CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
e Computer
Networks COMPUTER NETWORKS
 The aim
This course is intended to present computer networks to electrical and computer engineering students in a manner
that is clearer, more interesting, and easier to understand than other texts.
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the key concepts of computer networks in a manner that is easily
digestible for a beginner in the field or undergraduate students.
All principles are presented in a lucid, logical, and step-by-step manner. As much as possible, we avoid wordiness
and giving too much detail that could hide concepts and impede overall understanding of the material.
Ten review questions in the form of multiple-choice objective items are provided at the end of each chapter with
answers.
The review questions are intended to cover the little “tricks” which the examples and end-of-chapter problems may
not cover. They serve as a self-test device and help students determine how well they have mastered the chapter.
A problem solution manual will be provided, and it will be available directly from the publisher
 What Are Computer Networks?
A computer network is an interconnection of computing devices that
facilitates communication among the devices.
Communication networks have evolved from the telegraph to computer nets:

(a) Telegraph network: It uses Morse code to send messages between users.

(b) Telephone network: It uses circuit switching to exchange messages between two or more users.

(c) A computer network is an interconnection of autonomous computers or digital devices.

A computer network is used in:
• Providing a transfer of information between users. It
facilitates interpersonal communication via email, video
conferencing, instant messaging, etc.
• Providing users with access to databases
• Sharing expensive resources such as color printers or
scanners among multiple users
• Sharing files or software between hosts across the
network
To set up a computer network may require these items:
network cables,
 routers,
 network cards,
 software,
and computers/workstations/devices to be connected.
The software consists of
a network operating system (NOS)
and specific application programs
. The NOS coordinates multiple computers across a network and keeps the network running smoothly.
Examples of NOSs are AppleShare, LANtastic, and Novell NetWare.
For wireless networks, network cards are necessary, but no cable is needed.

In order for the devices connected to a computer network to communicate with each other, they must
speak the same language, i.e., a common language, called protocol, must be established.

A protocol is a set of rules and procedures that permit the orderly exchange of information within a
network.

Two examples of popular protocols are Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) which supports realtime
services such as audio and video and Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) which is regarded as the
“standard” for achieving secure communications over the Internet.

Communication networks can be classified as switched or dedicated.

A switched network is composed of three phases—call setup, call transmission, and call termination.

A dedicated network consists of private lines for businesses that need 24-hour-a-day access.

In either case, a communication network consists of a transmitter, a receiver, and a transmission
medium, which may be wired or wireless.

A computer network consists of a set of digital devices using common protocols to communicate over
connecting transmission media.
 Categories of Networks
Computer networks differ in the transmission medium (wired or wireless),
topology, size, and scope. In terms of their geographical scope, computer
networks may be classified as:
• PAN (Personal Area Network)
• LAN (Local Area Network)
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)

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 PAN (Personal Area Network)
PAN (Personal Area Network) is a computer network formed around a person.
It generally consists of a computer, mobile, or personal digital assistant. PAN
can be used for establishing communication among these personal devices for
connecting to a digital network and the internet.
Characteristics of PAN
 It is mostly personal devices network equipped within a limited area.

 Allows you to handle the interconnection of IT devices at the surrounding of

a single user.
 PAN includes mobile devices, tablet, and laptop.

 It can be wirelessly connected to the internet called WPAN.

Appliances use for PAN: cordless mice, keyboards, and Bluetooth systems.

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 Advantages of PAN
Here are the important pros/benefits of PAN network:
• PAN networks are relatively secure and safe
• It offers only short-range solution up to ten meters
• Strictly restricted to a small area
Disadvantages of PAN
Here are the cons/drawbacks of using PAN network:
• It may establish a bad connection to other networks at the
same radio bands.
• Distance limits.

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 LAN (Local Area Network)

 A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computer and

peripheral devices which are connected in a limited area such as
school, laboratory, home, and office building. It is a widely useful
network for sharing resources like files, printers, games, and
other application.

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 Characteristics of LAN
• It is a private network, so an outside regulatory body never controls it.
• LAN operates at a relatively higher speed compared to other WAN systems.
• There are various kinds of media access control methods like token ring and ethernet.
Advantages of LAN
• Computer resources like hard-disks, DVD-ROM, and printers can share local area
networks. This significantly reduces the cost of hardware purchases.
• You can use the same software over the network instead of purchasing the licensed
software for each client in the network.
• Data of all network users can be stored on a single hard disk of the server computer.
• You can easily transfer data and messages over networked computers.
• It will be easy to manage data at only one place, which makes data more secure.
• Local Area Network offers the facility to share a single internet connection among all the
LAN users.

