University of Balamand

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Electrical Engineering
Option: Telecommunications systems

CSIS 321: Computer Networks

Report 1: Computer Networks Overview

Presented to: Dr. A.Bitar

Presented by: Mathieu Chamoun (A1010639) and Jad Nassif (A1010640)

Outline

1- Definition of computer Networks

2- Components in a network
3- Uses of Computer Networks
a- Definition
b- Networking Models :
 Client –Server Model
1. Definition
2. Example
3. Advantages/Disadvantages
 Peer-to-Peer Model
1. Definition
2. Example
3. Advantages/Disadvantages
 Comparison between both models
4- Networks Applications
5- Network Hardware
a- Transmission Technology :
 Broadcast Networks
1. Definition
2. Example
3. Transmission Types :
i. Broadcasting
ii. Multicasting
 Point-to-point Networks
1. Definition
2. Example
3. Unicasting
 Multiaccess vs Point-to-Point
b- Scale
 LAN
1. Definition
2. Example
3. LAN Topologies
 MAN
1. Definition
2. Example
 WAN
1. Definition
2. Example
 Internetworks
1. Definition
2. Example
 1) Definition of computer Networks

It is a collection of computers and devices interconnected by communications channels

that facilitate communications among users and allows users to share resources. A
computer network allows sharing of resources and information among interconnected
devices. Networks are built with a mix of computer hardware and computer software.

In few words, Computer Networks means a collection of autonomous computers

interconnected by a single technology.

2) Components in a network

The physical components are the hardware devices that are interconnected to form a
computer network. Depending on the size of the network, the number and size of these
components varies, but most computer networks consist of the basic components
shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1
Common Network Components

These are the four major categories of physical components in a computer network:

 Personal computers (PCs): The PCs serve as endpoints in the network, sending
and receiving data.
 Interconnections: The interconnections consist of components that provide a
means for data to travel from one point to another point in the network. This
category includes components such as the following:
o Network interface cards (NICs) that translate the data produced by the
computer into a format that can be transmitted over the local network
 o Network media, such as cables or wireless media, that provide the means
by which the signals are transmitted from one networked device to
another
o Connectors that provide the connection points for the media
 Switches: Switches are devices that provide network attachment to the end
systems and intelligent switching of the data within the local network.
 Routers: Routers interconnect networks and choose the best paths between
networks.

3) Uses of Computer Networks

a- Definition
The main purpose of computers is to enable people to exchange data and information.
This can take the form of electronic mail (e-mail) or Intra and Extranets. It is the use of
these resources that can decide whether a computer network is an asset or a problem
for the operators.

On the most basic level computer networks are great to share resources, such as
printers and storage space. On the most advanced level computer networks can carry
video data for remote video conferencing for example.

b- Networking Models :
 Client-Server Model
1. Definition

Fig 2: Client-Server Model

A client-server model for networked computer systems involves three components: the
client, the server, and the network. A client is a software application that most often
runs on the end user's computer host. A server is a software application that most often
runs on the information provider's computer host. Client software can be customized to
the user's hardware system, and acts as an interface from that system to information
provided on the server.

In other words, A server is sort of like a television broadcast station, making its
information available to anyone who would like to receive it. Clients are like television
sets--you tune it in to the station you want to watch. The television broadcast station
sends the signal in a standard format which is ready for viewing by any kind of television
set--black and white, color, big screen, whatever.

