EC301

COMPUTER
NETWORKING
FUNDAMENTALS
Chapter 1
Basic Concepts and
Components of Computer
Networks

Goals of This Chapter

1.1 Describe basic concepts and components of computer
networks
1.1.1 List the advantages of networked computing relative
to standalone computing
1.1.2 Distinguish between client/server and peer-to-peer
networks
1.1.3 Differentiate the various classification of networks
according to its size:
i.

Local Area Network (LAN)

ii.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

iii.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

1.1.4 List elements common to all client/server networks

2

Goals of This Chapter

1.1.5 Distinguish the various computer network topologies:
i.

Bus

ii.

Ring

iii.

Star

iv.

hybrid

Goals of This Chapter

1.2 Identify Networking Standards
1.2.1 Identify organizations that set standards for networking:
a.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

b.

Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) and Telecommunications

c.

Industry Association (TIA)

d.

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

e.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

f.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

g.

Internet Society (ISOC)

h.

Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and Internet

i.

Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

OBE Method
OBE:
1.

The "One Minute Paper"

2.

Note Comparison/Sharing

3.

Visual Lists/Mind Mapping

4.

Student Summary of Another Student's Answer

What is Computer Networking?

A computer network is a system of
interconnected
exchange

computers

information

that
and

can
share

resources.
Networking is widely used in government
departments,

corporations,

educational

institutions, and private apartments.

6

Advantages of Networking
The advantages of networking include:
1. better communication;
2. resource sharing;

3. centralised data management;

4. software sharing;
5. efficient backup.
7

Why Use Networks?

Network
Group of computers and devices
Connected by transmission media

Stand-alone computer
i.

Not connected to other computers

ii.

Uses local software and data

Advantages of networks over standalone computers

i.

Device sharing by multiple users

ii.

Saves money and time

Central network management

8

1.1 Describe basic concepts and

components of computer networks
1.1.2 Differentiate two fundamental types of networks:
i. Peer-to-peer networks
ii. Client/server networks

Types of Networks
Models vary according to:
1.

Computer positioning

2.

Control levels over shared resources

3.

Communication and resource sharing schemes

Network models/Basics network configuration:

1.

Peer-to-Peer

2.

Client/server
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Peer-toPeer
Network
11

Peer-to-Peer Network
In its simplest form, a peer-to-peer (P2P) network
is created when two or more PCs are connected
and share resources without going through a
separate server computer.
A P2P network can be an ad hoc connectiona
couple of computers connected via a Universal
Serial Bus to transfer files.
12

Peer-to-Peer Network

Figure 1-1 Resource sharing on a simple peer-to-peer network

13

Peer-to-Peer Network
A P2P network also can be a permanent
infrastructure that links a half-dozen computers
in a small office over copper wires.
Or a P2P network can be a network on a much
grander scale in which special protocols and
applications set up direct relationships among
users over the Internet.
14

Peer-to-Peer Network
Advantages:
1.

Typical in a home with several computers

2.

Direct computer communication

3.

4.

Equal authority

Individual resource sharing:

i.

May share resources

ii.

May prevent access to resources

Each computer can send data to every other computer on the

network
15

Peer-to-Peer Networks
Advantages
5.

Simple configuration

6.

Inexpensive to set up

Disadvantages
1.

Not flexible

2.

Not necessarily secure

3.

Not practical for large installations

16

Peer-to-Peer Networks
Resource sharing method
Modify file sharing controls
A user responsibility

Not centrally controlled

Potential variations and security issues

Environments
i.

Small home or office

ii.

Large networks using the Internet

Gnutella, Freenet, original Napster

BitTorrent software
17

CLIENT/SERVER
NETWORKS

18

Client/Server Networks
How/what does it looks like?

computer

network

in

which

ONE(1)

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.
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Client/Server Networks

Figure 1-2 Resource sharing on a client/server network

20

Client/Server Networks
Central computer (server)

Enables communication and resource sharing

Clients (other computers)

Personal computers

Known as workstations

Central resource sharing controlled by

server

Data sharing, data storage space, devices

No direct sharing of client resources

21

Client/Server Networks
Computer roles

Server
Clients
Run local applications
Store data locally
Use server shared applications, data,
devices
Use server as intermediary

Communication

Switches or routers

22

Client/Server Networks
Server requirement

Functions of Network Operating System(NOS)

1. Manages client data, resources
2. Ensures authorized user access
3. Controls user file access
4. Restricts user network access
5. Dictates computer communication rules
6. Supplies application to clients

Server examples

UNIX, Linux, Microsoft Server 2003 and 2008,

MAC OS X Server
23

Client/Server Networks
Server features(ciri-ciri) relative to
clients:

More memory, processing, storage capacity

Equipped with special hardware

Provides network management functions

Disadvantages relative to peer-topeer networks

Complex in design and maintenance

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Client/Server Networks
Advantages relative to peer-to-peer
networks
i.

