CS-09 – Data Communications and Networks
Why we talk of Computer Networks
Mainframes vs. Computer Networks
Distributed Computing vs. Computer Networks
Computer Networks Usage
Distributed Computing vs. Networks
Network Technical Issues
LAN-MAN-WAN
Internetworks
Why do we talk of Computer Networks
· Centuries on Move
· 18th Century – Mecanical Systems (Industrial Revolution)
· 19th Century – Steam Engine (Surface Transport)
· 20th Century – Information Age (Transport w/o Movement)
· 21st Century – Biotech Age (Transport all Human Senses)
· Key Focus in past few centuries is transporting & thus it requires
NETWORKS
(An interconnection between entities that works to transfer something)
· Primary Work = Information Transfer
· Primary Information Management Tool = Computers
Thus we talk of
COMPUTER NETWORKS
Mainframes Giving Way to Computer Networks


q Computer Network Definintion excludes computer setups where one computing node is forcibly started by some main computer.
Distinction Between Distributed Computing and Computer Networks

Computer Networks Usage
Usage by companies
·
Resource Sharing
·
Reliability (by having alternative source of information, Mirrors)
·
Cost Saving (Common File Server, Application Server)
·
Client Server Implementation.
·
Scalability (Increase Load as workload increases)
·
Employee communication medium
Usage by people
·
Access to remote information (News, Library, Magazines, Bank
Transaction, Equipment Information, Service procedures, Tour planning, Health
information).
·
Person to Person Communication ( Email, Chat,
Pager, Newsgroup, Audio-Conferencing, Video-Conferencing etc.)
·
Interactive Entertainment (Music Tracks, Movies on demand, Online Games
etc.)
Computer Networks Technical Issues
Issues relate to two aspects
· Transmission Technology Aspect
· Scale aspect (Physical Spread of Network)
Transmission Technology
· Broad-Cast Networks
(Packets received by all but used by whom it is
meant for. Broadcasting is supported to all, group (Multi-casting),
Individuals).
· Point to Point Network
(Packets passes thru
individual intermediate machines and reaches specified destination via a
resolved route.)
Network Spread
· 0.1 m Data-Flow Machine/Circuit Board
· 1 m Computer System
· 1 m – 1km LAN
· 1 Km – 10 km MAN
· 10 Km – 1000 Km WAN
· 1000 Km + Internetwork
LAN – Local Area Network
· Privately owned – upto few km in size
· Connects PCs, Workstations, Peripherals in a room, building or campus.
Size
· Worst-case transmission time is known in advance
· Permits usage of simpler technologies
Transmission Technology
· Single cable connecting many computers
· 10/100 Mbps traditional speeds
Topology
· BUS (IEEE – 802.3 , Ethernet, 10/100 Mbps)

· RING (IEEE – 802.5, IBM Token Ring, 4/16 Mbps)

· Arbitration and conflict resolution requirements
· Static or dynamic channel allocation (Timeslot is prefixed or allotted dynamically)
· Dynamic Allocation is centralised or de-centralised.
MAN – Metropolitan Area Network
· Bigger version of LAN, owned privately by big corporates or city service providers.
· Connects nodes of nearby corporate offices, multiple buildings etc.
· IEEE classified it separately as 802.6 because of using a specific technology DQDB – Distributed Query Dual Bus

· Design without switch
· Bus arbitration simple and efficient
· Less traffic collision
WAN – Wide Area Network
· Spans a large area – country, continent, globe
· Collection of Individual/distributed running application.
· M/C running application are called Hosts (End System)
· Generally refers to host networks with similar technologies.
· Hosts connected by sub-nets.
SUB-NETS
· Transmission Line (Circuits, Channels, Trunks)
·
Switching
Elements (Packet switching nodes, intermediate systems,
Data-switching-exchanges, ROUTERS )
· Point-to-Point
· Store and Forward
· Packet Switching
· Topologies
(Star, Ring, Tree, Complete, Intersecting Ring, Irregular)
Internetworks
·
Connects different and incompatible networks.
·
Connects thru Gateways.
·
internet ( Internet is a specific instance of internet)
·
Subnet – Collection of routers and transmission lines
·
WAN – Collection of routers, hosts and transmission lines
·
internetwork – WAN with mutiple types hosts and network
technolgies.
·
Teminology not standardised
·
E.g. – America Online, ProdigyNet ,
compuserve, Internet etc.