Computer Networks I
CSC 102
Computer Networks
A collection of computing devices that are
connected in various ways in order to communicate
and share resources
Usually, the connections between computers in a
network are made using physical wires or cables
However, some connections are wireless, using
radio waves or infrared signals
The term node or host refers to any device on a
network
Server & Client
A computer network in which one centralized,
powerful computer (called the server ) is a
hub to which many less powerful personal
computers or workstations (called clients )
are connected.
The clients run programs and access data that
are stored on the server.
Server & Client
Types of Computer Network
Computer Networks are categorized mainly into
three categories.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Local Area Network (LAN)
Local Area Network (LAN) - A network that connects a
relatively small number of machines in a relatively small
geographical area.
They are sharing a common connection that has 10-100
Mbps data transmission speed and are connected
by Ethernet cables, usually running on high-speed internet
connection.
LAN computer terminals may be physically connected using
cables or setup wireless, thus called WLAN. LAN is less
expensive than WAN or MAN.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) - The communication
infrastructures that have been developed in and around large
cities or metropolis.
MAN is the abbreviation for Metropolitan Area Network and
bigger than LAN network. It connects computer users that
are in a specific geographical area. An example of MAN is
your cable television or a large university.
MAN is the right network to build networks between offices
within a city e.g. between a factory and its headquarters
within its range.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN) - A network that connects two or
more local area networks over a potentially large geographic
distance. Usually uses radio waves offered by service
providers.
WAN is the biggest network which can interconnect networks
around the world. Companies such as Microsoft or other
worldwide organizations utilize WAN connection between
their various branches by communicating via microwave
satellites.
WAN is used to connect LANs that are not in the same area
and is more expensive than LAN or MAN.
Network Topologies
Network topology refers to the physical or logical
layout of a network. It defines the way different nodes
are placed and interconnected with each other and
also, how the data is transferred between these nodes.
Physical
Logical
Physical Network Topology
Phys ica l to p o lo g y a s i ts na m e d ep ic t s ,
explains the physical design of the network.
It describes the geometric arrangement of
components that make up the LAN i.e. how
the nodes are physically connected.
Logical Network Topology
Logical
logical topology is used to represent how networks
transfers frames from one device (node) to another
regardless of its physical design
Logical topology describes the possible connections
b e t w e e n p a i r s o f n e t w o r ke d e n d - p o i n t s t h a t c a n
communicate i.e. the how data flows through the physical
topology.
Types of Physical Topologies
Bus
Ring
Star
Tree
Mesh
Bus Topology
This structure is very popular for local
area networks.
All networked nodes are interconnected,
peer to peer, using a single, open-ended
cable
Both ends of the bus must be
terminated with a terminating resistor to
prevent signal bounce.
Bus Topology
Advantages of Bus Topology
Easy to implement and extend
Suitable for temporary networks that must
be set up quickly
Ty p i c a l l y t h e c h e a p e s t t o p o l o g y t o
implement
Failure of one station does not affect others
Disadvantages of Bus Topology
Not suitable for large networks. With several
users, the network will be slow as data has to
travel through the same central cable.
Failure of the central cable will lead to entire
network disruption
Network disruption when computers are
added or removed which makes it difficult to
troubleshoot
Ring Topology
This is yet another structure mainly for local area
networks. In this topology, the network cable passes
from one node to another until all nodes are
connected in the form of a loop or ring.
There is a direct point-to-point link between two
neighboring nodes (the Next and the Previous).
These links are unidirectional which ensures that
transmission by a node traverses the whole ring and
comes back to the node, which made the
transmission
Ring Topology
Started out as a simple peer-to-peer LAN topology
Each networked workstation had two connections:
one to each of its adjacent neighbours
Data is transmitted in one direction around the ring
Sending and receiving of data takes place by the
help of TOKEN
Ring Topology
Advantages of Ring Topology
• They are cheap to expand.
• Data flows around the network in one direction, so it
is fast.
