Computer Networks

Introduction

Prof. Dr. Ehsan Munir

Department of Computer Science
COMSATS University Islamabad, Wah Campus
ehsanmunnir@gmail.com

The slides are adapted from the publisher’s material

Data Communications and Networking by Behrouz A. Forouzan, 5th edition
Data and Computer Communications by William Stallings, 8th Edition
Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach by J F Kurose, K W Ross, 7th Edition
Computer Networks, by L. Peterson, and B. Davie, 5th edition
What’s the Internet: “nuts and bolts” view
PC
▪ billions of connected mobile network
server computing devices:
wireless
laptop
• hosts = end systems global ISP

smartphone • running network apps

home
▪ communication links network
regional ISP
wireless • fiber, copper, radio,
links satellite
wired
links • transmission rate:
bandwidth

▪ packet switches: forward

router
packets (chunks of data) institutional
• routers and switches network
“Fun” Internet-connected devices

Web-enabled toaster +
weather forecaster

IP picture frame
http://www.ceiva.com/

Tweet-a-watt:
Slingbox: watch, monitor energy use
control cable TV remotely

sensorized,
bed
mattress
Internet
refrigerator Internet phones

Introduction 1-3
“Fun” Internet-connected devices
Tweet-a-watt:
monitor energy use

bikes

Pacemaker & Monitor

Amazon Echo Web-enabled toaster +

IP picture frame
weather forecaster
Internet
refrigerator
Slingbox: remote cars
control cable TV
Security Camera
AR devices
sensorized, scooters
bed
mattress Fitbit

Gaming devices
Others?
Internet phones diapers
Introduction: 1-4
What’s the Internet: “nuts and bolts” view
mobile network
▪ Internet: “network of networks”
• Interconnected ISPs
global ISP
▪ protocols control sending, receiving
of messages
• e.g., TCP, IP, HTTP, Skype, 802.11 home
network
▪ Internet standards regional ISP
• RFC: Request for comments
• IETF: Internet Engineering Task Force

institutional
network

Introduction 1-5
What’s the Internet: a service view
mobile network
▪ infrastructure that provides
services to applications: global ISP

• Web, VoIP, email, games, e-

commerce, social nets, … home
▪ provides programming network
regional ISP
interface to apps
• hooks that allow sending
and receiving app programs
to “connect” to Internet
• provides service options,
analogous to postal service
institutional
network

Introduction 1-6
What’s a protocol?
human protocols: network protocols:
▪ “what’s the time?” ▪ machines rather than
▪ “I have a question” humans
▪ introductions ▪ all communication activity
in Internet governed by
protocols
… specific messages sent
… specific actions taken
when messages protocols define format, order of
received, or other
events messages sent and received
among network entities, and
actions taken on message
transmission, receipt
Introduction 1-7
What’s a protocol?
a human protocol and a computer network protocol:

Hi TCP connection
request
Hi TCP connection
response
Got the
time? Get http://www.awl.com/kurose-ross
2:00
<file>
time

Q: other human protocols?

Introduction 1-8