Computer Networks

Lecture # 1
Course Code: 406

Mr.Rehan Ali Qazi

What is Computer Networks?
• A computer network consists of two or more computers that are
connected together to share information and resources.
• The resources may include printers, hard disks, scanners or programs.
• The computers in a network are connected through communication
media.
• The communication media can be a physical cable or a wireless
connection.
• The computers in a network can be in a same room, building or at
different places.
Examples of Computer Networks
• Computer networks can be used in an office. Different people in the
office can access common information. If all user computers are
connected through a network they can share their files and can
exchange mails.
• Internet is also an example of computer network in which millions of
computers are connected through phone lines. People using this
network can share information, files and talk with one another.
 Network Criteria
• A network must meet a certain number of criteria. The most
important criteria includes the following:
1. Performance
2. Reliability
3. Security
 Network Performance
• Performance can be measured in different ways such as transit time
and response time.
• Transit Time is the time required for a message to travel from one
device to another.
• Response Time is the time elapsed between an inquiry and the
response.
• Network performance can be depend on different factors such as
number of users, types of transmission medium and the hardware or
software being used.
 Network Reliability
• The reliability of a network is measured by different factors such as
accuracy of data delivery. It also includes the frequency of failure and
the time taken to recover from the failure etc.
 Network Security
• Security is the protection of data from unauthorized access, damage.
• It also includes the implementation of polices and procedures for data
recovery, it data is lost or damaged.
 Types of Connection
• A network consists of two or more devices connected through links.
• A link is a communication path that transfers data from one device to
another.
• The communication can occur when two devices are connected to
the same link at the same time.
• There are two possible types of connection between these devices:
I. Point-to-point
II. Multipoint
 Point-to-Point
• A point-to-point connection provides a dedicated link between two
devices.
• The entire capacity of the link is reserved for data transmission
between two devices.
• Mostly, point-to-point connections use physical wire to connect two
devices. However, the wireless connections can also be used such as
satellite link.
• An example of point-to-point connection is the link between a
television and the remote control.
 Multipoint
• A multipoint connection is a connection in which more than two
devices share a single link. Multipoint connection is also called
multidrop connection.
• The capacity of the link in multipoint connection is shared among all
devices spatially or temporarily.
• The connection is called spatially shared if several devices can use the
link at the same time.
• It is called temporary or timeshared connection if it can be used by
one device at a time.
 Network Requirements
• Computer networks are categorized according to following
requirements:
1. How they are organized physically
2. The way they are used
3. The distance over which they operate
 Types of Computer Networks
Three main types of Computer Networks are as follows:
1. LAN – Local Area Network
2. MAN – Metropolitan Area Network
3. WAN – Wide Area Network
 Local Area Network
• Definition:
LAN stands for Local Area Network which is the most common type of
the network that covers a small geographical area. It usually connects
the computers and other devices with in one office or a building or
group of buildings. LAN is often used to share resources such as
printers, hard disks and programs.
 Features of LAN
• LAN are capable of transmitting data at a very fast rate.
• LAN transmission speed is 10 Mbps to 1000 Mbps.
• It is much faster than data transmission over a telephone line.
• LAN can transmit data in a limited distance.
• There is also a limit on the number of computers that can be attached
to the network.
• Examples of LAN:
I. 40 computers in a computer lab connected through LAN.
II. In Internet Club, computers can be connected through LAN.
LAN Architecture
 Wide Area Network
• Definition:
WAN stands for Wide Area Network. This type of network covers a
large area. It connects computers and other devices in different cities
and countries. WAN usually consists of several LANs connected
together.
 Features of WAN
• Computers in a WAN are often connected through telephone lines.
• They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites.
• WAN can reach the parts of the world that is not possible with LANs.
• WAN is expensive than LAN.
• WAN is not as fast as LAN.
• The transmission speed rate of WAN is typically 56Kbps to 50 Mbps.
Examples:
1. The network connecting the ATMs of a bank located in different cities.
2. Internet connects million of users all over the world to share
information.
WAN Architecture
 Metropolitan Area Network
MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network. this type of network
covers an area of a city. MAN is larger than LAN but smaller than WAN.
It is usually used to connect two or more LANs in a city or a town.
 Examples
• The network connecting different branches of a company in same city.
• The network connecting different campuses of a college in a city.
• Cable TV network in a city.
Architecture of MAN