Networking

Introduction:When computers appeared in business, software programs were designed for a single user. Various tasks were accomplished by processing them batch wise fashion. Reasons behind the development of Networking Technology:1. As computers spread throughout business, developers began offering complex software designed for multiple users. 2. The electronic transfer of information between computers became a major focus of the computer industry (Data communications). 3. The demand for larger and faster high-capacity networks has increased as businesses have realized the value of networking their computer systems.

Definition of Network
A network is a set of technologies including hardware, software and media that can be used to 1. Connect computers together 2. Communicate and exchange information 3. Share resources in real time Common Uses of a network: Networks allow many users to access shared data and programs almost instantly Network open up new ways to communicate, such as e-mail and instant messaging By allowing users to share expensive hardware resources such as printers, networks reduce the cost of running an organization.

Illustration

Types of Networks
Basically networks can be categorized as follows: 1. Local Area Network(LAN) 2. Metropolitan Area Network(MAN) 3. Wide Area Network(WAN) Local Area Networks (LANs): A local area network (LAN) is a data communication system consisting of several devices such as components and printers. This type of network contains computers that are relatively near each other and are physically connected using cables, wireless media. A LAN can include either two or three PCs or even hundreds of computers of different kinds. In general any network that exists within a single building or even a group of adjacent buildings is considered as a LAN.
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Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs):The metropolitan area network (MAN) is a large-scale network that connects multiple corporate LANs together. MANs are not usually owned by a single organization and are maintained by a group or single network provider that sells its services to customers. This type of networks usually take the role of high speed networks that allow sharing of regional resources. Wide Area Networks (WANs):A wide area network (WAN) is two or more LANs connected together, generally across a wide geographical area. These remote LANs are connected through a telecommunication network(usually a phone company) or via the internet through an Internet service provider (ISP).

Other Useful Networks

Campus Area Networks (CANs):A campus area network (CAN) follows the same principle as a local area network but on a larger scale. With a CAN different campus offices and organizations can be linked together. For example some university departments or organizations might be linked to the CAN even though they already have their own separate LANs. Home Area Networks (HANs):A home area network (HAN) is a network contained within a users home that connects a persons digital devices from multiple computers and their peripheral devices such as a printer to telephones, VCRs, DVDs, televisions and other digital devices that are wired into the network.

Client/Server Architecture
Client/Server Networks: A popular type of server-based network is the client/server network, where individual computers (nodes) share the processing and storage workload with a central server. This architecture requires special software for the nodes and the server. Client/server software can be used on LANs or WANs. A single client/server program can be used on a LAN where all the other software is based on a simple file server system. The most common example of client/server computing involves a database that can be accessed by many different computers on the network. The database is stored on the network server and the users computer stores and runs the client portion of the database.

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 A node is a processing location that can be a PC or some other device such as a networked printer. Usually server-based networks include many nodes and one or more servers, which control user access to the networks resources. In Client/Server networks, the central computer is known as the file server/network server/application server. Files and programs used by more than one user are often stored on the server. In a file server network each node has access to the files and programs on the server but not to the file on other nodes. When a node needs information from the server, it request the file containing the information. The server then forwards the file containing the information to the requested node(s). Users must log on to the network to gain access to its resources.

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A simple LAN with a file server

Network Topologies

An important feature of a network is its topology. Topology represents the layout of the cables and devices that connect the nodes of the network. Before actually constructing a network, designers consider several factors in deciding which topology to be used. Data moves through the network in a structure called packets. Packets are pieces of a message broken down into small units by sending PC and reassembled by the receiving PC. There are two important reasons in considering a topology for a network:1. A correctly designed network using the appropriate technology for the organization's needs will move data packets efficiently. 2. A proper topology prevents collisions that normally happens when multiple nodes try to transmit data at the same time

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Types of topologies
Network topologies can be categorized as follows:1. Star Topology:It is the most common topology. In a star network, all nodes are connected to a device called a hub and communicate through it. Data packets travel through the hub and are sent to the attached nodes eventually reaching their destinations. An advantage in using the star topology is that a broken connection between a node and the hub does not affect the rest of the network. However if the hub is lost, all nodes connected to that hub will be unable to communicate. 2. Ring Topology:The ring topology connects the networks nodes in a circular chain with each node connected to the next. The last node connects to the first, completing the ring. The data known as token is addressed to a node. On a mismatch, the token is passed to the next node. Thus there is no danger of collisions because only one packet of data travels the ring at a time. However if the ring is broken, the entire network will be unable to communicate.

