This document provides an introductory lecture on computer networks by Shahzad Ali. It defines what a network is and discusses different types of computer networks including personal area networks (PAN), local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), and wide area networks (WAN). The document also covers network design topics such as client-server and peer-to-peer networks, common network topologies (bus, ring, star, mesh), network protocols, and whether networks are wired or wireless. It provides examples and details for each topic.

1. Networking
Fundamentals
Instructor: Shahzad Ali
Lec#1
27th Oct, 2015
Punjab Group of Colleges, Pakpattan Campus

2. Course Instructor
Shahzad Ali
Email: shahzadali039@gmail.com

3. Introductions to Computer
Networks
Introductory Lecture

4. What is a Network?
• Networks means Interconnection
• Interconnection of People

5. Network

6. Network

7. Computer Network
• In information technology, a network is a series of points or
nodes interconnected by communication paths.
• A collection of computing devices that are connected in
various ways in order to communicate and share resources
• Usually, the connections between computers in a network
are made using physical wires or cables
 However, some connections are wireless, using radio waves or infrared signals

8. Computer Network

9. Computer Network
• Simply referred to as a network
• Collection of hardware components and software
• Interconnected by communication channels
• Allow sharing of resources and information
• Example:
o Two computers connecting together is an example of a network.

10. Classification of Networks
• Area Networks
• Network Design
• Network Topology
• Network Protocols
• Wired vs. Wireless

11. Area Networks
• LAN – Local Area Network
• MAN – Metropolitan Area Network
• WAN – Wide Area Network
• PAN – Personal Area Network

12. Personal Area Network
• Small Computer network
• A personal area network, or PAN, is a computer network
organized around an individual person within a single building
• A PAN may include wired and wireless devices
• The reach of a PAN typically extends to 10 meters
o Wired – USB
o Wireless- Bluetooth and Infrared
• Some examples of devices are
o PCs
o Printers
o Fax machines
o Scanners, etc.

13. Local Area Network
• A network that connects computers and devices in a
limited geographical area such as
 Home
 School
 Computer laboratory
 Office building

14. Metropolitan Area Network
• A computer network that usually spans a city or a large
campus
• A MAN usually interconnects a number of LANs
• Uses a high-capacity backbone technology, such as fiber-
optical links
• Within limits of a city
• Example:
o Cable TV Network

15. Wide Area Network
• WAN spans a large physical distance
• The Internet is the best largest WAN spanning the Earth.

16. Network Design

17. 17
• Network Clients (Workstation)
• Computers that request network resources or services
• Network Servers
• Computers that manage and provide network resources and services to clients
• Usually have more processing power, memory and hard disk space than clients
Client-Server Network

18. Client-Server Network
• Server – Service Provider
• Client – Service Requester

19. Peer-to-Peer Network
• Peer-to-peer network is also called workgroup
• No hierarchy among computers  all are equal

20. Network Topology
• Topology
 Design of Network
 Or refers to the layout of connected devices
 Think of a topology as a network’s virtual shape or structure

21. Network Topology
Types of topology
• Physical
o Actual layout of the computer cables and other network devices
• Logical
o The way in which the network appears to the devices that use it

22. Types Network Topologies
• Bus
• Ring
• Star
• Mesh

23. Network Protocols
• An agreed-upon set of rules for transmitting data between
two devices.
• Protocols specify interactions between the communicating
entities.

24. Network Protocols
Types of Protocols Used
• Proprietary Systems
o A system that uses technologies kept private by a particular
commercial vendor
• Open systems
o Systems based on a common model of network architecture and a
suite of protocols used in its implementation

25. Wired Vs. Wireless
• Network with Ethernet cables predominated in businesses,
schools, and homes for several decades.
• Recently wireless
networking alternatives
have emerged as the
premier technology
for building new
computer networks.

27. Q&A
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