User credential assigned from one place

ii.

Multiple shared resource access centrally controlled

iii.

Central problem monitoring, diagnostics, correction

capabilities

iv.

User response time optimization capabilities

v.

Efficient processing on large networks

vi.

Scalability - the ability of a system, network, or process

to handle a growing amount of work in a capable
manner or its ability to be enlarged to accommodate
that growth.

25

Types of Servers
Specific types of servers include:
i.

web servers,

ii.

FTP servers,

iii. database servers,

iv. E-mail servers,
v.

file servers,

vi. print servers.

Most web services are also types of

servers.
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27

1.1.3 Differentiate the various classification of networks

according to its size:

1. Local Area Network (LAN)

2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
3. Wide Area Network (WAN)

LANs, MANs, and WANs

LAN (Local Area Network) Characteristics:
i.

Network confined to a relatively small space

ii.

A local area network is a small sized collection of computers

and devices connected by a wired or wireless infrastructure to
the end of sharing files and devices.

iii. The most common type of LAN is Ethernet.

iv. Easily resource sharing.
v.

Data transfer rate are high.

vi. Small area covered by LAN

vii. Cost of setting up the network is usually low.
viii. Flexibility, low error rates and reliability of operation and

simple maintenance.
28

Local Area Network (LAN)

29

30

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

Characteristics:
i.

Network extends beyond building boundaries; Larger than LAN

ii.

Connects clients and servers from multiple buildings

iii.

(MAN) is a geographically small WAN, typically less than 50

miles wide.

iv.

It provides faster access to other sites within the same MAN

than a WAN would.

Metropolitan Area Network

(MAN)

31

WAN (Wide Area

Network)
WAN (Wide Area Network) characteristics:
i.

Connects two or more geographically distinct LANs or

MANs

ii.

Comparison to LANs
Use slightly different transmission methods and media
Use greater variety of technologies

iii.

Network connection
i.

Separate offices in same organization

ii. Separate offices in different organizations

32

Wide Area Network (WAN)

33

Wide Area Network (WAN)

34

LANs, MANs, and WANs

Figure 1-3 A more complex client/server network

35

LANs, MANs, and WANs

(contd.)

Figure 1-4 A simple WAN

36

The difference between LAN and

WAN
LAN

WAN

Definition:

LAN (Local Area Network)

is a computer network
covering
a
small
geographic area, like a
home, office, schools, or
group of buildings.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

is a computer network
that covers a broad area
(e.g., any network whose
communications
links
cross
metropolitan,
regional,
or
national
boundaries over a long
distance

Speed:

high speed(1000mbps)

less speed(150mbps)

Data transfer
rates:

WANs have a lower data

LANs have a high data
transfer rate as compared
transfer rate
to LANs

Example:

Network in an
Internet is a good
organization can be a LAN example of a WAN

Geographical
Area:

LAN covers 100 m

WAN covers more than

37
100 m

1.1.4 Elements Common

to Client/Server Networks

38

Elements Common to Client/Server

Networks
1. Client

Network computer requesting resources or services from

another network computer
Client workstation human user
Client software installed on workstation

2. Server

Network computer managing shared resources

Runs network operating system

3. Workstation

Personal computer
May or may not be connected to network

39

Elements Common to Client/Server

Networks
4. NIC (Network Interface Card)

Device inside computer

Connects computer to network media

Allows communication with other computers

5. NOS (Network Operating System)

Server software

Enables server to manage data, users, groups, security,

applications, and other networking functions

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Ethernet NIC

Figure 1-5 A NIC (network interface card)

41

Elements Common to Client/Server

Networks
7. Host
A computer that enables other computers to
share resources
8. Node
Client, server, or other device
Communicates over a network
Identified by unique number (network
address)
9. Connectivity device
Allows multiple networks or multiple parts of
one network to connect and exchange data
Such as a switch or router
42

