Information Technology

Networks & Communication Systems

Dr. GUVEN
Aerospace Engineer ([Link])
Nuclear Science and Technology Engineer ([Link])
 What is a Network?
• As the demands on IT systems
and computers have grown,
the need to share resources to
create an overall working
system has emerged.
• Network is the concept of
having more then one
computer, hardware devices,
software and communication
devices working in tandem
with each other for a common
purpose.
 Network Materials
• Network consists of the following materials:
- Computers (Desktop, Server, Mainframe)
- Printers and other devices connected for
common use
- Communications Media for connecting these
devices (Hubs, Switches, Routers, Modems)
- Software for allowing for the system to work
together
- Protocols for determining how the data is
transmitted and how the applications are
priotorized and how the rights are determined
 Types of Computer Networks
• There are mainly two types of computer
network types for computer systems
- Local Area Network
- Wide Area Network
 Local Area Network (LAN)
• Local Area Network connects two or more
communicating devices within a building or
within nearby buildings.
• Every user on LAN has the potential to
communicate with every other device
• LAN allows large number of corporate users to
share resources such as printers, programs,
storage devices and data files
• LAN users can have a common access to
corporate information which can allow for
productivity
LAN
 How to Connect LAN Devices?
• LAN consists of cabling or wireless technology
linking individual devices, network interface cards
(adapters that allow for network cables to be
interfaced with computers) and software to control
LAN activities
• Hub / Switch connects more then one device in a
nearby area.
• Bridge connects two networks of the same type
• Router connects LAN to Wide Area Network.
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
• WLAN technologies provide LAN connectivity,
typically limited to less then 150 meters,
usually within one building.
• Wi-fi is the usage of radio technology to create
internet and network connectivity wirelessly
• Bluetooth is used for shorter range
applications to connect computers, printers
and palm pilots.
WLAN
 Wide Area Networks (WAN)
• Wide area networks are long haul, broadband
networks covering wide geographic areas.
• Some WANs are commercial, while others are
private created by large corporations
• An example of a widespread public WAN is the
Internet.
• WANs may connect using cables as well as
wireless technology.
WAN
 Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• Virtual Private Network is a gateway between
a corporate LAN and an Internet.
• VPN allows an access to corporate networks
email, shared files etc. with an Internet
connection
• VPN transmissions are encrypted allowing for
the necessary security for companies.
• VPNs are used as extranets
VPN
 Network Transmission
• In order to create a network, you need a
medium to transmit the signal from one
computer or device to another.
• The types of transmission technology are:
1) Cable Media
2) Broadcast Media
 Cable Media
• Cable Media use physical wires or cables to
transmit data and information. The three
types of cable that are available are:
• Coaxial Cable
• Twisted Pair
• Fiber optic cables
 Coaxial Cable
• Coaxial Cable: These cables are like black TV
cables and they can transmit huge amounts of
information (like audio – visual signals), but
they are expensive
 Twisted Pair Cable
• Twisted Pair: These cables are very
widespread and majority of networks are used
with these since they use RJ-45 connectors.
• These connectors are similar to telephone
connectors and they make connection very
easy
• Twisted pair cables consist of 8 cables twisted
around each other.
 Fiber Optic Cables
• Fiber optic cables: They transmit laser signals
through glass fibers.
• They are very expensive due to high cabling costs
• A single glass fiber can carry more then 50,000
simultaneous telephone cables compared to only
5,500 calls.
• Fiber cable can carry 25 terabits of data per second.
 Network Broadcast Media
• Microwave Signals
• Radio Signals
• Cellular Transmission
• Infrared
• Satellite
 Broadcast Media Properties
• On the available broadcast media, satellites
have a high bandwidth and large coverage
area, but they are the most expensive. Mostly
preferred for ATM’s and similar remote
outposts.
• Radio transmissions are cheap and signals can
pass through walls. However, the security is an
issue, but all computers and notebooks use
radio technology for wireless networking.
• Microwave, infrared are susceptible to
interference
 Network Management Software
• Network Operating system is a software that
controls the hardware devices, software and
communications media across the network.
• Some common network operating systems
are:
- Microsoft NT / Microsoft Server 2003-2008
- Novell Netware
 Network Protocols
• The set of rules and procedures that govern
transmission across a network is called protocol.
• The principal functions of protocols in a network
are line access and collision avoidance.
• Line access is the regulation of how the sending
device gains access to the network
• Collision avoidance refers to managing message
transmission so that two messages do not collide
over the network
 TCP / IP
• Transmission Control Protocol / Internet
Protocol (TCP / IP) refers to a transfer protocol
that cab send files of information across
networks with the assurance that the data will
arrive in an un corrupted form.