In few words

A client/server system operates as outlined in the following diagram:

 The client sends a request to the server using its IP address and the port, which is
reserved for a particular service running on the server.
 The server receives the request and responds using the client IP address and port

2. Example

*Business Application:
Many companies have a substantial number of computers. For example, a company may
have separate computers to monitor production, keep track of inventories, and do the
payroll. Initially, each of these computers may have worked in isolation from the others,
but at some point, management may have decided to connect them to be able to
extract and correlate information about the entire company.
Put in slightly more general form, the issue here is resource sharing, and the goal is to
make all programs, equipment, and especially data available to anyone on the network
without regard to the physical location of the resource and the user. An obvious and
widespread example is having a group of office workers share a common printer. None
of the individuals really needs a private printer, and a high-volume networked printer is
often cheaper, faster, and easier to maintain than a large collection of individual
printers.
However, probably even more important than sharing physical resources such as
printers, scanners, and CD burners, is sharing information. Every large and medium-
sized company and many small companies are vitally dependent on computerized
information. Most companies have customer records, inventories, accounts receivable,
financial statements, tax information, and much more online. If all of its computers
went down, a bank could not last more than five minutes. A modern manufacturing
plant, with a computer-controlled assembly line, would not last even that long. Even a
small travel agency or three person law firm is now highly dependent on computer
networks for allowing employees to access relevant information and documents
instantly.
In the simplest of terms, one can imagine a company's information system as
consisting of one or more
databases and some number of employees who need to access them remotely.
In this model, the data are stored on powerful computers called servers. Often
these are centrally housed and maintained by a system administrator. In
contrast, the employees have simpler machines, called clients, on their desks,
with which they access remote data, for example, to include in spreadsheets they
are constructing.

The client and server machines are connected by a network, as illustrated in Fig.3

Fig.3 : A network with two clients and one server.

3. Advantages & Disadvantages

i. Advantages of Client-Server Model :
 centralised resources: given that the server is the centre of the network, it
can manage resources that are common to all users, for example: a central
 database would be used to avoid problems caused by redundant and
inconsistent data.

 improved security: as the number of entry points giving access to data is

not so important.
 server level administration: as clients do not play a major role in this
model, they require less administration.
 scalable network: thanks to this architecture it is possible to remove or
add clients without affecting the operation of the network and without the
need for major modification.

ii. Disadvantages of Client-Server Model :

 increased cost: due to the technical complexity of the server.
 a weak link: the server is the only weak link in the client/server network,
given that the entire network is built around it! Fortunately, the server is
highly fault tolerant.
 Overloaded server: As the number of simultaneous client requests to a
given server increases, the server can become overloaded.

 Peer-to-Peer Model
1. Definition

In contrast to client-server networks there is no dedicated server in peer-to-peer

architecture . Thus each computer in such a network is part server and part client. This
means that each computer on the network is free to share its own resources. A
computer which is connected to a printer may even share the printer so that all other
computers may access it over the network. In few words, In a P2P network, each
computer acts as a peer, functions as both “client” and “server” to the other peers on
the network as we can see in Fig 1-4.

Fig 4: Peer-to-Peer Model

 2. Example

Fig 5: A peer-to-peer system example

In this form, individuals who form a loose group can communicate with others in the
group, as shown in Fig.5. Every person can, in principle, communicate with one or more
other people; there is no fixed division into clients and servers.
Peer-to-peer communication really hit the big time around 2000 with a service called
Napster, which at its peak had over 50 million music fans swapping music, in what was
probably the biggest copyright infringement in all of recorded history (Lam and Tan,
2001; and Macedonia, 2000). The idea was fairly simple. Members registered the music
they had on their hard disks in a central database maintained on the Napster server. If a
member wanted a song, he checked the database to see who had it and went directly
there to get it. By not actually keeping any music on its machines, Napster argued that it
was not infringing anyone's copyright. The courts did not agree and shut it down.
Legal applications for peer-to-peer communication also exist. For example, fans sharing
public domain music or sample tracks that new bands have released for publicity
purposes, families sharing photos, movies, and genealogical information, and teenagers
playing multiperson on-line games. In fact, one of the most popular Internet
applications of all, e-mail, is inherently peer-to-peer.
In few words, the most important example using a Peer-to-Peer Model is “File Sharing”.

3. Advantages & Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer Model

I. Advantages of Peer-to-Peer Model:
 reduced cost (the costs involved in such a network are hardware, cabling
and maintenance ).
  well tested simplicity.

II. Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer Model:

 this system is not centralised, making administration difficult.
 lack of security
 no link in the network is reliable

 Comparison between both models

Peer-to-Peer Model Client-Server Model

only useful for a small number of
computers (generally about 10)
only suitable for applications that do not
require a high level of security (it is not
advisable in a business network containing
sensitive data).
each host or instance of the program can
simultaneously act as both a client and a
server, and each has equivalent
responsibilities and status.
It functions with multiple different clients
of different capabilities.
All data is stored on the servers, which
generally have far greater security controls
than most clients
client computers (computers forming part
of the network) contact a server, generally
a very powerful computer.

Is in wide usage today Is in wide usage today

Difficult to manage Easy to manage

4) Network Applications

E-mail, Web, Instant Messaging, Remote Login, P2P file sharing, Multi-user network
games, Skype, resource sharing, information sharing…

5) Network Hardware
a- Transmission technology
 Broadcast Networks
1. Definition

This type of network has a single communication channel that is shared by all the
machines on the network. Short messages, called packets in certain contexts, sent by
any machine are received by all the others. An address field within the packet specifies
for whom it is intended. Upon receiving a packet, a machine checks the address field. If
the packet is intended for itself, it processes the packet; if is intended for some other
machine, it is just ignored.
 As an analogy, consider someone standing at the end of a corridor with many rooms off
it and shouting, “Watson, come here. I want you”. Although the packet may actually be
received (heard) by many people, only Watson responds. The others just ignore it.
Another example is an airport announcement asking all flight 644 passengers to report
to gate 12.

2. Example

Radio stations are a good example of everyday life "Broadcast Network".

3. Transmission Types:
a) Broadcasting

Broadcast systems generally also allow the possibility of addressing a packet to all
destinations by using a special code in the address field. When a packet with this code is
transmitted, it is receive and processed by every machine on the network. This mode of
operation is called broadcasting.

b) Multicasting

Some broadcast systems also support transmission to a subset of the machines,

something known as multicasting.

 Point-to-point Networks
1) Definition

This type of network consists of many connections between individual pairs of

machines. To go from the source to the destination, a packet of information on this type
of network may have to first visit one or more intermediate machines. Often multiple
routes, of different length are possible, so routing algorithms play an important role in
point-to-point networks.

2) Example

let's say you're running a point-to-point network for a small company with main offices
in San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX), and branch offices in San Jose (SJC),
Oakland (OAK), San Diego (SAN), and Santa Barbara (SBA). Each main office (SFO and
LAX) has a Cisco 3640 router, and each branch office (SJC, OAK, SAN, and SBA) has a
Cisco 3620. Each branch office has a point-to-point link to both main offices (SFO and
LAX). There's also a point-to-point link between the two main offices (SFO and LAX).

3) Unicasting
Unicast involves communication between a single sender and a single receiver. This is a
type of point-to-point transmission; since the packet is transmitted to one destination at
a time.

 Multiaccess vs. point-to-point

Multiaccess means shared medium:

- Many end-systems share the same physical communication resources (wire,
frequency...).
- There must be some arbitration mechanism.

Point-to-point:
- Only 2 systems involved.
- No doubt about where data came from.

As we can see in Fig.6

Fig6: Multiaccess vs. point-to-point

b- Scale

 LAN

1. Definition

A local area network (LAN) supplies networking capability to a group of computers in

close proximity to each other such as in an office building, a school, or a home. A LAN is
useful for sharing resources like files, printers, games or other applications. A LAN in
turn often connects to other LANs, and to the Internet or other WAN.

The most common type of local area network is an Ethernet LAN. Ethernet is a network
standard for data transmission using either coaxial or twisted pair cable. Ethernet ran at
10 megabits per second, but it is just as common now for Ethernet-based systems to run
at 100 megabits per second. Still newer systems have been developed to transfer data
at 1000 megabits per second (equivalent to a gigabit).
2. Example
1) 2 or more computers connected.
2) Small office or an internet café.

