Data Communications & Networking

An Introduction

Scope of the course The course introduces the concepts & mechanisms underlying the modern communication systems & networks

The Internet (TCP/IP) model is used as a framework to introduce different protocols & standards

Hierarchical structure of the course

Introduction to data communication and the Network model
Introduction to networking Network model, Physical topologies of networks, network categories etc Layered network architecture Protocols, syntax, semantics and timing of protocol Two reference models(ISO/OSI and TCP/IP or internet model)

Understanding the different layers and its function of TCP/IP model

The five layers as
Physical layer Data link layer Network layer Transport layer Application layer

 What is Data Communication? What is networking? How above two are interrelated?

Network Model

Effectiveness of the DCS depends on the following fundamental characteristics

Delivery Accuracy Timeliness Jitter

Data Communications & Networking

Components

Rule 1: Rule 2: . . . Rule n:

Rule 1: Rule 2: . . . Rule n:

Protocol S

Message
Medium

Syntax
Semantics Timing

Data Representation Text

ASCII(7)/EASCII(8 )

Unicode(32)

Numbers

Images
Audio Video

Direction of Data Flow

Simplex Half duplex Full Duplex

Networks
Distributed Processing Network Criteria Physical Structures

Categories of Networks

Network Criteria
Performance

Reliability
Security

Type of Connection
Point-to-Point

Point-to-Multipoint

Type of Connection
Point-to-Point

Point-to-Multipoint
S

Point to -Point

Spatially Shared Time Shared

Point to Multipoint

Physical Topology
Mesh

Star
Bus Ring

Mesh

n(n-1)/2

Advantages Avoids Traffic Problem Robust Privacy or security Fault id & isolation Easy Disadvantages Amount of Cabling and I/O ports more Installation & Reconnection are difficult Expensive h/w to connect each link

Hub

Star

Advantages

Less expensive than mesh

Easy installation and reconfiguration Robustness Easy fault identification and fault isolation

Disadvantages
Although star requires less cabling than mesh each node must be linked to a central hub more cabling is required as compared to bus and ring Hub fails ntk down

Drop Line

Cable end

Drop Line Tap

Drop Line Tap

Tap

Cable end

Bus

Advantages

Ease of installation Less Cabling

Disadvantages Difficulty in reconnection and fault isolation Bus cable is optimally efficient difficult to add new devices

Signal reflection at taps can cause degradation in quality If fault or break in the bus cable stops all tx The damaged area reflects signal back in the direction of origin creating noise in both direction

Repeaters

Ring

Advantages Easy to install and reconfigure To add /delete a device requires changing only two connections Fault isolation is simplified
Disadvantage A break in ring can disable the entire ntk

Hybrid

Network Categories
LAN

MAN
WAN

Protocols and Standards

Protocols Standards Standards Organization

Protocols
Protocol is set of rules that govern Data communication. The sender and the receiver, the two key parties in data communication must agree on a common set of rules before they can communicate with each other. A protocol defines what is communicated, how it is communicated.

Key Elements of protocol

Syntax (Structure or format of data) What is to be communicated Semantics (Meaning of each section of bits) How it is to be communicated Timing (when data should be sent and how fast they can be sent) When it should be communicated

Standards
De facto (by convention adopted as standard through widespread use) De jure (by law standards have been legislated by an officially recognized body)

Standards Organization
Standards creation committees Forums Regulatory Agencies (FCC)

Standards Creation Committees

ISO (International Organization for standardization) Technical recommendations for data communication interface ITU-T (International Telecommunication UnionTelecommunication Standards) Technical recommendations about telephone, telegraph and data communications interfaces ANSI (American National Standards Institute) -Coordinating organization for US (not a standards- making body) www.ansi.org IEEE(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Professional society; also develops mostly LAN standards standards.ieee.org

Standardization Process
Specification Identification of choices Acceptance

NETWORK MODELS
Internet model (TCP/IP) ISO-OSI Reference Model

Layered structure example

Organization A Organization B

CEO-A
PA-A R&D Clerk-A MailBox-A Mail-man-A

CEO-B
PA-B

R&D Clerk-B
MailBox-B Mail-man-B Postal department Network

Observations from the above example

communication process is divided into number of sub functions. The distribution of process into more than one function is brought about in order to enhance the performance at each level. The function of the level above or above a certain level is transparent at each level Modification can be performed at each level improving or modifying its performance much easily. The above example is a 7 Layer Model

Peers
Each level in organization A is complemented by a corresponding level in organization B. These level which perform the complement function are called peers. Peers may be defined more generally as those parties functioning at the same level appearing to communicate each other

Service access points

The CEO-A accesses the PA-A and dictates the letter, this boundary between CEO-A Layer & PA-A layer is called SAP. The SAP is almost two way as in case of PA-B of organization B handling over the letter to CEO-B

 Hierarchy:according to the analysis there are 6 different activities at the sender side and 6 at the receiver side. For completing the task the activities are performed in the order ie in hierarchical manner. Services:Each function or layer uses services of the layers immediately below it.

Stack of layers
The layers which form the model are also called stack of layers or layer stack. This stack of layers is also called a protocol stack, since each layer is clearly defined as what services it will provide. The rules and formats for interaction with it are well defined

Layering Advantages
Complex problems are broken into an ordered sequence of simpler problems. Hence solving of complex problem becomes easier The modularization of layers represents the simpler problem may be modified and implemented without affecting the layer above and below it Layering approach provides a broad common functionality which enables a wide range of implementers to interface to various layers in standard manner