Lecture Eight Flashcards
What is a Network?
A system or group of interconnected entities.
Examples of Networks
Social Networks: Interactions and connections among individuals or groups.
Professional Networks: Connections based on professional affiliations.
Road/Rail Networks: Infrastructure for transportation and logistics.
Biological Networks: Interconnected biological systems, such as neural networks.
Radio Networks: Systems of interconnected radio stations and transmitters.
Electrical Networks: Systems of interconnected electrical components.
Network Characteristics
Defined by their constituent entities and the nature of their interconnections.
Data Networks - Purpose
Facilitate efficient transfer and exchange of information.
Data Networks - Modern Context
Transition from physical to digital data exchange, emphasizing speed and efficiency.
Coaxial Cables
Thinnet (10Base2): Maximum length of 200 meters, largely obsolete in modern networks.
Thicknet (10Base5): Maximum length of 500 meters, also obsolete.
Twisted Pair Cables
Utilize differential mode transmission.
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP): Provides protection against electromagnetic interference.
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP):
Cat3: Supports 10 Mbps, used in older telecommunication setups.
Cat5: Supports 100 Mbps, common in traditional Ethernet networks.
Cat6: Supports 1 Gbps, used for high-speed Ethernet.
UTP Cabling - Advantages Over Coaxial
Less prone to electromagnetic interference and crosstalk.
UTP Cabling - Differential Model Transmission
Signal Encoding: Utilizes two complementary signals.
Signal Detection: Based on voltage differences between the pair.
Noise Handling: Uniform noise across pairs allows for effective decoding.
UTP Cabling - Twist Rates
Different twist rates minimize interference in bundled cables.
UTP Cabling - Ethernet Cable Types
Straight-Through Cables: Connect devices of different types (e.g., switch to router).
Crossover Cables: Connect devices of the same type (e.g., switch to switch).
Optical Fibre - Material
Made by drawing glass (silica) or plastic to a fine diameter.
Optical Fibre - Single Mode Fibres (SMF)
Supports one propagation path.
Used for long-distance communication (>1 km).
Optical Fibre - Multi Mode Fibres (MMF)
Supports multiple propagation paths.
Wider core diameter, used for short-distance links.
Optical Fibre - Applications
Used in long-haul trunks, metropolitan trunks, local loops, and Local Area Networks (LANs).
Wireless Transmission Media - Transmission Without Conductors
Information transmitted using electromagnetic waves.
Wireless Transmission Media - Characteristics
Unbound and Unguided: No physical medium required for transmission.
Long-Distance Capabilities: Can travel vast distances without the need for a line of sight.
Stochastic Medium: Affected by scattering and deflection, making it unpredictable.
Wireless Transmission Media - Examples
Sound Waves
Water Waves
Light Waves
Vacuum (Space)
Wireless Technologies
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
3G/4G/5G LTE
Satellite Communications
Hubs - Definition
Basic networking devices operating at the Physical Layer.
Hubs - Functionality
Repeaters: Relay incoming bits to all other connected links.
Collision Domains: Define areas where data packets can interfere with each other.
Limitations: No framing or MAC protocol, rely on host Network Interface Cards (NICs) to detect collisions.
Hubs - Usage
Historically used in simple network setups, largely replaced by switches in modern networks.
Collision Domains - Defintion
A network segment where data packets can interfere and collide, causing transmission failures.