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3. Bus Topology:This type of topology uses a one cable. All the nodes and peripheral devices are connected in a series to that cable. The main advantage of bus topology is that it uses the least amount of cabling. However some extra circuitry is needed to avoid collisions of data packets. A broken connection can bring down all or part of the network. 4. Mesh Topology:It is the least-used network topology and also the most expensive to implement. In this type of network a cable runs from every computer to the other. The advantage in mesh topology is that data is definitely transmitted to the destination node. Thus if one connection goes down there are other ways to route the data to its destination.

Star Network

Ring Network

Bus Network

Mesh Network

Protocols
A protocol is an agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices over LAN. To effectively communicate a user must have the same protocol installed on the local PC and remote PC to make a connection. Protocols break data into small packets for transportation. Linking devices pass data packets to the various pieces of equipment

Some of the commonly used protocols are: 1. TCP/IP:TCP/IP is the protocol of the internet and is required on any computer that must communicate across the internet. Also TCP/IP is the default networking protocol of Windows and many other operating systems. 2. HTTP: It stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. It looks after the transmission of HTTP requests and responses to and from client/server . A HTTP request submitted by the client is received and processed by the server and a HTTP response is sent back to the client which in general may be a web page being displayed after clicking link or on submission of a form data.
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3. SMTP:SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. SMTP is an Internet standard for electronic mail (e-mail) transmission across Internet protocol (IP) networks. While electronic mail servers and other mail transfer agents use SMTP to send and receive mail messages, user-level client mail applications typically only use SMTP for sending messages to a mail server for relaying. For receiving messages, client applications usually use either the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) or a proprietary system (such as Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes/Domino) to access their mail box accounts on a mail server. 4. FTP:-

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to copy a file from one host to another over a TCP/IP-based network, such as the Internet. FTP is built on a client-server architecture and utilizes separate control and data connections between the client and server applications, which solves the problem of different end host configurations (i.e., Operating System, file names). FTP is used with user-based password authentication or with anonymous user access.

Internet Fundamentals
Introduction: Internet is a giant global network with large collection of networks and millions of computers set up by the Defense Department of the Research Project Network(ARPANET). By 1990 the network came to be known as Internet Internet has changed the way people communicated, the way companies did business etc. Business has taken note of the potential ability of the internet and is trying to integrate this technology into its overall business strategy. Internet connects thousands of networks and hundreds of millions of users around the world

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Internet is made up of three kinds of networks:

High speed backbone networks such as supercomputers. 2. Mid level networks such as those at universities and companies 3. Small networks connected to the Internet such as individual LANs and computers in organization.
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History of the Internet

In 1969, the US Defense Department set up Advanced Research Projects Agency to
establish superiority in military technology. The goal of the ARPANET was to research on distributed computer systems as the US military wanted to develop a failure tolerant computer network for communication. The idea is to have a communication infrastructure with out a central system so that even if a part of the system breaks down or is destroyed by enemy action, rest of the communication system should not be disturbed. Later TCP/IP protocols were developed in the mid 1970s by Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn. Another reason for creating such a network is to allow people in remote locations to share scarce computing resources. By being a part of the network, these users could access far away systems such as governmental mainframes or university owned supercomputers and conduct research or communicate with other users.

Common uses of Internet

Internet acts as a carrier for several different services. They include
The World Wide Web Electronic mail(E-mail) News File Transfer Protocol(FTP) Chat Instant Messaging Online Services

Peer-to-peer services

Note:- To use these services, a user requires a computer connected to the Internet.