Basic Computer Network
Networks
A network is a collection of computers and
devices connected together via communications
devices and transmission media
Advantages of a network include:
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Figure 9-9 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 9 3
Advantages of networking
Connectivity and Communication
Data Sharing
Hardware Sharing
Internet Access
Internet Access Sharing
Data Security and Management
Entertainment
The Disadvantages (Costs) of Networking
Network Hardware, Software and Setup Costs
Hardware and Software Management and
Administration Costs
Undesirable Sharing
Illegal or Undesirable Behavior
Data Security Concerns
How many kinds of Networks?
• Depending on one’s perspective, we can classify
networks in different ways
• Based on transmission media: Wired (UTP, coaxial cables, fiber-
optic cables) and Wireless
• Based on network size: LAN and WAN (and MAN)
• Based on management method: Peer-to-peer and Client/Server
• Based on topology (connectivity): Bus, Star, Ring …
:
:
6
Networks
A local area network
(LAN) is a network
that connects
computers and
devices in a limited
geographical area
A wireless LAN
(WLAN) is a LAN that
uses no physical
wires
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Networks
A metropolitan area network (MAN) connects
LANs in a metropolitan area
A wide area network (WAN)
is a network that covers a
large geographical area
8
Networks
The design of computers, devices, and media on
a network is sometimes called the network
architecture
Client/server network Peer-to-peer network
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Figures 9-13 – 9-14 9
Peer-to-Peer Networks
• Peer-to-peer network is also called workgroup
• No hierarchy among computers all are equal
• No administrator responsible for the network
Peer-to-peer
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• Advantages of peer-to-peer networks:
• Low cost
• Simple to configure
• User has full accessibility of the computer
• Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks:
• May have duplication in resources
• Difficult to uphold security policy
• Difficult to handle uneven loading
• Where peer-to-peer network is appropriate:
• 10 or less users
• No specialized services required
• Security is not an issue
• Only limited growth in the foreseeable future
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Clients and Servers
• Network Clients (Workstation)
Workstation
• Computers that request network resources or services
• Network Servers
• Computers that manage and provide network resources and services to
clients
• Usually have more processing power, memory and hard disk space
than clients
• Run Network Operating System that can manage not only data, but
also users, groups, security, and applications on the network
• Servers often have a more stringent requirement on its performance
and reliability
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LAN (Local Area Network)
A network of computers that are in the same
physical location, such as home or building
Usually connected using Ethernet
A standard on how computers communicate over
a shared media (cable)
Old: BNC connector for coaxial cable New: RJ45 for twisted pair cable
[Link] [Link]
LAN (Local Area Network)
Ethernet Standard
10BaseT
10Mbps (Mega bits per second)
100BaseT
100Mbps
1000BaseT
1000Mbps or 1Gbps
WLAN (Wireless LAN)
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)
A wireless technology that connects computers without
cables
Access Point (AP)
A device (base station) that connects wireless devices
together
Usually connected to a wired-network
Hotspot
The area covered by wireless access points
Network Communications Standards
Wi-Fi identifies any
network based on the
802.11 standard that
facilitates wireless
communication
Sometimes referred
to as wireless
Ethernet
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Figure 9-20 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 9 16
Networks
17
Home Network (single machine)
Wall Jack
DSL/Cable
Modem
USB/Ethernet
Cable
Home Network (multiple machines)
Wall Jack
DSL/Cable
Hub/Switch/Router
Modem
USB/Ethernet
Cable
Home Network (multiple machines)
Wall Jack
Ethernet Cable
DSL/Cable
Hub/Switch/Router
Modem
Home Wireless Network
Wall Jack
Ethernet Cable
DSL/Cable
Hub/Switch/Router
Modem
Broadband Services
Cable
A technology that provides digital data transmission over
cable TV infrastructure
Speed
Downlink
128Kbps - 3~5Mbps
Uplink
64Kbps - 128Kbps~1Mbps
Need a cable modem
Broadband Services
Satellite
A technology that provide digital data transmission over
satellites
Speed
Downlink
500Kbps - 1Mbps
Uplink
50Kbps - 100Kbps
Need a satellite dish
Networks
A network topology refers to the layout of the
computers and devices in a communications
network
Star network Bus network Ring network
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Network topology
A topology is a way of “laying out” the
network. Topologies can be either physical or
logical.
Physical topologies describe how the cables
are run.
Logical topologies describe how the network
messages travel
Network topology (cont.)