Elements Common to Client/Server

Networks
10.Segment

Group of nodes
Use same communications channel for
traffic

11.Backbone

Connects segments and significant shared

devices
A network of networks

12.Topology

Computer network physical layout

Ring, bus, star or
43 hybrid formation

A LAN Backbone

Figure 1-6 A LAN backbone

44

Common Network
Topologies

Figure 1-7 Common network topologies

45

Elements Common to Client/Server

Networks
13.Protocol
Standard method or format for communication
between networked devices
14.Data packets
Distinct data units exchanged between nodes
15.Addressing
Scheme for assigning unique identifying number to
every node
16.Transmission media
Means through which data is transmitted and
received
46

Transmission Media

Figure 1-8 Examples of network transmission media

47

Transmission Media
TWO(2) main categories:
1. Guided wires, cables
2. Unguided wireless

transmission, e.g.
radio, microwave, infrared, sound, sonar

Types of transmission media:

1. Twisted-Pair cables:
i.
ii.

Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cables

Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) cables

2. Coaxial cables
3. Fiber-optic cables
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49

1.1.5 Distinguish the various computer

network topologies:
1.Bus
2.Ring
3.Star
4.Hybrid

1.1.5 Network Topologies

A

network

topology

describes

the

arrangement of systems on a computer

network.

It defines how the computers, or nodes,

within the network are arranged and
connected to each other.

Some common50network topologies include

Common Topologies - Bus

Each node is daisy-chained (connected one right after
the other) along the same backbone.

Information sent from a node travels along the

backbone until it reaches its destination node.

Each end of a bus network must be terminated with a

resistor/terminator to keep the signal that is sent by a
node across the network from bouncing back when it
reaches the end of the cable.
51

Common Topologies - Bus

52

Common Topologies - Bus

Advantages of a Linear Bus Topology
1.
2.

Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a

linear bus.
Requires less cable length than a star
topology.

Disadvantages
Topology

of

Linear

Bus

1. Entire network shuts down if there is a break

in the main cable.
2. Terminators are required at both ends of the
backbone cable.
3. Difficult to identify the problem if the entire
network shuts53down.

Common Topologies - Ring

Similar to a bus network, rings have nodes daisy
chained, but the end of the network in a ring topology
comes back around to the first node, creating a
complete circuit.

Each node takes a turn sending and receiving

information through the use of a token.

The token along with any data is sent from the first
node to the second node which extracts the data
addressed to it and54adds any data it wishes to send.

Common Topologies - Ring

Then second node passes the token and data
to the third node, etc. until it comes back
around to the first node again.

Only the node with the token is allowed to send

data .

All other nodes must wait for the token to come

to them.
55

Ring Topology
Ring Topology
Every
computer
serves as
a repeater to boost
signals
Typical way to send
data:
Token passing
only
the
computer who
gets the token
can send
56

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Common Topologies - Ring

57

Common Topologies - Ring

Advantage of Ring Topology
1.

2.

The data being transmitted between two

nodes passes through all the intermediate
nodes.
A central server is not required for the
management of this topology.

Disadvantages of Ring Topology

1.
2.

The failure of a single node of the network can

cause the entire network to fail.
The movement or changes made to network
nodes affects the performance of the entire
network.
58

Common Topologies - Star

In a star network, each node is connected to a
central device called a hub. The hub takes a
signal that comes from any node and passes it
along to all the other nodes in the network.

A hub does not perform any type of filtering or

routing of the data.

A hub is a junction that joins all the different

nodes together.
59

Common Topologies - Star

60

Common Topologies Star

Bus

61

Common Topologies Star

Bus
Advantages of a Star Topology
1.
2.
3.

Easy to install and wire.

No disruptions to the network when
connecting or removing devices.
Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

Disadvantages of a Star Topology

1.
2.
3.

Requires more cable length than a linear

topology.
If the hub, switch, or concentrator fails, nodes
attached are disabled.
More expensive than linear bus topologies
because of the cost of the hubs, etc.
62

Hybrid Topology
Hybrid networks use a combination of any
two or more topologies in such a way that
the resulting network does not exhibit one
of the standard topologies (e.g., bus, star,
ring, etc.).
A hybrid topology is always produced
when
two
different
basic
network
topologies are connected.
Two common examples for Hybrid network
are: star ring network and star bus
63

Hybrid Topology
A Star ring network consists of two or
more star topologies connected using a
multi-station access unit (MAU) as a
centralized hub.
A Star Bus network consists of two or more
star topologies connected using a bus
trunk (the bus trunk serves as the
network's
backbone).

64

Advantagesof Hybrid
Topology
1. Any topology can be combined with
another without making any changes to
existing topology.

