Networking Reviewer
Networking Reviewer
Networking Reviewer
Computer Network is a group of computers connected with each other through wires, optical fibres or
optical links so that various devices can interact with each other through a network.
The aim of the computer network is the sharing of resources among various devices.
In the case of computer network technology, there are several types of networks that vary from simple
to complex level.
Wireless NIC: All the modern laptops use the wireless NIC. In Wireless NIC, a connection is made
using the antenna that employs the radio wave technology.
Wired NIC: Cables use the wired NIC to transfer the data over the medium.
Hub
Hub is a central device that splits the network connection into multiple devices. When computer requests for
information from a computer, it sends the request to the Hub. Hub distributes this request to all the interconnected
computers.
Switches
Switch is a networking device that groups all the devices over the network to transfer the data to another device. A
switch is better than Hub as it does not broadcast the message over the network, i.e., it sends the message to the
device for which it belongs to. Therefore, we can say that switch sends the message directly from source to the
destination.
Twisted pair cable: It is a high-speed cable that transmits the data over 1Gbps or more.
Coaxial cable: Coaxial cable resembles like a TV installation cable. Coaxial cable is more expensive
than twisted pair cable, but it provides the high data transmission speed.
Fibre optic cable: Fibre optic cable is a high-speed cable that transmits the data using light beams. It
provides high data transmission speed as compared to other cables. It is more expensive as compared
to other cables, so it is installed at the government level.
Router
Router is a device that connects the LAN to the internet. The router is mainly used to connect the distinct networks or
connect the internet to multiple computers.
Modem
Modem connects the computer to the internet over the existing telephone line. A modem is not integrated with the
computer motherboard. A modem is a separate part on the PC slot found on the motherboard.
Communication speed
File sharing
Back up and Roll back is easy
Software and Hardware sharing
Security
Scalability
Reliability
Communication speed
Network provides us to communicate over the network in a fast and efficient manner. For example, we can do video
conferencing, email messaging, etc. over the internet. Therefore, the computer network is a great way to share our
knowledge and ideas.
File sharing
File sharing is one of the major advantage of the computer network. Computer network provides us to share the files
with each other.
Security
Network allows the security by ensuring that the user has the right to access the certain files and applications.
Scalability
Scalability means that we can add the new components on the network. Network must be scalable so that we can
extend the network by adding new devices. But, it decreases the speed of the connection and data of the
transmission speed also decreases, this increases the chances of error occurring. This problem can be overcome by
using the routing or switching devices.
Reliability
Computer network can use the alternative source for the data communication in case of any hardware failure.
Peer-To-Peer network
Client/Server network
Peer-To-Peer network
Peer-To-Peer network is a network in which all the computers are linked together with equal privilege
and responsibilities for processing the data.
Peer-To-Peer network is useful for small environments, usually up to 10 computers.
Peer-To-Peer network has no dedicated server.
Special permissions are assigned to each computer for sharing the resources, but this can lead to a
problem if the computer with the resource is down.
Advantages Of Peer-To-Peer Network:
In the case of Peer-To-Peer network, it does not contain the centralized system . Therefore, it cannot
back up the data as the data is different in different locations.
It has a security issue as the device is managed itself.
Client/Server Network
Client/Server network is a network model designed for the end users called clients, to access the
resources such as songs, video, etc. from a central computer known as Server.
The central controller is known as a server while all other computers in the network are called clients.
A server performs all the major operations such as security and network management.
A server is responsible for managing all the resources such as files, directories, printer, etc.
All the clients communicate with each other through a server. For example, if client1 wants to send
some data to client 2, then it first sends the request to the server for the permission. The server sends
the response to the client 1 to initiate its communication with the client 2.
Advantages Of Client/Server network:
A Client/Server network contains the centralized system. Therefore we can back up the data easily.
A Client/Server network has a dedicated server that improves the overall performance of the whole
system.
Security is better in Client/Server network as a single server administers the shared resources.
It also increases the speed of the sharing resources.
Wireless Personal Area Network: Wireless Personal Area Network is developed by simply using wireless
technologies such as WiFi, Bluetooth. It is a low range network.
Wired Personal Area Network: Wired Personal Area Network is created by using the USB.
Body Area Network: Body Area Network is a network that moves with a person. For example, a
mobile network moves with a person. Suppose a person establishes a network connection and then
creates a connection with another device to share the information.
Offline Network: An offline network can be created inside the home, so it is also known as a home
network. A home network is designed to integrate the devices such as printers, computer, television
but they are not connected to the internet.
Small Home Office: It is used to connect a variety of devices to the internet and to a corporate
network using a VPN
Geographical area: A Wide Area Network provides a large geographical area. Suppose if the branch
of our office is in a different city then we can connect with them through WAN. The internet provides a
leased line through which we can connect with another branch.
Centralized data: In case of WAN network, data is centralized. Therefore, we do not need to buy the
emails, files or back up servers.
Get updated files: Software companies work on the live server. Therefore, the programmers get the
updated files within seconds.
Exchange messages: In a WAN network, messages are transmitted fast. The web application like
Facebook, Whatsapp, Skype allows you to communicate with friends.
Sharing of software and resources: In WAN network, we can share the software and other resources
like a hard drive, RAM.
Global business: We can do the business over the internet globally.
High bandwidth: If we use the leased lines for our company then this gives the high bandwidth. The
high bandwidth increases the data transfer rate which in turn increases the productivity of our
company.
Security issue: A WAN network has more security issues as compared to LAN and MAN network as
all the technologies are combined together that creates the security problem.
Needs Firewall & antivirus software: The data is transferred on the internet which can be changed or
hacked by the hackers, so the firewall needs to be used. Some people can inject the virus in our
system so antivirus is needed to protect from such a virus.
High Setup cost: An installation cost of the WAN network is high as it involves the purchasing of
routers, switches.
Troubleshooting problems: It covers a large area so fixing the problem is difficult.
Internetwork
An internetwork is defined as two or more computer network LANs or WAN or computer network
segments are connected using devices, and they are configured by a local addressing scheme. This
process is known as internetworking.
