Lecture 03
Introduction to computer networks
Network Definition
• A network can be defined as two or more computers
connected together in such a way that they can share
resources.
• The network is simply a collection of computers or other
hardware devices that are connected together, either
physically or logically, using special hardware and software, to
allow them to exchange information and cooperate.
• Networking enables every form of digital communication,
including email, messaging, file sharing, video calls and
streaming.
Why use computer networks?
• Computer networks provide numerous benefits, including:
1. Efficient data transfer.
2. More data storage.
3. Streamlined knowledge sharing.
4. Stronger network security.
5. Resource sharing.
resource may be:
A file
A folder
A printer
A disk drive . Or just about anything else that exists on a
computer or mobile.
Advantages of networking
• Connectivity and Communication
• Data Sharing
• Hardware Sharing
• Internet Access
• Internet Access Sharing
• Data Security and Management
• Performance Enhancement and Balancing
• Entertainment
Disadvantages (Costs) of Networking
• Network Hardware, Software and Setup Costs.
• Hardware and Software Management and Administration
Costs.
• Undesirable Sharing.
• Illegal or Undesirable Behavior.
• Data Security Concerns.
Fundamental Network Classifications
1. Local Area Networks (LANs):
A local area network (LAN) is a computer network covering a
small geographic area, like a home, office, or group of buildings.
2. Wide Area Networks (WANs):
• Wide Area Network (WAN) is a computer network that covers
a broad.
• The largest and most well-known example of a WAN is the
Internet.
Fundamental Network Classifications
(cont)
3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN):
A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that
interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic
area or region larger than that covered by even a large local area
network (LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a wide area
network (WAN).
Fundamental Network Classifications
(cont)
1The Local Area Network (LAN)
Client Client
Client Client
Client Client
Fundamental Network Classifications
(cont)
2Wide Area Network (WAN)
Fundamental Network Classifications
(cont)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN(
Intranet and Internet Specifications
• Intranet:
An intranet is a private network that is contained within an
enterprise. It may consist of many interlinked local area
networks and also use leased lines in the wide area network.
• Internet:
is a worldwide system of computer networks - a network of
networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have
permission, get information from any other computer (and
sometimes talk directly to users at other computers).
Client and Server computer role in
networking
• Server
- computer is a core component of the network, providing a link
to the resources necessary to perform any task.
- The link it provides could be to a resource existing on the
server itself or a resource on a client computer.
• Client
- client is a computer or software application that requests and
receives services or information from another computer or
server.
Primary Types of Network Architectures
1. Peer-to-peer (P2P) architectures
- In a P2P architecture, two or more computers are connected as
“peers,” meaning they have equal power and privileges on the
network. A P2P network doesn’t require a central server for
coordination.
- great for small, simple, and inexpensive networks.
- In a strict peer-to-peer networking setup, every computer is
an equal, a peer in the network
Primary Types of Network Architectures
(cont…)
Peer-to peer network (cont..)
Primary Types of Network Architectures
(cont…)
2. Client-server architectures:
In a client-server network, a central server (or group of servers)
manages resources and delivers services to client devices on the
network; clients in this architecture don’t share their resources
and only interact through the server.
Primary Types of Network Architectures
(cont…)
2. Client-server architectures:
Primary Types of Network Architectures
(cont…)
3. Hybrid architectures:
Hybrid architectures incorporate elements of both the P2P and
client-server models
Network topology (cont(
• Bus (can be both logical and physical(
• Star (physical only(
• Ring(can be both logical and physical(
• Mesh (can be both logical and physical(
Network topology
• Bus
• A bus is the simplest physical topology. It consists of a single cable
that runs to every workstation
• This topology uses the least amount of cabling, but also covers
the shortest amount of distance.
• Each computer shares the same data and address path. With a
logical bus topology, messages pass through the trunk, and each
workstation checks to see if the message is addressed to itself.
Network topology (cont..)
• Bus topology
Network topology (cont..)
• Star topologies are easy to install. A cable is run from each
workstation to the hub. The hub is placed in a central
location in the office.
• Star topologies are more expensive to install than bus
networks, because there are several more cables that need to
be installed, plus the cost of the hubs that are needed.
Network topology (cont..)
• Star Topology
Network topology (cont..)
• Ring
- Each computer connects to two other computers, joining them
in a circle creating a unidirectional path where messages move
workstation to workstation.
- The ring makes it difficult to add new computers.
- Unlike a star topology network, the ring topology network will
go down if one entity is removed from the ring.
Network topology (cont..)
• Ring Topology
Network topology (cont..)
• Mesh
- The mesh topology is the simplest logical topology in terms of
data flow, but it is the most complex in terms of physical design.
- In this physical topology, each device is connected to every
other device.
- This topology is rarely found in LANs, mainly because of the
complexity of the cabling.
Network topology (cont.)
• Mesh Topology
Network topology (cont.)
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Network Topologies
Topology Advantages Disadvantages
Bus Cheap. Easy to install. Difficult to reconfigure.
Break in bus disables
entire network.
Star Cheap. Easy to More expensive than bus.
install. Easy to
reconfigure.
Fault tolerant.
Ring Efficient. Easy to install. Reconfiguration difficult.
Very expensive.
Mesh Simplest. Most fault Reconfiguration extremely
tolerant. difficult. Extremely expensive.
Very complex.
Network Protocols
• Rules and procedures to govern communication
- Some for transferring data
- Some for route discovery
• Protocol defines the format and the order of messages
exchanged between two of more communicating entities as
well as the actions taken on the transmission and/or receipt
of a message or other event.
Hi TCP Connection Request
Hi TCP Connection Response
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Network Protocols
• common types of network protocols
1. Transmission control protocol (TCP) or internet protocol (IP)
TCP/IP is the foundation of the internet and most home and
business networks. This internet protocol allows for internet
connectivity.
2. Hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)
It enables communication between web servers and web
browsers, allowing users to access and interact with websites.
3. File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is an internet protocol that is the
most widely used method for transferring files over the internet.
4. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is a technical standard
for transmitting electronic mail (email) over a network.
