Introduction to Computer Networks

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
NETWORKS
Introduction to Computer Networks

Computer Networks
Computer network connects
two or more autonomous
computers.

So that they can

communicate with each other
allowing them to share
hardware, software and data.

The computers can be

geographically located
anywhere.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Examples of Computers Networks

1. Computer network can be used in office.

different people in office can access common
information .If all the user computers
connected through network, They can share
their files . They can also send print
documents from any computer in the network.
2. Internet is also example of computer network
in which millions of computers are connected
through phones lines. People using this
network can share information, files and talk
with each other.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Benefits of Computer Networks

Resource and Information Sharing
Data and information can be shared among different users
Resources like printer , scanner,hard disk

 Money Saving
People can save a lot of money by using the same software over
a network instead of purchasing separate copy of the software for
each other
Communication
We can communicate with different people very easily using a
large network like Internet
People can share information
They can send and receive Emails
They can also search information
Introduction to Computer Networks

Types of Computers in Network

1.Terminal Computers
 Every computer that is part of a computer network is
called a terminal or node
 The users using different terminals can share
information and send or receive data from one terminal
to another terminal
2.Server Computer
 A server computer in a computer network is used as a
central computer.
 It controls other computers in the network
 Server computer is more powerful than terminals.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Types of Computer Networks

Three main types of Computer networks are:
 LAN (Local Area Network)
 WAN (Wide Area Network)
 MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
Introduction to Computer Networks

LAN (Local Area Network)

LAN is most common type of network
It covers a small area
Most LAN’s are used to connect computers in a
single building or group of buildings
Hundreds or thousands of computers may be
connected through LAN
LAN can be found in office buildings, and college or
university campuses.
There are many types of LANs
LANs are capable of transmitting data at very fast
rate
Introduction to Computer Networks

LAN (Local Area Network)

Data transmission speeds of LANS are 1 to 100 megabits per
seconds
LAN can transmit data in limited distance

Examples:
Following are the two examples of LAN:
1. In a computer Lab ,there are 40 computers connected
through LAN. The students can share files and data in the
LAB.
2. In Internet club, many computers can be connected through
LAN. These computers can share single connection of
Internet
Introduction to Computer Networks

LAN (Local Area Network)

USES of LAN
A LAN system can be very useful in the following.
 One copy of software can be shared by all users in a LAN
 System resources such as printers can be shared between
several people in the network
 It is easy to manage the data stored on the centralized
computer in the network
 Data can be shared by all users using that network
Introduction to Computer Networks

WAN (Wide Area Network)

It refers to network that covers a large area
WAN connects computers in different cities, countries
and continents.
Computers in WAN are often connected through
telephone lines
They can also connected through satellites
Transmission rate of WAN is typically 56kbps to 45
Mbps
WAN is expensive than LAN
WAN is not fast as LAN
The largest WAN in existence is the Internet
Introduction to Computer Networks

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A Metropolitan area network is a communication
network that covers a geographical area of the size
of the city
A MAN typically include one or more LANs but cover
a small distance than WAN
A MAN often acts as a a high- speed network
Introduction to Computer Networks

Network Topology
Introduction to Computer Networks

Network Topology

The network topology defines

the way in which computers,
printers, and other devices are
connected. A network topology
describes the layout of the wire
and devices as well as the paths
used by data transmissions.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Network Topology
• There are many ways for network connections.

Star Ring Bus

Tree Mesh
Introduction to Computer Networks

Bus Topology

Commonly referred to as
a linear bus, all the
devices on a bus topology
are connected by one
single cable.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Working of Bus Topology

If a computer wants to send data to other computer in the
Network , it sends the data and destination address via the
bus . The data and address move from one computer to
the other. Each computers checks the address . If it
matches with the address of the computer , the computer
keeps the data . Otherwise the data move to the next
computer.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Bus Topology
Advantages :
 It is simple and easy to use.
 It requires small amount of cable to connect
computers.
 It is less expensive .
 It is easy to extend a bus.
 If one node fails , it does not affect the rest of the
network.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Bus Topology
Disadvantages :
It only support small numbers of computers .
 If number of computer increases, network speed will
slow down.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Star Topology

The star topology is the most commonly

used architecture in LANs.

When installed, the star topology

resembles spokes in a bicycle wheel.

