CS-106

Introduction to IT

Computer Networks

Course Instructor:
Rida Hafeez Institute of Geographical Information Systems
 Lecture Outline

1. Definition and benefits of networks

•

2. Network Types
 Networks Definition

‘Networks is a set of technologies –

including hardware, software and
media – that can be used to

‘
connect computers together,
enabling them to communicate,
exchange information and share

’’
resources in real time
[Peter Norton]
Network Technologies Examples
Software
Email, instant messaging, teleconferencing

Hardware
NIC(network interface card) / Modem

Media
Wired / Wireless
Networks
In absence of networks….

Data
Sharing

PC 3

PC 1

PC 2
Networks
Networking devices ….

Resource
sharing +
Communication

PC 3

PC 1

PC 2
BENEFITS OF NETWORKS
Benefits Of Networks
Resource Sharing:

Network-connected peripheral devices can be shared

between multiple users.

1. Printers
Hardware Sharing
2. Scanners

Saves money !!
Benefits Of Networks
File sharing:

Files can be stored on a central computer (the file server)

allowing data to be shared throughout an organization.

Authorized users are allowed to share the files on the network.

Beneficial for large organizations to maintain their data in an

organized manner and facilitate access to desired people.
Benefits Of Networks
Personal Communications :

Teleconferencing: multi-way communication carried out in real-time using computer

networks and other equipment

• Video Conferencing: virtual presence

Camera , microphone , loudspeaker, monitors.

• Audio Conferencing: communication between groups of people

Sensitive microphones and echo cancellation software

• Data Conferencing: Shared workspace for participants

Whiteboards : Participants at different locations simultaneously write and draw on
an on-screen notepad viewed by everyone.

Example: emails, instant messaging, VoIP

Benefits Of Networks
Simultaneous Access:

In organizations, several users may need to access same

data at the same time.
E.g.: Sales report that may be updated by several
managers.

In case of modification data may become inconsistent.

Network server can store data that requires simultaneous

access.
Benefits Of Networks
Simultaneous Access:
Software Programs:
Same programs can be used by many people in an organization.

Non-networked environment: Separate copies of programs are needed.

Expensive and time consuming.

Networked Environment:

1. Site License (Single application copy is bought + license to copy) => less costly
as compared to individual licenses.

2. Network Versions: one copy of application program running on central server.

Only necessary files are copied to individual user’s PC.
Benefits Of Networks
Backup:

In organizations, sensitive data must have a backup.

Shared central storage device can be used by users.

Regular backups of data on shared storage device can be created by

network manager.
BENEFITS OF NETWORKS?
TYPES OF NETWORKS
Network Types
Networks can be classified in different ways

1. Based on network size : LAN and WAN

2. Based on management method & structure: Peer-to-peer
and Client/Server
3. Based on topology (connectivity): Bus, Star, Ring …
4. Based on transmission media: Wired and Wireless
Networks Types w.r.t Size
Two major types:

• LAN (Local area network)

• WAN(Wide area network)

 LAN

• Connects computers and devices in a small geographical

area.

• Devices are connected via cables or wireless medium.

• Two to hundreds of computers.

E.g.: Computers within a single building i.e. home, school, office

LAN
• Different types of devices can be connected…
WAN
• Wide area networks
• Connect devices across a wide geographical area.
• Can be a combination of multiple LAN’s.
• Less data transfer rate as compared to LAN.

Example: Bank
CONCEPT CHECK!!
A network connecting the local and overseas offices of
a Software house would be an example of a LAN or a
WAN?
LAN vs. WAN
TYPES W.R.T SIZE
Hybrid Networks
Networks Types w.r.t Size
Hybrid Networks:

• CAN (Campus area network)

• MAN (Metropolitan area network)

• HAN (Home area network)

• PAN (Personal area network)

CAN
• Campus area network
• Larger than LAN.
• Multiple departments LAN’s can be connected.
• E.g.: college campus, military base, industrial complex
MAN
• Metropolitan area network
• Larger than a large LAN but smaller than a WAN.
• Very high-speed connections. ( fiber optical cable.)
• Used to connect cities and towns.
MAN