An interconnection between public, private, commercial, industrial, or government computer networks
can also be defined as internetworking.
An internetworking uses the internet protocol.
The reference model used for internetworking is Open System Interconnection(OSI).
Types Of Internetwork:
1. Extranet: An extranet is a communication network based on the internet protocol such as Transmission Control
protocol and internet protocol. It is used for information sharing. The access to the extranet is restricted to only
those users who have login credentials. An extranet is the lowest level of internetworking. It can be categorized
as MAN, WAN or other computer networks. An extranet cannot have a single LAN, atleast it must have one
connection to the external network.
2. Intranet: An intranet is a private network based on the internet protocol such as Transmission Control
protocol and internet protocol. An intranet belongs to an organization which is only accessible by
the organization's employee or members. The main aim of the intranet is to share the information and resources
among the organization employees. An intranet provides the facility to work in groups and for teleconferences.
Intranet advantages:
Communication: It provides a cheap and easy communication. An employee of the organization can
communicate with another employee through email, chat.
Time-saving: Information on the intranet is shared in real time, so it is time-saving.
Collaboration: Collaboration is one of the most important advantage of the intranet. The information is
distributed among the employees of the organization and can only be accessed by the authorized user.
Platform independency: It is a neutral architecture as the computer can be connected to another
device with different architecture.
Cost effective: People can see the data and documents by using the browser and distributes the
duplicate copies over the intranet. This leads to a reduction in the cost.
What is Topology?
Topology defines the structure of the network of how all the components are interconnected to each other. There are
two types of topology: physical and logical topology.
Physical topology is the geometric representation of all the nodes in a network.
Bus Topology
The bus topology is designed in such a way that all the stations are connected through a single cable
known as a backbone cable.
Each node is either connected to the backbone cable by drop cable or directly connected to the
backbone cable.
When a node wants to send a message over the network, it puts a message over the network. All the
stations available in the network will receive the message whether it has been addressed or not.
The bus topology is mainly used in 802.3 (ethernet) and 802.4 standard networks.
The configuration of a bus topology is quite simpler as compared to other topologies.
The backbone cable is considered as a "single lane" through which the message is broadcast to all
the stations.
The most common access method of the bus topologies is CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access).
CSMA: It is a media access control used to control the data flow so that data integrity is maintained, i.e., the packets
do not get lost. There are two alternative ways of handling the problems that occur when two nodes send the
messages simultaneously.
CSMA CD: CSMA CD (Collision detection) is an access method used to detect the collision. Once
the collision is detected, the sender will stop transmitting the data. Therefore, it works on "recovery
after the collision".
CSMA CA: CSMA CA (Collision Avoidance) is an access method used to avoid the collision by
checking whether the transmission media is busy or not. If busy, then the sender waits until the media
becomes idle. This technique effectively reduces the possibility of the collision. It does not work on
"recovery after the collision".
Low-cost cable: In bus topology, nodes are directly connected to the cable without passing through a
hub. Therefore, the initial cost of installation is low.
Moderate data speeds: Coaxial or twisted pair cables are mainly used in bus-based networks that
support upto 10 Mbps.
Familiar technology: Bus topology is a familiar technology as the installation and troubleshooting
techniques are well known, and hardware components are easily available.
Limited failure: A failure in one node will not have any effect on other nodes.
Extensive cabling: A bus topology is quite simpler, but still it requires a lot of cabling.
Difficult troubleshooting: It requires specialized test equipment to determine the cable faults. If any
fault occurs in the cable, then it would disrupt the communication for all the nodes.
Signal interference: If two nodes send the messages simultaneously, then the signals of both the
nodes collide with each other.
Reconfiguration difficult: Adding new devices to the network would slow down the network.
Attenuation: Attenuation is a loss of signal leads to communication issues. Repeaters are used to
regenerate the signal.
Ring Topology
Ring topology is like a bus topology, but with connected ends.
The node that receives the message from the previous computer will retransmit to the next node.
The data flows in one direction, i.e., it is unidirectional.
The data flows in a single loop continuously known as an endless loop.
It has no terminated ends, i.e., each node is connected to other node and having no termination point.
The data in a ring topology flow in a clockwise direction.
The most common access method of the ring topology is token passing.
o Token passing: It is a network access method in which token is passed from one node
to another node.
o Token: It is a frame that circulates around the network.
A token moves around the network, and it is passed from computer to computer until it reaches the
destination.
The sender modifies the token by putting the address along with the data.
The data is passed from one device to another device until the destination address matches. Once the
token received by the destination device, then it sends the acknowledgment to the sender.
In a ring topology, a token is used as a carrier.
Network Management: Faulty devices can be removed from the network without bringing the network
down.
Product availability: Many hardware and software tools for network operation and monitoring are
available.
Cost: Twisted pair cabling is inexpensive and easily available. Therefore, the installation cost is very
low.
Reliable: It is a more reliable network because the communication system is not dependent on the
single host computer.
Difficult troubleshooting: It requires specialized test equipment to determine the cable faults. If any
fault occurs in the cable, then it would disrupt the communication for all the nodes.
Failure: The breakdown in one station leads to the failure of the overall network.
Reconfiguration difficult: Adding new devices to the network would slow down the network.
Delay: Communication delay is directly proportional to the number of nodes. Adding new devices
increases the communication delay.
Star Topology
Star topology is an arrangement of the network in which every node is connected to the central hub,
switch or a central computer.
The central computer is known as a server, and the peripheral devices attached to the server are
known as clients.
Coaxial cable or RJ-45 cables are used to connect the computers.
Hubs or Switches are mainly used as connection devices in a physical star topology.
Star topology is the most popular topology in network implementation.
A Central point of failure: If the central hub or switch goes down, then all the connected nodes will
not be able to communicate with each other.
Cable: Sometimes cable routing becomes difficult when a significant amount of routing is required.
Tree topology
Tree topology combines the characteristics of bus topology and star topology.