In Star topology , all computers are

connected with central device known as
hub
Introduction to Computer Networks

Working of Star Topology

 If two computers want to share data ,the

sender computer sends data to the hub

 The hub sends it to the receiving

computer

 Each computer on a star network

communicates with a central hub

 A hub provides a central connection point

Introduction to Computer Networks

Star Topology
Advantages :
 It is easy to maintain and modify network.
 Adding and removing computers can be done without
disturbing the networks.

 It is more flexible than the remaining topologies.

 Finding faults become very simple.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Star Topology
Disadvantages :
 If central hubs fails , the entire networks break down.
 It requires large amount of cable to connect
computers.
 It is more expensive .
Introduction to Computer Networks

Ring Topology

In ring network, each node is

connected to two adjacent nodes or
neighbors for communication
purpose and form a closed ring or
loop
In this way last node connects to
the first node to complete the ring
Introduction to Computer Networks

Working of Ring Topology

A frame travels around the ring,
stopping at each node. If a node wants
to transmit data, it adds the data as
well as the destination address to the
frame.
The frame then continues around the
ring until it finds the destination
node, which takes the data out of the
frame.
Single ring – All the devices on the
network share a single cable
Dual ring – The dual ring topology
allows data to be sent in both
directions.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Ring Topology
Advantages :
 Every computer have an equal access to
network.
 It is less expensive than star topology .
Disadvantages :
 Failure of one computer in the ring can affect the
whole network.
 It is difficult to troubleshoot.
 Adding or removing computers affect the whole
network.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Mesh Topology
The mesh topology
connects each node is
directly connected to all to
nodes on the network
It is used in WANs to
interconnect LANs and
for mission critical
networks like those used
by banks and financial
institutions.
Implementing the mesh
topology is expensive and
difficult.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Mesh Topology
Advantages:
It is easy to troubleshoot
If one link becomes
unusable , it does not
harm the entire system.
The use of dedicated links
guarantees that each
connection can carry its
own data load. It
eliminates the traffic
problems.
Introduction to Computer Networks

Mesh Topology
Disadvantages:
 A full mesh network can
be very expensive.
 It is difficult to install.
 Connecting Devices
• To connect LANs, or segments of LANs,we
use connecting devices
• There are different kinds of connecting devices
1. Hub
2. Switches
3. Repeaters
4. Bridges
5. Routers
 Connecting Devices
Hubs
– Receives incoming data packets from different nodes
– Places them in a memory buffer if hub is busy
– Each packet the hub receives is sent to every node in
the network, regardless of the address on the packet.
– Nodes ignore any packets that are not addressed to
them.
– Used in star topology
– Topology must be the same
HUB
 Switches
– Similar to hub
– A network switch is a computer networking device
that connects network segments
– It is often used to replace network hubs. A switch is
also often referred to as an intelligent hub.
– But it knows which of its connections lead to specific
nodes.
– Reads a packet’s addressing info and transmits the
packet out only on the line that leads to the node it is
addressed to.
– Some packets, - for example, one announcing that
another computer has come online – arrive addressed
as broadcast. The sending node wants all other
nodes to see the packet. The switch send copies of
the packet.
 Repeaters
A repeater connects segments of a LAN
• A repeater forwards every frame; it has no
filtering capability
– A repeater is an electronic device that
receives a weak or low-level signal and
retransmits it at a higher level or higher
power, so that the signal can cover longer
distances without degradation.
– Strengthen the signal
– Extends a network’s length
– Mostly used in bus topology networks
Repeaters
 Function of a Repeater
• A repeater is a regenerator, not an amplifier

Computer Networks
 Bridges
– Similar to repeater but can interpret data
– Connects similar network segments together
– Can forward or filter data using database
– Eliminates unneeded network traffic
– Topology of entire network must be the same
Bridges
 Routers
– Similar to switch.
• A specialized computer programmed to interface
between different networks.
• Routers make sure data sent over the Internet goes
where it needs to go and not where it is not needed.
• Routers are the only type of equipment that looks at
every single packet passing by on the network.
How does it works?
• A router receives data from the user.
• Looks for the remote address of the other computer
making routing decisions along the way
• Forwards the user data out to a different interface that is
closer to the remote computer
 Routers

• Ability to make intelligent decisions e.g. in determining

the best path
• Connects dissimilar LANs and WANs even having
different speeds, protocols, topologies or cable types
• Used to connect 2 or more networks