Computer Networks and Security Lecture 1

Computer Networks

• Functions as a framework where numerous computers link together to exchange information

and share resources.
• Networked computing devices connect through either cable or wireless media for their physical
connections.
• The most widely recognized computer network is the Internet.

Advantages of Computer Network:

• File sharing
• Resource sharing
• Better connectivity and communications
• Internet access
• Entertainment
• Inexpensive system
• Flexible access
• Instant and multiple access

Disadvantages of Computer Network:

• Lack of data security and privacy

• Presence of computer viruses and malwares
• Lack of Independence
• Insufficient Resilience
• Need an efficient handler

Types of Computer Networks

1. LAN (Local Area Network)

- These are privately owned and operate with a single building or campus.
- These networks are commonly used to interconnect personal computers and workstations
in corporate offices, allowing for the sharing of resources like printers and facilitating
information exchange.
- High-speed data transfer is achieved, facilitated by the short distances between computers
in LANs, allowing for the possibility of high transmission rates.
- LAN works under its own local domain and controlled centrally.
- They exist in a limited geographical area.
Computer Networks and Security Lecture 1

2. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

- MAN is larger version of LAN which covers an area that is larger than the covered by LAN but
smaller than the area covered by WAN.
- MAN connects two or more LANs.
- Backbone of MAN is high-capacity and high-speed fiber optics. MAN works in between Local
Area Network and Wide Area Network. MAN provides uplink for LANs to WANs or internet.

3. WAN (Wide Area Network)

- WAN spans a large geographical area, often a country or region.
- WAN links different metropolitan’s countries and national boundaries there by enabling
easy communication.
- It may be located entirely with in a state or country or it may be interconnected around the
world.
- It contains a collection of machines intended for running user (i.e., application) programs.
Computer Networks and Security Lecture 1

Internet

• Type of worldwide computer network

• The collection of infinite numbers of connected computers that are spread across the world.
• It is established as the largest network and sometimes called network of network that consists
of numerous academic, business and government networks, which together carry various
information.
• Internet is a global computer network providing variety of information and communication
facilities, consisting of interconnected network using standardized communication protocols.
• Internet is serving many proposes and is involved in many aspects of life. Some of them are:
o Websites
o E-mail
o Text Messaging
o Social Media
o Marketing
o Networking
o Resource sharing
o Audio and video streaming

Protocol

• Set of rules that manages data

• Defines methods of communication, how to communicate, when to communicate
• Protocol is an agreement between the communicating parties on how communication is to
proceed.

Elements of Protocols
1. Syntax
a. Means format of date or the structure how it is presented.
2. Semantics
a. Meaning if each section of bits.
3. Timing
a. Means at what time data can be sent and how fast data can be sent.

Network LAN Technologies

Ethernet

• is a widely deployed LAN technology. This technology was invented by Bob Metcalfe and
D.R. Boggs in the year 1970. It was standardized in IEEE 802.3 in 1980.
• Ethernet uses 10BASE-T specifications. The number 10 depicts 10MBPS speed, BASE
stands for baseband, and T stands for Thick Ethernet. 10BASE-T Ethernet provides
transmission speed up to 10MBPS and uses coaxial cable or Cat-5 twisted pair cable with
RJ-45 connector. Ethernet follows star topology with segment length up to 100 meters.
All devices are connected to a hub/switch in a star fashion.
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Fast-Ethernet

• To encompass need of fast emerging software and hardware technologies, Ethernet

extends itself as Fast-Ethernet. It can run on UTP, Optical Fiber, and wirelessly too. It can
provide speed up to 100 MBPS. This standard is named as 100BASE-T in IEEE 803.2 using
Cat-5 twisted pair cable.
• Fast Ethernet on fiber is defined under 100BASE-FX standard which provides speed up to
100 MBPS on fiber.

Giga-Ethernet

• Giga-Ethernet provides speed up to 1000 mbits/seconds. IEEE802.3ab standardize Giga-

Ethernet over UTP using Cat-5, Cat-5e, Cat-6.IEEE802.3ah defines Giga-Ethernet over
Fiber.

Virtual LAN

• Virtual LAN is a solution to divide a single broadcast domain into multiple broad
domains. Host in one VLAN cannot speak to a host in another. By default, all hosts are
placed into the same VLAN.