Example: A network used by a

company whose headquarter is
based in Islamabad while
warehouse, factory, regional
offices are situated in different
regions of Rawalpindi.
HAN
• Home area network (small scale network)
• Residential LAN
• A network contained within a user's home that connects
digital devices i.e. computers, tablets and their
peripheral devices to telephones, TV, home security
systems, home lighting, smart appliances.
PAN
• Very small scale network.
• Cell phones, PC, PDA, mp3 players.
• Organized around an individual person.
• E.g.: Bluetooth
TYPES W.R.T
GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE
Intranet & Extranet
 (Geographical Scope)
Classification
Decreasing
Scope

• Can you classify networks on

the basis of their decreasing
geographical scope ?
Intranets and Extranets
• Intranet is a private network.

• Companies internal version of internet that is insulated from the global internet.

• Allows access to corporate websites.

• Employees can create web pages on their local computers which can be viewed
by other members of same network.

• Employee can allow other employees to browse their website, upload/download

files, audio, video clips.

• Accessible from within the organization.

Makes it easier to communicate and share documents within the company!!

Intranets and Extranets
• Extranet is an intranet that is partially available to authorized
users outside organization.

• Team members can share information and data among

particular external parties.

• These external parties could be customers, suppliers, clients.

• Private communication, collaboration, as well as knowledge

and document sharing

Both intranet and extranet serve as communication tools for

easy information sharing for any organization.
Intranet vs. Extranet
TYPES W.R.T NETWORK
STRUCTURE
Client Server
Peer-to-Peer
1. Client Server Networks
• Server based networks= one or more servers + many clients.

• Server= A central dedicated powerful computer, which hosts

data and other forms of resources.

• Each computer that connects to the network is called a client

computer.

• Users must log on to servers to gain access to resources.

• Clients such as laptops and desktop computers contact

the server and request to use data or to share other resources.
1. Client Server Networks
• Server shares the storage and processing load of individual
clients.
• Server can be of different types depending on their role. i.e.
application server, file server, print server.

• Example: Browsers & web servers, Banks central database

 2. Peer-to-Peer Networks
• P2PN / workgroup.
• No central node.
• All nodes are equal.
• Each node has access to some resources on the other
nodes.
• Modern desktop operating systems such as Windows and
Mac OS support Peer-to-Peer networks.

• Example:

Skype are based on P2PN architecture!!

.
TYPES OF TOPOLOGY
Logical layout of cables and devices that connect
network nodes.
Data Packets
• Data moves through network in packets.
• Packets are pieces of message broken down by the
sender, for transmission on channel, and reassembled by
the receiver.
Document
Document
P3

P2

P1

Receiver/ Destination

Sender / source
Data Packets
• Each packet consists of P3

• Header part

• Source address

• Destination address
Header Payload Error Control
• Payload part

• Contains actual data

• Error control part Packet

Network Topologies
Topology
• Logical layout of wires and equipment

• Choice affects

• Network performance

• Network size

• Network collision detection

• Several different types of topologies

Common Network Topologies

• Bus topology
• Star topology
• Ring topology
• Mesh topology
Network Topologies
Bus topology
• Also called linear bus
• One wire connects all nodes
• Terminator ends the wires
• Advantages
• Easy to setup
• Small amount of wire
• Easy to expand
• Disadvantages
• Slow (speed depends on nodes)
• Easy to crash
• Terminators are required.
Network Topologies
Ring topology
All computers are connected via a cable that loops in a ring or circle.
• Packets travel in one direction
• Intermediate computer nodes are Source
involved in data transfer .
• Token passing mechanism Dest.
Advantages
• Easy to install.
• No data collisions due to tokens.
• Better performance
• Equal access to resources
Disadvantages
• Slow
• Difficult to expand
• Entire network goes down in case
Intermediate
of failure
Nodes
Ring topology - Token
Network Topologies
Star topology
• All nodes connect to a single central device e.g. hub
• Packets sent to hub
• Hub sends packet to destination
• Advantages
• Easy to setup
• One faulty device cannot crash network
• Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.
• Disadvantages
• One hub can crash down entire network
• Requires more cable length
• More expensive than bus topology.