The speed of the topology is compatible

because it combines the strengths of each of
the topologies, eliminating weaknesses. It is
also more efficient.

65

DisadvantagesOf Hybrid
Topology
1. Installation and configuration of topology
is difficult.

Because there are different topologies that

need to connect.

At the same time, make sure none of them fail,

which makes installation and configuration
very difficult.

66

Example of Hybrid Topology

67

Star-wired Ring topology

68

Star-wired Hub topology

69

Hierarchical topology

70

EC301
COMPUTER
NETWORKING
FUNDAMENTALS

1.2
Identify Networking Standards

1.2.1 Identify organizations that set

standards for networking
1. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
2. Electronic

Industries

Alliance

(EIA)

and

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)

3. Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
4. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
5. International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
6. Internet Society (ISOC)
7. Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and Internet

Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

72

American National
Standards Institute
(ANSI)
ANSI is the main organization responsible for coordinating and
publishing computer and information technology standards in the
United States.

While they are commonly thought of as developing and

maintaining standards, they do neither. Instead, they oversee
and accredit the organizations that actually create the standards,
qualifying them as Standards Developing Organizations or SDOs.
ANSI also publishes the standards documents created by the
SDOs, and serves as the United States' representative to the ISO.

73

74

Electronic Industries
Alliance (EIA):
Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA):
The

EIA

is

association
publishing
transmission

an
that

international
is

best

electrical

industry

known

wiring

standards.

75

for
and

Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA)
Telecommunications

Industry

Association

(TIA): The TIA is the communications sector of

the

EIA,

and

is

responsible

for

developing

communications standards.
Since communications, wiring and transmission
are all related, and since the TIA and EIA
organizations

are

also

related,

standards

produced by the EIA or TIA are often labelled with

the combined prefixes EIA/TIA or TIA/EIA.
76

International Telecommunication
Union (ITU)
An agency of the United Nations (UN) whose
purpose

is

to

coordinate

telecommunication

operations and services throughout the world.

Originally founded in 1865, as the International
Telegraph Union, the ITU is the oldest existing
international organization.
ITU headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.

77

The ITU consists of

three sectors:
1. Radio

optimal,

communication
fair

and

(ITU-R)

rational

use

-of

ensures

the

radio

frequency (RF) spectrum

2. Telecommunication Standardization ( ITU-T )

-- formulates recommendations for standardizing

telecommunication operations worldwide
3. Telecommunication Development (ITU-D) --

assists countries in developing and maintaining

internal communication operations
78

International Telecommunication
Union (ITU)
The ITU sets and publishes regulations and standards
relevant

to

electronic

communication

and

broadcasting technologies of all kinds including radio,

television, satellite , telephone and the Internet .
The organization conducts working parties, study
groups and meetings to address current and future
issues and to resolve disputes.
The ITU organizes and holds an exhibition and forum
known as the Global TELECOM every four years.
79

The Internet Society

or ISOC
An international, nonprofit organization founded
during 1992 to provide direction in Internet
related standards, education, and policy.
It states that its mission is "to assure the open
development, evolution and use of the Internet
for the benefit of all people throughout the
world".

80

The Society will be a non-profit organization and will be

operated for international educational, charitable, and
scientific purposes, among which are:
1.

To facilitate and support the technical evolution of the

Internet as a research and education infrastructure and to
stimulate involvement of the academic, scientific, and
engineering communities (among others) in the evolution
of the Internet.

2.

To educate the academic and scientific communities and

the public concerning the technology, use, and application
of the Internet.

3.

To promote scientific and educational applications of

Internet technology for the benefit of educational
institutions at all grade levels, industry, and the public at
large.

4.

To provide a forum for exploration of new Internet

applications
and
to
foster
collaboration
among
[3]
organizations in their operation and use of the
Internet.
81

Internet Corporation for

Assigned Names and
Numbers (ICANN)

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names

and Numbers) is the private (non-government)

non-profit

corporation

with

responsibility

for

IP address space allocation, protocol parameter

assignment, domain name system management,
and root server system management functions,
the

services

previously

performed

by

Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).

82

the

Internet Assigned Numbers Authority

(IANA)
IANA

(Internet

Assigned

Numbers

Authority)

is

the

organization under the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) of the

Internet Society

that,

under

contract

from

the

U.S.

government, has overseen the allocation of Internet Protocol

addresses to Internet service providers (ISPs).
IANA also has had responsibility for the registry for any
"unique

parameters

and

protocol

values"

for

Internet

operation.
These include port numbers, character sets, and MIME media
access types.
83