Computer Networks module 1,2&3
Computer Networks module 1,2&3
MODULE 1
Data communication:
1. Components
2. Data Representation
3. Data Flow
Network:
Network Criteria
1. Performance:
o Throughput: Measure of how much data can be transferred
from one point to another in a given time.
o Latency: The time it takes for a data packet to travel from
the source to the destination.
o Jitter: Variation in packet arrival time, which can affect
real-time applications like VoIP and video streaming.
2. Reliability:
o Fault Tolerance: The ability of the network to continue
operating despite failures in some components.
o Error Rate: The frequency of errors during data
transmission, which should be minimized for reliable
communication.
3. Security:
o Data Integrity: Ensuring that data is not altered during
transmission.
o Confidentiality: Protecting data from unauthorized access.
o Availability: Ensuring that the network is accessible to
authorized users when needed.
4. Scalability:
o Network Growth: The ability to expand the network to
accommodate more users or devices without significant
performance degradation.
o Modularity: Designing the network in a way that
allows for easy addition of new components.
5. Quality of Service (QoS):
o Prioritization: Ensuring that critical applications receive the
necessary bandwidth and low latency.
o Traffic Management: Techniques like traffic shaping and
policing to manage network congestion.
Physical Structures
1. Topology:
o Mesh Topology: Every device is connected to every
other device, providing high redundancy and reliability.
o Star Topology: All devices are connected to a central hub,
making it easy to manage but a single point of failure.
o Bus Topology: All devices share a single communication
line, which is simple but can be a bottleneck.
o Ring Topology: Each device is connected to two others,
forming a ring, which can be efficient but a failure in one
device can disrupt the network.
o Hybrid Topology: Combination of two or more topologies to
leverage their advantages.
2. Transmission Media:
o Wired Media: Includes twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables,
and fiber- optic cables, each with different bandwidth and
distance capabilities.
o Wireless Media: Includes radio waves, microwaves,
and infrared, offering flexibility but subject to
3. Network Devices:
o Routers: Connect different networks and direct data
packets between them.
o Switches: Connect devices within the same network and
use MAC addresses to forward data.
o Hubs: Basic devices that connect multiple devices but
broadcast data to all connected devices.
o Access Points: Provide wireless connectivity to
devices within a network.
Networks Types:
1. Local Area Network (LAN)
3. Switching
4. The Internet
Protocol layering:
1. Scenarios in Computer Networks and IoT
1. Modular Design:
o Layered architecture divides the network communication
process into smaller, manageable modules or layers. Each
layer performs a specific function, making the system easier
to design, implement, and troubleshoot.
2. Abstraction:
o Each layer provides services to the layer above it and
receives services from the layer below it. This abstraction
allows developers to focus on one layer at a time without
needing to understand the complexities of other layers.
3. Interoperability:
o Layered architecture promotes interoperability between
different systems and devices. By adhering to
standardized protocols at each layer, devices from
different manufacturers can communicate effectively.
4. Scalability:
o The modular nature of layered architecture makes it
easier to scale networks. New technologies or protocols
can be introduced at a specific layer without requiring
5. Error changes to the entire system.
Isolation:
o Problems can be isolated to a specific layer, making it
easier to diagnose and fix issues. This separation of
concerns enhances the reliability and maintainability of
the network.
Layers in the TCP/IP Protocol Suite
1. Application Layer:
o The Application Layer is responsible for providing network
services directly to end-user applications. Protocols like
HTTP (web browsing),
FTP (file transfer), SMTP (email), and DNS (domain name
resolution) operate at this layer.
2. Transport Layer:
o The Transport Layer ensures reliable data transfer between
devices. It uses protocols like TCP (Transmission Control
Protocol) for connection- oriented communication and UDP
(User Datagram Protocol) for connectionless communication.
It also handles error detection, flow control, and data
segmentation.
3. Internet Layer:
o The Internet Layer is responsible for logical addressing and
routing of data packets between devices across different
networks. The primary protocol at this layer is IP (Internet
Protocol), which assigns IP addresses to devices and ensures
packets are routed correctly.
