Networking Basics

Chapters 8
IT Faculty Member's
 Outline
o Introducing Networks
o Components of a network
o WAN & LAN
o Types of Internet connections
o Network Security
o Advantages and disadvantages of networks
o Resume
Note:
There will be QUIZ #2 from this chapter
Introducing Computer Networks
 Recall that a network is a group or system of connected
things.
 A computer network, or data network, is two or more
computers connected to one another to share
resources.
 Introducing Networks
 Networks allow users to work together, access files and
programs, and share printers and other equipment.
 To create a computer network, each device must be
able to communicate with the network.
 This requires establishing the physical connection using
physical media.
 Introducing Networks
 To be able to connect with networks, some computers
need a network interface card, or NIC.
 The NIC handles the flow of data to and from the
computer in both wired and wireless networks.
 Wireless networks also need a wireless transmitter, or
hub, called a wireless access point (WAP).
 The WAP is the central transmitter for sending and
receiving wireless signals.
 Components of a network
 Components of Networks are :

 Computers and peripheral

devices used for input and output
 Servers: Specialized computers
used to store and distribute data
 Network devices (such as Hubs,
Switches, Bridges, Wireless
access points, and Routers)
 Communication software to
format and package data for
transport.
 Network devices
 Hubs, Switches, Bridges, Wireless access points, and Routers
 https://youtu.be/1z0ULvg_pW8?si=TIBbrTgW2UZW-
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 Hub
 A network hub serves as a central point for all devices
on a network to connect to one another. Packets are
received at one of its many ports, duplicated, and then
sent to the other ports so that all LAN nodes can access
the information. It has multiple ports. In fact, it is a
multiport repeater. The hub’s cost is less than that of a
switch and router. The bandwidth of the hub is shared
across all its ports. The communication on the hub is
half duplex.
 Advantages & Disadvantages
Hub
 Advantages of Hub: Some advantages of hub are:
 Hubs are inexpensive and simple.
 They are easy to set up and can be set up by anyone.
 Disadvantages of Hub:Some disadvantages
associated with Hubs are:
 Hubs are usually inefficient as they broadcast data to all
devices unnecessarily.
 If more devices are connected, it can lead to network
collisions.
 Hubs are not intelligent devices, they are not capable of
managing or filtering data
 SWITCH
 A networking switch is a piece of hardware that accepts
data from one network and sends it to another through
packet switching. A switch is an upgraded version of a
hub that improves efficiency. It also works as a central
networking device for devices connected to the network
through that switch. It has multiple ports; 8, 16, 24, and
48. The switch is a faster bridge with many more ports.
 A switch costs more than the hub but less than a router.
The switch provides dedicated bandwidth to all its ports.
The communication on the switch is a full duplex.
 Advantages & Disadvantages
SWITCH
 Advantages of Switches :Some of the advantages of
switches are:
 Switches are capable of efficient data transmission and
reducing collisions.
 They are capable of scalability for larger networks.
 Managed switches can handle VLANs.
 Disadvantages of Switches: Here are disadvantages
of switches:
 Switches are expensive than Hubs.
 Switches also need configuration and monitoring in
larger networks.
 ROUTER
 A network router is used for connecting multiple
networks together. It is typically used as a gateway to
connect to another network. It is often used to provide
WAN connectivity.
 The cost of a router is greater than the switch.
 Advantages & Disadvantages
ROUTER
 Advantages of Router
 Routers enable connection to internet access and connect multiple
devices.
 Routers also provide security features, such as firewalls and
enrcyption.
 It supports multiple devices.
 It supports network management tools, such as DHCP and NAT.
 Disadvantages of Router
 They are the most expensive among the three devices.
 Routers are more complicated as compared to Hub and Switches.
 It also required more configuration and an expert to manage.
 Hub Vs Switch Vs Router

 Here are the difference between hub, switch and router.