A tree topology is a type of structure in which all the computers are connected with each other in
hierarchical fashion.
The top-most node in tree topology is known as a root node, and all other nodes are the descendants
of the root node.
There is only one path exists between two nodes for the data transmission. Thus, it forms a parent-
child hierarchy.
Advantages of Tree topology
Difficult troubleshooting: If any fault occurs in the node, then it becomes difficult to troubleshoot the
problem.
High cost: Devices required for broadband transmission are very costly.
Failure: A tree topology mainly relies on main bus cable and failure in main bus cable will damage the
overall network.
Reconfiguration difficult: If new devices are added, then it becomes difficult to reconfigure.
Mesh topology
Mesh technology is an arrangement of the network in which computers are interconnected with each
other through various redundant connections.
There are multiple paths from one computer to another computer.
It does not contain the switch, hub or any central computer which acts as a central point of
communication.
The Internet is an example of the mesh topology.
Mesh topology is mainly used for WAN implementations where communication failures are a critical
concern.
Mesh topology is mainly used for wireless networks.
Mesh topology can be formed by using the formula:
Number of cables = (n*(n-1))/2;
Full Mesh Topology: In a full mesh topology, each computer is connected to all the computers
available in the network.
Partial Mesh Topology: In a partial mesh topology, not all but certain computers are connected to
those computers with which they communicate frequently.
Cost: A mesh topology contains a large number of connected devices such as a router and more
transmission media than other topologies.
Management: Mesh topology networks are very large and very difficult to maintain and manage. If the
network is not monitored carefully, then the communication link failure goes undetected.
Efficiency: In this topology, redundant connections are high that reduces the efficiency of the network.
Hybrid Topology
Reliable: If a fault occurs in any part of the network will not affect the functioning of the rest of the
network.
Scalable: Size of the network can be easily expanded by adding new devices without affecting the
functionality of the existing network.
Flexible: This topology is very flexible as it can be designed according to the requirements of the
organization.
Effective: Hybrid topology is very effective as it can be designed in such a way that the strength of the
network is maximized and weakness of the network is minimized.
Complex design: The major drawback of the Hybrid topology is the design of the Hybrid network. It is
very difficult to design the architecture of the Hybrid network.
Costly Hub: The Hubs used in the Hybrid topology are very expensive as these hubs are different from
usual Hubs used in other topologies.
Costly infrastructure: The infrastructure cost is very high as a hybrid network requires a lot of cabling,
network devices, etc.
Transmission modes
The way in which data is transmitted from one device to another device is known
as transmission mode.
The transmission mode is also known as the communication mode.
Each communication channel has a direction associated with it, and transmission
media provide the direction. Therefore, the transmission mode is also known as a
directional mode.
The transmission mode is defined in the physical layer.
Simplex mode
Half-duplex mode
Full-duplex mode
Simplex mode
In Simplex mode, the communication is unidirectional, i.e., the data flow in one
direction.
A device can only send the data but cannot receive it or it can receive the data but
cannot send the data.
This transmission mode is not very popular as mainly communications require the
two-way exchange of data. The simplex mode is used in the business field as in sales
that do not require any corresponding reply.
The radio station is a simplex channel as it transmits the signal to the listeners but
never allows them to transmit back.
Keyboard and Monitor are the examples of the simplex mode as a keyboard can only
accept the data from the user and monitor can only be used to display the data on the
screen.
The main advantage of the simplex mode is that the full capacity of the
communication channel can be utilized during transmission.
In simplex mode, the station can utilize the entire bandwidth of the communication
channel, so that more data can be transmitted at a time.
Half-Duplex mode
In a Half-duplex channel, direction can be reversed, i.e., the station can transmit and
receive the data as well.
Messages flow in both the directions, but not at the same time.
The entire bandwidth of the communication channel is utilized in one direction at a
time.
In half-duplex mode, it is possible to perform the error detection, and if any error
occurs, then the receiver requests the sender to retransmit the data.
A Walkie-talkie is an example of the Half-duplex mode. In Walkie-talkie, one party
speaks, and another party listens. After a pause, the other speaks and first party
listens. Speaking simultaneously will create the distorted sound which cannot be
understood.
In half-duplex mode, both the devices can send and receive the data and also can
utilize the entire bandwidth of the communication channel during the transmission of
data.
In half-duplex mode, when one device is sending the data, then another has to wait,
this causes the delay in sending the data at the right time.
Full-duplex mode
In Full duplex mode, the communication is bi-directional, i.e., the data flow in both
the directions.
Both the stations can send and receive the message simultaneously.
Full-duplex mode has two simplex channels. One channel has traffic moving in one
direction, and another channel has traffic flowing in the opposite direction.
The Full-duplex mode is the fastest mode of communication between devices.
The most common example of the full-duplex mode is a telephone network. When
two people are communicating with each other by a telephone line, both can talk and
listen at the same time.
Both the stations can send and receive the data at the same time.
If there is no dedicated path exists between the devices, then the capacity of the
communication channel is divided into two parts.
Week 3
Computer Network Models
A communication subsystem is a complex piece of Hardware and software. Early attempts for implementing the
software for such subsystems were based on a single, complex, unstructured program with many interacting
components. The resultant software was very difficult to test and modify. To overcome such problem, the ISO has
developed a layered approach. In a layered approach, networking concept is divided into several layers, and each
layer is assigned a particular task. Therefore, we can say that networking tasks depend upon the layers.
Layered Architecture
The main aim of the layered architecture is to divide the design into small pieces.
Each lower layer adds its services to the higher layer to provide a full set of services to manage
communications and run the applications.
It provides modularity and clear interfaces, i.e., provides interaction between subsystems.
It ensures the independence between layers by providing the services from lower to higher layer
without defining how the services are implemented. Therefore, any modification in a layer will not affect
the other layers.
The number of layers, functions, contents of each layer will vary from network to network. However, the
purpose of each layer is to provide the service from lower to a higher layer and hiding the details from
the layers of how the services are implemented.
