LANDMARK METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY BUEA

COURSE NAME: NETWORK SECURITY

LECTURER: EFFANGWA MARTHA

CHAPTER 1: REVIEW OF NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS

1.1 What is a Computer Network?

"A Computer Network is defined as a set of two or more computers that are linked together? Either via
wired cables or wireless networks i.e., Wi-Fi? With the purpose of communicating, exchanging, sharing or
distributing data, files and resources."

Computer Networks are built using a collection of hardware (such as routers, switches, hubs,and so forth)
and networking software (such as operating systems, firewalls, or corporate applications).

One can also describe the concept of computer networking by its communicating protocols, the physical
arrangement of its networking elements, how it manages network traffic, and it's functioning.

1.2 Computer Network Types

Below are the most common computer network types that are frequently used these days:

 LAN [Local Area Network}

 WLAN [Wireless local area network]
 CAN [Campus Area Network]
 MAN [Metropolitan Area Network]
 PAN [Personal Area Network]
 SAN [Storage Area Network]
 VPN [Virtual Private Network]
 WAN [ Wide Area Network]

Name Description Diagram

LAN LAN or Local Area Network is a group of devices
connecting the computers and other devices such
as switches, servers, printers, etc., over a short
distance such as office, home. The commonly used
LAN is Ethernet LAN. This network is used as it
allows the user to transfer or share data, files, and
resources.
 WLAN WLAN or Wireless local area network is similar to
LAN with the difference that it uses wireless
communication between devices instead of wired
connections. WLAN typically involves a Wi-Fi router
or wireless access point for devices, unlike
smartphones, laptops, desktops, etc.

MAN MAN or Metropolitan Area Network is typically a

more extensive network when compared to LANs
but is smaller than WANs. This network ranges
between several buildings in the same city. Man
networks are connected via fiber optic cable
(usually high-speed connection). Cities and
government bodies usually manage MANs.

PAN PAN or Personal Area Network is a type of network

used personally and usually serves one person. This
network usually connects devices unlike your
smartphones, laptop, or desktop to sync content
and share small files, unlike songs, photos, videos,
calendars, etc. These devices connect via wireless
networks such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared, etc.
VPN VPN or Virtual Private Network is a secure tool that
encrypts point-to-point Internet connection and
hides the user's IP address and virtual location. It
determines an encrypted network to boost user's
online privacy so as their identity and data are
inaccessible to hackers.

WAN WAN or Wide Area Network is the most significant

network type connecting computers over a wide
geographical area, such as a country, continent.
WAN includes several LANs, MANs, and CANs. An
example of WAN is the Internet, which connects
billions of computers globally.

1.3 Networking terms and concepts

1. IP address

An IP address or Internet Protocol is a unique number that represents the address where you live on the
Internet. Every device that is connected to the network has a string of numbers or IP addresses unlike
house addresses.
You won't find two devices connected to a network with an identical IP address. When your computer
sends data to another different, the sent data contains a 'header' that further contains the devices' IP
address, i.e., the source computer and the destination device.

2. Nodes

A node refers to a networking connection point where a connection occurs inside a network that further
helps in receiving, transmitting, creating, or storing files or data.

Multiple devices could be connected to the Internet or network using wired or wireless nodes. To form a
network connection, one requires two or more nodes where each node carries its unique identification
to obtain access, such as an IP address. Some examples of nodes are computers, printers, modems,
switches, etc.

3. Routers

A router is a physical networking device, which forwards data packets between networks. Routers do
the data analysis, perform the traffic directing functions on the network, and define the top route for the
data packets to reach their destination node. A data packet may have to surpass multiple routers present
within the network until it reaches its destination.

4. Switches

In a computer network, a switch is a device that connects other devices and helps in node-to-node
communication by deciding the best way of transmitting data within a network (usually if there are
multiple routes in a more extensive network).

Though a router also transmits information, it forwards the information only between networks, whereas
a switches forwards data between nodes present in a single network.