Most common topology !!

Network Topologies
Mesh topology
• All computers connected together

• Advantage

• Reliable- Data will always be delivered.

• Disadvantages

• Lots of cable=costly

• Hard to setup and manage.

Network Topologies
Hybrid Topology
Hybrid topology is a mixture of different topologies.
Example is star-bus topology also called tree.
Easier to expand existing networks
Linear bus provides a backbone that connects multiple
stars
NETWORK MEDIA
Means used to link different nodes together
Network Media
Links that connect nodes

Choice impacts
• Speed
• Security
• Size

Types:

Wire based media

Wireless media
Wire-Based Media
Twisted-pair cabling

Copper wire

Two independent insulated wires

Twisted around one another.

Least expensive type of LAN cable.

Unshielded Twisted Pair and Shielded Twisted Pair

Speed: In Gbps
Wire-Based Media
Coaxial cable

• Copper cable
• Has four layers
• Similar to cable TV wire
• One wire runs through cable
• Shielded from interference
• Speeds up to 10 Mbps
• More expensive and less
popular.
Wire-Based Media
Fiber optic cable

• Glass or plastic strands

• Pulsating beams of light

• Not affected by interference

• Very fast and secure

• Speeds up to 100 Gbps

• Expensive and fragile

Wireless Media
• Data transmitted through the air

• LANs use radio waves

• WANs use microwave signals

• Easy to setup

• Difficult to secure
NETWORK HARDWARE
Proper hardware ensures data is channeled properly
between PC’s to reach its destination
Network Hardware

• LAN Card

• Linking Devices

• Cabling equipment
LAN Card

• Connects computer to network medium.

• Contains the electronic circuitry required to communicate

using a wired connection (e.g., Ethernet) or a wireless
connection (e.g., WiFi).

• A LAN card is also known as a network interface

controller, network adapter, or Local Area Network (LAN)
adapter.
Linking Hardware
Computer
E

Computer
A
Computer
D

Linking Hardware

Computer Computer
B C
Types of Linking Hardware
Connect multiple nodes in a network .

Cable runs from node to linking device.

• Hubs

• Bridges

• Switches

• Routers

• Gateways
Hub
• A device that is used to connect several computers to

form a network.

• A hub has several ports. The number generally is 8, 12,

16, 24, 32, or 48.

• Each computer in a network is connected to one of those

ports through a cable.

Hub
• Most dumb among all linking devices

• A computer wanting to send a message to one of the

others in the network sends a message to the hub, which,

in turn, broadcasts the message to all others connected to
it.
Hub
• A hub is not so secure and safe.

• Moreover, copying the data packets on all the interfaces

or ports makes it slower and more congested which led to
the use of network switch.
Hub
Switch
• A switch is more intelligent than a hub.

• A switch does ‘filter and forwarding’.

• It filters the packet and sends only to the interface of the

intended receiver thus reducing broadcast traffic.
Bridge
• Used to form a connection between two separate, but
similar LANs or LAN segments.

• In a way, it creates an extended LAN by passing

information between two or more LANs

• Packets sent to another LAN cross.

• Other packets do not cross a bridge.

• Two different labs or two different floors connected by a

bridge.
Router
• A router is a network device which is responsible for
routing traffic from one network to another network.

• Packets can be sent to remote networks.

• Can connect a private company network to a public

network.

• Connects internal networks to the Internet or LAN-WAN

Router
• Examines the destination info in each arriving packet

• Routes it through the most efficient path available

• Either delivers the packet to the destination computer

across a local network.

• OR forwards the packet to another router that is closer to

the final destination.

Gateway
• Regulates traffic between two dissimilar networks.

• LAN’s may use a gateway (or router) to connect to the

Internet.
END
Presentation Credits
• “Introduction to Computers”, Peter Norton

• Dr. Junaid Qadir, SEECS, NUST

• Ms. Hania Aslam, SEECS, NUST