The basic elements of layered architecture are services, protocols, and interfaces.
o Service: It is a set of actions that a layer provides to the higher layer.
o Protocol: It defines a set of rules that a layer uses to exchange the information with peer
entity. These rules mainly concern about both the contents and order of the messages
used.
o Interface: It is a way through which the message is transferred from one layer to another
layer.
In a layer n architecture, layer n on one machine will have a communication with the layer n on another
machine and the rules used in a conversation are known as a layer-n protocol.
OSI Model
OSI stands for Open System Interconnection is a reference model that describes how
information from a software application in one computer moves through a physical medium
to the software application in another computer.
OSI consists of seven layers, and each layer performs a particular network function.
OSI model was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in
1984, and it is now considered as an architectural model for the inter-computer
communications.
OSI model divides the whole task into seven smaller and manageable tasks. Each layer is
assigned a particular task.
Each layer is self-contained, so that task assigned to each layer can be performed
independently.
The OSI model is divided into two layers: upper layers and lower layers.
The upper layer of the OSI model mainly deals with the application related issues, and they
are implemented only in the software. The application layer is closest to the end user. Both
the end user and the application layer interact with the software applications. An upper
layer refers to the layer just above another layer.
The lower layer of the OSI model deals with the data transport issues. The data link layer
and the physical layer are implemented in hardware and software. The physical layer is the
lowest layer of the OSI model and is closest to the physical medium. The physical layer is
mainly responsible for placing the information on the physical medium.
There are the seven OSI layers. Each layer has different functions. A list of seven layers are
given below:
1. Physical Layer
2. Data-Link Layer
3. Network Layer
4. Transport Layer
5. Session Layer
6. Presentation Layer
7. Application Layer
Physical layer
The main functionality of the physical layer is to transmit the individual bits from one node
to another node.
It is the lowest layer of the OSI model.
It establishes, maintains and deactivates the physical connection.
It specifies the mechanical, electrical and procedural network interface specifications.
Line Configuration: It defines the way how two or more devices can be connected
physically.
Data Transmission: It defines the transmission mode whether it is simplex, half-duplex or
full-duplex mode between the two devices on the network.
Topology: It defines the way how network devices are arranged.
Signals: It determines the type of the signal used for transmitting the information.
Data-Link Layer
This layer is responsible for the error-free transfer of data frames.
It defines the format of the data on the network.
It provides a reliable and efficient communication between two or more devices.
It is mainly responsible for the unique identification of each device that resides on a local
network.
It contains two sub-layers:
o Logical Link Control Layer
It is responsible for transferring the packets to the Network layer of
the receiver that is receiving.
It identifies the address of the network layer protocol from the
header.
It also provides flow control.
o Media Access Control Layer
A Media access control layer is a link between the Logical Link
Control layer and the network's physical layer.
It is used for transferring the packets over the network.
Framing: The data link layer translates the physical's raw bit stream into packets known as
Frames. The Data link layer adds the header and trailer to the frame. The header which is
added to the frame contains the hardware destination and source address.
Physical Addressing: The Data link layer adds a header to the frame that contains a
destination address. The frame is transmitted to the destination address mentioned in the
header.
Flow Control: Flow control is the main functionality of the Data-link layer. It is the
technique through which the constant data rate is maintained on both the sides so that no
data get corrupted. It ensures that the transmitting station such as a server with higher
processing speed does not exceed the receiving station, with lower processing speed.
Error Control: Error control is achieved by adding a calculated value CRC (Cyclic Redundancy
Check) that is placed to the Data link layer's trailer which is added to the message frame
before it is sent to the physical layer. If any error seems to occurr, then the receiver sends
the acknowledgment for the retransmission of the corrupted frames.
Access Control: When two or more devices are connected to the same communication
channel, then the data link layer protocols are used to determine which device has control
over the link at a given time.
Network Layer
It is a layer 3 that manages device addressing, tracks the location of devices on the network.
It determines the best path to move data from source to the destination based on the
network conditions, the priority of service, and other factors.
The Data link layer is responsible for routing and forwarding the packets.
Routers are the layer 3 devices, they are specified in this layer and used to provide the
routing services within an internetwork.
The protocols used to route the network traffic are known as Network layer protocols.
Examples of protocols are IP and Ipv6.
Transport Layer
The Transport layer is a Layer 4 ensures that messages are transmitted in the order in which
they are sent and there is no duplication of data.
The main responsibility of the transport layer is to transfer the data completely.
It receives the data from the upper layer and converts them into smaller units known as
segments.
This layer can be termed as an end-to-end layer as it provides a point-to-point connection
between source and destination to deliver the data reliably.
Dialog control: Session layer acts as a dialog controller that creates a dialog between two
processes or we can say that it allows the communication between two processes which
can be either half-duplex or full-duplex.
Synchronization: Session layer adds some checkpoints when transmitting the data in a
sequence. If some error occurs in the middle of the transmission of data, then the
transmission will take place again from the checkpoint. This process is known as
Synchronization and recovery.
Presentation Layer
A Presentation layer is mainly concerned with the syntax and semantics of the information
exchanged between the two systems.
It acts as a data translator for a network.
This layer is a part of the operating system that converts the data from one presentation
format to another format.
The Presentation layer is also known as the syntax layer.
Application Layer
An application layer serves as a window for users and application processes to access
network service.
It handles issues such as network transparency, resource allocation, etc.
An application layer is not an application, but it performs the application layer functions.
This layer provides the network services to the end-users.
File transfer, access, and management (FTAM): An application layer allows a user to access
the files in a remote computer, to retrieve the files from a computer and to manage the
files in a remote computer.
Mail services: An application layer provides the facility for email forwarding and storage.
Directory services: An application provides the distributed database sources and is used to
provide that global information about various objects.
TCP/IP model
Here, hierarchical means that each upper-layer protocol is supported by two or more lower-level protocols.
ARP Protocol
ICMP Protocol
Transport Layer
The transport layer is responsible for the reliability, flow control, and correction of data which is being sent over the
network.
