UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

Department of CSE

IS013

Foundation Data Communications and Networks

 Instructor
Dr. Joseph Cosmas Mushi

Kijitonyama Campus
Block A,
Room No. A023
Tel.: 0684 697 697

[email protected]
 Networks
• A network is a set of devices (often referred to as nodes)
connected by 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.
 Networks Structures
• The structure of computer networks can be perceived
into two categories:
 Physical structure
 Logical/abstract structure

• Network physical structure refers to the way in which

two or more nodes are physically arranged and a
manner that the associated links connect the nodes.

• Network logical/abstract structure refers to architectural

style that a network decides to implement a flow of data
from source node to receiving node.
 Networks Physical Structures
• Network physical structure of computer networks can be
categorize into two groups:
 Type of Connection
 Physical Topology

• Type of Connection
 Point to Point
 Multipoint

• Physical Topology
 Connection of devices
 Type of transmission - unicast, mulitcast, broadcast
Physical Structures - Type of Connection
• Type of Connection
a) Point to Point - single transmitter and receiver.
o Dedicated link between two nodes
o The entire capacity of the link is reserved for transmission
between two nodes
o Example: when change TV channels by remote control,
we establish a point-to-point infrared connection
Physical Structures - Type of Connection
• Type of Connection
b) Multipoint - more than two specific devices share a single link
o The capacity of the link is shared either spatially or timed
o Spatially sharing means several nodes use the link
simultaneously
o Timed sharing means nodes take turns to share the link
Physical Structures - Physical Topology
• Physical Topology
 Refers to the way in which a network is laid out physically
 It is the geometric representation of the relationship of all the
links and nodes
 There are four basic topologies possible:
o Mesh
o Star
o Bus
o Ring
Physical Structures - Mesh Topology
• Mesh Topology
 Every node has a dedicated P2P link to every other node
 It needs n(n – 1) simplex-mode physical links
 It needs n(n – 1)/2 duplex-mode physical links
 Every device on the network must have n-1 input/output (I/O)
ports
Physical Structures - Mesh Topology
• Mesh Topology
 Advantage
o Less traffic, robust, secure, easy to maintain

 Disadvantage
o Need more resource (cable and ports), expensive
Physical Structures - Star Topology
• Star Topology
 Every node has a dedicated P2P link only to central hub
 When a node send data to another, it sends through the hub,
which then relays the data to the other connected node
 It is less expensive than a mesh topology
 Use less cable than mesh
Physical Structures - Star Topology
• Star Topology
 Usage
o Centralized processing or communication

 General Advantages
o Less expensive
o Expansion and Robustness
o Easy to install and reconfigure
o No limit to no. and length of arms

 General Disadvantages
o Single point of failure
o Overload of hub during peak traffic
Physical Structures - Bus Topology
• Bus Topology
 Use a multipoint link whereby a long cable acts as a backbone
to link all nodes in a network
 Nodes are connected to multipoint bus cables by drop lines
and taps.
 It uses less cabling than mesh or star topologies.
 A fault or break in the bus cable stops all transmission
causing difficult reconnection and fault isolation.
Physical Structures - Bus Topology
• Bus Topology
 Usage
o Data entry or office environment

 General Advantages
o Independent between nodes
o High reliability
o Ease of installation

 General Disadvantages
o Difficult reconnection and fault isolation
o Broken or fault of the bus cable stops all transmission
Physical Structures - Ring Topology
• Ring Topology
 Each node has a dedicated P2P connection with only the two
nodes on either side of it.
 A packet is passed along the ring in one direction, from node
to node, until it reaches its destination.
 Each node incorporates a repeater that regenerates a packet
intended for another node
Physical Structures - Ring Topology
• Ring Topology
 Usage
o Manufacturing

 General Advantages
o Less attenuation
o Relatively easy to install and reconfigure
o Fault isolation is simplified

 General Disadvantages
o Failing of a node
o Unidirectional traffic
Physical Structures - Hybrid Topology
• Hybrid Topology
 This resulted when nodes that are physically arranged in one
topology are extended to/by other topologies.

A star backbone with three bus networks

Physical Structures - Hybrid Topology
• Hybrid Topology
 Usage
o Connecting different networks

 General Advantages
o Communication between networks
o The most widely used topology whose implementation is
categorized by network types

 General Disadvantages
o Conversion device and costs
o Compatibility
Physical Structures - Tree Topology
• Tree Topology
 Tree topologies integrate multiple topologies together
 For instance, tree topology integrates multiple star topologies
together onto a bus
Physical Structures - Tree Topology
• Tree Topology

 General Advantages
o Point-to-point wiring for individual segments.
o Supported by several hardware and software venders.

