Computer Networks

• Computer Network is a group of computers

connected with each other through wires,
optical fibers or optical links so that various
devices can interact with each other through
a network.
• The aim of the computer network is the
sharing of resources among various devices.
Computer Network Architecture

Computer Network Architecture is defined as the physical and logical

design of the software, hardware, protocols, and media of the
transmission of data. Simply we can say that how computers are
organized and how tasks are allocated to the computer.

The two types of network architectures are used:

•Peer-To-Peer network
•Client/Server network
Peer-To-Peer network

• Peer-To-Peer network is a network in which

all the computers are linked together with
equal privilege and responsibilities for
processing the data.
• Peer-To-Peer network is useful for small
environments, usually up to 10 computers.
• Peer-To-Peer network has no dedicated
server.
• Special permissions are assigned to each
computer for sharing the resources, but this
can lead to a problem if the computer with
the resource is down.
Client/Server Network
•Client/Server network is a network model designed
for the end users called clients, to access the
resources such as songs, video, etc. from a central
computer known as Server.
•The central controller is known as a server while all
other computers in the network are called clients.
•A server performs all the major operations such as
security and network management.
•A server is responsible for managing all the
resources such as files, directories, printer, etc.
•All the clients communicate with each other
through a server.
Network Components

• Physical Media
• Interconnecting Devices
• Computers
• Networking Protocols
• Applications
Network Components

• Physical Media
Networking media can be defined
simply as the means by which signals
(data) are sent from one computer to
another (either by cable or wireless
means).
Network Components

• Interconnecting Devices
HUB, Switches, Routers, Wireless Access
Points, Modems etc.
Network Components

• Computers
• In a client/server network arrangement, network
services are located in a dedicated computer
whose only function is to respond to the requests
of clients.

• The server contains the file, print, application,

security, and other services in a central computer
that is continuously available to respond to client
requests.
Network Components

• Networking Protocol
Network Components

Applications
Resource Sharing
• Hardware (computing resources, disks, printers)
• Software (application software)
Information Sharing
• Easy accessibility from anywhere (files, databases)
• Search Capability (WWW)
Communication
• Email
• Message broadcast
Remote computing
Distributed processing (GRID Computing)
Computer Network Types

A computer network can be categorized by their size.

A computer network is mainly of four types:
•LAN(Local Area Network)-Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other
in a small area such as building, office.
•PAN(Personal Area Network)-Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an
individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters.
•MAN(Metropolitan Area Network)-A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a
larger geographic area by interconnecting a different LAN to form a larger network.
•WAN(Wide Area Network)-A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large
geographical area such as states or countries.
Internet

A network of networks is called an internetwork, or simply the

internet. It is the largest network in existence on this planet.The
internet hugely connects all WANs and it can have connection to LANs
and Home networks.

Types Of Internet:
Intranet - is a network where employees can create content, communicate,
collaborate, get stuff done, and develop the company culture.
Extranet - is similar to an intranet, but also provides controlled access to
authorized customers, vendors, partners, or others outside the company.
Computer Network Types
Network Topology

• The network topology defines the way in which computers,

printers, and other devices are connected.
• A network topology describes the layout of the wire and devices
as well as the paths used by data transmissions.
Network Topology

• Bus Topology - Commonly referred to as a linear

bus, all the devices on a bus topology are
connected by one single cable.

• Star Topology - The star topology is the most

commonly used architecture in Ethernet LANs.
• When installed, the star topology resembles
spokes in a bicycle wheel.
Network Topology

• Tree Topology - Larger networks use the

extended star topology also called tree topology.
When used with network devices that filter
frames or packets, like bridges, switches, and
routers, this topology significantly reduces the
traffic on the wires by sending packets only to
the wires of the destination host.
Network Topology

• Ring Topology - A frame travels around the ring,

stopping at each node. If a node wants to
transmit data, it adds the data as well as the
destination address to the frame.
• The frame then continues around the ring until it
finds the destination node, which takes the data
out of the frame.
• Single ring – All the devices on the network
share a single cable
• Dual ring – The dual ring topology allows data
to be sent in both directions.
Network Topology

• Mesh Topology - The mesh topology connects

all devices (nodes) to each other for
redundancy and fault tolerance.
• It is used in WANs to interconnect LANs and
for mission critical networks like those used
by banks and financial institutions.
• Implementing the mesh topology is expensive
and difficult.
Reference Models

• The OSI Reference Model

– based on a proposal developed by the
International Standards Organization (ISO)
– a first step toward international
standardization of the protocols used in the
various layers.
• The TCP/IP Reference Model
The OSI Reference Model
Physical layer

• The main functionality of the physical layer is to transmit the

individual bits from one node to another node.
• It is the lowest layer of the OSI model.
• It establishes, maintains and deactivates the physical connection.
• It specifies the mechanical, electrical and procedural network
interface specifications.
Data Link Layer

•This layer is responsible for the error-free transfer of data frames.

•It defines the format of the data on the network.
•It provides a reliable and efficient communication between two or
more devices.
•It is mainly responsible for the unique identification of each device that
resides on a local network.
Network Layer
• It is a layer 3 that manages device addressing, tracks the location of
devices on the network.
• It determines the best path to move data from source to the destination
based on the network conditions, the priority of service, and other
factors.
• The Data link layer is responsible for routing and forwarding the packets.
• Routers are the layer 3 devices, they are specified in this layer and used to
provide the routing services within an internetwork.
• The protocols used to route the network traffic are known as Network
layer protocols. Examples of protocols are IP and Ipv6.
Transport Layer

• The Transport layer is a Layer 4 ensures that messages are

transmitted in the order in which they are sent and there is no
duplication of data.
• The main responsibility of the transport layer is to transfer the data
completely.
• It receives the data from the upper layer and converts them into
smaller units known as segments.
• This layer can be termed as an end-to-end layer as it provides a
point-to-point connection between source and destination to deliver
the data reliably.
Session Layer

• It is a layer 5 in the OSI model.

• The Session layer is used to establish, maintain and synchronizes the
interaction between communicating devices.
Presentation Layer

• A Presentation layer is mainly concerned with the syntax and

semantics of the information exchanged between the two systems.
• It acts as a data translator for a network.
• This layer is a part of the operating system that converts the data
from one presentation format to another format.
• The Presentation layer is also known as the syntax layer.
Application Layer

• An application layer serves as a window for users and application

processes to access network service.
• It handles issues such as network transparency, resource allocation,
etc.
• An application layer is not an application, but it performs the
application layer functions.
• This layer provides the network services to the end-users.
TCP/IP Model
TCP/IP Model

• Application Layer: This layer defines the protocol which enables user to
interact with the network. For example, FTP, HTTP etc.
• Transport Layer: This layer defines how data should flow between hosts.
Major protocol at this layer is Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). This
layer ensures data delivered between hosts is in-order and is responsible
for end-to-end delivery.
• Internet Layer: Internet Protocol (IP) works on this layer. This layer
facilitates host addressing and recognition. This layer defines routing.
• Link Layer: This layer provides mechanism of sending and receiving actual
data.Unlike its OSI Model counterpart, this layer is independent of
underlying network architecture and hardware.
Transmission modes

The way in which data is transmitted from one device to another

device is known as transmission mode.

• Simplex mode
• Half-duplex mode
• Full-duplex mode
Transmission modes