Computer Networks

_____________
HABIB ULLAH
Computer Network
Multiple computers that are connected together to share
information and other resources
Examples of Computer Network
Usage
I can send an eMail message to a remote computer using the SMTP protocol

I can browse documents residing on a remote computer using the HTTP protocol

I can download or upload files to a remote computer using the FTP protocol

I can run a program on a remote computer using the TELNET protocol

 Computer
E
Computer
A

Example of
a Computer Hub
Computer
D

Network

Computer
B Computer
C
Components of Conventional
Computer Networks
1. Computers

2. Network Interface Cards (NIC)

◦ I/O device that plugs into the computer
◦ Enables it to communicate over a network

3. Hub
◦ The network traffic controller
Components of Conventional
Computer Networks
4. Cables
◦ Are either electrical or optical
◦ Not required at all for wireless networks

5. Protocol
◦ Rules governing communications over the network
How Does a Conventional
Network Work?
1. Suppose computer A wants to send a message to D

2. Computer A sends the message to its NIC

3. The NIC translates the message into electrical pulses suitable for the computer network in
use & transmits it to the hub through the cable
How Does a Conventional
Network Work?
4. The hub receives them and forwards them to all computers connected to it

5. The NICs of all computers connected to the hub receive the forwarded electrical pulses

6. The NIC of computer D decides that the message is for it, & translates the pulses back to a
form suitable for the computer
Hub
A device that is used to connect several computers to form a network

A hub has several ports. The number generally is 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, or 48
Each computer in a network is connected to one of those ports through a cable

A computer wanting to send a message to one of the others in the network sends a message to
the hub, which, in turn, broadcasts the message to all others connected to it
Packet (1)
The smallest unit of data transmitted over a computer network

A message to be transferred over the network is broken up into small packets by the sending
computer

Each packet contains the following info:

◦ Sender's address
◦ Destination address
◦ Data
◦ Error-recovery info
Packet (2)
All packets travel independently

When all packets are received by the destination computer, it reassembles them to form the
original message
Types of Computer Networks
according to the network access policy

Private

Public
Private Networks (1)
Organizations having many computers usually connect them in the form of private networks

Access to these network is restricted to authorized computers only

This allows computers from within the organization to exchange info, but keeps the info private
and protected from outsiders

All equipment on a private network is generally for the exclusive use of that organization
Public Networks
All networks that are not private, are … public

Example: Internet

Communication equipment used in these networks is generally being used by users belonging to
several (possibly thousands of) organizations as well as those belonging to no organization
VPN: Virtual Private Network
From the user’s point-of-view, a VPN looks like a secure, private network

VPNs use public telecom infrastructure, maintaining privacy through security procedures

VPNs provide secure network connections for distance computers without using dedicated,
private channels to supply the connection

Key benefit of VPNs over conventional PNs: Lower cost

Types of Computer Networks
according to the distance between nodes

LAN: (Local Area Network)

WAN: (Wide Area Network)

LAN
A network of computers located in the same building or a handful of nearby buildings

Examples:
◦ Computer network at your PVC
◦ Computer network of a University campus
WAN
A network in which computers are separated by great distances, typically across cities or even
continents

May consist of several interconnected LANs

Example:
◦ The network connecting the ATM of a bank located in various cities
◦ A network connecting the local and oversea offices of a SW house
◦ Internet
Connecting LANs to other
Networks
Special-purpose devices are used to link LANs to other networks

They may belong to one of the following categories:

◦ Routers
◦ Bridges
◦ Gateways
◦ Modems
Router
A special-purpose computer that directs data traffic when several paths are available

A router examines the destination info in each arriving packet and then routes it through the
most efficient path available

The router either delivers the packet to the destination computer across a local network or
forwards the packet to another router that is closer to the final destination
Bridge
Used to form a connection between two separate, but similar networks

In a way, it creates an extended LAN by passing information between two or more LANs
Gateway
A special-purpose computer that provides connection and translation between networks that
use different communications protocols

LAN’s may use a gateway (or router) to connect to the Internet

Modem (1)
I/O device used for connecting two computers over telephone lines

modem = modulator + demodulator

Modulator converts computer messages to electrical pulses that are suitable for transmission
over the telephone lines

Demodulator converts electrical pulses received over telephone lines into messages that are
comprehensible for computers
Network Topologies
The pattern in which computers are connected to form a network

Popular patterns:
◦ Point-to-point
◦ Star
◦ Bus
◦ Ring

Networks are also formed by combining 2 or more of these 4 basic patterns

P2P

Computer Computer
A B
P2P
Inexpensive

Limited connectivity

Quite often used for connecting two LANs to form a WAN

 Computer

Star D

Computer Computer
A Server C

Computer
B
Star (1)
A computer sends the address of the intended receiver and the data to the server

The server then sends the message to the intended receiver

This topology allows multiple messages to be sent simultaneously

Star (2)
Costly, because it uses an additional computer to direct the data

Costly, because each node is individually wired to the hub

If the server goes down, so does the network

If any of the nodes goes down, the rest of the network is not affected
 Computer Computer

Bus A C

Bus: A high
speed cable
Computer Computer
B D
Bus (1)
No server is required

One computer sends data to another by broadcasting the address of the receiver and the data
over the bus

All the computers in the network look at the address simultaneously, and the intended recipient
accepts the data
Bus (2)
A bus network, unlike ring or star networks, allows data to be sent directly from one computer
to another

However, only one computer at a time can transmit data. The others must wait until the bus gets
idle

If any of the nodes goes down, the rest of the network is not affected
 Computer

Ring D

Computer Computer
A C

Computer
B
Ring (1)
No server is required

A computer sends the message to its neighbor. The neighbor examines the message to
determine if it is the intended recipient

If the data are not intended for that particular neighbor, it passes the message to the next
computer in the ring
Ring (2)
This process is repeated until the data arrive at their intended recipient

This topology allows multiple messages to be carried, simultaneously

Data transmission is slow since each message is checked by each computer

Ring (3)
New nodes are difficult to add

Messages propagate in one direction only

The network fails if a single node fails

ANY QUESTIONS?