Chapter - 1

What to be covered

Introduction to Computer Network Components of Data Communication Types of Data Flow Types of Connection

Topologies
Categories of Network Protocols and Standards

Evolution of Computer Network

What is ?
Communication Information transfer, according to agreed conventions using
hand signals, language etc.

Telecommunication Communicating at a distance, includes telephony, telegraphy,

television etc.

Data Communication
Transfer of data from one or more sources to one or more destinations.

Computer Network
Computer network means a collection of interconnected computers(nodes). Computers(nodes) are said to be interconnected if they can exchange information.

Effectiveness of Data Communications system depends on four fundamental characteristics:

Delivery Accuracy

Timeliness`
Jitter

Data Communication

Components

Data Flow

Five components of data communication

A Set of rules that govern data communication The data (information) to be communicated

The device that sends data message

The physical path by which a message travels

The device that receives data message

Data Flow Simplex

Data Flow contd.. Half-duplex

Data Flow contd

Full-duplex

Networks
Distributed Processing Network Criteria Physical Structures Categories of Networks

Distributed Processing

A task is divided among multiple computers.

Network Criteria
Transit time Response time No. of users Type of transmission Medium

Performance

Reliability

Frequency of failure Time it taken to recover from failure

Security

Protecting data from unauthorized access Protecting data from damage

Types of Connection

Point-to-Point Connection

Types of Connection Contd.

Multipoint Connection

Categories of topology

Mesh topology
Key Characteristics: Fully Connected Robust Not flexible Poor expandability

Mesh topology contd..

Every device has dedicated point-to-point link to every other device. (n(n-1))/2 physical channels are required to link n devices. Advantages: No Traffic The use of dedicated link guarantees that each connection can carry its data load, thus eliminate traffic problems. Robust If one link becomes unusable, it does not affect the others. Privacy/ Security Every message travels along a dedicated link, hence only the intended recipient sees it. Fault identification and fault isolation is easy. Disadvantages: Installation and reconfiguration is difficult. The sheer bulk of wiring can be greater than the available space. The hardware required to connect each link are expensive.

Star topology

Key features: High Speed Very Flexible

Robustness
High Maintainability

Star topology
Advantages: Less expensive than mesh topology. Easy to install and configure. Less cabling required as compared to mesh. Robust Disadvantages: More cabling required to bus or ring topology.

Central controller required.

If central device is down, the whole system is down.

Bus topology

Bus topology contd..

It uses multipoint configuration.

Advantages: Ease of installation. Backbone cable can be laid along the most efficient path. Less cabling required.
Disadvantages: Difficult reconfiguration and fault isolation. Signal reflection at the taps can cause degradation in quality. A fault or break in the bus cable stops transmission.

Ring topology

Ring topology contd..

Each device has a dedicated point-to-point line configuration only with the two devices on other side of it.

Advantages: Relatively easy to install and configure.

Disadvantages: Unidirectional traffic can be a disadvantage. A break in the ring can disable the entire network.

Categories of networks

A Network is categorized with respect to its size, its ownership and the distance it covers.

LAN Smaller scope Building or small campus Usually owned by same organization as attached devices Data rates much higher Usually broadcast systems

LAN (Continued)

MAN Middle ground between LAN and WAN May be owned by Private company or a service provided by a public company Large area

WAN
It provides long-distance transmission of information over large geographical areas that may comprise a country, continent or even the whole world.

In contrast to LAN, WAN may utilize public, leased or private communication devices, usually in combinations.

What is a Protocol It is a set of rules that governs data communication.

A protocol defines what is communicated, how it is communicated, and when it is communicated. The protocol determines the following: The type of error checking to be used
Data compression method, if any How the sending device will indicate that it has finished sending a message How the receiving device will indicate that it has received a message

Key Elements of a Protocol

It refers to the meaning of each section of bits. How is a particular pattern to be interpreted, and what action is to be taken based on that interpretation? For example, address identify the route to be taken or final destination.
It refers to the structure or format of the data, meaning the order in which they are presented. For example, a simple protocol might expect the first 8 bits of data to be the senders address, the second 8 bits to be the receivers address and the rest of the stream to be the message itself.

Syntax Semantics Timing

It refers when data should be sent and how fast they can be sent . For example , if a sender produces data at 100Mbps, but the receiver can process data at only 1Mbps.

Some Definition
internet : A collection of networks connected by internetworking devices such as routers or gateways. A common form of internet is a collection of LANs connected by a WAN. It is also known as internetwork. Internet (uppercase I): A global internet based on the TCP/IP architecture, connecting millions of hosts worldwide. Intranet : An intranet is a private network that is contained with an enterprise. It may consists of many interlinked LAN and also use leased lines in the WAN. The main purpose of intranet is to share company information and computing resources among employees.

Application
Initially, computer network was developed for defense purpose, to have a secure communication network. After a decade or so, companies, in various fields, started using computer networks for keeping track of inventories, monitor productivity, communication between their different branch offices located at different locations. And now after almost two decades, computer networks have entered a new dimension; they are now an integral part of the society and people. In 1990s, computer network started delivering services to private individuals at home.

Some of the Applications

Marketing and Sales Financial Services Manufacturing Directory Services Information Services Electronic Data Exchange Electronic Mail Teleconferencing Voice over IP Video on Demand

The main area of applications can be broadly classified into following categories: Scientific and Technical Computing Client-Server model, Distributed Processing, Parallel Processing, Communication Media

Commercial Advertisement, Telemarketing, Teleconferencing

Network for the People Telemedicine, Distance Education, Access to remote Information, Person to Person Communication, Interactive Entertainment