Introducing Basic Network

Concepts

Prepared by: Joseph E. Javier, MIT

 Overview
• Introduction to networks.
• Need for networks.
• Classification of networks.

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• A computer network is a group of
devices connected with each other
through a transmission medium such as
wires, cables or a wireless transmission.
These devices can be computers, printers,
scanners, Fax machines etc.

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 Introduction to Networks
• A network consists of two or more entities or
objects sharing resources and information.
• A computer network consists of two or more
computing devices connected to each other
to share resources and information.
• The network becomes a powerful tool when
computers communicate and share
resources with other computers on the same
network or entirely distinct networks.

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 Introduction to Networks
• 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.

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 Five Basic Components

Source: https://beginnersbook.com/2019/03/introduction-to-computer-network/

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 MESSAGE
• It is the data or information which needs to
be transferred from one device to another
device over a computer network.

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 SENDER
• Sender is the device that has the data and
needs to send the data to other device
connected to the network.

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 TRANSMISSION MEDIA
• It is the medium through which the
message is sent. For example: Modem.

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 RECEIVER
• A receiver is the device which is expecting
the data from other device on the network.
Transmission media: In order to transfer
data from one device to another device we
need a transmission media such as wires,
cables, radio waves etc.

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 PROTOCOL
• A protocol is a set of rules that are agreed by both
sender and receiver, without a protocol two
devices can be connected to each other but they
cannot communicate. In order to establish a
reliable communication or data sharing between
two different devices we need set of rules that are
called protocol. For example, http and https are the
two protocols used by web browsers to get and
post the data to internet, similarly smtp protocol is
used by email services connected to the internet.

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 Introduction to Networks
• Data is a piece of information.

• It is essential to maintain a hierarchy of data to manage

and control resources among computers.

• Network access to data must be evaluated carefully to

avoid security issues.

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 Need for 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.

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Computer Network Features

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 PERFORMANCE
• Performance of a computer network is
measured in terms of response time. The
response time of sending and receiving
data from one node (computer in a
computer network are often referred as
node) to another should be minimal.

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 DATA SHARING
• One of the reason why we use a computer
network is to share the data between
different systems connected with each
other through a transmission media.

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 BACKUP
•  A computer network must have a central
server that keeps the backup of all the
data that is to be shared over a network so
that in case of a failure it should be able to
recover the data faster.

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SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE
COMPATIBILITY
• A computer network must not limit all the
computers in a computer network to use
same software and hardware, instead it
should allow the better compatibility
between the different software and
hardware configuration.

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 RELIABILITY
• There should not be any failure in the
network or if it occurs the recovery from a
failure should be fast.

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 SECURITY
• A computer network should be secure so
that the data transmitting over a network
should be safe from unauthorised access.
Also, the sent data should be received as
it is at the receiving node, which means
there should not be any loss of data during
transmission.

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 SCALABILITY
• A computer network should be scalable which
means it should always allow to add new
computers (or nodes) to the already existing
computer network. For example, a company
runs 100 computers over a computer network for
their 100 employees, lets say they hire another
100 employees and want to add new 100
computers to the already existing LAN then in
that case the local area computer network
should allow this.
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 Need for Networks
• Enhance communication
• Share resources
• Facilitate centralized management

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 Enhance Communication
• Computer networks use electronic mail (e-
mail) as the choice for most of the
communication.
• By using networks, information can be
sent to a larger audience in an extremely
fast and efficient manner.

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 Share Resources

• A copy of data or application stored at a single

central location is shared over a network.

• Computer peripheral devices, referred to as

additional components, can be attached to a

computer and be shared in a network.

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 Share Resources
• Peripheral devices include faxes,
modems, scanners, and any other device
that connects to the computers.
• Equipments having common requirements
can be shared in order to reduce
maintenance cost.

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 Share Resources
• Important data can also be stored centrally
to make it accessible to users, thereby
saving storage space on individual
computers.
• Computer applications, which take up a
considerable amount of storage space,
can be installed centrally on the network,
saving storage space.

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 Facilitate Centralized
Management
• Networks are used to assist in
management tasks associated with their
own operation and maintenance.
• Using networks results in increased
efficiency and a resultant reduction in
maintenance costs.

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 Facilitate Centralized
Management
Software:
– Software is a set of instructions or programs
that control the operation of a computer.
– Software can be installed at a central location
using servers, where the installation files are
made accessible over the network.

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 Classification of Networks
• Classification by network geography.
• Classification by component roles.

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 Classification by Network
Geography
• Networks are frequently classified
according to the geographical boundaries
spanned by the network itself.
• LAN, WAN, and MAN are the basic types
of classification, of which LAN and WAN
are frequently used.

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 Classification by Network
Geography
Local area network (LAN):
– A LAN covers a relatively small area such as
a classroom, school, or a single building.
– LANs are inexpensive to install and also
provide higher speeds.

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Classification by Network
Geography

Local area network

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 Classification by Network
Geography
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.

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Classification by Network
Geography

Metropolitan area network

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 Classification by Network
Geography
Wide area network (WAN):
– 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.

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Classification by Network
Geography

Wide area network

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 Classification by Component
Roles
• Networks can also be classified according
to the roles that the networked computers
play in the network’s operation.
• Peer-to-peer, server-based, and client-
based are the types of roles into which
networks are classified.

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 Classification by Component
Roles
Peer-to-peer:

– In a peer-to-peer network, 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.

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 Classification by Component
Roles
Peer-to-peer (continued):
– Most operating systems come with built-in
peer-to-peer networking capability.
– Each peer shares resources and allows
others open access to them.

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 Classification by Component
Roles
Peer-to-peer (continued):
– Peer-to-peer networks become difficult to
manage when more security is added to
resources, since the users control their
security by password-protecting shares.
– Shares can be document folders, printers,
peripherals, and any other resource that they
control on their computers.

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Classification by Component
Roles

Peer-to-peer network

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 Classification by Component
Roles
Server-based:
– A server-based network offers centralized
control and is designed for secure operations.
– In a server-based network, a dedicated server
controls the network.

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 Classification by Component
Roles
Server-based (continued):
– 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 network’s
security from one centralized location or share
it with other specially configured servers.

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Classification by Component
Roles

Server-based network

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 Classification by Component
Roles
Client-based:
– 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.

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Classification by Component
Roles

Client-based
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 Summary
• A network consists of two or more entities
sharing resources and information.
• A computer network consists of two or
more computers that are connected and
are able to communicate.

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 Summary
• The basic purpose of networks is to
enable effective communication, share
resources, and facilitate centralized
management of data.
• Networks can be classified according to
their geographical boundaries or their
component roles.

COC2- Set-up Computer Network