The two protocols used in the transport layer are User Datagram protocol and Transmission control protocol.
Application Layer
HTTP: HTTP stands for Hypertext transfer protocol. This protocol allows us to access the data over the
world wide web. It transfers the data in the form of plain text, audio, video. It is known as a Hypertext
transfer protocol as it has the efficiency to use in a hypertext environment where there are rapid jumps
from one document to another.
SNMP: SNMP stands for Simple Network Management Protocol. It is a framework used for managing
the devices on the internet by using the TCP/IP protocol suite.
SMTP: SMTP stands for Simple mail transfer protocol. The TCP/IP protocol that supports the e-mail is
known as a Simple mail transfer protocol. This protocol is used to send the data to another e-mail
address.
DNS: DNS stands for Domain Name System. An IP address is used to identify the connection of a host
to the internet uniquely. But, people prefer to use the names instead of addresses. Therefore, the
system that maps the name to the address is known as Domain Name System.
TELNET: It is an abbreviation for Terminal Network. It establishes the connection between the local
computer and remote computer in such a way that the local terminal appears to be a terminal at the
remote system.
FTP: FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. FTP is a standard internet protocol used for transmitting the
files from one computer to another computer.
Week 4
What is Transmission media?
Transmission media is a communication channel that carries the information from the sender to the
receiver. Data is transmitted through the electromagnetic signals.
The main functionality of the transmission media is to carry the information in the form of bits
through LAN(Local Area Network).
It is a physical path between transmitter and receiver in data communication.
In a copper-based network, the bits in the form of electrical signals.
In a fibre based network, the bits in the form of light pulses.
In OSI(Open System Interconnection) phase, transmission media supports the Layer 1. Therefore, it is
considered to be as a Layer 1 component.
The electrical signals can be sent through the copper wire, fibre optics, atmosphere, water, and
vacuum.
The characteristics and quality of data transmission are determined by the characteristics of medium
and signal.
Transmission media is of two types are wired media and wireless media. In wired media, medium
characteristics are more important whereas, in wireless media, signal characteristics are more
important.
Different transmission media have different properties such as bandwidth, delay, cost and ease of
installation and maintenance.
The transmission media is available in the lowest layer of the OSI reference model, i.e., Physical layer.
Bandwidth: All the factors are remaining constant, the greater the bandwidth of a medium, the higher
the data transmission rate of a signal.
Transmission impairment: When the received signal is not identical to the transmitted one due to the
transmission impairment. The quality of the signals will get destroyed due to transmission impairment.
Interference: An interference is defined as the process of disrupting a signal when it travels over a
communication medium on the addition of some unwanted signal.
Attenuation: Attenuation means the loss of energy, i.e., the strength of the signal decreases with
increasing the distance which causes the loss of energy.
Distortion: Distortion occurs when there is a change in the shape of the signal. This type of distortion is
examined from different signals having different frequencies. Each frequency component has its own
propagation speed, so they reach at a different time which leads to the delay distortion.
Noise: When data is travelled over a transmission medium, some unwanted signal is added to it which
creates the noise.
Classification Of Transmission Media:
Guided Media
It is defined as the physical medium through which the signals are transmitted. It is also known as Bounded media.
Types Of Guided media:
Twisted pair:
Twisted pair is a physical media made up of a pair of cables twisted with each other. A twisted pair cable is cheap as
compared to other transmission media. Installation of the twisted pair cable is easy, and it is a lightweight cable. The
frequency range for twisted pair cable is from 0 to 3.5KHz.
A twisted pair consists of two insulated copper wires arranged in a regular spiral pattern.
The degree of reduction in noise interference is determined by the number of turns per foot. Increasing the number of
turns per foot decreases noise interference.
Category 1: Category 1 is used for telephone lines that have low-speed data.
Category 2: It can support upto 4Mbps.
Category 3: It can support upto 16Mbps.
Category 4: It can support upto 20Mbps. Therefore, it can be used for long-distance communication.
Category 5: It can support upto 200Mbps.
It is cheap.
Installation of the unshielded twisted pair is easy.
It can be used for high-speed LAN.
Disadvantage:
This cable can only be used for shorter distances because of attenuation.
The cost of the shielded twisted pair cable is not very high and not very low.
An installation of STP is easy.
It has higher capacity as compared to unshielded twisted pair cable.
It has a higher attenuation.
It is shielded that provides the higher data transmission rate.
Disadvantages
Coaxial cable is very commonly used transmission media, for example, TV wire is usually a coaxial
cable.
The name of the cable is coaxial as it contains two conductors parallel to each other.
It has a higher frequency as compared to Twisted pair cable.
The inner conductor of the coaxial cable is made up of copper, and the outer conductor is made up of
copper mesh. The middle core is made up of non-conductive cover that separates the inner conductor
from the outer conductor.
The middle core is responsible for the data transferring whereas the copper mesh prevents from
the EMI(Electromagnetic interference).
1. Baseband transmission: It is defined as the process of transmitting a single signal at high speed.
2. Broadband transmission: It is defined as the process of transmitting multiple signals
simultaneously.
Fibre Optic
Fibre optic cable is a cable that uses electrical signals for communication.
Fibre optic is a cable that holds the optical fibres coated in plastic that are used to send the data by
pulses of light.
The plastic coating protects the optical fibres from heat, cold, electromagnetic interference from other
types of wiring.
Fibre optics provide faster data transmission than copper wires.
Core: The optical fibre consists of a narrow strand of glass or plastic known as a core. A core is a light
transmission area of the fibre. The more the area of the core, the more light will be transmitted into the
fibre.
Cladding: The concentric layer of glass is known as cladding. The main functionality of the cladding is
to provide the lower refractive index at the core interface as to cause the reflection within the core so
that the light waves are transmitted through the fibre.
Jacket: The protective coating consisting of plastic is known as a jacket. The main purpose of a jacket
is to preserve the fibre strength, absorb shock and extra fibre protection.