Although hubs are a basic and affordable alternative,
they can promptly bottleneck network traffic. Switches
are an upgrade from hubs and can boost network
performance, but they are still insufficient if you
necessitate linking various networks together. In that
case, you will need a router. Hence, whether you are an
amateur user or a network administrator,
comprehending the comparison of hub vs switch vs
router is indispensable to constructing a dependable
and efficient network.
 What is a IP address?
 IP address: Every device on the Network has a unique IP
address to identify it.
 An example of IPv4 address: 12.23.45.67, and an example of
IPv6 address: 2001:0db8:85a3:08d3:1319:8a2e:0370:7344
 Static IP address is assigned to PCs/devices by an administrator, while
Dynamic IP address is automatically assigned by DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol).
 Domain name: Many servers also have an easy-to-remember
domain name ending with an extension (top-level domain). E.g.,
uohb.edu.sa is the domain name of a server whose IP is 212.70.49.53
 Organizing Users
 A workstation is a computer connected to a computer
network.
 In a large network, a workstation may be called a node.
 A node is anything connected to the network.
 A gateway is a node on your network that enables
communication with other networks.
 Sometimes network users work at a terminal, which
allows users to share time on a central computer.
 Ensuring Communication
 The communication on a network is called network
traffic.
 Network traffic is the electronic pulses of information
sent by the network cards to carry data through the
network wires to its destination.
 Kinds of Protocols
 For computers to speak with one another, they must
use the same protocol.
 A protocol sets a standard format for data and rules for
handling it.
 The protocols networks used to communicate are often
called a protocol suite because they are a collection of
individual protocols that determines how the network
operates.
 Kinds of Protocols
 There are two protocol categories:
 Open
 Proprietary
 An open protocol is available for anyone to use.
 The most common open protocol is the Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), which is
used by computers on the Internet.
 A proprietary protocol is only available to people who
buy certain equipment, services, or computers.
 Working with Others
 Networks allow people to work together in new and
exciting ways, and they can collaborate easily.
 Synergy is the effect a group effort can create.
 People working together on a network can accomplish
more than people working alone on unconnected
computers.
 Working with Others
 Some tasks you can accomplish using a network
include:
 Scheduling a meeting
 Instant messaging
 Exchanging email
 Videoconferencing
 Sharing documents
 Playing games
 Local Area Networks
 A local area network, or LAN, is a network in which all
the workstations and other equipment are near one
another.
 People connected to a LAN can participate in file
sharing, where files are made available to more than
one user on the network.

LAN
 Local Area Networks
 Collaborative software enables the network to help
people work together more closely.
 Collaborative software is also called groupware.
 A LAN allows users to access remote resources that are
not connected directly to your computer but are
connected to the network.
 Wide Area Networks
 A wide area network (WAN) connects computers and
other resources that are miles or even continents apart.
 To create a WAN, LANs are connected through high-
speed data lines called backbones.

WAN
 Creating WANs
 Organizations attach to the backbone at a point of
presence (POP).
 A POP is access point, or physical location (routers,
switches, servers) at which two or more networks share
a connection.
 Sending Data Long-Distance
 Most networks use packet-switching technology,
where the sending computer divides information into
tiny segments called packets.
 Circuit-switching can be used to transmit messages.
 It happens on a real, end-to-end connection between
the sending computer and the receiving computer,
which make up the circuit.
 Sending Data Long-Distance
 Routers are network devices or programs that choose
the best pathway for each packet.
 If there is congestion, or too much traffic, on the
network, the router can delay some of the packets.
 Types of WANs
 A public data network allows a company to set up its
own network.
 Some companies set up a private data network that
cannot be accessed by outsiders.
 A virtual private network (VPN) is a private network
set up through a public network.
 Using a Peer-to-Peer Network
 In a peer-to-peer network (P2P), the network is usually
small, made up of two to ten computers, and all
computers on the network are equals.
 In a P2P network, each user decides whether any files
on his or her computer will be shared.
 A peer-to-peer network is ideal for small offices and
homes.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network

 Using a Client/Server Network
 A client/server network is made up of one powerful
computer called a server that provides information and
management services to the workstation computers,
which are called the clients.
 The server stores the network operating system, other
programs, and large data files.
 The network operating system, or NOS, manages and
secures the entire network.

Client-Server Network
 Using a Client/Server Network
 Only those who provide a username, and a password
can use the network.
 It centralizes and protects data and controls what users
can do with files.
 A client/server network is far more secure than a P2P
network.
 Types of Internet connections
 The capacity of an Internet connection is sometimes
referred to as bandwidth
 Fast connections are referred to as broadband
 25 Mbps/3 Mbps (download/upload)
It was much lower in the past, e.g., 4 Mbps/1 Mbps or 8 Mbps/2 Mbps)

