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Computer Networks

Computer Networks
A computer network is a system for communicating between two or more computers and associated devices. It is an interconnection of computers for the purposes of sharing information and resources. A popular example of a computer network is the internet, which allows millions of users to share information Computer networks can be classified according to their size:
Local area network (LAN) Metropolitan area network (MAN) Wide area network (WAN) Personal area network (PAN)

Simple Data Communication Model

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LAN/MAN

Digital Transceiver

Transceiver

Network Computer Network

Digital

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Modes of Networks

Client-Server Networking Peer to Peer Networking

Client - Server networking

Server computer is a core component of the network, providing a link to the resources necessary to perform any task. A server computer provides a link to the resources necessary to perform any task. The link it provides could be to a resource existing on the server itself or a resource on a client computer. Client computers normally request and receive information over the network client. Client computers also depends primarily on the central server for processing activities

Peer-to peer networking

A peer-to-peer network is a network where the computers act as both workstations and servers. great for small, simple, and inexpensive networks. In a strict peer-to-peer networking setup, every computer is an equal, a peer in the network. Each machine can have resources that are shared with any other machine. There is no assigned role for any particular device, and each of the devices usually runs similar software. Any device can and will send requests to any other.

Local Area Network

A LAN is a network that is used for communicating among computer devices, usually within an office building or home LANs enable the sharing of resources such as files or hardware devices that may be needed by multiple users Is limited in size, typically spanning a few hundred meters, and no more than a mile Is fast, with speeds from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps Requires little wiring, typically a single cable connecting to each device Has lower cost compared to MANs or WANs

Local Area Networks (cont.)

The main function of the LAN (local area network) is to allow one PC to be used as a server to other computers Designed and developed for communications and resource sharing in a local work environment (room, campus, building). Because sharing occurs:

Cost decreases Computers have to coordinate the use of the network;

Overall, LANs connect more computers than any type of network.

LAN basics

LANs can be either wired or wireless. Nodes in a LAN are linked together with a certain topology. These topologies include: Bus Ring Star A node is defined to be any device connected to the network. This could be a computer, a printer, a router, etc. A Hub is a networking device that connects multiple segments of the network together A Network Interface Card (NIC) is the circuit board that has the networking logic implemented, and provides a plug for the cable into the computer (unless wireless). The Network Operating System (NOS) is the software (typically part of the operating system kernel) that communicates with the NIC, and enables users to share files and hardware and communicate with other computers. Examples of NOS include: Windows XP, Windows NT, Sun Solaris, Linux, etc..

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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

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LAN Topologies

Star Bus Ring

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Star Topology

Connections are made from all connected machines to one central place, called a hub. The hub: accepts messages from the sending computer, and sends data to recipient.

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Star Topology (cont.)

Pros:

Some degree of fault tolerance: the failure of any link does not affect the other computers; Expensive (the hub is a dedicated computer); If the hub fails, no connection is possible.

Cons:

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Ring Topology

Messages in the network are passing from machine to machine. This gives controlled and stable data traffic in the network. No central control or configuration of the traffic.

RING

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Ring Topology (cont.)

Sending a message:

There is a special message, called token; Exactly one token exists on the ring at any time which is passed along the ring; To send data, a computer waits for the token to arrive, and then transmits one message; The message is transmitted to the next computer, and then to the next, until it arrives back to the sender. After the message is transmitted, the computer holding the token, passes the token to the next computer in the ring.

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Ring Topology (cont.)

Pros:

Requires less wire than star; Less expensive; If any cable is cut, the entire network is disabled. May incur delays: A computer has to pass the token even if it has more messages to transmit and nobody else does.

Cons:

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Bus Topology

Each unit is connected to a cable. Ex: Ethernet network; original transmission rate: 10 Megabits/s; now: 1000Megabit/s.

BUS

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Bus Topology (cont.)

Sending a message:

The sender sends a message only when the cable is not in use; The message propagates to both ends of the cable; The receiver process the message (all computers have to check if they are the intended destination)

Collisions:

A collision occurs when two computers try to send in the same time garbled transmission; When a collision is detected; each computer have to wait a randomly chosen time before retransmitting.

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Bus Topology (cont.)

Pros:

No delays when only one computer wants to transmit; If the bus fails, no transmission possible. Limited number of communicating parties (the bus < 500 m, >3m between two connections)

Cons:

Generally: each topology has adv. and disadv.;

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Network topology (cont.)

Advantages and Disadvantages of Network Topologies

Topology
Bus

Advantages
Cheap. Easy to install.

Disadvantages
Difficult to reconfigure. Break in bus disables entire network. More expensive than bus.

Star

Cheap. Easy to install. Easy to reconfigure. Fault tolerant. Efficient. Easy to install.

Ring Mesh

Reconfiguration difficult. Very expensive. Reconfiguration extremely difficult. Extremely expensive. Very complex.

Simplest. Most fault tolerant.

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Wide Area Networks (WANs)

Span a large geographic area, cross public property; Scalable: allow many computers to send data simultaneously; Often based on services provided by 3rd party companies, like telephone networks, for transmission from one node to another; Can be used to connect several LANs together;

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Transmitting messages across a WAN

Store and forward technique:

When a packet arrives at a switch:

it is stored into its internal memory; the processor is informed of its arrival; if the destination is idle, then the packet is forwarded to the destination. Otherwise, it places the packet in a queue---it will be sent when the destination is idle.

The processor examines the packet and

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WAN (cont.)

Pros:

Scalable Many messages can be sent simultaneously; A message passes only through switches Fault tolerant: if a switch fails, another route can be found; expensive

Cons:

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Advantages of networking

Connectivity and Communication Data Sharing Hardware Sharing Internet Access Sharing Data Security and Management Performance Enhancement and Balancing Entertainment

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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