Outline

Computer Networks
Advantages of Computer Networks
Classifications of Networks
Local Area Networks (LANs)
Wireless LANs
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Broadband Technologies
Internet
Private Networks and Public Networks
 Computer Networks

A collection of computers and other associated devices
(printers, fax machines, or any devices capable of
sending/receiving data) interconnected by intermediate
networking devices (hubs, routers and switches) using
some transmission media (copper, fiber, free space)
 Direct Connectivity

Point-to-Point (p-to-p)
Provides a dedicated link between two devices

Multipoint
There is a single link shared among several devices
Advantages of Computer Networks

Resource sharing
- printers, databases, applications, files
Remote information access
- web and ftp
User communications (email)
Interaction among cooperative application programs
- Distributed systems such as mobile agents
 Classification of Networks

Based on the covered geographical distance (size or scale)
 Local-Area Networks (LANs)

Connects a set of devices in a relatively small geographical
area to exchange information and share resources
 LAN Features

Smaller Scope (Building or Small Campus)
Usually owned by same organization
Data rates are much higher
Usually broadcast systems
Easy to manage
 LANs cont.

Technologies Devices

Ethernet Repeaters
Fast Ethernet hubs
Gigabit Ethernet Bridges
Token Ring LAN switches
Token Bus
 Network Topology

The way in which a network is physically laid out (physical
structure)
 Mesh Topology

Every device has a dedicated point-to-point link to every
other device
Star Topology

 Bus Topology

Share a common media

Ring Topology

Share a common media

 Broadcast Networks

Bus Topology
Ring Topology
 Media Access Control (MAC)

When several stations are sharing a common link a
protocol is needed to coordinate access to the link
- Only one can transmit at a time
- If several stations transmit at same time, their
frames collide and become corrupted (collision)
 CSMA/CD

Station senses the link before start to transmit the signal
( Carrier Sense CS )
So, multiple computers access media at different times
( Multiple Access MA )
Once the station starts to transmit, it monitors the medium to
see if transmission is successful (Collision Detection CD)
If collision detected, the station stops the transmission
immediately
It will retransmit the signal, when medium is free
 Control Token

A small frame (Token) is continuously going through the
media
If the station wants to transmit the signal it should checks
the token in the media
If the token is available, station gets the token and
transmits the signal
After the transmission station releases the token
IEEE 802 LAN Standards

IEEE 802.3 Ethernet

 IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Cont.

When a packet of data is handed over to the MAC layer, it
appends some other information to it and creates a frame
known as the Ethernet frame.
Data is transmitted as a frame.
Frame will have some additional bits in addition to data.
They are called Overhead (OH) bits.
It carries Source Address, Destination Address, and
Synchronization etc.
Ethernet Frame

0-1500 bytes Data
0-46 bytes - Padding

Minimum : 64 bytes
IEEE 802.4 Token Bus

IEEE 802.5 Token Ring

IEEE 802.11 - Wireless LAN

 IEEE 802.11- Wireless LAN Cont.

Media Access Control (MAC) Methods
- CSMA/CD
- CSMA/CA
- CDMA
- TDMA
 IEEE 802.11- Wireless LAN Cont.

Transmit
Standard Bit Rate Remarks
Frequency
802.11 b 11 Mbps 2.4 GHz Normal use

802.11 a 54 Mbps 5 GHz Normal use

802.11 g 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz Normal use

For adhoc
Hyper LAN 23.5 Mbps 5.1 5.3 GHz
networks
For QoS Wireless
Hyper LAN II 25 Mbps 5.4 5.7 GHz
networks
Metropolitan-Area Network (MANs)

Extend over an entire city
 Wide Area Networks (WANs)

WANs provide connectivity for LANs that are dispersed over
a large geographic area
 WANs cont.

Technologies Devices
PSTN Dial Up Connections
Leased Line WAN switches
Packet Switched Networks Access servers
Frame Relay Modems
ISDN Routers
ADSL Multiplexers
IP-VPN
 PSTN Dial Up Connections

If computers are located very far away a Public Network (Public

Switched Telephone Network) can be used to connect them
Requires a modem and a phone line to dial into a service
providers node, in order to get the connection
 PSTN Cont.

Advantages
Low Price
Secure connection

Disadvantages
Slow speed
No dedicated connection ( Always you have to dial )
Cant have calls and data at the same time
 Leased Line

A permanent telephone connection between two devices

 Leased Line Cont.

Advantages
Secure and private - dedicated to the customer
Speed symmetrical
Reliable private circuit local loops

Disadvantages
Expensive to install and rent
Not suitable for single or home workers
Frame Relay

 Frame Relay Cont.

If a Frame Relay link is needed between A and B

- a special number is given to A, to reach B
- a special number is given to B, to reach A
Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI)
 Frame Relay Cont.

Each router has a unique DLCI value
Frame Relays switches are configured to make the
connection using DLCI values
The connection path is called a virtual circuit
Normally Frame Relay uses PVCs

Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC)

End-to-end virtual circuit is available permanently
Connection is permanent
 Frame Relay Cont.

Advantages
Secure and private VPN
Reliable provide backup lines
Service over a long distance

Disadvantages
Due to network congestion, speed can be reduced
Difficulties in ensuring Quality of Service (QoS)
Broadband Technologies

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL)
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

 ISDN Cont.

Advantages
Digital service
Higher bandwidth
Can use for both voice and data at same time

Disadvantages
ISDN modems and telephones are more expensive
ISDN is billed as a phone line, to which is added the bill for
Internet ISDN access.
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)

 ADSL Cont.

Advantages
Can use for both voice and data at same time
Fixed monthly fee
High speed internet access
Always on connection

Disadvantages
Maximum data rate depends on how far away you are from your
local telephone exchange