Data Communication and Networks

1. Data Communication and Networks Lecture 1 Introduction and Overview September 7, 2006

2. A Communications Model • Source • generates data to be transmitted • Transmitter • Converts data into transmittable signals • Transmission System • Carries data • Receiver • Converts received signal into data • Destination • Takes incoming data

3. Simplified Communications Model - Diagram

4. Key Communications Tasks • Transmission System Utilization • Interfacing • Signal Generation • Synchronization • Error detection and correction • Addressing and routing • Recovery • Message formatting • Security • Network Management

5. Networking • Point to point communication not usually practical • Devices are too far apart • Large set of devices would need impractical number of connections • Solution is a communications network

6. Simplified Network Model

7. mesh of interconnected routers the fundamental question: how is data transferred through net? circuit switching: dedicated circuit per call: telephone net packet-switching: data sent thru net in discrete “chunks” The Network Core

8. End-end resources reserved for “call” link bandwidth, switch capacity dedicated resources: no sharing circuit-like (guaranteed) performance call setup required Network Core: Circuit Switching

9. Example: 4 users FDM frequency time TDM frequency time Circuit Switching: FDM and TDM

10. each end-end data stream divided into packets user A, B packets share network resources each packet uses full link bandwidth resources used as needed Network Core: Packet Switching resource contention: • aggregate resource demand can exceed amount available • congestion: packets queue, wait for link use • store and forward: packets move one hop at a time • Node receives complete packet before forwarding

11. Sequence of A & B packets does not have fixed pattern  statistical multiplexing. In TDM each host gets same slot in revolving TDM frame. D E Packet Switching: Statistical Multiplexing 10 Mb/s Ethernet C A statistical multiplexing 1.5 Mb/s B queue of packets waiting for output link

12. Great for bursty data resource sharing simpler, no call setup Excessive congestion: packet delay and loss protocols needed for reliable data transfer, congestion control Q: How to provide circuit-like behavior? bandwidth guarantees needed for audio/video apps still an unsolved problem (chapter 6) Is packet switching a “slam dunk winner?” Packet switching versus circuit switching

13. Local Area Networks • Smaller scope • Building or small campus • Usually owned by same organization as attached devices • Data rates much higher • Usually broadcast systems

14. Protocols • Used for communications between entities in a system • Must speak the same language • Entities • User applications • e-mail facilities • terminals • Systems • Computer • Terminal • Remote sensor

15. Key Elements of a Protocol • Syntax • Data formats • Signal levels • Semantics • Control information • Error handling • Timing • Speed matching • Sequencing

16. human protocols: “what’s the time?” “I have a question” introductions … specific msgs sent … specific actions taken when msgs received, or other events network protocols: machines rather than humans all communication activity in Internet governed by protocols What’s a protocol? protocols define format, order of msgs sent and received among network entities, and actions taken on msg transmission, receipt

17. a human protocol and a computer network protocol: TCP connection reply. Get http://gaia.cs.umass.edu/index.htm Got the time? 2:00 <file> time What’s a protocol? Hi TCP connection req. Hi

18. In Summary, a protocol is .... • An agreement about communication between two or more entities • It specifies – Format of messages – Meaning of messages – Rules for exchange – Procedures for handling problems

19. Protocol Specification • As designers, we can specify a protocol using • Event-Time Diagrams • Transition Diagrams • We can implement a protocol with a Finite State Machine (FSM) • Internet Protocols are formalized by RFCs which are administered by IETF • You can find any RFChere

20. Event -Time Diagrams • Define causal ordering • Define indication/request/response actions

21. Transition Diagram • Illustrates • States • Input (the Event that causes transition) • Transitions (to new states)

22. Networks are complex! many “pieces”: hosts routers links of various media applications protocols hardware, software Question: Is there any hope of organizing structure of network? Or at least our discussion of networks? Protocol “Layers”

23. Why layering? Dealing with complex systems: • explicit structure allows identification, relationship of complex system’s pieces • layered reference model for discussion • modularization eases maintenance, updating of system • change of implementation of layer’s service transparent to rest of system • e.g., change in gate procedure doesn’t affect rest of system • Can layering sometimes be undesirable?

24. application: supporting network applications FTP, SMTP, HTTP transport: process-process data transfer TCP, UDP network: routing of datagrams from source to destination IP, routing protocols link: data transfer between neighboring network elements PPP, Ethernet physical: bits “on the wire” application transport network link physical Internet protocol stack

25. network link physical link physical M M M Ht M Hn Hn Hn Hn Ht Ht Ht Ht M M M M Hn Ht Ht Hl Hl Hl Hn Hn Hn Ht Ht Ht M M M source Encapsulation message application transport network link physical segment datagram frame switch destination application transport network link physical router

26. OSI • Open Systems Interconnection • Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) • Seven layers • A theoretical system delivered too late! • TCP/IP is the de facto standard

27. OSI - The Model • A layer model • Each layer performs a subset of the required communication functions • Each layer relies on the next lower layer to perform more primitive functions • Each layer provides services to the next higher layer • Changes in one layer should not require changes in other layers

28. Standards • Required to allow for interoperability between equipment • Advantages • Ensures a large market for equipment and software • Allows products from different vendors to communicate • Disadvantages • Freeze technology • May be multiple standards for the same thing

29. packets queue in router buffers packet arrival rate to link exceeds output link capacity packets queue, wait for turn packet being transmitted (delay) packets queueing (delay) free (available) buffers: arriving packets dropped (loss) if no free buffers How do loss and delay occur? A B

30. 1. nodal processing: check bit errors determine output link transmission A propagation B nodal processing queueing Four sources of packet delay • 2. queueing • time waiting at output link for transmission • depends on congestion level of router

31. 3. Transmission delay: R=link bandwidth (bps) L=packet length (bits) time to send bits into link = L/R 4. Propagation delay: d = length of physical link s = propagation speed in medium (~2x108 m/sec) propagation delay = d/s transmission A propagation B nodal processing queueing Delay in packet-switched networks Note: s and R are very different quantities!