3. LAN topologies
Star: All stations are connected by cable (or wireless) to a central point, such as hub or a
switch. Star topology is the most commonly used topology in the Ethernet network. In
the star topology, every computer is directly connected with the hub or switch and if a
computer fails to work it does not affect the other computers. Star topology is reliable,
inexpensive and dominant topology in LAN.

Fig 7: Star Topology Model

Bus: In the Bus topology the computers are connected along with the linear and open
ended cable. Data travels from one computer to another and If a computer fails to work,
all the other computers stop communication. There are two types of the Bus topology
i.e. linear bus and the distributed bus.

Fig 8: Bus Topology Model

Ring: Ring topologies are similar to bus topologies, except they transmit in one direction
only from station to station. Typically, a ring architecture will use separate physical ports
and wires for transmit and receive.

Fig 9: Ring Topology Model

Mesh: A Mesh topology or mesh network is a type of computer network in which

computers and devices are arranged with many redundant interconnections. If one
device fails to work, then the communication can be reinstated by some alternative
ways.

Fig 10: Mesh Topology Model

Tree (hierarchical): The tree topology is a logical extension of the bus topology. The
transmission medium is a branching cable with no closed loops. The tree layout begins
at a point called the head-end, where one or more cables start, and each of these may
have branches. The branches in turn may have additional branches to allow quite
complex layouts.

Fig 11: Tree Topology Model

 -

Linear: The linear bus topology is like a data highway. That is, all components or nodes
are connected to the same cable, and the far ends of this cable never meet.

Fig 12: Linear Topology Model

 MAN
1. Definition

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that interconnects users with

computer resources in a geographic area or region larger than that covered by even a
large local area network (LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a wide area
network (WAN). It might cover a group of nearby corporate offices or a city and might
be either private or public. A MAN can support both data and voice, and might even be
related to the local cable television network. A MAN just has one or two cables and does
not contain switching elements, which shunt packets over one of several potential
output lines. Not having to switch simplifies the design.

2. Example

A chain of community colleges could be linked by a MAN. A single campus might use a
CAN (Campus Area Network), but the entire academic institution would use a MAN to
track students' progress across different classrooms and majors.

 WAN

1. Definition

This type of network spans a large geographical area, often a country or continent. It
contains a collection of machines intended for running user programs. These machines
are called hosts or end systems. The hosts are connected by a communication subnet.
The job of the subnet is to carry messages from host to host, just as the telephone
system carries words from speaker to listener. By separating the pure communication
aspects of the network from the application aspects, the complete network design is
greatly simplified.

In most wide area networks, the subnet consists of two distinct components:
transmission lines and switching elements. Transmission lines, also called circuits,
channels, or trunks move bits between machines. The switching elements are
specialized computers used to connect two or more transmission lines. When data
arrive on an incoming line, the switching element must choose and outgoing line to
forward them on. Unfortunately, there is no standard terminology used to name these
computers. They are variously called packet switching nodes, intermediate systems, and
data switching exchanges among other things. The generic term for the switching
equipment is a router.

In most WANs, the network contains numerous cables of telephone lines, each on
connecting a pair of routers. If two routers that do not share a cable nevertheless wish
to communication, the must do this indirectly, via other routers.

2. Example

Internet and VPN WAN links

 Internetworks

1. Definition

Many networks exist in the world, often with different hardware and software. People
connected to one network often want to communicate with people attached to a
different one. This desire requires connecting together different, and frequently
incompatible networks, sometimes by using machines called gateways to make the
connection and provide the necessary translation, both in terms of hardware and
software. A collection of interconnected networks is called an internetwork or internet.

An internetwork is formed when distinct networks are connected together. Connecting

a LAN and a WAN or connecting two LANs forms an internetwork, but there is little
agreement in the industry over terminology in this area.

2. Example

The worldwide internet.