Lesson - 1

Introduction to Computer Networks and

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Introduction
• Who today has not used a computer network?
• Mass transit, interstate highways, 24-hour bankers, grocery
stores, cable television, pagers, mobile telephones, most
businesses and schools, and other retail outlets can support some
form of computer networks.

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The Language of Computer Networks
• Computer network - an interconnection of computers and
computing equipment using either wires or radio waves over small
or large geographic distances
• Local area network - networks that are small in geographic size
spanning a room, building, or campus
• Metropolitan area network - networks that serve an area of 3 to
30 miles - approximately the area of a typical city

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The Language of Computer Networks
• Wide area network - a large network that encompasses parts of
states, multiple states, countries, and the world
•Data communications - the transfer of digital or analog data using
digital or analog signals
•Voice network - a network that transmits telephone signals
•Data network - a network that transmits computer data

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The Language of Computer Networks
• Telecommunications - the study of telephones and the systems
that transmit telephone signals
•Network management - the design, installation, and support of a
network and its hardware and software
•Personal area network – a network of a few meters, between
wireless devices such as PDAs, laptops, and similar devices.

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The Big Picture of Networks
• Networks are composed of many devices, including:
• workstations (computers and telephones)
• network servers
• network hubs and switches (bridges)
• routers (LAN-WAN and WAN-WAN)
• telephone switching gear

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Computer Networks - Basic Configurations
• Computer terminal-to-mainframe computer
• Microcomputer-to-mainframe computer
• Microcomputer-to-local area network
• Microcomputer-to-Internet
• Local area network-to-local area network

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Computer Networks - Basic Configurations
• Local area network-to-metropolitan area network
• Personal area network-to-workstation
• Local area network-to-wide area network
• Sensor-to-local area network
• Satellite and microwave
• Wireless telephone and wired telephone-to-network

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Basic Configurations – Computer terminal
to mainframe computer
Predominant form in 60s and 70s.
Still used in many types of businesses for data entry and data
retrieval.
Usually involves a low-speed connection.

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Basic Configurations – Microcomputer-to-
Local Area Network
Highly common throughout business and academic environments,
and now even homes
Typically a medium- to high-speed connection
Microcomputer requires a NIC (network interface card)
NIC connects to a hub-like device

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Basic Configurations – Microcomputer-to-
Internet
Very popular with home users and some small businesses
Typically a dial-up modem is used to connect user’s
microcomputer to an Internet service provider.
Newer technologies such as DSL and cable modems are replacing
modems.

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Basic Configurations – Local Area
Network-to-Local Area Network
Found in businesses and schools that have two or more LANs and
a need for them to intercommunicate.
A bridge-like device is typically used to interconnect LANs.
Bridge-like device can filter frames

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Basic Configurations – Personal Area
Network-to-Workstation
Interconnects wireless devices such as PDAs, laptops, and music
playback devices
Used over a short distance such as a few meters

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Basic Configurations – Local Area
Network-to-Metropolitan Area Network
Used to interconnect companies (usually local area networks) to
networks that encompass a metropolitan city
High speed networks with redundant circuits

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Basic Configurations – Local Area
Network-to-Wide Area Network
One of the most common ways to interconnect a user on a LAN
workstation to the Internet (a wide area network).
A router is the typical device that performs LAN to WAN
connections.
Routers are more complex devices than bridges/switches

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Basic Configurations – Sensor-to-Local
Area Network
Not all local area networks deal with microcomputer workstations.
Often found in industrial and laboratory environments.
Assembly lines and robotic controls depend heavily on sensor-
based local area networks.

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Basic Configurations – Satellite and
Microwave
Long distance wireless connections
Many types of applications including long distance telephone,
television, radio, long-haul data transfers, and wireless data
services.
Typically expensive services but many companies offer
competitive services and rates.

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Basic Configurations – Mobile Telephones
Quickly expanding market across the U.S. and world.
First generation analog services and second generation PCS
services available in most areas and under many types of plans.
Third generation services beginning to appear in Europe and Asia.

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Network Architecture Models
• A reference model that describes the layers of hardware and
software necessary to transmit data between two points
• Reference models are necessary to increase the likelihood that
different components from different manufacturers will converse
• There are two models that are required learning: The OSI Model,
and the Internet Model

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Network Architecture Models
• The OSI Model’s seven layers

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Network Architecture Models
• Application layer - where the application using the network
resides. Common network applications include remote login, file
transfer, e-mail, and web page browsing.
• Presentation layer - performs a series of miscellaneous functions
necessary for presenting the data package properly to the sender
or receiver.

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Network Architecture Models
• Session layer - responsible for establishing sessions between
users.
• Transport layer - provides an end-to-end error-free network
connection. Makes sure the data arrives at the destination exactly
as it left the source.
• Network layer - responsible for creating, maintaining and ending
network connections. Transfers a data packet from node to node
within the network.

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Network Architecture Models
• Data link layer - responsible for taking the data and transforming
it into a frame with header, control and address information, and
error detection code.
• Physical layer - handles the transmission of bits over a
communications channel. Includes voltage levels, connectors,
media choice, modulation techniques.

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Network Architecture Models
• The Internet Model (DoD Model or TCP/IP Model)

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Network Architecture Models
• Application layer - equivalent to the OSI’s presentation and
application layers
•Transport layer - performs same function as OSI transport layer
•Network layer - roughly equivalent to the OSI’s network layer
•Interface layer - equivalent to the OSI’s physical and data link
layers

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Network Models in Action

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The Internet Model in Action
• Note the flow of data from user to web browser and back
• At each layer, information is either added or removed,
depending on whether the data is leaving or arriving at a
workstation
• Adding information over pre-existing information is termed
encapsulation

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