Greater Bandwidth: The fibre optic cable provides more bandwidth as compared copper. Therefore,
the fibre optic carries more data as compared to copper cable.
Faster speed: Fibre optic cable carries the data in the form of light. This allows the fibre optic cable to
carry the signals at a higher speed.
Longer distances: The fibre optic cable carries the data at a longer distance as compared to copper
cable.
Better reliability: The fibre optic cable is more reliable than the copper cable as it is immune to any
temperature changes while it can cause obstruct in the connectivity of copper cable.
Thinner and Sturdier: Fibre optic cable is thinner and lighter in weight so it can withstand more pull
pressure than copper cable.
UnGuided Transmission
An unguided transmission transmits the electromagnetic waves without using any physical medium.
Therefore it is also known as wireless transmission.
In unguided media, air is the media through which the electromagnetic energy can flow easily.
Radio waves
Radio waves are the electromagnetic waves that are transmitted in all the directions of free space.
Radio waves are omnidirectional, i.e., the signals are propagated in all the directions.
The range in frequencies of radio waves is from 3Khz to 1 khz.
In the case of radio waves, the sending and receiving antenna are not aligned, i.e., the wave sent by
the sending antenna can be received by any receiving antenna.
An example of the radio wave is FM radio.
A Radio wave is useful for multicasting when there is one sender and many receivers.
An FM radio, television, cordless phones are examples of a radio wave.
Radio transmission is mainly used for wide area networks and mobile cellular phones.
Radio waves cover a large area, and they can penetrate the walls.
Radio transmission provides a higher transmission rate.
Microwaves
Microwaves are of two types:
Terrestrial microwave
Satellite microwave communication.
Terrestrial Microwave transmission is a technology that transmits the focused beam of a radio signal
from one ground-based microwave transmission antenna to another.
Microwaves are the electromagnetic waves having the frequency in the range from 1GHz to 1000 GHz.
Microwaves are unidirectional as the sending and receiving antenna is to be aligned, i.e., the waves
sent by the sending antenna are narrowly focussed.
In this case, antennas are mounted on the towers to send a beam to another antenna which is km
away.
It works on the line of sight transmission, i.e., the antennas mounted on the towers are the direct sight
of each other.
Characteristics of Microwave:
Frequency range: The frequency range of terrestrial microwave is from 4-6 GHz to 21-23 GHz.
Bandwidth: It supports the bandwidth from 1 to 10 Mbps.
Short distance: It is inexpensive for short distance.
Long distance: It is expensive as it requires a higher tower for a longer distance.
Attenuation: Attenuation means loss of signal. It is affected by environmental conditions and antenna
size.
Advantages Of Microwave:
Eavesdropping: An eavesdropping creates insecure communication. Any malicious user can catch the
signal in the air by using its own antenna.
Out of phase signal: A signal can be moved out of phase by using microwave transmission.
Susceptible to weather condition: A microwave transmission is susceptible to weather condition.
This means that any environmental change such as rain, wind can distort the signal.
Bandwidth limited: Allocation of bandwidth is limited in the case of microwave transmission.
A satellite is a physical object that revolves around the earth at a known height.
Satellite communication is more reliable nowadays as it offers more flexibility than cable and fibre optic
systems.
We can communicate with any point on the globe by using satellite communication.
The coverage area of a satellite microwave is more than the terrestrial microwave.
The transmission cost of the satellite is independent of the distance from the centre of the coverage
area.
Satellite communication is used in mobile and wireless communication applications.
It is easy to install.
It is used in a wide variety of applications such as weather forecasting, radio/TV signal broadcasting,
mobile communication, etc.
Satellite designing and development requires more time and higher cost.
The Satellite needs to be monitored and controlled on regular periods so that it remains in orbit.
The life of the satellite is about 12-15 years. Due to this reason, another launch of the satellite has to
be planned before it becomes non-functional.
Infrared
An infrared transmission is a wireless technology used for communication over short ranges.
The frequency of the infrared in the range from 300 GHz to 400 THz.
It is used for short-range communication such as data transfer between two cell phones, TV remote
operation, data transfer between a computer and cell phone resides in the same closed area.
Characteristics Of Infrared:
It supports high bandwidth, and hence the data rate will be very high.
Infrared waves cannot penetrate the walls. Therefore, the infrared communication in one room cannot
be interrupted by the nearby rooms.
An infrared communication provides better security with minimum interference.
Infrared communication is unreliable outside the building because the sun rays will interfere with the
infrared waves.
Week 5
What is Multiplexing?
Multiplexing is a technique used to combine and send the multiple data streams over a single medium. The process
of combining the data streams is known as multiplexing and hardware used for multiplexing is known as a
multiplexer.
Multiplexing is achieved by using a device called Multiplexer (MUX) that combines n input lines to generate a single
output line. Multiplexing follows many-to-one, i.e., n input lines and one output line.
Demultiplexing is achieved by using a device called Demultiplexer (DEMUX) available at the receiving end. DEMUX
separates a signal into its component signals (one input and n outputs). Therefore, we can say that demultiplexing
follows the one-to-many approach.
Why Multiplexing?
The transmission medium is used to send the signal from sender to receiver. The medium can only
have one signal at a time.
If there are multiple signals to share one medium, then the medium must be divided in such a way that
each signal is given some portion of the available bandwidth. For example: If there are 10 signals and
bandwidth of medium is100 units, then the 10 unit is shared by each signal.
When multiple signals share the common medium, there is a possibility of collision. Multiplexing
concept is used to avoid such collision.
Transmission services are very expensive.
History of Multiplexing
Multiplexing technique is widely used in telecommunications in which several telephone calls are
carried through a single wire.
Multiplexing originated in telegraphy in the early 1870s and is now widely used in communication.
George Owen Squier developed the telephone carrier multiplexing in 1910.
Concept of Multiplexing
The 'n' input lines are transmitted through a multiplexer and multiplexer combines the signals to form a
composite signal.
The composite signal is passed through a Demultiplexer and demultiplexer separates a signal to
component signals and transfers them to their respective destinations.
