Network topologies

3 basic types of computer network?

Bus Topology
Simple and low-cost
Only one computer can send messages at a time
Passive topology - computer only listen for, not regenerate data
Star Topology
Each computer has a cable connected to a single point
More cabling, hence higher cost
All signals transmission through the hub; if down, entire network down
Depending on the intelligence of hub, two or more computers may send
message at the same time
Ring Topology
Every computer serves as a repeater to boost signals
Disadvantages
Difficult to add computers
More expensive
If one computer fails, whole network fails

Mesh Topology
Full mesh topology- each node is connected directly to each of the others
Partial mesh topology- some nodes are connected to all the others, but some of them are only
connected to nodes with which they exchange the most data
Full Mesh Topology
Every node has a circuit connecting it to every other node in the network
Yields greatest redundancy
Usually reserved for backbone networks since it is very expensive
Hierarchical Topology
Tree topology
Linear bus and star topologies
Allow expansion of an existing network
Advantages:
Point to point wiring
Widely supported
Disadvantages:
Segment length limited by cable type
Backbone failure entire goes down
Difficult configurations and wiring

Network Devices
Functions of network devices
Separating (connecting) networks or expanding network
e.g. repeaters, hubs, bridges, routers, brouters, switches, gateways
Remote access
e.g. 56K Modems and ADSL modems

Computers within a LAN are often connected using a hub
LAN to LAN connections are often performed with a bridge.
Segments of a LAN are usually connected using a switch.
LAN to WAN connections are usually performed with a router.

Collision domain defines the set of devices for which their frames could collide.
A broadcast domain is a set of NICs for which a broadcast frame sent by one NIC will be
received by all other NICs in the broadcast domain.

Repeaters or hubs
- OSI physical layer
-regenerate the networks signal and resend them to other segments
- multiport repeater
Bridges
- one input and one output
- isolate network traffic and computers
- Media Access Control Sub-layer of the OSI model
Remote Bridges
- used in large networks that have widely dispersed segments
- connect remote segments via data-grade telephone line

Repeaters
-physical layer
-regenerate data at the signal level
-does not reduce network traffic
Bridges
-data link layer
- regenerate data at packet level
- reduce network traffic

Switches
-Data Link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model
-Can interpret address information
- multiport bridges
Advantages of Switches
Reduce the possibility of collision
Each channel has its own network capacity
Suitable for real-time applications, e.g. video conferencing
Since isolated, hence secure
Data will only go to the destination, but not others
Limitations of Switches
Device cannot detect collision when buffer full
CSMA/CD scheme will not work since the data channels are isolated, not the
case as in Ethernet
Some higher level protocols do not detect error
E.g. UDP
Those data packets are continuously pumped to the switch and introduce more
problems

Method of Switching - Cut Through Mode
-Read the first 14 bytes of each packet, then transmit
-Much faster
-Cannot detect corrupt packets
-Can propagate the corrupt packets to the network
-Best suited to small workgroups

Method of Switching - Store and Forward Mode
-Read the whole packet before transmit
-Slower than the cut-through mode
-More accurate since corrupt packets can be detected using the FCS
-More suit to large LAN since they will not propagate error packets
-Facilitate data transfer between segments of different speed

Switches can logically group together some ports to form a virtual local area network (VLAN)

Routers
- OSI layer 3 (network layer)
- useslogical address
Routing Protocol Example - RIP for IP Routing
RIP (Routing Information Protocol) the oldest one
Routing Protocol Example - OSPF for IP
OSPF - Open Shortest Path First

Static and Dynamic Routers
Static always use the same route, more secure
Dynamic can select the best route, need manual configuration to improve security

Bridges forward everything they dont recognize
Routers select the best path
Routers are layer 3 devices which recognize network address
Bridges are layer 2 devices which look at the MAC sublayer node address
Repeaters are the least expensive way to expand a network, but they are limited to connecting
two segments
Bridges function similar to repeaters, but can understand the node addresses
Switches can be considered as multiport bridges, can divide a network into some logical
channels
Routers interconnect networks and provide filtering functions. They can determine the best
route




ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)

7 - Application Layer
-Provides an interface
Function:
Support for file transfers
Ability to print on a network
Electronic mail
Electronic messaging
Browsing the World Wide Web

6 - Presentation Layer
- formats the data to be sent out onto the network.
-Encodes the data being sent or received into a generic format that will be understood by both
devices.
-basically allows an application to read (or understand) the message.
Example: JPEG, MPEG, ASCII, EBCDIC, HTML.

5 - Session Layer
-Begins, ends and manages the sessions between devices.
-allows applications functioning on devices to establish, manage, and terminate a dialog through a
network
Example: SQL, ASP(Appletalk Session Protocol)

4 Transport Layer
-Offers end-to-end communication between end devices through a network.
-Handles flow of control.
-Ensuring data integrity.
-Most common transport layer protocol is TCP and UDP.

3 Network Layer
-Provides an end-to-end logical addressing system so that a packet of data can be routed across the
networks.
-referred as logical addresses or known as the IP Addresses.
-Covers router devices that includes some basic protocols RIP, OSPF, IGRP.
example
Fragmentation process
Subnetting process

2 Data Link Layer
-Provides physical addressing services allowing a device to dictate the source and destination
address used for local communication network.
-Referred as a MAC Address or Physical address.
Example: Network interface cards
Ethernet and Token Ring switches
Bridges

1 Physical Layer
-connector and interface specifications, as well as the medium (cable) requirements.
Examples: RJ45, RS232, etc.