Switching is further classified into three types, which are as follows:

 Circuit Switching
 Packet Switching
 Message Switching

5. Ports

A port allows the user to access multiple applications by identifying a connection between network
devices. Each port is allocated a set of string numbers. If you relate the IP address to a hotel's address,
you can refer to ports as the hotel room number. Network devices use port numbers to decide which
application, service, or method is used to forward the detailed information or the data.
6. Network cable types

Network cables are used as a connection medium between different computers and other network
devices. Typical examples of network cable types are Ethernet cables, coaxial, and fiber optic. Though
the selection of cable type usually depends on the size of the network, the organization of network
components, and the distance between the network devices.

1.4 Computer Networks and the Internet

The Internet is the major example of a WAN, which connects billions of computers globally. Internet
follows standard protocols that facilitate communication between these network devices. Those
protocols include:

1. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

2. IP (Internet protocol or IP addresses)
3. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
4. UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
5. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

ISPs (Internet Service Providers) NSPs (Network Service Providers) effectively support the internet
infrastructure. The infrastructure allows the transportation of data packets to the recipient device over
the Internet.

Internet is a giant hub of information, but this information is not sent to every computer connected to the
Internet. The protocols and infrastructure are responsible for managing to share the precise information
the user has requested.

How do they work?

1. The Computer networks are formed by connecting multiple nodes such as computers, desktops,
routers, hubs, and switches with the help of either wired cables (Ethernet, data cables, fiber
optics) or wireless networks (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi). This network connection enables the nodes to
communicate and exchange data over the network.
2. Networks follow communication protocols to send, receive, create or forward data. Each note
connected with a network is allocated a unique IP (Internet Protocol), the IP address used to
identify a device and enables the other devices to identify it.
3. Routers and Switches are the virtual or physical medium that supports and manages the
communications between networks. Routers examine the data packets to conclude the best
route, following which the data can easily reach its destination node. In contrast, Switches
connect the devices if there are multiple routes in a more extensive network and facilitate node-
to-node communication, ensuring that the data packets traveling across the network reach their
destination node.
1.5 Network Topology
"Network topology is defined as the arrangement of computers or nodes of a computer network to
establish communication among all."

A node refers to a device that can transmit, receive, create, or store information. The nodes are connected
via a network link that could be either wired (cables, Ethernet) or wireless (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).

To help build a successful network in different situations, topologies are further classified into several
types. The commonly used ones are as follows:

1. Bus Topology

 A Bus network topology supports a common transmission medium where each node is directly
connected with the main network cable.
 The data is transmitted through the main network cable and is received by all nodes
simultaneously.
 A signal is generated through the source machine, which contains the address of the receiving
machine. The signal travels in both the direction to all the nodes connected to the bus network
until it reaches the destination node.
 Bus topology is not fault-tolerant and has a limited cable length.

2. Ring Topology

 A Ring topology is a modified version of bus topology where every node is connected in a closed-
loop forming peer-to-peer LAN topology.
 Every node in a ring topology has precisely two connections. The Adjacent node pairs are
connected directly, whereas the non-adjacent nodes are indirectly connected via various nodes.
 Ring topology supports a unidirectional communication pattern where sending and receiving of
data occurs via TOKEN.
3. Star Topology

 In a Star network topology, every node is connected using a single central hub or switch.
 The hub or switch performs the entire centralized administration. Each node sends its data to the
hub, and later hub shares the received information to the destination device.
 Two or more-star topologies can be connected to each other with the help of a repeater.

4. Mesh Topology

 In a Mesh topology, every node in the network connection is directly connected to one other
forming overlapping connections between the nodes.
 This topology delivers better fault tolerance because if any network device fails, it won't affect
the network, as other devices can transfer information.
 The Mesh networks self-configure and self-organize, finding the quickest, most secure way to
transmit the data.
 One can form a full mesh topology by connecting every single node to another node in the
network. Full mesh is expensive and is only used in the networks, which demands high data
redundancy.
 Another type of mesh topology is partial mesh topology, where only a few devices are connected,
and few are connected to the devices with which they share the most information. This mesh type
is applicable in the networks, requiring less redundancy or a cost-effective network topology that
is easy to execute.