School of Business
Eastern Illinois University
Basic Computer Networks
Configurations
(August 31, 2016)
© Abdou Illia, Fall 2016
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Learning Objectives
Outline Basic network configurations
Name kinds of applications that might use each
Configuration
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Network Configurations?
Ways of organizing data processing
– Where to do processing
Decision on “which configuration” depends on:
– Available equipment
– Applications
Many Basic configurations
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Basic configurations
Terminal to mainframe computer
Microcomputer to mainframe computer
Microcomputer to local area network
Microcomputer to Internet
Local area network to local area network
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Basic configurations
Local area network to wide area network
Wide Area network to Wide Area network
Sensor to local area network
Satellite and microwave
Wireless telephone
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Terminal-to-mainframe configuration
Created in the 1960s
– Mainframe does all the processing
– Terminals are dumb--only a remote screen and keyboard
– Created in the 1960s, when microprocessors for terminal
intelligence did not exist
Use in decrease (Legacy Systems)
modem Telephone modem
Network
Terminals
Mainframe
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Terminal-to-mainframe configuration
Usually, Mainframe
– Optimized for business uses--file access speed is more crucial than
mathematical processing
Terminals used for:
– Entering data into system
– Displaying results from the Mainframe
Configuration used for:
– Inquiry/Response applications
– Interactive applications
Examples: Airline reservation, Motor Vehicle licensing
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Terminal-to-mainframe configuration
Mainframe controls:
– Sending data to the terminals
– Receiving data from the terminals
Require special types of protocols
Transmission at relatively slow speed (e.g. 9600 bps)
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Microcomputer-to-mainframe configuration
Began to emerge in the early 1980s
Usually:
– Mainframes store databases
– Microcomputers perform operations on downloaded data
– File Server Program Access is used (see next) for processing
– Client/Server processing could also be used (see next)
Can be used as a Terminal-to-Mainframe (w. Terminal-emulation cards)
Example: Business employees accessing corporate database
Data are downloaded to
Microcomputer.
Executed There
Uploaded to
Mainframe
Microcomputer Mainframe
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Microcomputer-to-LAN configuration
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Microcomputer-to-LAN configuration
Perhaps the most common Network configuration
– Very common in business and academic environments
LAN = Excellent system for sharing software (Word
processing, spreadsheet, etc.) and peripherals (High
quality printers, etc.)
LAN contain software necessary to route request to
appropriate resource
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Microcomputer-to-LAN configuration
Client/Server processing system = one of the
most common processing techniques used.
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Client/Server Processing
Division of Labor
– Client program handles lighter work, such as user
interface chores and light processing chores
– Server program handles heavy work, such as database
retrieval
Server
Client Program Program
Client Machine Server
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File Server Program Access
File Server Program Access is another Common
Way to Execute Programs in Networks with
Microcomputer-to-LAN configurations
– Program files and Data files are stored on a file server
before execution
Stored
on the
File
Server
Client PC File Server
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File Server Program Access
For execution,
– Program and data files are downloaded (copied) to the
Client PC
– Processing on the client PC, not on the file server
– File server merely stores programs and data files
Downloaded to
Client PC,
Executed There
Client PC File Server
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File Server Program Access
PC processing power limits FSPA programs
– Client PCs do not get very large
– Only programs small enough to operate on limited
client PCs can be used
Executed on the
Client PC
Client PC File Server
Comparing FSPA, Client/Server, and 17
Terminal-to-mainframe
File Server Program Client/Server Terminal–to-
Access Processing mainframe
• Location of • Client PC (not on • Client computer • Mainframe
processing the file server) and Server (2 (terminals are
programs) dumb)
• Graphics Very good because of • Very good • Poor because rich
local processing in because of local graphics would
client PC processing in require expensive
client PC high-speed
network traffic.
• Response • Very good because • Very good • Poor because
Times of local processing because of local mainframes often
on client PC process in client are overloaded.
PC, although
some server delay.
• Scalability • Low: Client PCs do • High: Upgrade the • Very high:
not get very large. server. Mainframes get
very large
Comparing Distributed Processing 18
Alternatives (Continued)
File Server Program Client/Server Terminal–to-
Access Processing mainframe
• Platform • No. For PCs only • Yes. Client and • No. For
independent? server machines terminals and
may be of any mainframes only
platform type.
The two
machines may
be of different
platform types
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Summary Questions
1. What kind of application might use: (a) a
terminal-to-mainframe configuration, (b) a
microcomputer-to-mainframe configuration, (c)
client/server processing ?
2. Distinguish among Terminal–to-mainframe, File
Server Program Access, and Client/Server
processing in terms of where processing is done
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Summary Questions (cont.)
Which of the following may involve using a
Terminal-to-Mainframe configuration?
a) You are surfing the Web at home using a dial-up
connection to the Internet
b) You are downloading files located on a computer in
your organization’s LAN using your laptop computer
from home.
c) The airline company clerk is booking for a flight
ticket for a customer.
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Summary Questions (cont.)
Which of the following processing techniques is
commonly used in schools’ LANs to provide
software programs to students in computer labs?
a) Client/server processing
b) File Server Program Access
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Other slides
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Client/Server processing
Client PC Client PC Client PC Client PC Client PC
Server Does Heavy Processing Work: database retrieval, central security, etc.
Client PCs do lighter work: creating requests, displaying responses
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Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network configuration
Request
Response
Request
Client PC Client PC
Response
No dedicated server: PCs are equal, i.e. peers
Any computer can be client and server
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P2P Applications
Direct service, although some P2P systems use
facilitating servers for some of the work
Peer Peer
Peer
Peer
Peer
Peer
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P2P network configuration w/ facilitating server
Index Server File List
1.
List of
Uploads List
Available
of Available Files
2. Files
When Connects
Search Query From All
Current Clients
3.
Response 4.
P2P file
Download
Client PC Client PC Client PC
Napster-like P2P file sharing
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Microcomputer-to-Internet configuration
Accessing the Internet using
– A modem and a dial-up telephone service
– ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
– DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
– Cable Modems
Internet only “talk” TCP/IP
– Microcomputers need to use Software that support
TCP/IP
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Microcomputer-to-Internet configuration
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Microcomputer-to-Internet configuration
ISDN
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Microcomputer-to-Internet configuration
DSL
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Microcomputer-to-Internet configuration
Cable Modem
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LAN-to-LAN configuration
Using bridges to connect distinct LANs
Connecting LANs make it possible to share software and peripherals
among LANs
Examples: Schools or Businesses with multiple LANs
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LAN-to-WAN configuration
Using routers to connect LANs to WANs
Routers more elaborate devices compared to bridges
More computing capabilities needed to convert data from a LAN into data bound
for a WAN
Examples: School or Business connecting to Internet or external database
service
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