Unit I

Introduction

By
Dr. A Rajesh
 Introduction
 Computer Networks and Benefits

 Evolution of Network

 Types of Networks

 Networks Categories

 Networks Elements

 Networks Topologies

 Network Transmission Media

 COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS

 The term telecommunication means communication at

a distance.

 The word data refers to information presented in

whatever form is agreed upon by the parties creating
and using the data.

 Computer Communications (Data Communications)

are the exchange of data between two devices via some
form of transmission medium such as a wire cable.
 NETWORKS

 A network is a set of devices (often referred to as nodes)

connected by communication links.

 A node can be a computer, printer, or any other device

capable of sending and/or receiving data generated by
other nodes on the network.

 A link can be a cable, air, optical fiber, or any medium

which can transport a signal carrying information.
Computer Communications and Networks
 What is the Computer Network?
 A communication network is a set of nodes connected by links
and able to communicate with one another.
 A computer network is a communication network in which nodes
are computers.
 Components
 Sender

 Message

 Receiver

 Medium

 Protocol
 Benefits of Computer Networks

 Resources Sharing

 File Sharing

 Peripheral Sharing

 Software Sharing with multi-user licenses.

 Shared Internet Access

 Networks -Types
 Local Area Networks
 A LAN is a group of computers connected in small
geographical area
 Allow users to share files and services
 Wide Area Networks
 A WAN is a group of computers connected in Large
geographical area such as country
 A WAN often connects two LANs (WAN Link)
 Metropolitan Area Networks
 A MAN connects an area larger than a LAN but smaller than
a WAN, such as a city, with dedicated or high-performance
hardware
A heterogeneous network made of
four WANs and two LANs
 Network Categories
 Two basic types of networks
 Peer-to-Peer Networks
 Client/Server Networks
 Peer-to-Peer Networks
 In a peer-to-peer network, all
computers are considered equal;
they all have the same abilities to
use the resources available on the
network.
 Example : Windows Workgroup
 Client/Server Networks

 Some nodes (SERVER) are dedicated to present

services to other nodes (CLIENTS)
 Examples:
 Mail Server
 Web Server
 Client Server Model
Initiates a request

Client Replies with a service

Server

Client
Client
 What do you need to build a computer
network?
 Computers / Peripherals
 NICs
 Connecting Media
 Networking Device(s)
 Routers
 Switches
 Bridges
 Hubs

 Software
 Protocols
 Communication rules that all entity must agree on
 Network Topologies
 Topology refers to the shape of a network, or the
network's layout.
 Type of connection

 How different nodes in a network are connected to each

other and how they communicate are determined by the
network's topology.

 The choice of topology is dependent upon

 Type and number of equipment being used
 Cost
 Network Topologies
 Computer networks topologies
 Bus
 Star
 Ring
 Mesh
 Hybrid
 Bus Topology

 All devices are connected to a central cable, called the

bus or backbone.
 Bus Topology

 Both ends of the network must be terminated with a

terminator.
 A barrel connector can be used to extend the
network.
 Bus Topology
 The backbone functions as a shared communication
medium
 Device wanting to communicate with another device on
the network sends a message onto the backbone
 The message is heard by all stations, but only the
intended recipient actually accepts and processes the
message.

 Terminator absorbs frames at end of medium

 Frame Transmission - Bus LAN
 Example:
Station C want to
transmit a frame of data
to station A.
Bus Advantages and Disadvantages
 Advantages
 Simple, easy to use and construct
 Requires least amount of cable (less expensive)

 Disadvantages
 A faulty cable will take the entire LAN down
 Difficult to troubleshoot
 Heavy network traffic can slow bus considerably
 Star Topology

 A physical Star topology connects the devices via a

centralized unit such as a Hub or Switch.
 Nodes communicate across the network by passing data
through the central device.
 Star Types
 Broadcasted Star
Topology (Hubbed Star)

 Switched Star Topology

(Switched Star)
 Star Advantages
 Single computer failure doesn’t bring down whole
network
 Adding new devices to a Star network is very simple
compared to any of the other topologies
 No disruptions to the network when connecting or
removing devices.
 Centralized control
 Centralized network/hub monitoring
 Easy to troubleshoot
 Star Disadvantages
 If central device fails, the whole network fails
 Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally
requires more cable
 More expensive than linear bus topologies because of
the cost of the central device
 Ring Topology

 All devices are connected to one another in the shape of

a closed loop, so that each device is connected directly
to two other devices, one on either side of it.

 Data is passed one way from device to device.

 Ring Topology
 A short message (called a token) is circulated around the
ring, being passed from station to station.

 The token originates from a controller or master station

which inserts it onto the ring.

 A station which wants to transmit waits for the token to

arrive.

 When the token arrives, the station changes it from a token

to a connector message, and appends its message. This new
message is then placed on the outgoing side of the ring.
 Ring Topology
 Each station passes on received tokens if they have nothing to
transmit.
 They monitor connector messages to see if the message is
addressed to them.
 If connector messages are addressed to them, they copy the
message, modify it to signify its receipt, then send it on around
the ring.
 Connector messages which are not addressed to them are passed
directly on to the next station in the ring.
 When the connector message travels full circle and arrives at the
original sending station, it checks the message to see if it's been
received. It then discards the message and replaces it with a
token.
Frame Transmission - Ring LAN
Frame Transmission - Ring LAN
Frame Transmission - Ring LAN
Frame Transmission - Ring LAN
Ring Advantages and Disadvantages
 Advantages
 Equal access for all users
 Perform well under heavy traffic

 Disadvantages
 If one device/cable fails then the whole network goes down.
 Difficult to troubleshoot
 Adding/Removing computers disrupts the whole network
 Mesh Topology

 In a mesh topology each device/PC is connected to

every other device/PC in the network by its own cable
 Mesh Tye:
 Full Mesh
 Partial Mesh
 Mesh Advantages and
Disadvantages
 Advantages
 Mesh topology boasts the highest fault tolerance of all of the
network topologies

 Disadvantages
 Because each connection needs its own cable a Mesh topology
can get very expensive.
 Hybrid Topologies
 Hybrid means that there is more
than one topology exist

 Stared Bus
 Groups of star-configured networks
are connected to a linear bus backbone
Hybrid Advantage and Disadvantage
 Advantages:
 Network expansion is simple

 Disadvantages:
 If hub fails connections between failed hub and other
hubs will fail
 Network Transmission Media
 To transmit data, a medium must exist
 The medium can be in the form of cables or wireless
medium
 Most common used media for data networks
 Twisted pair cable
 Coaxial cable
 Fiber optic cable
 Wireless media
 Classes of transmission media

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