LAN is a datacomm

system allowing a number of

independent devices to
communicate directly with
each other, within a
moderately sized geographic
area over a physical
communications channel.

• A LAN usually connects

servers, workstations,
printers, and mass storage
devices, enabling users to
share the resources.

• Most local area networks

are built with relatively
inexpensive hardware such
as Ethernet cables, network
adapters, and hubs.
LAN APPLICATIONS: LAN ACCESS PROTOCOLS :
• Personal computer LANs
– low cost 1. Ethernet
– limited data rate
2. Token ring
• Back end networks
3. FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface)
– Interconnecting large systems
(mainframes and large storage
devices).

• high data rate

• high speed interface

• distributed access

• limited distance

• limited number of devices

 LAN TOPOLOGIES:

1. BUS 2. RING

3. STAR 4. TREE
BUS TOPOLOGY

• Used with multipoint

medium

• Allows for
transmission and
reception

•Avoids collisions and

hogging.

• Terminator absorbs
frames at end of
medium.
RING TOPOLOGY

• A closed loop of
repeaters joined by
point to
point links

• Receive data on one

link & retransmit on
another
– links unidirectional
– stations attach to
repeaters

• Media access control

determines when a
station
can insert frame
STAR TOPOLOGY

• Each station connects to

central node
– usually via two point to
point links.

• Either central node can

broadcast
– only one station can
transmit at a time.

• central node can act as

frame switch
TREE TOPOLOGY

• Used with
multipoint medium

• Heard by all
stations

• Full duplex
connection between
station and tap

• Need to regulate
transmission

• Tree is a
generalization of bus
HARDWARE COMPONENTS of a local area network…

A local area network is made of computers linked by a set of software and

hardware elements. The hardware elements used for connecting computers to one
another are:

The network card: This is a card connected to the

computer's motherboard, which interfaces with the
physical medium, meaning the physical lines over
which the information travels

The socket: This is the element used to mechanically

connect the network card with the physical medium.

The physical connection medium: The main physical support media used in
local area networks are:
•Coaxial cable
•Twisted pair
•Fiber optics
 LAN’s TRANSMISSION MEDIA…
Twisted pair Coaxial cable
Voice grade unshielded Baseband coaxial cable
twisted pair (UTP) – uses digital signaling
– Cat 3 phone, cheap, low – original Ethernet
data rates Broadband coaxial cable
Shielded twisted pair – as in cable TV systems
– more expensive, higher – analog signals at radio frequencies
data rates. – expensive, hard to install & maintain.

Optical fiber
– security, high capacity, small size, high cost
DEVICES USED FOR CONNECTIVITY…
LAN PROTOCOL ARCHITECHTURE…
LAN PROTOCOLS IN CONTEXT…
 MAC FRAME FORMAT…

• MAC layer detects errors and discards frames

Connection of Two LANs
Why High Speed LANs?
How’s the
• Speed and power of PCs has weather in
Seattle, Mar?
risen
– Graphics-intensive
applications & GUIs.
kashaw@cs.stanford.edu
• LANs are essential for Ethernet
client/server computing

• Now have requirements for

– centralized server farms
Network

Ethernet (CSMA/CD)
mar@cs.washington.edu
• Developed by Token-
ring
– Xerox - original Ethernet
– IEEE 802.3

• Carrier Sense Multiple Access

with
MSN Messenger
Collision Detection (CSMA/CD)
Large LAN Organization
Diagram :
 SUMMARY
•LAN is a computer network covering a small physical area, like a home, office, or
small group of buildings, such as a school, or an airport.

• LAN usually links computers (or resources such as printers) using a wired
transmission medium (most frequently twisted pairs or coaxial cables).

• Logical topologies  1. Ethernet 2.Token Ring 3. FDDI

(10mbps,100mbps) (16mbps) (100mbps)

• Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD)

• Packets routed based on physical address (MAC).

• Ethernet technologies
– CSMA/CD media access
– 10Mbps Ethernet
– 100Mbps Ethernet
– 1Gbps Ethernet
– 10Gbps Ethernet