4. Network Access Layer (Link Layer):
o The Network Access Layer manages the physical
transmission of data over network hardware. It includes
protocols for Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and other link-layer
technologies. This layer handles MAC (Media Access
Control) addressing and ensures data is correctly formatted
for transmission over the physical medium.
5. Encapsulation and Decapsulation:
o As data moves down the layers, each layer adds its own
header (encapsulation) to the data packet. When the data
reaches the destination, each layer removes its
corresponding header (decapsulation) to deliver the original
message to the application layer. This process ensures that
data is correctly processed and interpreted at each layer.
o Encapsulation
1. Encapsulation and ensures that data is properly formatted and
Decapsulation
includes necessary control information (e.g.,
Encapsulationsource/destination addresses,
is the process of error checking)
adding headers for
(and sometimes trailers)
transmission across a network.
to data as it moves down the protocol stack. Decapsulation is the
reverse process, where headers are removed as data moves up the stack.
5 Key Points:
1. Purpose of Encapsulation:
2. Layered Approach:
o Each
layer
Transport
in the TCP/IP
Layer:orAdds
OSI a
model
TCP/UDP
addsheader.
its own header to
the data. For example:
Network Layer: Adds an IP header.
Data Link Layer: Adds a frame header and trailer.
3. Data Units:
o At each layer, the encapsulated data has a specific name:
2. Hierarchical Addressing:
oIP addresses are hierarchical, allowing efficient routing
across large networks (e.g., subnetting in IPv4).
3. Dynamic vs. Static Addressing:
o Dynamic Addressing: Assigned by DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol).
o Static Addressing: Manually configured and fixed.
4. Address Resolution:
o ARP (Address Resolution Protocol): Maps IP
addresses to MAC addresses.
o DNS (Domain Name System): Resolves domain
names to IP addresses.
5. IoT Relevance:
o IoT devices often use IPv6 due to its large address space.
Addressing ensures that sensor data reaches the correct
destination (e.g., cloud servers or other devices).
o Efficiently
3. Multiplexing anduses network resources by allowing multiple
processes or devices to share a single communication
Demultiplexing
channel.
5 Key Points:
1. Purpose of Multiplexing:
MODULE 2
1. Definition:
o Analog Data: Continuous data that varies over time,
such as sound waves, temperature, or pressure.
o Digital Data: Discrete data that is represented in binary
form (0s and 1s), such as text or digital images.
2. Characteristics:
o Analog Data: Can take on any value within a range,
making it susceptible to noise and degradation over
distance.
o Digital Data: Consists of distinct values, making it more
robust against noise and easier to process and store.
3. Examples:
o Analog Data: Voice signals in traditional telephony,
analog sensor readings (e.g., temperature sensors).
o Digital Data: Data stored in computers, digital audio
files, digital sensor readings (e.g., digital thermometers).
4. Conversion:
o Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC): Process of
converting analog data into digital form using devices like
ADCs, essential for digital processing and storage.
o Digital-to-Analog Conversion (DAC): Process of
converting digital data back into analog form, used in
devices like digital-to-analog converters in audio systems.
5. Applications:
o Analog Data: Used in traditional communication
systems, analog sensors, and older audio/video
equipment.
o Digital Data: Used in modern communication systems,
computers, digital sensors, and IoT devices.
Analog and Digital Signals
1. Definition:
o Analog Signals: Continuous signals that vary over time,
representing analog data. They can have an infinite number
of values within a range.
o Digital Signals: Discrete signals that represent digital data.
They have a finite number of values, typically binary (0s and
2. Characteristics:
o Analog Signals: Susceptible to noise and interference,
which can degrade the signal quality over distance.
o Digital Signals: More resistant to noise and interference,
making them more reliable for long-distance communication.
3. Waveforms:
o Analog Signals: Typically represented by sine waves, which
are smooth and continuous.
o Digital Signals: Represented by square waves, which
have abrupt transitions between high and low states.
4. Transmission:
o Analog Signals: Used in traditional communication
systems like AM/FM radio and analog TV.
o Digital Signals: Used in modern communication systems
like digital TV, internet, and mobile networks.
5. Advantages and Disadvantages:
o Analog Signals:
Advantages: Simpler to generate and process, can
carry more information in a given bandwidth.
