WEEK 3

Perspective about networks

• As a dialup user of the Internet.
– The top part of the figure shows a typical dialup user of the Internet.
– The user has a PC, and the user plugs in the phone line from the wall into a modem
in a PC. By dialing the right phone number, the user connects to the Internet.
– After connecting, the user can send e-mail, browse web sites, and use other tools
and applications as well.

• Using a computer at a job or at school where the computer is connected to a

network via some cable.
– The lower part of figure uses a type of local-area network (LAN) called Ethernet.
– There is a Ethernet cable between a PC Ethernet card and a wall plug at the place .
– The Ethernet connection does not require the PC to "dial" a phone number—it's
always there waiting to be used.
 Q. Define and describe a Computer Network
• A computer network is a group of two or more interconnected
computer systems that enables a computer to communicate with
another computer
• A network connection can be established using either cable or
wireless media.
• Every network requires hardware and software that connects
computers and tools.
• The devices connected in the network send/receive data.
• The network enables to share resources, data, and applications.
• Computer networks also include devices which help in the
communication between two different devices.
• These are known as Network devices.
• Eg.:
– routers, switches, hubs, and bridges.
 Q. List and explain the different categories of Network

• A computer network can be categorized by their size. A computer

network is mainly of four types:
 LAN(Local Area Network)

• Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each

other in a small area such as building, office.
• It uses transmission media such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
• It is less costly as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs,
network adapters, and ethernet cables.
• The data is transferred at a faster rate in Local Area Network.
• Local Area Network provides higher security.
 PAN(Personal Area Network)
• Personal Area Network is a network arranged for an individual
person, usually within a range of 10 meters.
• It is used for connecting the computer devices of personal use.
• Personal Area Network can cover an area of upto 30 feet.
• Computer devices that are used to develop the personal area
network are the laptop, mobile phones, media player and play
stations.
 MAN(Metropolitan Area Network)

• A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a larger

geographic area by interconnecting a different LAN’s.
• In MAN, various LANs are connected to each other through a
telephone exchange line.
• It has a higher range than Local Area Network(LAN).
• MAN is used in communication between the banks in a city.
• It can be used in an Airline Reservation.
• It can be used in a college within a city.
• It can also be used for communication in the military.
 WAN(Wide Area Network)

• A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large

geographical area such as states or countries.
• A Wide Area Network is quite bigger network than the LAN.
• A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location
• It uses transmission media like fibre optic cable or satellite links.
• The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.
• A Wide Area Network is widely used in the field of Business,
government, and education.
 Q. Illustrate a network connected using a HUB
• A network hub is a node that broadcasts data to every computer
connected to it.
• A hub has many ports in it.
• A computer connected to the network is plugged in to one
of these ports.
• When a data frame arrives at a port, it is broadcast to every
computer
• Network hubs are best suited for small, simple local area network
(LAN) environments.
 Q. What is a protocol in a computer network

• A network protocol is a set of rules that determine how data

is transmitted between different devices in a network
• The different types of protocols are:
– Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
– Internet Protocol (IP)
– User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
– Post office Protocol (POP)
– Simple mail transport Protocol (SMTP)
– File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
– Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
– Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
– Telnet
– Gopher
 Q. What are Network Standards
• A networking standard is a document that's been
developed to provide technical requirements, specifications,
and guidelines that must be followed to ensure devices,
equipment, and software able to function properly in a
network
• Examples of some Standard’s Organizations are
– International Standards Organization (ISO)
– American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
– National Instituted of Standards and Technology (NIST)
– Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
– Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

Q. What is a protocol stack

• A protocol stack is a group of protocols that all work
together to allow software or hardware to perform a
function.
 What is OSI Model. Mention the different layers of OSI Model
• OSI stands for Open System Interconnection
• It is a reference model that describes how information from a software
application in one computer moves through a physical medium to the
software application in another computer.
• OSI model consists of seven layers
• Each layer performs a particular network function.
• The different layers of OSI model are
– Physical Layer
– Data Link Layer
– Network Layer
– Transport Layer
– Session Layer
– Presentation Layer
– Application Layer
 Q. What are the benefits of OSI Layered Model
• It is a layered model.
• Changes made to one layer does not affect other layers.
• It separates services, interfaces, and protocols.
• Protocols in each layer can be replaced .
 PHYSICAL LAYER

• The main function of the physical layer is to transmit the individual bits from one node
to another node.
• It is the lowest layer of the OSI model.
• It establishes, maintains and deactivates the physical connection.
• It defines the transmission mode whether it is simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex mode
between the two devices on the network.
• It defines the way how network devices are arranged.
 DATA LINK LAYER

• It provides a reliable and efficient communication between two or more devices.

• The data link layer translates the physical's raw bit stream into Frames.
• The Data link layer adds the header and trailer to the frame.
• The header which is added to the frame contains the destination and source
address.
• Its main functions are flow control, error control and access control
 NETWORK LAYER

• A Network Layer receives the packets from the upper layer and converts them
into packets.
• It is achieved by internet protocol (IP).
• Routing is the main function of the network layer
• It determines the best optimal path from source to the destination.
 TRANSPORT LAYER

• The main responsibility of the transport layer is to transfer the data

completely.
• It receives the data from the upper layer and converts them into smaller units
known as segments.
• it ensures that messages are transmitted in the order in which they are sent
and there is no duplication of data.
• The two protocols used in this layer are: TCP and UDP
 SESSION LAYER

• The Session layer is used to establish, maintain and synchronizes the

interaction between communicating devices.
• It allows the communication between two processes which can be either
half-duplex or full-duplex.
• Session layer adds some checkpoints when transmitting the data in a
sequence.
• If some error occurs in the middle of the transmission of data, then the
transmission will take place again from the checkpoint
 PRESENTATION LAYER

• A Presentation layer is mainly concerned with the syntax and semantics of

the information exchanged between the two systems.
• It acts as a data translator and converts the data from one presentation
format to another format.
• It also performs Encryption to maintain privacy and compression to
reduce the number of bits to be transmitted if necessary
 APPLICATION LAYER

• An application layer serves as a window for users and application processes to

access network service.
• Functions of Application layer are :
File transfer, access, and management (FTAM) and Mail services: