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Mit Professional Unit 2: Network Software

Unit 2: Network Software Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction

2.1 Network Architecture
2.2 Layering the Communications Process
2.2.1 Design Issues for the Layers

2.3 Interfaces and Services
2.4 Reference Models
2.4.1 Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model
2.4.2 TCP/IP Reference Model
2.4.3 A Comparison of the OSI and TCP/IP Reference Models

2.5 Summary
2.6 Keywords
2.7 Review Questions

2.8 Further Readings
Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
Discuss concept of process network software and the significance of layering the
communication process and related design issues for the layers
Describe different technologies involved in defining the network hardware
Explain what are the reference models for computer networks and how they are related
with the OSI reference model
Introduction

The development of computer networks took place in gradual manner and is built in a highly
structured way. They are designed in such a way so that the network architecture and structure
could reduce the design complexity and enable the system designer to scale up and upgrade the
networks.

2.1 Network Architecture

Network architecture defines the communications products and services, which ensure that the
various components can work together. In the early days of data communication systems, the
majority of communications were between the DTE and the host computer. Therefore,
transmission control procedures were alone enough as communication protocols. However,
recent computer systems link with other systems to form a network, resulting in a situation
where in different protocols serving different purposes are required. Hence, the network

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