Introduction A.

Network Criteria
 Performance
1.1 Data Communication  Depends on Network
The term telecommunication means Elements
communication at a distance. The word
 Measured in terms of Delay
data refers to information presented in
whatever form is agreed upon by the and Throughput
parties creating and using the data. Data  Reliability
communications are the exchange of data  Failure rate of network
between two devices via some form of components
transmission medium such as a wire cable.
 Measured in terms of
Figure 1.1 Components of a data
availability/robustness
communication system
 Security
 Data protection against
corruption/loss of data due
to:
 Errors
Figure 1.2 Data flow (simplex, half-  Malicious
duplex, and full-duplex) users
B. Physical Structures
 Type of Connection
 Point to Point - single
transmitter and receiver
 Multipoint - multiple
recipients of single
transmission
 Physical Topology
 Connection of devices
 Type of transmission -
unicast, multicast, broadcast

1.2 Networks
A network is a set of devices (often Figure 1.3 Types of connections: point-to-
referred to as nodes) connected by point and multipoint
communication links. A node can be a
computer, printer, or any other device
capable of sending and/or receiving data
generated by other nodes on the network.
A link can be a cable, air, optical fiber, or
any medium which can transport a signal
carrying information.
Figure 1.4 Categories of topology Figure 1.9 A hybrid topology: a star
backbone with three bus networks

Figure 1.5 A fully connected mesh

topology (five devices)

C. Categories of Networks

 Local Area Networks (LANs)

 Short distances
 Designed to provide local
interconnectivity
Figure 1.6 A star topology connecting four  Wide Area Networks (WANs)
stations  Long distances
 Provide connectivity over
large areas
 Metropolitan Area Networks
(MANs)
 Provide connectivity over
areas such as a city, a
campus

Figure 1.7 A bus topology connecting Figure 1.10 An isolated LAN connecting 12
three stations computers to a hub in a closet

Figure 1.8 A ring topology connecting six

stations
Figure 1.11 WANs: a switched WAN and a Figure 1.13 Hierarchical organization of
point-to-point WAN the Internet

Figure 1.12 A heterogeneous network

made of four WANs and two LANs

1.4 Protocols
A protocol is synonymous with rule. It
consists of a set of rules that govern data
communications. It determines what is
communicated, how it is communicated
and when it is communicated. The key
elements of a protocol are syntax,
semantics and timing

Elements of a Protocol
 Syntax
 Structure or format of the
data
 Indicates how to read the
1.3 The Internet bits - field delineation
 Semantics
The Internet has revolutionized many  Interprets the meaning of
aspects of our daily lives. It has affected the bits
the way we do business as well as the way  Knows which fields define
we spend our leisure time. The Internet is a what action
communication system that has brought a  Timing
wealth of information to our fingertips and  When data should be sent
organized it for our use. and what
 Speed at which data
should be sent or speed at
which it is being received.