 General Disadvantages
o Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of
cabling used.
o If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down.
o More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.
Categories of Networks
• Network types
 There are three types of networks that are distinguished based
on size, geographical coverage, and ownership.
 Based on these criteria, there are basically three types of
networks:
o Local Area Networks (LANs): Usually privately owned
and connects some hosts in a single office, building, or
campus.

o Wide Area Networks (WANs): Interconnected nodes span

widely across a town, a country, or even the world through
switches, routers, or modems.
o Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
Local Area Networks (LANs)
• A LAN is a data communication network, typically a
packet communication network, limited in geographic
scope.
 It provides high-bandwidth communication over inexpensive
transmission media.
 Local Area Networks (LANs): Basic Components
• Hardware
 Computer devices: servers and clients
 Network interface card (NIC): physical address (MAC)
 Switches (compatible): connect wires and cables, repeater, etc.

• Media or Cables
 Unshielded twisted pair (inexpensive)
 Coaxial cable (faster, expensive)
 Optical fiber (fastest, expensive)
 Air for wireless

• Software: network operating system with protocol

 Local Area Networks (LANs)
• Characteristics of Local Area Networks (LANs)
 Limited distance within a few miles
 High data rate - 2 to 1000Mbps
 Low error rate
 Good response time
 Private owned
 No regulation
 Share hardware, software, and data files
 LAN Architecture Model
• LAN network architecture includes
 Physical topology
 Access methodology
 Logical topology

• Network configuration includes

 Network architecture
 Media choice
 LAN Architecture Model
• Contention: carrier sense multiple access with collision
detection (CSMA/CD)
 Inexpensive NIC
 For: office application
 Not for manufacturing due to inconsistent response time

• Token passing: 24 bits of token (free or busy)

 More efficient at higher network utilization rate
 More expensive NIC
 Supported by IBM
Ethernet LAN
 Functionality
 Access method: CSMA/CD
 Logical topology: broadcast
 Physical topology: bus or star

 Ethernet II
 Header (preamble) for synchronizing
 Destination & source address (MAC layer address)
 Type field for network protocol
 Data field
 Frame check sequence (FCS): CRC-32

 IEEE 802.3 replace the type field with a length field

Token Ring LAN
 Functionality
 Access method: token passing
 Logical topology: sequence
 Physical topology: ring or star
 IEEE 802.5
 Starting delimiter alert NIC about token approaching
 Access control field (1 for busy, 0 for free)
 The frame control field indicates regular data or network management
frame
 Destination & source address (MAC layer address)
 Routing information field for multiple token ring LANs
 Data field
 Frame check sequence (FCS): CRC-32
 Ending delimiter (ending or intermediate frame)
 Frame status field for successful delivery
 WANs: a switched WAN and a point-to-point WAN

1.29
 Interconnection of Networks: internet
A heterogeneous network made of four WANs and two LANs

1.30
 THE INTERNET

The Internet has changed many aspects of our daily lives.

It has affected the way we do business as well as the way
we spend our leisure time. The Internet is a
communication system that has brought a wealth of
information to our fingertips and organized it for our use.
Topics discussed in this section:
A Brief History → ARPANET
• 1967 ACM
• 1969 UCLA, UCSB, SRI, UoU
• 1972 TCP
The Internet Today (ISPs)

1.31
 Hierarchical organization of the Internet

1.32
Organizations For Communication Standards
Standards are developed by cooperation among standards
creation committees, forums, and government regulatory
agencies.

Standards Creation Committees

a) International Standards Organization (ISO)
b) International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
c) American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
d) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
e) Electronic Industries Association (EIA)
f) Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
International Standards Organization (ISO)
- A multinational body whose membership is drawn mainly
from the standards creation committees of various
governments throughout the world

- Dedicated to the worldwide agreement on international

standards in a variety of fields.

- Currently includes 82 memberships in industrialized nations.

- Aims to facilitate the international exchange of goods and

services by providing models for compatibility, improved
quality, increased quality, increased productivity, and
decreased prices.
International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
- Also known as International Telecommunications
Union-Telecommunication Standards Sector (ITU-T)

- An international standards organization related to

the United Nations that develops standards for
telecommunications.

- Two popular standards developed by ITU-T are:

i. V series – transmission over phone lines
ii. X series – transmission over public digital
networks, email and directory services and
ISDN.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
- A non-profit corporation not affiliated with US
government.

- ANSI members include professional societies,

industry associations, governmental and
regulatory bodies, and consumer groups.

- Discussing the internetwork planning and

engineering, ISDN services, signaling, and
architecture and optical hierarchy.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

- The largest national professional group involved in

developing standards for computing,
communication, electrical engineering, and
electronics.

- Aims to advance theory, creativity, and product

quality in the fields of electrical engineering,
electronics, and radio.

- It sponsored an important standard for local area

networks called Project 802 (e.g. 802.3, 802.4,
and 802.5 standards.)
Electronic Industries Association (EIA)
- An association of electronics manufacturers
in the US.

- Provide activities that include public

awareness education and lobbying efforts in
addition to standards development.

- Responsible for developing the EIA-232-D

and EIA-530 standards.
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
- Concerned with speeding the growth
and evolution of Internet
communications.

- The standards body for the Internet

itself

- Reviews internet software and

hardware.