• There is no reliance on a central computer
• Each device has equal access to network resources
• Better performance than network topology
Disadvantages of Ring Topology
Each packet of data must pass through all
the computers between source and
destination, slower than star topology
If one workstation or port goes down, the
entire network gets affected
Network is highly dependent on the wire
which connects different components
Star Topology
Star topology uses a central hub through which, all
components are connected. In a Star topology, the
central hub is the host computer, and at the end of
each connection is a terminal
All network nodes are connected to a central
data equipment e.g. hub or switch
Each networked device in star topology can
access the media independently
Star Topology
Nodes communicate across the network by passing
data through the hub.
A star network uses a significant amount of cable as
each terminal is wired back to the central hub, even
if two terminals are side by side but several
hundred meters away from the host.
The central hub makes all routing decisions, and all
other workstations can be simple
This type of topology is frequently used to connect terminals to a
large time-sharing host computer.
Advantages of Star Topology
Compared to Bus topology it gives far much
better performance
Easy to connect new nodes or devices
C e n t ra l i z e d m a n a g e m e n t . I t h e l p s i n
monitoring the network
Failure of one node or link doesn’t affect the
rest of network
Disadvantages of Star Topology
If central device fails whole network goes down
The use of hub, a router or a switch as central
device increases the overall cost of the network
Performance and as well number of nodes which
can be added in such topology is depended on
capacity of central device
Tree Topology
Tree topology is a LAN topology in which only
one route exists between any two nodes on
the network.
A combination of star and bus topology
The pattern of connection resembles a tree in
which all branches spring from one root.
Tree Topology
Tree topology is a hybrid topology, it is
similar to the star topology but the nodes are
connected to the secondary hub, which in
turn is connected to the central hub.
In this topology group of star-configured
networks are connected to a linear bus
backbone.
Tree Topology
Advantages of Tree Topology
It is an extension of Star and bus Topologies, so in networks
where these topologies can't be implemented individually
for reasons related to scalability, tree topology is the best
alternative
Expansion of Network is possible and easy
The whole network into segments (star networks), which
can be easily managed and maintained
Error detection and correction is easy
If one segment is damaged, other segments are not
affected.
Disadvantages of Tree Topology
Because of its basic structure, tree topology,
relies heavily on the main bus cable, if it
breaks whole network is crippled.
As more and more nodes and segments are
added, the maintenance becomes difficult
Mesh Topology
In a mesh network topology, each of the
network node, computer and other devices,
are interconnected with one another.
Every node not only sends its own signals but
also relays data from other nodes.
It is commonly used in wireless networks.
Flooding or routing technique is used in mesh
topology.
Mesh Topology
Partial Mesh – A node is In fact a true mesh
topology is the one where every node is
connected to every other node in the
network.
This type of topology is very expensive as there
are many redundant connections, thus it is
not mostly used in computer networks.
Mesh Topology
Mesh topology is categorized into two types.
Partial Mesh – A node is connected to at
least one other nodes in the network
Full Mesh – All nodes are connected to one
another
Partial-mesh
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Full Mesh
Advantages of Mesh Topology
Data can be transmitted from different
devices simultaneously. This topology can
withstand high traffic
Even if one of the components fails there is
always an alternative present. So data
transfer doesn’t get affected
Expansion and modification in topology can
be done without disrupting other nodes
Disadvantages of Mesh Topology
There are high chances of redundancy in many of
the network connections.
Overall cost of this network is way too high as
compared to other network topologies
Set-up and maintenance of this topology is very
difficult. Even administration of the network is
tough
Difference between Hub, Switch
and Router
• Hub: Hub will broadcast all data to every port.
It has a common connection point for all
devices.
• Switch: Switch will create the dynamic
connection and provide information to the
requesting port.
• Router: Router is the device responsible for
forwarding data packets.
Definition of Terms
• Routers - Routers are small electronic devices that join
multiple computer networks together via either wired or
wireless connections.
• Node - A network node is a connection point that can
receive, create, store or send data along distributed
network routes.
