INTERNET PROTOCOLS

Protocols mean rules. In computer network, communication occurs between entities in different
systems. An entity is anything capable of sending or receiving information. However two entities cannot
simply send bit streams to each other and except to be understood. For communication to occur the
entities must agree on a protocol. A protocol is a set of rules that govern data communications. A
protocol defines what is communicated, how it is communicated and when it is communicated. The key
elements of a protocol are syntax, semantics and timing.

Syntax:
The term syntax refers to the structure or format of the data, meaning the order in which they are
represented.

e.g: A simple protocol might except the first 8 bits of data to be the address of the sender, the second 8
bits to be the address of the receiver, and rest of the stream to be the message itself.

Semantic:
The word semantics refers to the meaning of each section of bits. How is a particular pattern to be
interpreted, and what action is to be taken based on that interpretation?

e.g. Does an address identify the route to be taken or final destination of the message?

Timing:
The term timing refers to two characteristics:

When data should be sent and how fast they can be sent.

e.g. if a sender produces data at 100Mbps but the receiver can process data at only 1 Mbps, the
transmission will overload the receiver and some data will be lost.
Different types of networks

LAN (Local Area network)

A local area network is usually privately owned and links the devices in a single
office building or campus. Depending on the needs of the organization and the
type of technology used, a LAN can be as simple as two PCs and a printer in
someone’s home office, or it can extend throughout a company and include audio
and video peripherals. Currently LAN size limited to a few kilometers.
LANs are designed to allow resources to be shared between personal computers
or workstations. The resources to be shares can include hardware, software
business environments, links a workgroup of task related computers.

LAN
Characteristics of LAN:
1. LAN Data rate are normally 100 or 1000 Mbps.
2. Ring, Bus and Star topologies can be use in LAN.
3. Area of coverage in LAN is few kilometers only.
4. Multiple devices can be run as shared transmission media in LAN.

Advantages of LAN
1. Computer resources like hard-disks, DVD-ROM, and printers can share local area
networks. This significantly reduces the cost of hardware purchases.
2. We can use the same software over the network instead of purchasing the licensed
software for each client in the network.
3. Data of all network users can be stored on a single hard disk of the server computer.
4. We can easily transfer data and messages over networked computers.
5. It will be easy to manage data at only one place, which makes data more secure.
6. Local Area Network offers the facility to share a single internet connection among all the
LAN users.

Disadvantages of LAN
1. LAN will indeed save cost because of shared computer resources, but the initial cost of
installing Local Area Networks is quite high.
2. The LAN admin can check personal data files of every LAN user, so it does not offer good
privacy.
3. Unauthorized users can access critical data of an organization in case LAN admin is not
able to secure centralized data repository.
4. Local Area Network requires a constant LAN administration as there are issues related
to software setup and hardware failures
 WAN (Wide Area Network)
A wide area network provides long distance transmission of data, image, audio
and video information over a large geographic area that may comprise a country,
a continent, or even the whole world. A WAN can be as complex as the backbone
that connect the internet or as simple as dial-up connect a home computer to
Internet. We normally refer to the first switched WAN and second as point-to
point WAN.
Switched WAN connects the end systems, which usually comprise a router that
connects to another LAN or WAN.
The point to point WAN is normally a line leased from a telephone or cable TV
provider that connects a home computer or a small LAN to an Internet service
provider (ISP). This type of WAN is often use to provide Internet access.

LAN

WAN
LAN
LAN

LAN
Characteristics of the WAN
1. It connect devices that are separated by a broader geographical area than a LAN

2. It use Carriers such as phone companies or network providers

3. It use serial connection.

Advantages of WAN

1. WAN helps you to cover a larger geographical area. Therefore business offices
situated at longer distances can easily communicate.
2. Contains devices like mobile phones, laptop, tablet, computers, gaming consoles,
etc.
3. WLAN connections work using radio transmitters and receivers built into client
devices.

Disadvantage of WAN

1. The initial setup cost of investment is very high.

2. It is difficult to maintain the WAN network. You need skilled technicians and
network administrators.
3. There are more errors and issues because of the wide coverage and the use of
different technologies.
4. It requires more time to resolve issues because of the involvement of multiple
wired and wireless technologies.
5. Offers lower security compared to other types of networks.
 MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
A metropolitan area network is a network with a size between LAN and a WAN. It
normally covers the area inside a town or a city. It is designed for customers who
need a high speed connectivity, normally to the Internet, and have endpoints
spread over a city or part of city.

Core network
2G,3G

METRO
NETWORK WLAN,LAN

(MAN)

XDSL

CATV

ISDN
Characteristics of the MAN
 It mostly covers towns and cities in a maximum 50 km range
 Mostly used medium is optical fibers, cables
 Data rates adequate for distributed computing applications.

Advantages of MAN
1. It offers fast communication using high-speed carriers, like fiber optic cables.
2. It provides excellent support for an extensive size network and greater access to WANs.
3. The dual bus in MAN network provides support to transmit data in both directions
concurrently.
4. A MAN network mostly includes some areas of a city or an entire city.

Disadvantages of MAN
1. You need more cable to establish MAN connection from one place to another.
2. In MAN network it is tough to make the system secure from hackers