Computer Networks

ECS-601

References
Forouzen, "Data Communication and Networking", TMH

A.S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, Pearson

Education W. Stallings, Data and Computer Communication, Macmillan Press Anuranjan Misra, Computer Networks, Acme Learning G.Shanmugarathinam,Essential of TCP/ IP, Firewall Media
S. Keshav, An Engineering Approach on Computer

Networking, Addison Wesley

What is a network??

Network
a collection of people or things focused on a common

goal Examples Telephone Hospital Railways Friends Social Relatives etc. means an interconnected set of some objects

Computer Network

 A computer network is an interconnection between

general purpose programmable devices that deals with the handling of data. A computer network consists of a collection of computers, printers and other equipment that is connected together so that they can communicate with each other A computer network is the infrastructure that allows two or more computers (called hosts) to communicate with each other.

Computer Network
A computer network is a collection of a number of

computers (also called nodes), connected through some communication lines. Two computers connected to a network can communicate with each other through other nodes if they are not directly connected. Some of the nodes in the network may not be computers at all but they are network devices(like switches, routers etc.) to facilitate communication.

Uses of computer network

Exchange of information between different

computers. Interconnected small computers in place of large computers. Communication tools.

Modes of communication
Point to point

Broadcasting

Multicasting

Point To Point(Data Flow)

Dedicated
o Simple o Full duplex o Half duplex

Shared
o Multiplexing

Simplex

Half-Duplex

Full-duplex

Broadcast Network

Classification(Categories)
Local area network(LAN)

Privately owned Restricted in size Bigger size Access issues(because of cost) Cost Internetwork

Metropolitan Area Network(MAN)

Wide Area Network(WAN)

LAN

MAN

WAN

Goals Of Computer Network

Resource sharing Load sharing High reliability Cost effectiveness Scalability

Powerful communication medium

Easy accessibility from anywhere (files, databases) Search Capability (WWW) Remote computing Distributed processing And many more

Network Applications
Access to remote information
Person-to-person communication Interactive entertainment

Applications contd.

Sales Financial Service Manufacturing E-mail Directory Services Information Services Searchable Data (Web Sites) E-Commerce EDI EFT Tele Conferencing Voice Conferencing Video Conferencing Cellular Telephone Cable Television Internet Telephony Chat Groups Instant Messengers Internet Radio

Client-Server Model

Client Server Model

One PC per user

Data resides on remote server, that is shared among all

the users. Users are called clients. E.g.- employees accessing companys information system.

Data Communication Network

Data Communication
Effectiveness of data communication network

depends upon Delivery Accuracy Timeliness Jitter

Components Of a Communication Network

5. Protocol

4. Medium 2. Sender 1. Message 3. Receiver

Protocol
Represents an agreement between communicating entities Special set of rules that end points use when they

communicate
An agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two

devices
The rules that govern a specific layer of communication A set of rules that make communication more efficient Allows data packets to travel from source to destination without misunderstanding

Formal Definition
A predefined set of rules, or an agreements, that determine the format and transmission of data

Key Elements Of A Protocol

Syntax
Structure or format of data

Semantics
Meaning of each section Interpretation and action to be taken

Timing
When data should be sent How fast data can be sent

Protocol Interfaces
These are building blocks of a network architecture
Each protocol object has two different interfaces
Service Interface Defines operations on this protocol Peer to peer Interface Defines messages exchanged with peers.

Protocol Hierarchy
N+1 N+1

N-1

N-1

 Most networks are organized as a series of layers

The task of each layer is to give some service to

the upper layer. Any layer maintains a virtual connection with the corresponding layer in the peer.

 There is a peer to peer protocol running between

any two corresponding and communicating layers. The interface between the layers in the same node is well defined. The implementation of each layer in each node is transparent to other nodes.

Data Representation
Text
Sequence of bits

Numbers
Bit patterns Directly converted to binary number

Images
Matrix of pixels Each pixel has a bit pattern

Audio
Continuous in nature

Video

Network Criteria
Performance
Reliability Security

Network Topologies
The physical structure of the network devices.
the way that the devices on a network are arranged

and how they communicate with each other The way each node is physically connected to the network

Types of Topologies
Physical Topology
The way the nodes are

Logical Topology
The way the data passes

connected to the network through the actual cables The way in which the network is laid out physically

through the network from one node to other

The way in which the

network is laid out electrically

Physical Topologies
Bus Extended Star

Ring

Hierarchical

Star

Mesh

Mesh Topology
Every device has a dedicated point-to-point link to every other device.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages
Elimination of traffic problems Robust in nature Privacy and security Easy fault detection and isolation

Disadvantages
Cost of cabling Space

 If there are n nodes,

No. of communication links=n(n-1)/2 No. of I/O ports= (n-1)

Example- Telephone regional Offices.

Bus Topology(Linear cable)

It is multipoint in nature
One cable acts as a backbone to connect all the devices in a

network. Only one host can transmit at a time Decentralized control All hosts directly connected to the backbone.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages
Ease of installation Less cabling required

Disadvantages
Fault isolation Adding new nodes is difficult Single link failure

Star Topology

 All device connected to a central point, not

directly connected to each other Center of star is usually a hub or a switch

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages
Less expensive Easy to install and reconfigure Robustness Easy fault identification and isolation

Disadvantages
Single point of failure One cable from each node to hub

Ring Topology
A host is directly connected to each of its

neighbors Data flow in one direction No backbone Broadcast system

Ring Topology

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages
Easy to install and configure No collision Low cost Easier to find faults

Disadvantages
A break in the ring will bring it down Node failure causes network failure