Disadvantages: More susceptible to noise, harder to
multiplex, and less efficient for long-distance
communication.
o Digital Signals:
Advantages: More resistant to noise, easier to
multiplex, and more efficient for long-distance
communication.
Disadvantages: Requires more bandwidth for
transmission, more complex to generate and
2.Phase
3.Wavelength
Definition: Wavelength is the distance between two
consecutive peaks or troughs of a wave, typically measured in
meters.
Relation to Frequency: Wavelength is inversely proportional to
frequency (λ
= v/f, where v is the wave velocity and f is frequency).
Wireless Communication: In IoT and wireless networks,
wavelength determines the type of antenna and propagation
characteristics of the signal.
Spectrum Allocation: Wavelength is critical in spectrum
allocation for different communication technologies (e.g., Wi-
Fi, Bluetooth, 5G).
5. Composite Signals
1. Bit Rate
1. Definition:
Bit rate refers to the number of bits transmitted per
second over a communication channel, measured in bits
per second (bps).
2. Importance in IoT:
In IoT, bit rate determines how quickly data can be transmitted
between devices, which is critical for real-time applications like
smart home systems or industrial automation.
3. Factors Affecting Bit Rate:
o Bandwidth of the channel.
o Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
o Modulation techniques used.
4. Units:
Common units include kbps (kilobits per second), Mbps
(megabits per second), and Gbps (gigabits per second).
5. Impact on Performance:
Higher bit rates enable faster data transmission but require more
bandwidth and better signal quality, which can be challenging in
IoT environments with limited resources.
2. Bit Length
1. Definition:
Bit length refers to the physical distance a single bit occupies on a
transmission medium, calculated as the propagation speed
divided by the bit rate.
2. Formula:
Bit Length = (Propagation Speed) / (Bit Rate).
For example, in optical fiber, the propagation speed is
approximately 2 x 10^8 m/s.
3. Importance in IoT:
In IoT, shorter bit lengths are preferred for high-speed
communication, especially in applications like sensor networks or
autonomous vehicles.
4. Relation to Signal Integrity:
Longer bit lengths can lead to signal distortion, especially in high-
speed networks, making it crucial to optimize transmission media.
5. Impact on Network Design:
Engineers must consider bit length when designing networks to
ensure efficient data transmission and minimal latency, which is
vital for IoT devices operating in real-time.
3. Challenges in IoT:
o Noise and Interference: IoT devices often operate
in noisy environments, requiring robust error
detection and correction mechanisms.
o Power Constraints: Many IoT devices are battery-powered,
so efficient transmission methods are essential.
4. Transmission Media:
Common media include wired (e.g., Ethernet, fiber optics) and
wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee). The choice depends
on the IoT application.
5. Importance of Protocols:
Protocols like TCP/IP, MQTT, and CoAP ensure reliable transmission
of digital signals in IoT networks, enabling seamless communication
between devices.
Transmission Impairments:
1. Attenuation
2. Distortion
3. Noise
Performance:
1. Throughput
1. Definition:
Throughput refers to the amount of data successfully transmitted
from one point to another in a given time period, typically measured
in bits per second (bps).
2. Importance in Networks:
It is a critical metric for evaluating network performance, as it
indicates how efficiently data is being transferred.
3. Factors Affecting Throughput:
2. Latency (Delay)
1. Definition:
Latency is the time it takes for a data packet to travel from the
source to the destination, measured in milliseconds (ms).
2. Types of Latency:
o Transmission Delay: Time to push all bits into the medium.
o Propagation Delay: Time for a signal to travel through the
medium.
o Processing Delay: Time taken by routers/switches to
process the packet.
o Queuing Delay: Time spent in queues at network devices.
3. Importance in Networks:
Low latency is critical for real-time applications like VoIP, online
gaming, and video conferencing.
4. IoT Relevance:
In IoT, latency is vital for time-sensitive applications such as
autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and healthcare
monitoring.
5. Reducing Latency:
o Use of edge computing to process data closer to the source.
o Optimizing routing algorithms.
o Upgrading to low-latency networks (e.g., 5G or fiber optics).
MODULE 3
Introduction to IoT:
1. What is IoT?
1. Clayster
2. Thinger.io
3. SenseIoT
4. Carriots
5. Node-RED