Lecture 6:
Communication
Network
1
Network
A system of two or more
computers, terminals, and
communications devices linked
by wires, cables, or a
telecommunications system in
order to exchange data.
Each device in a network is
called a node.
Terminals are devices that
handle the input and
display of data.
Terminals are data entry
points.
Importance of Networking
Sharing files
Sharing other devices (printers)
Sending messages
Central administration of all
devices
Supporting network
applications like:
E-mail
Database services
TYPES OF NETWORK
Personal Area Network
Local Area Network
Metropolitan Area
Network
Wide Area Network
PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (PAN)
A network for interconnecting electronic
devices organized around an individual for
personal use only.
They typically used for connecting different
devices like smartphones, tablets, printers,
computers, and other digital devices within
the environment of an individual user
(typically within 10 meters).
These types of connections can be done wired
or wireless.
LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)
A network a that connects
computers in a limited
geographical area.
It can be a building or a
group of buildings such as
office, school, factory etc.
METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN)
A network which connects
several LANs
It covers a metropolitan area
such as a city and handles
the bulk of communications
activity across that region
WIDE AREA NETWORK(WAN)
A network which connects
several MANs.
Covers a large geographical
area such as a city or country.
Communication channels
include telephone lines,
Microwave, satellites, etc.
Exercise
Explain advantages and
disadvantages of each type of
network above
Network Topologies
Network topology is the way
various
components of a network (like
nodes, links, peripherals, etc.) are
arranged. It can be physical or
logical topology
Physical Topology is the physical
layout of nodes, workstations and
cables in the network.
Types of Network Topologies
1. Bus Topology:
In this type of topology, all the nodes
are connected to the single cable
(called bus)
This central cable is the backbone of
the network and is known as Bus (thus
the name).
Every workstation communicates with
the other device through this bus.
2. Star Topology:
In Star topology, all the
components of network are
connected to the central device
called “hub” which may be a
hub, a router or a switch.
All the workstations are
connected to central device with
a point-to point connection.
3. Ring Topology:
In Ring Topology, all the nodes are
connected to each-other in such a
way that they make a closed loop.
Each workstation is connected to
two other components on either side.
It communicates with these two
adjacent neighbors.
Data travels around the network, in
one direction.
4. Tree Topology:
Tree Topology integrates the
characteristics of Star and Bus
Topology.
In Tree Topology, the number of Star
networks are connected using Bus.
This main cable seems like a main
stem of a tree, and other star networks
as the branches.
5. Mesh Topology
In a mesh network topology, each of
the network node, computer and
other devices, are interconnected
with one another.
Every node not only sends its own
signals but also relays data from
other nodes.
In fact a true mesh topology is the
one where every node is connected
NETWORKING HARDWARE DEVICES
Hub
Switch
Router
Bridge
Gateway
Repeater
HUB
A hub is a device in a network that is commonly
used to connect segments of a LAN.
A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet
arrives at one port, it is copied to the other
ports so that all segments of the LAN can see
all packets.
SWITCH
A network switch is a computer networking
device that connects devices together on a
computer network by using packet switching to
receive, process, and forward data to the
destination device.
GATEWAY
A network gateway is a working system
capable of joining together two networks that
use different base protocols. A network
gateway can be implemented completely in
software, completely in hardware, or as a
combination of both.
BRIDGE
A network bridge is a networking
device that creates a single aggregate
network from multiple communication
networks or network segments. This
function is called network bridging.
ROUTER
A router is a networking device that forwards
data packets between computer networks.
Routers perform the traffic directing functions
on the Internet.
REPEATER
A network device used to regenerate or
replicate a signal. Repeaters are used in
transmission systems to regenerate signals
distorted by transmission loss.
Intranet
An intranet is a private network that
can only be accessed by authorized
users.
Private network (LAN ) used to share
resources in secure environment
Supports all common protocol like
TCP/IP, HTTP and other internet
standard protocols.
Extranet
An intranet that has been extended
to include access to or from selected
external organizations such as
customers, but not general public.
Extranet ( extension of
organization's intranet) an extension
of the intranet of a company or
organization, giving authorized
outsiders controlled access to the
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