-
sense multiple access with collision
detection and describes how the Ethernet
protocol regulates communication among
nodes.

Carrier sense
Carrier sense: Before a station transmits, it
"listens" to the medium to determine if
another station is transmitting. If the medium
is quiet, the station recognizes that this is an
appropriate time to transmit.


Multiple access
The term multiple access means when one
Ethernet station transmits, all the stations on
the medium hear the transmission.

Collision detection
Collision-in terms of networking, the thing that
happens when two computers attempt to
transmit data on the same network wire at the
same time. This create a conflict; both
computers sense the collision, stop
transmitting, and wait a random amount of
time before retransmitting.
Networking Hardwares
Physical Network
Network Interface Card (NIC) - Every
computer (and most other devices) is
connected to a network through an NIC. In
most desktop computers, this is an Ethernet
card (normally 10 or 100 Mbps) that is
plugged into a slot on the computer's
motherboard.
Add-in NIC Card
Build-in (integrated) NIC card
Patch panel Patch cord






RJ-45 Jack
Switch or hub
Bandwidth
A term used to describe the maximum speed
at which a given device (such as a network
card or modem) can transfer data.
Bandwidth is measured in kilobits per second
or megabits per second.
Internet

The Internet is a network of networks.

The Internet is a series of private computer
networks connected to each other.
Intranet

Typically, if you build a LAN or WAN-that is, a
private network-using Internet standards, you
have created an internal Internet, or Intranet.
Extranet
If you connect your intranet to the Internet
and make provisions for your customers and
business partners to use pieces of your
intranet to do business with you, youve gone
a step beyond an intranet and created an
extranet.
The OSI reference model
TCP/IP addressing
Identifying different component of a LAN
IPX
Internetworking Packet Exchange (IPX).
Designed by Novell
On the whole, IPX is easy to install and
simple to use.
Not an open standard
NetBIOS and NetBEUI
Network Basic Input/Output System
(NetBIOS) and NetBIOS Extended User
Interface (NetBEUI) are single-site network
protocols.
Summary
A protocol is a set of rules for sending and
receiving data across a network.
Logical topologies instruct the hardware how
to packetize and transmit data across the
physical topology.

Summary contd.
Protocols handle the translation of data from
application to the logical topology.


TCP/IP, IPX, NetBIOS/NetBEUI

Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, ATM
Bus, Star, Ring

Physical topology
Logical topology
Protocol