Bus (can be both logical and physical)
Star (physical only)
Ring (can be both logical and physical)
Mesh (can be both logical and physical)
Bus Topology
A bus topology connects each computer (node) to a single segment
trunk.
A ‘trunk’ is a communication line, typically coax cable, that is
referred to as the ‘bus.’ The signal travels from one end of the
bus to the other.
A terminator is required at each end to absorb the signal so it
does not reflect back across the bus.
In a bus topology, signals are broadcast to all stations. Each
computer checks the address on the signal (data frame) as it passes
along the bus. If the signal’s address matches that of the computer,
the computer processes the signal. If the address doesn’t match, the
computer takes no action and the signal travels on down the bus.
Only one computer can ‘talk’ on a network at a time. A media access
method (protocol) called CSMA/CD is used to handle the collisions
that occur when two signals are placed on the wire at the same time.
A bus topology is normally implemented with coaxial cable.
Bus Topology
Advantages of bus topology:
Easy to implement and extend
Well suited for temporary networks that must be set up in a hurry
Typically the cheapest topology to implement
Disadvantages of bus topology:
Difficult to administer/troubleshoot
Limited number of stations
A cable break can disable the entire network
Maintenance costs may be higher in the long run
Performance degrades as additional computers are added
Star Topology
All of the stations in a star topology are connected to a
central unit called a hub.
The hub offers a common connection for all stations on the
network. Each station has its own direct cable connection to the
hub. In most cases, this means more cable is required than for a
bus topology. However, this makes adding or moving computers a
relatively easy task; simply plug them into a cable outlet on the
wall.
If a cable is cut, it only affects the computer that was
attached to it. This eliminates the single point of failure
problem associated with the bus topology. (Unless, of
course, the hub itself goes down.)
Star topologies are normally implemented using twisted
pair cable, specifically unshielded twisted pair (UTP). The
star topology is probably the most common form of
network topology currently in use.
Star Topology
Advantages of star topology:
Easy to add new stations
Easy to monitor and troubleshoot
Can accommodate different wiring
Disadvantages of star topology:
Failure of hub can disable the entire network
More cable required (more expensive to wire a
building for networking)
Ring Topology
A ring topology consists of a set of stations connected serially by cable. In
other words, it’s a circle or ring of computers. There are no terminated ends to
the cable; the signal travels around the circle in a clockwise (or anticlockwise)
direction.
Note that while this topology functions logically as ring, it is physically wired as a
star. The central connector is not called a hub but a Multistation Access Unit
or MAU.
Under the ring concept, a signal is transferred sequentially via a "token" from
one station to the next. When a station wants to transmit, it "grabs" the token,
attaches data and an address to it, and then sends it around the ring. The token
travels along the ring until it reaches the destination address. The receiving
computer acknowledges receipt with a return message to the sender. The
sender then releases the token for use by another computer.
Each station on the ring has equal access but only one station can talk at a
time.
Rings are normally implemented using twisted pair or fiber-optic cable
Ring Topology
Advantages of ring topology:
Growth of system has minimal impact on performance
All stations have equal access
Disadvantages of ring topology:
Most expensive topology
Failure of one computer may impact others
Complex
Choosing a Topology
The following factors should be considered when choosing a topology:
Installation
Maintenance and troubleshooting
Expected growth
Distances
Infrastructure
Existing network
As a general rule, a bus topology is the cheapest to install, but may be more
expensive to maintain because it does not provide for redundancy.
Various topologies can be mixed on the same network.
One very common example is a large Ethernet network with multiple hubs.
Usually the hubs are located on different floors in a building or perhaps
outside in another building. Each hub is wired in the typical star
configuration. However, the hubs are connected together along a bus,
typically referred to as a ‘backbone.’
The backbone between hubs might consist of fiber optic cable while the
workstations are wired to each individual hub with UTP (unshielded twisted
pair) cable.
Hub/Switch/Router
To connect multiple segments of networks
into a larger one
Hub
A multiport repeater to enhance signal within the
same LAN
Switch
Like hub but with intelligent
Better performance
Router
Forward packets from one LAN to another
Intranet vs. Internet
Intranet
A private network that is contained within an
enterprise
Could be LANs and WANs
Internet
A public network of networks
Both are using TCP/IP
TCP/IP
A family of protocols that makes the Internet
works
The Robustness Principle
“Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in
what you send” - Jon Postel
