Lecture 1
Basics of Data
communication and
Computer Networks
Tameru H.
AASTU, Depart of Software Engineering
Chapter 1 1
Network
“ ... communication system for connecting
end-systems”
End-systems a.k.a. “hosts”
PCs, workstations
dedicated computers
network components
Chapter 1 2
Data Communications
Chapter 1 3
Fundamental Characteristics
• The effectiveness of a data communication
system depend on four fundamental
characteristics:
• Delivery
• Accuracy
• Timelines
• Jitter
Chapter 1 4
Five Components of Data
Communication
1. Message
2. Sender
3. Receiver
4. Medium
5. Protocol Chapter 1 5
Direction of data flow
Simplex
Half Duplex
Full Duplex
Chapter 1 6
Multiaccess vs. Point-to-point
• Multiaccess means shared medium.
• many end-systems share the same physical communication
resources (wire, frequency, ...)
• There must be some arbitration mechanism.
• Point-to-point
• only 2 systems involved
• no doubt about where data came from !
Chapter 1 7
LAN - Local Area Network
• Connects computers that are physically
close together ( < 1 mile).
• high speed
• multi-access
• Technologies:
• Ethernet 10 Mbps, 100Mbps
• Token Ring 16 Mbps
• FDDI 100 Mbps
Chapter 1 8
WAN - Wide Area Network
• Connects computers that are physically far
apart. “long-haul network”.
• typically slower than a LAN.
• typically less reliable than a LAN.
• point-to-point
• Technologies:
• telephone lines
• Satellite communications
Chapter 1 9
MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
• Larger than a LAN and smaller than a
WAN
- example: campus-wide network
- multi-access network
• Technologies:
• coaxial cable
• microwave
Chapter 1 10
Internetwork
• Connection of 2 or more distinct (possibly
dissimilar) networks.
• Requires some kind of network device to facilitate
the connection.
Net A Net B
Chapter 1 11
The Internet
Mobile network
PC
• millions of connected
server computing devices: Global ISP
wireless hosts = end systems
laptop
• running network apps
cellular Home network
handheld
Regional ISP
• communication links
• fiber, copper, radio,
access
points satellite Institutional network
wired
links
• routers: forward
packets (chunks of
router
data)
Chapter 1 12
The Internet
Internet Mapping Project, Bill Cheswick Chapter 1 13
A Network of Networks
• roughly hierarchical
• Tier-1 ISPs provide national,
international coverage
• Tier-2 ISPs provide
regional coverage
• Tier-3 and lower levels
provide local coverage
• any tier may sell to
business and residential
customers
• any ISP may have a
link to any other ISP
(not strictly hierarchical)
Chapter 1 14
Many Different Internet Service
Providers
• Each network is
independent
• Interoperability requires
using Internet standards:
IP, TCP
• the Internet is global and
must run these standards
• your private intranet can do
whatever you want it to do
Chapter 1 15
Internet Design Principles
• minimal assumptions about services network
should support
• ability to send packets
• no reliability or security
• end-to-end principle
• keep the core of the network as simple as possible,
• put complex functionality at the edges
• exception: significant performance improvement
Chapter 1 16
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
… specific msgs sent governed by protocols
… specific actions taken
when msgs received, or
other events
Chapter 1 17
What’s a protocol?
a human protocol and a
computer network
protocol:
Hi
TCP connection
request
Hi
TCP connection
Got the response
time? Get http://www.awl.com/kurose-ross
2:00
<file>
time
Q: Other human protocols?
Chapter 1 18
Protocol
• An agreed upon convention for communication.
• both endpoints need to understand the protocol.
• Protocols must be formally defined and unambiguous!
• Protocols define
• format,
• order of msgs sent and received among network entities,
• actions taken on msg transmission, receipt
• We will study lots of existing protocols and perhaps
develop a few of our own.
Chapter 1 19
Programs & Processes
• A program is an executable file.
• A process or task is an instance of a
program that is being executed.
• A single program can generate multiple
processes.
Chapter 1 20
Client - Server
• A server is a process - not a machine !
• A server waits for a request from a client.
• A client is a process that sends a request to
an existing server and (usually) waits for a
reply.
Chapter 1 21
Client - Server Examples
• Server returns the time-of-day.
• Server returns a document.
• Server prints a file for client.
• Server does a disk read or write.
• Server records a transaction.
Chapter 1 22
Servers
• Servers are generally more complex (more
interesting).
• Basic types of servers:
¨ Iterative - server handles one client at a time.
¨ Concurrent - server handles many clients at a time.
• We will study the differences later.
Chapter 1 23
Question??
Chapter 1 24