Advantages of Multiplexing:
Multiplexing Techniques
Multiplexing techniques can be classified as:
It is an analog technique.
Frequency Division Multiplexing is a technique in which the available bandwidth of a single
transmission medium is subdivided into several channels.
In the above diagram, a single transmission medium is subdivided into several frequency channels, and
each frequency channel is given to different devices. Device 1 has a frequency channel of range from 1
to 5.
The input signals are translated into frequency bands by using modulation techniques, and they are
combined by a multiplexer to form a composite signal.
The main aim of the FDM is to subdivide the available bandwidth into different frequency channels and
allocate them to different devices.
Using the modulation technique, the input signals are transmitted into frequency bands and then
combined to form a composite signal.
The carriers which are used for modulating the signals are known as sub-carriers. They are
represented as f1,f2..fn.
FDM is mainly used in radio broadcasts and TV networks.
Advantages Of FDM:
Disadvantages Of FDM:
FDM technique is used only when low-speed channels are required.
It suffers the problem of crosstalk.
A Large number of modulators are required.
It requires a high bandwidth channel.
Applications Of FDM:
Wavelength Division Multiplexing is same as FDM except that the optical signals are transmitted
through the fibre optic cable.
WDM is used on fibre optics to increase the capacity of a single fibre.
It is used to utilize the high data rate capability of fibre optic cable.
It is an analog multiplexing technique.
Optical signals from different source are combined to form a wider band of light with the help of
multiplexer.
At the receiving end, demultiplexer separates the signals to transmit them to their respective
destinations.
Multiplexing and Demultiplexing can be achieved by using a prism.
Prism can perform a role of multiplexer by combining the various optical signals to form a composite
signal, and the composite signal is transmitted through a fibre optical cable.
Prism also performs a reverse operation, i.e., demultiplexing the signal.
Time Division Multiplexing
It is a digital technique.
In Frequency Division Multiplexing Technique, all signals operate at the same time with different
frequency, but in case of Time Division Multiplexing technique, all signals operate at the same
frequency with different time.
In Time Division Multiplexing technique, the total time available in the channel is distributed among
different users. Therefore, each user is allocated with different time interval known as a Time slot at
which data is to be transmitted by the sender.
A user takes control of the channel for a fixed amount of time.
In Time Division Multiplexing technique, data is not transmitted simultaneously rather the data is
transmitted one-by-one.
In TDM, the signal is transmitted in the form of frames. Frames contain a cycle of time slots in which
each frame contains one or more slots dedicated to each user.
It can be used to multiplex both digital and analog signals but mainly used to multiplex digital signals.
Synchronous TDM
Asynchronous TDM
Synchronous TDM
In the above figure, the Synchronous TDM technique is implemented. Each device is allocated with some time slot.
The time slots are transmitted irrespective of whether the sender has data to send or not.
Disadvantages Of Synchronous TDM:
The capacity of the channel is not fully utilized as the empty slots are also transmitted which is having
no data. In the above figure, the first frame is completely filled, but in the last two frames, some slots
are empty. Therefore, we can say that the capacity of the channel is not utilized efficiently.
The speed of the transmission medium should be greater than the total speed of the input lines. An
alternative approach to the Synchronous TDM is Asynchronous Time Division Multiplexing.
Asynchronous TDM
The difference between Asynchronous TDM and Synchronous TDM is that many slots in Synchronous
TDM are unutilized, but in Asynchronous TDM, slots are fully utilized. This leads to the smaller
transmission time and efficient utilization of the capacity of the channel.
In Synchronous TDM, if there are n sending devices, then there are n time slots. In Asynchronous TDM,
if there are n sending devices, then there are m time slots where m is less than n (m<n).
The number of slots in a frame depends on the statistical analysis of the number of input lines.
In the above diagram, there are 4 devices, but only two devices are sending the data, i.e., A and C. Therefore, the
data of A and C are only transmitted through the transmission line.
Frame of above diagram can be represented as:
The above figure shows that the data part contains the address to determine the source of the data.
Switching
When a user accesses the internet or another computer network outside their immediate location,
messages are sent through the network of transmission media. This technique of transferring the
information from one computer network to another network is known as switching.
Switching in a computer network is achieved by using switches. A switch is a small hardware device
which is used to join multiple computers together with one local area network (LAN).
Network switches operate at layer 2 (Data link layer) in the OSI model.
Switching is transparent to the user and does not require any configuration in the home network.
Switches are used to forward the packets based on MAC addresses.
A Switch is used to transfer the data only to the device that has been addressed. It verifies the
destination address to route the packet appropriately.
It is operated in full duplex mode.
Packet collision is minimum as it directly communicates between source and destination.
It does not broadcast the message as it works with limited bandwidth.
Bandwidth: It is defined as the maximum transfer rate of a cable. It is a very critical and expensive
resource. Therefore, switching techniques are used for the effective utilization of the bandwidth of a
network.
Collision: Collision is the effect that occurs when more than one device transmits the message over
the same physical media, and they collide with each other. To overcome this problem, switching
technology is implemented so that packets do not collide with each other.
Advantages of Switching:
Disadvantages of Switching:
The layer 2 switches are used for transmitting the data on the data link layer, and it also performs error
checking on transmitted and received frames.
The layer 2 switches forward the packets with the help of MAC address.
Different modes are used for forwarding the packets known as Switching modes.
In switching mode, Different parts of a frame are recognized. The frame consists of several parts such
as preamble, destination MAC address, source MAC address, user's data, FCS.
Store-and-forward
Cut-through
Fragment-free
Store-and-forward
Store-and-forward is a technique in which the intermediate nodes store the received frame and then
check for errors before forwarding the packets to the next node.
The layer 2 switch waits until the entire frame has received. On receiving the entire frame, switch store
the frame into the switch buffer memory. This process is known as storing the frame.
When the frame is stored, then the frame is checked for the errors. If any error found, the message is
discarded otherwise the message is forwarded to the next node. This process is known as forwarding
the frame.
CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) technique is implemented that uses a number of bits to check for the
errors on the received frame.
The store-and-forward technique ensures a high level of security as the destination network will not be
affected by the corrupted frames.
Store-and-forward switches are highly reliable as it does not forward the collided frames.
Cut-through Switching
Cut-through switching is a technique in which the switch forwards the packets after the destination
address has been identified without waiting for the entire frame to be received.
Once the frame is received, it checks the first six bytes of the frame following the preamble, the switch
checks the destination in the switching table to determine the outgoing interface port, and forwards the
frame to the destination.
It has low latency rate as the switch does not wait for the entire frame to be received before sending
the packets to the destination.
It has no error checking technique. Therefore, the errors can be sent with or without errors to the
receiver.
A Cut-through switching technique has low wait time as it forwards the packets as soon as it identifies
the destination MAC address.
In this technique, collision is not detected, if frames have collided will also be forwarded.
Fragment-free Switching
It has high latency rate as it waits for the entire frame to be It has low latency rate as it checks only six bytes of the
received before forwarding to the next node. frame to determine the destination address.
Switching techniques
In large networks, there can be multiple paths from sender to receiver. The switching technique will decide the best
route for data transmission.
Switching technique is used to connect the systems for making one-to-one communication.
Classification Of Switching Techniques
Circuit Switching
Circuit switching is a switching technique that establishes a dedicated path between sender and
receiver.
In the Circuit Switching Technique, once the connection is established then the dedicated path will
remain to exist until the connection is terminated.
Circuit switching in a network operates in a similar way as the telephone works.
A complete end-to-end path must exist before the communication takes place.
In case of circuit switching technique, when any user wants to send the data, voice, video, a request
signal is sent to the receiver then the receiver sends back the acknowledgment to ensure the
availability of the dedicated path. After receiving the acknowledgment, dedicated path transfers the
data.
Circuit switching is used in public telephone network. It is used for voice transmission.
Fixed data can be transferred at a time in circuit switching technology.
Circuit establishment
Data transfer
Circuit Disconnect
Space Division Switching is a circuit switching technology in which a single transmission path is
accomplished in a switch by using a physically separate set of crosspoints.
Space Division Switching can be achieved by using crossbar switch. A crossbar switch is a metallic
crosspoint or semiconductor gate that can be enabled or disabled by a control unit.
The Crossbar switch is made by using the semiconductor. For example, Xilinx crossbar switch using
FPGAs.
Space Division Switching has high speed, high capacity, and nonblocking switches.
Crossbar Switch
Multistage Switch
Crossbar Switch
The Crossbar switch is a switch that has n input lines and n output lines. The crossbar switch has n2 intersection
points known as crosspoints.
Disadvantage of Crossbar switch:
The number of crosspoints increases as the number of stations is increased. Therefore, it becomes very expensive
for a large switch. The solution to this is to use a multistage switch.
Multistage Switch
Multistage Switch is made by splitting the crossbar switch into the smaller units and then
interconnecting them.
It reduces the number of crosspoints.
If one path fails, then there will be an availability of another path.
Once the dedicated path is established, the only delay occurs in the speed of data transmission.
It takes a long time to establish a connection approx 10 seconds during which no data can be
transmitted.
It is more expensive than other switching techniques as a dedicated path is required for each
connection.
It is inefficient to use because once the path is established and no data is transferred, then the capacity
of the path is wasted.
In this case, the connection is dedicated therefore no other data can be transferred even if the channel
is free.
Message Switching
Message Switching is a switching technique in which a message is transferred as a complete unit and
routed through intermediate nodes at which it is stored and forwarded.
In Message Switching technique, there is no establishment of a dedicated path between the sender and
receiver.
The destination address is appended to the message. Message Switching provides a dynamic routing
as the message is routed through the intermediate nodes based on the information available in the
message.
Message switches are programmed in such a way so that they can provide the most efficient routes.
Each and every node stores the entire message and then forward it to the next node. This type of
network is known as store and forward network.
Message switching treats each message as an independent entity.
Advantages Of Message Switching
Data channels are shared among the communicating devices that improve the efficiency of using
available bandwidth.
Traffic congestion can be reduced because the message is temporarily stored in the nodes.
Message priority can be used to manage the network.
The size of the message which is sent over the network can be varied. Therefore, it supports the data
of unlimited size.
The message switches must be equipped with sufficient storage to enable them to store the messages
until the message is forwarded.
The Long delay can occur due to the storing and forwarding facility provided by the message switching
technique.
Packet Switching
The packet switching is a switching technique in which the message is sent in one go, but it is divided
into smaller pieces, and they are sent individually.
The message splits into smaller pieces known as packets and packets are given a unique number to
identify their order at the receiving end.
Every packet contains some information in its headers such as source address, destination address
and sequence number.
Packets will travel across the network, taking the shortest path as possible.
All the packets are reassembled at the receiving end in correct order.
If any packet is missing or corrupted, then the message will be sent to resend the message.
If the correct order of the packets is reached, then the acknowledgment message will be sent.
Approaches Of Packet Switching:
There are two approaches to Packet Switching:
Congestion cannot occur as all the packets travel Congestion can occur when the node is busy, and it does not
in different directions. allow other packets to pass through.
Cost-effective: In packet switching technique, switching devices do not require massive secondary
storage to store the packets, so cost is minimized to some extent. Therefore, we can say that the
packet switching technique is a cost-effective technique.
Reliable: If any node is busy, then the packets can be rerouted. This ensures that the Packet Switching
technique provides reliable communication.
Efficient: Packet Switching is an efficient technique. It does not require any established path prior to
the transmission, and many users can use the same communication channel simultaneously, hence
makes use of available bandwidth very efficiently.
Packet Switching technique cannot be implemented in those applications that require low delay and
high-quality services.
The protocols used in a packet switching technique are very complex and requires high implementation
cost.
If the network is overloaded or corrupted, then it requires re transmission of lost packets. It can also
lead to the loss of critical information if errors are nor recovered.