Chapter 1

Basics of Networking
&
Designs of Simple Networks

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CHAPTER OBJECTIVES-
 
At the end of this Chapter you will be able to:
 Understand Computer networking concepts.
 Describe the purpose and functions of various network devices.
 Select the components required to meet a network specification.

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Introduction to Computer Networking Concepts

What is a Network?
In general, the term network can refer to any interconnected
group or system. More specifically, a network is any method of
sharing information between two systems (human, electrical or

mechanical).

Figure 1: A Simple Network Example

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Classification of Network

1. According to the size of the Network:

 LAN
 MAN
 WAN
 PAN
 CAN

2. According to type of connection used:

 Wired Network
 Wireless Network

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3. According to the functional relationship(Network
Architecture):
 
 Peer to Peer Network
 Client Server Network
 

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According to the Size of the Network

LAN (Local Area Network)

 A Local Area Network is a group of computers and network

communication devices within a limited geographic area, such as

an office building. For example, a library will have a wired or

wireless LAN for users to interconnect local devices(e.g.,
Local area networking uses switches, bridges and/or repeaters,
printers,
and hubs to interconnect LANs and increase overall size. Routers
and servers).

are used to connect a LAN to a WAN or MAN.

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 Figure 2: A Simple LAN Illustration
They are characterized by the following:
High data transfer speeds.
Generally less expensive technologies
Limited geographic area
Security
Scalability
Reliability
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MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
A Metropolitan Area Network is a network that connects two or
more
Local Area Networks or Campus Area Networks together but does
not extend beyond the boundaries of the immediate town, city, or
metropolitan area. A MAN can range anywhere from 5 to 50km in
diameter.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
A WAN is a data communications network that covers a relatively
broad geographic area (i.e. one country to another country) and that
often uses transmission facilities provided by common carriers,
such as telephone companies. They are generally connected with
each other using routers.

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They are characterized by the following:
Multiple interconnected LANs.
Generally more expensive technology.
 More sophisticated to implement than LANs.
 Exist in an unlimited geographic area.

Figure 3: An Example of WAN

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 Personal Area Network (PAN)
 A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for
communication among computer devices close to one person.
 Some examples of devices that may be used in a PAN are
printers, fax machines, telephones,scanners.The reach of a PAN

is typically within about 20-30 feet (approximately 6-9 Meters).

Storage Area Network (SAN)
 We have a lot of data in the form of audio and video. We need to
store data for quick access and transfer on special storage
devices.
 SAN may be referred to as a sub network or special purpose
network. Its special purpose is to allow users on a larger network

to connect various data storage devices with clusters of data

servers.
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Virtual Private Network (VPN)
 VPN is a private network that lets you access public networks
remotely.
 VPN uses encryption and security protocols to retain privacy
while it accesses outside resources by creating a virtual
network.

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According To the Type of Connection Used

Wired Network: A network that connects devices using cables

(wires) like Coaxial Cable, Twisted pair Cable, Optical Fiber Cable

etc.

 Wireless Network: A network that connects devices using

wireless technologies like Bluetooth, infrared, radio frequency

etc.

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According To the Functional Relationship
(Network Architecture)
Peer to peer network (Workgroup)
 A workgroup is a collection of computers on a LAN that share
common resources and responsibilities.
 Workgroups provide easy sharing of files, printers and other
network resources.

Client-Server Network (Domain)

 A Domain is a “Network Architecture” in which each computer or
process on the network is either a client or a server.
 servers are powerful computers or processes dedicated to
managing disk drives (file servers), printers (print servers) etc.
 Clients are PCs or workstations on which users run applications.
 Clients rely on servers for resources, such as files, devices, and

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Network Topologies

Topology refers to the way in which the network of computers is

connected. The choice of topology is dependent upon---

Type and number of equipment being used

Planned applications and rate of data transfers
Required response times
Cost

Types of Network Topologies

Physical Topology: Physical topology defines how devices are
connected to the network through the actual cables that
transmit data(physical structure of the network)

Logical Topology: Logical Topology (also referred to as Signal

Topology) is a network computing term used to describe the
arrangement of devices on a network and how they
communicate with one another.
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1. BUS Topology

Figure 4: Bus Topology Representation

In a BUS topology:

 A single cable connects each workstation in a linear, daisy-

chained fashion.
 Signals are broadcasted to all stations, but stations only act
on the frames addressed to them.

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2. RING Topology

Figure 5: Ring Topology Representation

In a RING topology:

 Unidirectional links connect the transmit side of one device to

the receive side of another device.
 Devices transmit frames to the next device (downstream
member) in the ring.
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3. STAR Topology

Figure 6: Star Topology Representation

In a star topology:

 Each station is connected to a central Hub or Switch

(concentrator) that functions as a multi-port repeater.
The HUB broadcasts data all of the devices connected to it.
The Switch transmits the data to the dedicated device for
which the data is meant for.
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Basic Networking Devices

1. Network Interface Cards

A Network Interface Card (NIC)

A network card, network adapter or NIC (network interface card)

is a piece of Computer hardware designed to allow computers
to communicate over a computer network. It provides physical
access to a networking medium and often provides a low-level
addressing system through the use of MAC addresses. It allows
users to connect to each other either by using cables or
wirelessly.

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2. Repeaters

Examples of Repeater

A repeater is an electronic device that receives a signal and

retransmits it at a higher level or higher power

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3. HUBS

Example of Hubs

A hub (concentrator) contains multiple ports, which is used to

connect devices in a star topology. When a packet arrives at one
port, it is copied to all the ports of the hub. But when the packets
are copied, the destination address in the frame does not change
to a broadcast address

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4. Bridges

A Common Bridge

A network bridge connects multiple network segments at the data

link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. Bridges do not promiscuously
copy traffic to all ports, as hubs do, but learn which physical
addresses are reachable through specific ports

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5. Switches

Switches

A switch is a device that performs switching. Specifically, it

forwards
and filters OSI layer 2 datagram (chunk of data communication)
between ports (connected cables) based on the Physical-
Addresses
A switch normally has numerous ports than Bridge.
in the packets

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6. Routers

Two Modern Routers

Routers are networking devices that forward data packets along

networks by using headers and forwarding/routing tables to
determine the best path to forward the packets. Routers work at
the Internet Layer of the TCP/IP model or layer 3 of the OSI model

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WAN Infrastructure Devices

As with LAN, there are numerous devices associated with data

transmission across a WAN. Together these devices create the
infrastructure of a functional WAN. These devices include:

Router

ATM Switch

Modem and CSU/DSU

Communication Server

Multiplexer

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ATM Switch
ATM Switches provide high-speed transfer between both LANs

and WANs

ATM Switch in the middle

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Modem (modulator / demodulator)
Modems convert digital and analog signals. At the source, modems
convert digital signals to a form suitable for transmission over
analog communication facilities (public telephone lines). At the
destination, modems convert the signal back to a digital format.

An Early Modem

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Multiplexer

A Multiplexer combines multiple signals for transmission over a

single circuit. This allows for the transfer of various data
simultaneously, such as video, sound, text, etc.

Multiplexing

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Communication Servers
Communication Servers are typically dial-in/out servers that allow
users to dial in from remote locations and attach to the LAN.

Dial-up Communications

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THANK YOU

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