Computer Networking fundamentals

Contents
 Definition and its components.
 Advantages and Disadvantages.
 Network Architecture.
 Switching Techniques.
 Types of Networks.

DEFINTION :
A computer network is defined as the interconnection of two
or more computers systems or peripheral devices ,to enable
the computers to communicate and share available
resources.
ITS COMPONENTS:
 Two or more computers.
 Cables as links between the computers.
 A network interfacing card(NIC) on each computer.
 Connecting devices.
 Networking operating system
 A Protocol suite.

ADVANTAGESOFNETWORKING
 Sharing of hardware :like printers, fax, scanners.
 Sharing of software :like sharing software resources
reduces the cost of software installation and space on
hard disk.
 Sharing file: which increases teamwork and productivity.
 Easy to take backup since data is stored on one computer
called server.
 Cost effective method.
 Saves time.

DISADVANTAGES OF NETWORKS
 High cost of installation.
 Requires time for administration.
 Failure of server may cause network breakdown.
 Cable faults may interrupt connectivity.
 Security from hackers should be monitored with
software programs like firewalls.
 Viruses can harm the network ,antivirus programs
should be used .

NETWORKARCHITECTURE
LOCALAREANETWORK
Network
Architecture
PEER TO PEER
NETWORK
CLIENT SERVER
NETWORK
Network architecture is overall design of computer
hardware and their functional organization and
configuration.

PEER TO PEER(P2P) NETWORK
 Computers or nodes are connected with other
computers to share resources and accessing files..
 Computer is responsible for setting up and
maintaining its own security.
 Useful for a small networks less than 10 computers on
a single LAN .
 Computer functions as both client and server. It has
no server.
 Less expensive.

CLIENT/SERVERNETWORK
 Server: It is a powerful central computer which has most of
the network resources and provide services to other
computers when they request it. Server provide security and
administration to the network.
 Client : A client is the computer running a program that
requests the service from a server.
 Local area network(LAN) is based on client server network
relationship.
 Front-end: software which user sees and interacts directly.
 Back-end :Interacts with shared resources such as
databases, printers or high power processors.
 More expensive than P2P.

SWITCHING TECHNIQUE
In large networks there are multiple paths linking the
sender and receiver. Selecting a path that data must take
out of the available options is switching.
Switching
Techniques
Circuit
Switching
Message
Switching
Packet
Switching

• Connects sender and receiver within an unbroken path.
• A dedicated path exists between the two ends unless
communication is terminated.
• Appropriate for immediate data transfer like telephone line.
CIRCUIT SWITCHING

• Message is treated as independent unit and it is send
through series of nodes.
• Each node receives the message stores it and then
transmits it also known as storage-and-forward network.
• Channel efficiency is high because more device are
sharing the channel.
• Traffic congestion is reduced because message is
temporarily stored in the node.
MESSAGE SWITCHING

• Message is broken into a series of packets.
• Each packet contains header contains information
about source ,destination and reassembling
instruction.
• Each packet takes different routes to reach
destination.
• Founds in large networks Like TCP/IP protocol uses
it.
PACKET SWITCHING

TYPES OF NETWORKS
NETWORK
PAN LAN MAN WAN CAN
 A network is ‘interconnected’ computers i.e. they
are linked by any communication system.
 Networks vary in size, complexity and
geographical spread.

PERSONAL AREA NETWORK(PAN)
 Organized around an individual person.
 Communication capable devices like mobile computer,
a cell phone or personal digital assistant.
 Wireless or cables.
 Range up to 10 meters.

LOCAL AREA NETWORK(LAN)
 Designed to operate over a small physical area such
as an office, factory or a building.
 All machines are connected to a single cable .
 Easy to design and troubleshoot.
 Exchange of information and sharing of resources
becomes easy.
 Different types of topologies such as star, tree, bus,
ring, etc. can be used.
 It is usually a privately owned network.

METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK(MAN)
 It covers the entire city.
 It uses similar technology as LAN.
 It can be a single network such as cable TV network.
 It is a measure of connecting number of LAN’s on a
large network so that resources can be shared
LAN to LAN as well as device to device.

WIDE AREA NETWORK(WAN)
 When network spans over a large distance or connected
computers are at widely separated locations then it is
WAN.
 Connections through public networks like telephone
lines, leased telephone lines, satellite links and
similar channels done.
 It is cheaper and more efficient.
 WAN networks are used to transfer large blocks of data
between its users.
 INTERNET is the largest WAN network in existence.

CAMPUS AREA NETWORK(CAN)
 The campus area network is made up of an
interconnection of LAN with limited geographical area.
 Network equipments such as switches, routers and the
transmission media i.e. optical fibre etc are almost
entirely owned by the campus owner.

PARAMETERS LAN MAN WAN
Ownership of
network Private Private or public Private or
public
Geographical
area covered Small Moderate Very large
Design and
maintenance Easy Not easy Not easy
Communication
medium Coaxial cable
Coaxial cables,
PSTN,
optical fiber
cables, wireless
PSTNor
satellite
links
Bandwidth Low Moderate High
Data
rates(speed)
High Moderate Low
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
LAN, WAN, MAN

Computer Networking fundamentals

Computer Networking fundamentals

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