IS 161

Fundamentals of Computer
Networks

Networking Fundamentals
Lecture 1


TYPES OF NETWORKS
TYPES OF NETWORKS

 Local Area Networks (LANs)

 Short distances

 Designed to provide local interconnectivity

 Wide Area Networks (WANs)

 Long distances

 Provide connectivity over large areas

 Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)

 Provide connectivity over areas such as a city, a
campus
THE INTERNET, INTRANETS, AND
EXTRANETS
 Internet
 Worldwide collection of millions of computers and
networks
 Derived from the term “internetworking”
 No one actually owns or runs the Internet
 Started in 1969 as a U.S. Department of Defense
project called Advanced Research Projects
Agency Network (ARPANET)
 Evolved into National Science Foundation Network
(NSFNET) in 1987
Intranets

 Network within an organization that uses

Internet protocols and technologies for
collecting, storing, and disseminating useful
information that supports business activities
 For internal use by employees
 Many companies also allow trusted business
partners to access their intranets
 Different from a LAN
 Define and limit access carefully
Applications of an Intranet
 Human resources management
 Sales and marketing
 Production and operations
 Accounting and finance
 Help organizations move from a calendar- or
schedule-based document-publishing strategy
to one that’s based on events or need
 Reduce the costs and time of document production
Extranets
 Secure network
 Uses the Internet and Web technologies to
connect intranets of business partners
 Type of interorganizational system (IOS)
 Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
 Electronic data interchange (EDI)
Extranets (cont’d.)
 Advantages of extranets:
 Coordination
 Feedback
 Consumer satisfaction
 Cost reduction
 Expedited communication
Peer-to-Peer Networks
• Peer-to-peer network is also called workgroup
• No hierarchy among computers  all are equal
• No administrator responsible for the network

Peer-to-peer
 • Advantages of peer-to-peer networks:
• Low cost
• Simple to configure
• User has full accessibility of the computer

• Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks:

• May have duplication in resources
• Difficult to uphold security policy

• Where peer-to-peer network is appropriate:

• 10 or less users
• No specialized services required
• Security is not an issue
 Clients and Servers
• Network Clients (Workstation)
• Computers that request network resources or services
• Network Servers
• Computers that manage and provide network resources and services to clients
• Usually have more processing power, memory and hard disk space than
clients
• Run Network Operating System that can manage not only data, but also
users, groups, security, and applications on the network.

1.11
• Advantages of client/server networks
• Facilitate resource sharing – centrally administrate and
control
• Facilitate system backup and improve fault tolerance
• Enhance security – only administrator can have access to
Server
• Support more users – difficult to achieve with peer-to-peer
networks

• Disadvantages of client/server networks

• High cost for Servers
• Need expert to configure the network
• Introduce a single point of failure to the system
Network topologies
Network Topology
Computer network topology is the way various
components of a network (like nodes, links,
peripherals, etc) are arranged.
Network topologies define the layout, virtual shape
or structure of network, not only physically but
also logically.
The way in which different systems and nodes are
connected and communicate with each other is
determined by topology of the network.
Topology can be physical or
logical
 Physical Topology is the physical layout of
nodes, workstations and cables in the
network.
 Logical topology is the way information flows
between different components.
Types of Physical Network
Topologies
 Bus Topology
 Star Topology
 Ring Topology
 Mesh Topology
 Tree Topology
 Hybrid Topology
Bus Topology
 In the bus topology, the computers are
connected through a common communication
media.
 A special type of central wire is used as
communication media.
 This central wire is called Bus.
 The computer are attached through the bus the
ends of the bus are closed with the terminator .
 The terminators are used to absorb signals. 
Advantages of Bus Topology
 Easy to install and configure
 Inexpensive
 Easily extended
Disadvantages of Bus
Topology
 Performance decreases
 Weak signals
 Difficult troubleshooting
Star Topology
 The star topology uses a separate cable for
each work station as shown in fig(next slid).The
cable connects the work station to a central
device typically a HUB.
 The configuration provides a more reliable
network that is easily expanded.
 With star there is no central point of failure in the
cable .if there is a problem with the cable only
the station connected to that cable is a
effected .to add more work stations simply
connect another HUB
Advantages of Star Topology
 Easily expended and modified
 Easy to troubleshoot
 Multiple cable types supported by hub
Disadvantages of Star
Topology
 If hub fails then entire network will fail
 Require more cables
 May require a device to rebroadcast signals
across the network
Ring Topology
 Every computer is connected to the next computer in the
ring and each transmits what it receives from the previous
computer. The messages flow around the ring in one
direction.
Some ring network do ring token passing. A short message
called token (memory area)is passed around a ring until a
computer wishes to send information to other computers.
That computer modifies token, adds an electronic address
and data and send it around the ring.
Each computer in sequence receives the token and next
computer until either the electronic address matches the
address of a computer Or the token return to its origin .
The receiving computer returns a message to the sender
indicating that message has been received.
Advantages
 It provides an orderly network in which every
device has access to the token and can
transmit.
 It performs well under a heavy load.
Disadvantages
 Failure of one computer can effect the whole
network .
 Difficult to troubleshoot.
 Change mode with adding or removing a
device effect the entire network.
Mesh Topology
 A mesh network or mesh topology uses
separate cable to connect each device to
every other device on the network, providing
a straight communication path.
 For sending messages, check the cable
connected into two devices. A message is
send directly from sender to receiver because
each one has individual and separate
connection.
Advantages
 Enhance for error tolerance provided by
redundant links.
 Easy to troubleshoot.
Disadvantages
 Difficult to install and maintain.
 Expensive.
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 network.