 Symmetrical connections transfer data upstream and

downstream at the same speed.
 Asymmetrical connections transfer data downstream
faster than upstream.
 Network Security
 Recall that a network can be secured or unsecured.
 On an unsecured network, anyone within the network
can access information.
 Unsecured networks may be called public networks.
 An unsecured wireless network can be accessed by
anyone within range of the wireless signal.
 It does not require a login or password and does not
use encryption to protect data.
 Network Security
 Secured networks limit access and protect the
computing devices and users.
 Secured networks prevent unauthorized access by
requiring users to enter an ID and password.
 You can secure a wireless network by using an
encryption protocol such as Wi-Fi Protected Access 2
(WPA2).
 Network Security
 There are public and private IP addresses.
 The internet uses public IP addresses.
 Private IP addresses are used on internal networks like
an intranet.
 Networks use firewalls as a level of security.
 A firewall is a filtering system that opens or blocks
programs and ports to keep outside data from entering
the network.
 Advantages and disadvantages
of networks
 Advantages of using networks include:
 Sharing networked hardware and software reduces costs.
 Sharing data on a network is easy.
 Networks can provide access to a wide range of services of
specialized peripheral devices such as printers.
 In business environments, networks provide a means to monitor and
control many aspects of an enterprise
 Networks enable people to work together by using communication
and collaboration tools such as:

Message boards or File Transfer Protocol Voice over IP (VoIP)

bulletins, and newsgroups (FTP)
Instant messaging Text messaging Web and Video
conferencing
Chat rooms Social networking Blogs
 Advantages and disadvantages
of networks
 Disadvantages of using networks include:
 Loss of autonomy: Networks make us highly dependent on machines
and other people.
 Threat to our privacy: Every move we make on our PCs, smartphones,
and tablets turns into online data that can be easily collected and shared.
 Hacking or unauthorized access: All networks are vulnerable to
unauthorized access; wireless networks are even more. For network
security, do the following steps:

• Make sure that all computers require user IDs and passwords.
• Install antivirus software on all computers and keep it updated.
• Activate the firewall software in your operating system (OS).
• Activate encryption on wireless networks.
• Install OS updates: Control Panel  System and Security  Windows Update
Resume
 What is a network?
• A Computer Network is a collection of connected
computers with the ability to communicate with each
other and share resources.

• Communications protocol is a set of rules for

transmitting and receiving data from one network
device to another. For example, TCP (Transmission
Control Protocol) and IP (Internet Protocol).

• Three popular network standards are Ethernet, Wi-

Fi, and Bluetooth.
 What is a network?
• There are many network types:
– A LAN (local area network) connects
personal computers within a very LAN
limited geographical area.
– A MAN (Metropolitan Area Network ) a
large computer network that usually
spans a city or a large campus. MAN

– A WAN (wide area network) covers very

large geographical area and consists of
several smaller networks.
– Others like WLAN and VPN and more … WAN
 What is a network?
• Structure of network applications:
1. Client-Server Network
• It is a hierarchical structure.
• A client is a computer that
initiates a request.
• A server is a computer that Client-Server Network

provides services to clients.

2. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network
• It requires no server.
• Treats every computer equally.
• Hosts can directly communicate
without involving a server. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network
 What is a network?
• The word internet means internetworking, i.e., a network
of networks.
• The Internet (with capital i) is a computer network
consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks
that use the TCP/IP protocols to facilitate data transmission
and exchange.
• An intranet is a private computer network that uses the
protocols of the Internet. An intranet is type of LAN, but it
can be expanded into an extranet that uses public
telephones and computer networks to share data.
• Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company that offers you
access to the Internet. Examples include residential,
company and university ISPs.
 What is a network?
• IP address: Every device on the Internet has a unique IP
address to identify it.
– An example of IPv4 address: 12.23.45.67, and an example of IPv6 address:
2001:0db8:85a3:08d3:1319:8a2e:0370:7344
– Static IP address is assigned to PCs/devices by an administrator, while Dynamic IP
address is automatically assigned by DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
• Domain name: Many servers also have an easy-to-remember domain
name ending with an extension (top-level domain). E.g., uohb.edu.sa is the
domain name of a server whose IP is 212.70.49.53
 Components of a network

• Components of Networks are :

– Computers and peripheral devices
used for input and output
– Servers: Specialized computers
used to store and distribute data
– Network devices (such as Hubs,
Switches, Bridges, Wireless access
points, and Routers)
– Communication software to
format and package data for
transport.
 Types of Internet connections

• Computers can be connected to the Internet through

many types of Internet services or connections:
– Dial-up Internet service ( Voiceband modem )
– Cable Internet service
– DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
– Ethernet
– Wi-Fi hotspots
– Cellular networks
– Satellite Internet service

• Internet connections are classified as Always-on: they remain active even

when you are not online.
 Types of Internet connections

• The capacity of an Internet connection is sometimes

referred to as bandwidth
• Fast connections are referred to as broadband
 25 Mbps/3 Mbps (download/upload)
(It was much lower in the past, e.g., 4 Mbps/1 Mbps or 8 Mbps/2 Mbps)
• Symmetrical connections transfer data upstream and
downstream at the same speed.
• Asymmetrical connections transfer data downstream
faster than upstream.