Concepts of Networking

Definition
n Network: collection of distributed, intelligent machines that share
data and information through interconnected lines of communication
Telecommunications
Models of Network
n Used to classify networks by size, distance, and structure
n Local Area Networks
n Wide Area Networks
Network Concepts and Considerations
n Network topology
n Ring network
n Bus network
n Hierarchical
n Star network
n Hybrid network

n Network types
n Local Area Networks
n Wide Area Networks
n International networks
n Home and s mall business networks
WANs
n LAN of LANs
n Wide Area Networks in the enterprise connect all LANs in the
organization – global aspect for multinational
n Internet is global WAN
n WANs may be public or private
n Private WANs may be Intranet

LANs
n Combination of computer hardware and transmission that is small in
size
n Typically within a building or business unit
n Typically utilize only one type of cabling
n Distance limited to 10 km or less due to cabling
n Wireless LANs are new addition

Basic Communications Channel Characteristics

n Simplex channel: message travels in one direction only

n Half-duplex: messages travel in both directions but only one
direction at a time
n Full-duplex channel: messages can travel in both directions
simultaneously
Shannon’s Fundamental Law of Information Theory
n The information carrying capacity of a channel is directly
proportional to its bandwidth - the broader the bandwidth, the more
information that can be carried.
Bandwidth
n The range of frequencies that an electronic signal occupies on a
given transmission medium.
Broadband
n Telecommunications in which a wide band of frequencies is available
to transmit information, allowing more information to be transmitted
in a given amount of time.
Protocols
n Rules which provide foundation of communications
n Standards for syntax
n Covers physical connections, software, hardware specifications
Types of Media
n Twisted-Pair
n Coaxial Cable
n Fiber-Optic Cable
n Microwave Transmission
Transmission Media
n Provides physical path for movement of network data
n May be bounded or unbounded
n Bound transmission media: central conductor inside of covering
providing security, reliability
n Unbounded transmission media: extends beyond physical
cabling, radiated – sent through airwaves
Bound Media
n Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP)
n Coaxial
n Fiber optics

UTP
n Telephone wire
n Two or more insulated copper wires twisted around each other
n Twists provide reduction of cross-talk
n Data grade utilized for networks
n 5 categories
n CAT 5 used for high-speed computer networks, 100 Mbps

COAX
n Center conductor of copper wire
n Outer conductor of wire mesh
n Operates at 10 Mbps
n Variety of standards for usage ranging from LANs, cable tv, etc.
n Lack of security compared to other bound media

Fiber Optics
n Uses properties of light to transmit data
n Not electrical based – immune to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
n Can be placed in locations where cabling based upon properties of
electricity
n Fibers may be glass or plastic
n 10 Mbps to 2+Gbps – 100 Mbps typical
Advantages & Disadvantages of Fiber
n Advantages:
n Speed, security, where can be installed due to no sparking, non
corrosive due to glass & plastic materials
n Disadvantages:
n Expensive to install and expand due to special requirements of
materials (refractive glass) restriction on angles
Expensive to maintain/repair if damaged

Unbound Media
n Radio wave
n Microwave
n Infrared

Radio Wave
n Technology utilizes frequencies
n Suffers from frequencies being regulated and in use
n Suffers from interference and security vulnerability
n Some types are very susceptible to EMI

Microwave
n Transmits beyond radio waves into upper gigahertz band
n 2 types of implementation
n Terrestrial
n Satellite

Terrestrial
n Line of sight – typically around 30 miles due to curvature of earth
n Susceptible to atmospheric conditions and EMI
n Good for short distance WANs
Satellite
n Uplink and downlink
n propogation delays due to distance signal must travel – issue and
disadvantage of satellite
n Geosynchronous satellite (22,300 miles)
n Low earth satellites –
n Security and weather conditions may be problems (example sun
spots) – definite disadvantages
Infrared
n Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
n Most useful in small or open indoor environments
n Can be point -to-point or Broadcast Infrared
n Security & broadcast jamming problems
Bridge, Routers, and Gateways
Definitions
Bridge: network device that provides connection between two or more
networks, must use same protocol of communication
Router: network device that operates at network level of OSI model, can
determine preferred paths to a final destination of a message/data
Gateway: network device that provides a connection allowing networks
with different architectures and using dissimilar protocols to communicate
OSI Model
n Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model
n International Standards Organization developed
n Provides framework for network communications

Seven Layers of OSI

n Physical
n Data Link
n Network
n Transport
n Session
n Presentation
n Application
Physical
n Part of bottom layer of OSI
n Encodes or decodes bits
n Send or receives stream of data
n Standards for this layer defines: electrical properties, transmission
media, transmission devices, physical topology, data signaling, data
synchronization, data bandwidth

n Physical layer sets rules for the actual connections and transmission
of data over networks. Physical devices including cables, modems,
network devices must meet these standards.
Data Link
n Part of bottom layer of OSI
n Organizes physical bits into logical groups for intended receiver
n Organizes messages from receiver into physical bits for transmission
on outbound
Network
n Part of middle layer of OSI
n Concerned with getting the message where it is going
n 4 tasks: logical addressing, switching, routing, and network control
n Logical address: combines with physical addressing for destination
devices
n Switching and Routing determines actual path used to move
message
n Network control: handles reassembling message parts
Transport
n Part of middle layer of OSI
n Concerned with getting the message where it is going
n 3 functions: service addressing, segmentation, and transport
control
n Service addressing uses connection Ids, ports, and sockets to ensure
that message gets to right service
n Segmentation makes certain that message is of correct size for
service
n Transport control performs error checking and flow control – error
checking main function of transport layer
Session
n Part of top layers of OSI
n Provides services
n 3 tasks: establishes connection – transfers data – releases
connection
n Opens and controls network dialog
n Ensures reliable communication via accepted transmission type
Presentation
n Part of top layers of OSI
n Provides services
n Transforms message into an acceptable format – translation is
primary task
n 2 tasks: translation and encryption
Application
n Part of top layers of OSI
n Provides services
n Uses networking protocols to provide file, print, message,
application, and database services

Communications Software
n Network operating systems (NOS)
n Network management software
Communications Protocols
n Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model
n Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
n Systems Network Architecture (SNA)
n Ethernet
n Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
n Bluetooth (wireless protocol using radio waves)

Telecommunications and Applications

n Voice mail
n Electronic software distribution
n Telecommuting
n Videoconferencing
n Electronic data interchange (EDI)

Devices
n Modems:
n Analog
n Digital
n Special-purpose modems
n Multiplexers
n Front-end processors