DATA NETWORKS

NTA Level 5
Basic of Networking
 What is networking
 Network consideration
 Network components
 Networking models
 Different Network Types
 Network services
 Network Categories (LAN,MAN and WAN)
References
1. NCC (1998), “Handbook of Data Communications” NCC
Education Services Limited London 2nd Edition
2. Michael A. Miller, (2000) “Data & Network Communication”,
1st Edition, Delmar Publishing, (Thomson Learning), London
3. Wesley (1996) “Data Communication, Computer Networks and
Open systems, Addison.
4. W.K. Ritchie (1996), Telecommunications Local Networks,
Chapmen & Hall
5. U.D. Black, (1997) “Data Networks Concepts Theory and
Practice, Prentice-Hall
6. W. Stallings, (1997) “Data and Computer Communications”
Macmillan 5th Edition,
Introduction

 Computers are powerful tools that enable users to store and process
large amounts of data quickly.
 Practically every business, no matter how small, uses computers to
handle bookkeeping, track inventory, and store documents.
 As businesses grow, they often need several people to input and
process data simultaneously.
 For this to be beneficial, those people must be able to share the data
each person enters.
 Networking computers becomes beneficial in this situation.
 Networks are simply a group of computers connected by cable or other
media so they can share information.
 Networks made sharing data much easier and more efficient for users.
 Networked
computers can share many things
 Printers
 Fax devices
 Electronic messages
 Files and/or documents
 Modems
 Data
 Messages
Sharing a Printer across Network
Network consideration
Things to consider when networking computers.
 Sharing files
 Fault tolerance
 Administration
Network Components

 Server,
 Client,
 Peer,
 Media,
 Resources
 User
 Protocol:
Common Network Components
Networking Models

 Network models describe how

information is processed by the
computers on the network.
 Data can be processed by clients, by
a central server, or by everyone.
 The best model for your needs is
generally determined by the
applications you need to run.
Three basic models of networks.

 Centralized
 Collaborated
 Distributed
Different Network Types
 Peer-to-Peer Networking
 Server-Based Networks
Peer-to-Peer Networking

 The simplest form of networking.

 Each workstation acts as both a client and a
server.
 There is no central repository for information and
no central server to maintain.
 Data and resources are distributed throughout the
network, and each user is responsible for sharing
data and resources connected to their system
Peer –to-Peer Network
Advantages of peer-to-peer
networking
 The peer-to-peer network model works well for
small office networks.
 Since the peer-to-peer model does not need a
powerful dedicated server, it is usually the
cheapest type of network to install
 All that is needed to connect several individual
systems and create a peer-to-peer network are
network adapters, cable or other transmission
media, and the operating system.
 Disadvantages of peer-to-peer
networking
 The general rule is to stop using peer-to-
peer networking once your total clients
reaches about ten.
Summary of peer-to-peer networks

 Peer networks can be an excellent choice

for a small office network where users
keep their data on their own local
workstations. This allows them to handle
their own security and bypass the need for
a large and expensive server.
 Summary of peer-to-peer
networks
 The ability for users to manage their own security
is also one of peer-to-peer networking’s biggest
disadvantages. Since the network data is spread
among all the workstations, it can sometimes be
hard to track down.
 This hinders backups, as well as keeping a single
current copy of the data. Users can become
confused without a central data repository.
Server-Based Networks

 In a server-based network, you have one

computer (usually larger than the clients)
which is dedicated to handing out files
and/or information to clients.
Server Based Network
Network services
 File services
 Print services
 Message services
 Directory services
 Application services
Network categories

The sizes of networks are generally categorized

in three different groups.
 Local area network (LAN)
 Metropolitan area network (MAN)
 Wide area network (WAN)
END
What Is a LAN?
 A LAN is a high-speed data network that
covers a relatively small geographic
area.
 It typically connects workstations,
personal computers, printers, servers,
and other devices.
 LANs offer computer users many
advantages, including shared access to
devices and applications, file exchange
between connected users, and
communication between users via
electronic mail and other applications.
LAN Protocols and the OSI
Reference Model
 The Open System Interconnection (OSI)
reference model describes how information from a
software application in one computer moves
through a network medium to a software application in
another computer.
 The OSI reference model is a conceptual model
composed of seven layers, each specifying particular
network functions.
Seven layers of the Open System
Interconnection (OSI) reference
model
• Layer 7—Application
• Layer 6—Presentation
• Layer 5—Session
• Layer 4—Transport
• Layer 3—Network
• Layer 2—Data link
• Layer 1—Physical
LAN Media-Access Methods

 Media contention occurs when two or

more network devices have data to send at
the same time.

 This is done in two main ways: carrier

sense multiple access collision detect
(CSMA/CD) and token passing.
LAN Transmission Methods
LAN data transmissions fall into three classifications
Unicast,
Multicast and
Broadcast.
A broadcast transmission consists of a single data packet
that is copied and sent to all nodes on the network.
 In these types of transmissions, the source node
addresses the packet by using the broadcast address.
 The packet is then sent on to the network, which
makes copies of the packet and sends a copy to every
node on the network.
Unicast transmission
 In a unicast transmission, a single packet
is sent from the source to a destination on
a network.
 First, the source node addresses the
packet by using the address of the
destination node.
 The package is then sent onto the network,
and finally the network passes the packet to
its destination
Multicast transmission
 A multicast transmission consists of a
single data packet that is copied and sent
to a specific subset of nodes on the network.
 First, the source node addresses the
packet by using a multicast address.
 The packet is then sent into the network,
which makes copies of the packet and
sends a copy to each node that is part of the
multicast address.
LAN Topologies

LAN topologies define the manner in which network

devices are organized.(logical architectures)
Four common LAN topologies exist
Bus,
Ring,
Star
Tree.
LAN Devices

Devices commonly used in LANs include

Repeaters,
Hubs,
LAN extenders,
Bridges,
LAN switches
Routers.