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
• A network of Computers for the purpose of Information
interchange.
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 physical
The device that sends The device that
path by which a
data message receives data message
message travels
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
Performance Type of transmission Medium
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
Fully connected mesh topology (for five devices)
Key Characteristics:
• Fully Connected
• Robust
• Not flexible
• Poor expandability
Star topology
Key features:
• High Speed
• Very Flexible
• Robustness
• High Maintainability
Bus topology
Ring topology
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.
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
Syntax interpreted, and what action is to be taken
based on that interpretation?
For example, address identify the route to be
Semantics taken or final
It refers destination.
to the structure or format of the
data, meaning the order in which they are
presented.
Timing For example, a simple protocol might expect
the first 8 bits of data to be the sender’s
address, the second 8 bits to be the
Itreceiver’s address
refers when dataand the rest
should of the
be sent stream
and how
to bethey
fast the can
message itself.
be sent .
For example , if a sender produces data at
100Mbps, but the receiver can process data
at only 1Mbps.
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
