Introduction to

Computer Networks

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 1
Chapter Objectives

Explain the need of networks

Explain history of computer networks (ARPANET)
Explain the types of computer networks
Explain Client/Server configuration
Explain layers of OSI model
Explain network selection criteria
Application
Explain Standards Organizations

Chapter 1 2
Computer Network
Interconnection of two or more computers and
peripherals
Allows user to share and transfer information

Chapter 1 3
Types of Computer Networks
Networks are classified depending on the
geographical area covered by the network

Computer
Networks

Local Campus Metropolitan Wide

Area Network Area Network Area Network Area Network
(LAN) (CAN) (MAN) (WAN)

Chapter 1 4
Local Area Network (LAN) - I
Covers a small area
Connects computers and workstations covering a
local area like, office or home

Chapter 1 5
Local Area Network (LAN) - II
Advantages of LAN:
Improves productivity due to faster work

Provides easy maintenance

New systems can be installed and configured

easily
Disadvantages of LAN:
Limited number of systems can only be connected

Cannot cover large area

Network performance degrades as number of

users exceeds

Chapter 1 6
Types of LAN
LANs are classified depending on the techniques
used for data sharing

LAN Types

Ethernet Token Ring Token Bus FDDI

Chapter 1 7
Campus Area Network (CAN)
Made up of multiple LANs within limited area
Connects different LANs in a campus

Chapter 1 8
Metropolitan Area Network

Interconnects networks within a city

Supports data and voice transmission

Chapter 1 9
Wide Area Network
Covers a wide geographical area which includes
multiple computers or LANs e.g. Internet

Chapter 1 10
Case Study - I

MoneyMaker is a bank having its registered office at

Delhi. It has branches at Mumbai, Chennai,
Hyderabad and Bangalore. The operating departments
in the bank are Finance, Insurance, Loan, IT,
Marketing, Customer Service and HR. MoneyMaker
bank uses LAN as their computer network for each
department. All the branches of the bank from different
cities are connected through WAN. The bank is
expanding and decided to open its branches at
different locations in the city.

Chapter 1 11
Problem

Determine which type of network to be used within a

city

Chapter 1 12
Suggested Solution

Use LAN computer network for each department in the

new branch. MAN can be used for connecting the
different branches of the bank within the city

Chapter 1 13
Client/Server Configuration
Consists of two elements, Client and Server
Server:
A centralized element which provides resources to

client
Manages data, printers or network traffic

Client:
Manages local resources used by users such as

monitor, keyboard, CPU and peripherals

Chapter 1 14
Open System Interconnection (OSI)
Model - I
Also known as ISO-OSI Reference Model
Developed by International Organization for
Standardization (ISO)
Describes flow of information from one computer to
another
Consists of seven layers

Chapter 1 15
Open System Interconnection (OSI)
Model - II

Chapter 1 16
Network Selection Criteria
Helps to improve network functionality

Network
Criteria

Performance Reliability Security

Chapter 1 17
Case Study - II

The Customer Service department of MoneyMaker

bank provides online services to the customers. At
Hyderabad branch, the Customer Service department
network is not functioning properly. So the bank has
decided to build an alternative network for that
department .

Chapter 1 18
Problem

Selecting the network criteria

Chapter 1 19
Suggested Solution

Decide network type and configuration, number of

users, speed of the network, hardware to be used,
operating system to be installed and anti-virus
software

Chapter 1 20
Standards Organizations
Also known as Standards Development
Organization (SDO)
Develop, maintain, improve and revise standards
Classified as:
International organozations International

Organization for Standardization (ISO)

National organozations American National

Standards Institute (ANSI)

Regional organozations Euro-Asian Council for
Standardization (EASC)

Chapter 1 21
Summary - I

Computer network enables the user to share data

and network resources
Network allows remote users to communicate with
each other
Computer networks are divided into LAN, CAN,
MAN and WAN depending on the coverage area
LAN is a small network and easy to create
Client/Server configuration also called as two-tier
architecture, consist of two nodes, client and server

Chapter 1 22
Summary II

OSI model consists of seven layers and provides

standards for computer communication
Physical layer is responsible for actual transmission
of bits over the medium
Data Link layer is responsible for node to node
delivery of frames
Network layer is responsible for end to end delivery
of packets, and routing

Chapter 1 23
Summary - III

Transport layer is responsible for end to end delivery

of the entire message
Session layer is responsible for establishing,
managing and terminating sessions
Presentation layer is responsible for translation,
encryption and data compression
Application layer is responsible for providing access
to the network

Chapter 1 24
Summary - IV

Performance, reliability and security are the network

selection criterion which enables to choose efficient
network
Standards organizations like ISO and ANSI develop
technical and non- technical standards
International standards organizations are
International Standard Organization (ISO),
International Telecommunication Union (ITU),
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Chapter 1 25