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 Disadvantages of LAN
• LAN will indeed save cost because of shared computer
resources, but the initial cost of installing Local Area Networks
is quite high.
• The LAN admin can check personal data files of every LAN user,
so it does not offer good privacy.
• Unauthorized users can access critical data of an organization in
case LAN admin is not able to secure centralized data
repository.
• Local Area Network requires a constant LAN administration as
there are issues related to software setup and hardware failures

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 WAN (Wide Area Network)

 WAN (Wide Area Network) is

another important computer
network that which is spread
across a large geographical area.
WAN network system could be a
connection of a LAN which
connects with other LAN’s using
telephone lines and radio waves. It
is mostly limited to an enterprise
or an organization.

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 Characteristics of WAN
Below are the characteristics of WAN:
 The software files will be shared among all the users; therefore, all can access

to the latest files.

 Any organization can form its global integrated network using WAN.

Advantages of WAN
• Here are the benefits/pros of WAN:
• WAN helps you to cover a larger geographical area. Therefore, business
offices situated at longer distances can easily communicate.
• Contains devices like mobile phones, laptop, tablet, computers, gaming
consoles, etc.
• WLAN connections work using radio transmitters and receivers built into
client devices.

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 Disadvantages of WAN
Here are the drawbacks/cons of WAN network:
• The initial setup cost of investment is very high.
• It is difficult to maintain the WAN network. You need skilled
technicians and network administrators.
• There are more errors and issues because of the wide
coverage and the use of different technologies.
• It requires more time to resolve issues because of the
involvement of multiple wired and wireless technologies.
• Offers lower security compared to other types of network in
computer.

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 MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

 A Metropolitan Area Network or

MAN is consisting of a computer
network across an entire city,
college campus, or a small region.
This type of network is large than a
LAN, which is mostly limited to a
single building or site. Depending
upon the type of configuration, this
type of network allows you to cover
an area from several miles to tens
of miles.

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 Characteristics of MAN
• It mostly covers towns and cities in a maximum 50 km range
• Mostly used medium is optical fibers, cables
• Data rates adequate for distributed computing applications.
Advantages of MAN
• Here are the pros/benefits of MAN network:
• It offers fast communication using high-speed carriers, like fiber optic
cables.
• It provides excellent support for an extensive size network and greater
access to WANs.
• The dual bus in MAN network provides support to transmit data in both
directions concurrently.
• A MAN network mostly includes some areas of a city or an entire city.

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 Disadvantages of MAN
• Here are drawbacks/cons of using the MAN network:
• You need more cable to establish MAN connection from one place to
another.
• In MAN network it is tough to make the system secure from hackers

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 Applications
 Here we discuss some of the common applications of computer
networks
1. Electronic mail: This is the most common use of computer networks. It allows
a user to send a message to another user. Closely related to this is file
transfer (also known as FTP). It allows files to be transferred from one
computer to another.
2. Government: Computer networks are making significant changes in all levels
of government—federal, state, and local.
3. E-commerce: Electronic commerce is the process of conducting business over
computer networks such as the Internet.
4. Education: Computer networks such as the Internet have transformed
education at all levels to meet the demands of the twenty-first century.
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 6- Social media: When computers connect people with machines, they become
social networks. Social networks have now become popular means of social
networking and communication about social events.

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 Standards
A standard is a thoroughly tested specification that has been approved by a
standards organization. There are several organizations that develop
standards:
(a) International Standards Organization (ISO)
(b) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
(c) International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
(d) Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
(e) European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
(f) American National Standard Institute (ANSI)
(g) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
(h) Japanese Telecommunications Technology Committee (TTC)
(i) Telecommunications Standards Advisory Council of Canada (TSACC)
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 Other Types of Computer Networks

Apart from above mentioned computer networks, here are some

other important types of networks:
• WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
• Storage Area Network
• System Area Network
• Home Area Network
• POLAN- Passive Optical LAN
• Enterprise private network
• Campus Area Network
• Virtual Area Network
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