Early Developments in Computer Networking
A computer network consists of a collection of computers and other hardware devices connected together using communication channels or transmission media so that they can communicate with each other. A typical computer network comprises of at least 2 computers, transmission media, network interface device and network operating system software. There are two broad types of network configuration; peer-to-peer networks and client/server networks.
The table below summarises the developments in Computer Networking.
Year |
Development |
1940 |
Teletype machine was produced and utilized by George Stibitz to send guidelines from his model in Dartmouth College to an adding machine in New York and got results in same way [1]. |
1950’s |
Semi-Automatic Ground Environment(SAGE) and Military Radar System were developed and used as early networks of communicating computers. |
1960 |
Airline Reservation System SAMBRE (Semi-Automatic Business Research Environment) was developed and used two connected mainframes. |
1962 |
Intergalactic Computer Network was created by J.C.R Licklider to permit information and projects in computers to be accessed in anyplace on the planet [1]. |
1964 |
Time sharing system was developed at Dartmouth for sparse users of huge computer systems. |
1965 |
Lawrence G. Roberts developed first WAN (Wide Area Network). |
1972 |
Commercial services that used X.25 were created and deployed. |
1996 |
Mr. Brent Townshend invented 56k modem [1]. |
2001 |
Home broadband entered standard use and grew quicker than web dial-up administrations [1]. |
2010 |
100 Gigabit Ethernet was fully completed[1]. |
This model comprises of the following layers:
Physical Layer – This layer manages mechanical, electrical and timing issues. The protocols related with the physical layer are reliant upon network type.
Data-link Layer – This layer handles communications between different network nodes. It has 2 sublayers, Media Access Control (MAC) and Logical Link Control (LLC) sublayers.
Network Layer – It establishes paths for data movement via the network. It handles translation of logical addresses to physical addresses.
Transport layer – This layer conveys messages between arranged hosts and the fracture and reassembly of messages.
Session Layer – This layer handles sessions between the applications communicating.
Presentation Layer – This layer defines the linguistic structure that two PC network hosts use in communication.
Application Layer – It handles end-user services, such as emails, transfer of files, management of networks among others.
TCP/IP Model
This model comprises of the following layers:
Host-to-Network Layer – At this layer, the host needs to interface with the system by means of some protocol and the protocol must enable it to send IP packets.
Internet Layer – This layer licenses hosts to infuse packets into any system and travel autonomously to their goal. Packet switching is the key capacity and Internet Protocol (IP) is in charge of guaranteeing that packets get to the correct address.
Transport Layer – This does same functions as OSI Transport Layer. It utilizes Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
Application Layer – This layer is answerable for providing end-user services and compares to OSI application layer.
The figure below shows the OSI and TCP/IP layers in summary
The keyboard has been and is still the basic input device for computers for several years now. Its layout originates from early typewriters. The first typewriter was introduced in 1860.
The QWERTY layout was established in 1874 and since then it has been the standard layout for all English-language keyboards [5]. The other common keyboard layout is the Dvorak and is supported by popular operating systems.
Computer Mouse
The designer of the PC mouse is Douglas Carl Engelbart. The primary PC mouse, made in the 1960s was described as the X-Y position pointer for a display system [5]. It was later called a mouse in light of the fact that the link took after a mouse’s tail. The primary broadly accessible mice were offered by Microsoft in 1983 and its prevalence has relentlessly developed over years
The OSI and TCP/IP Layers in Detail
A protocol is an agreement between parties on how a correspondence will occur. Protocol suites that function at Network layer are routable or routed protocols. The table below summarizes some routable protocols;
Protocol |
Description |
Routing information protocols (RIP) |
RIP is a forceful protocol type utilizing distance vector algorithm. It is used in LANs and WANs and has a maximum capability of 15 hops[2]. |
Interior gateway routing protocol (IGRP) |
IGRP (Interior gateway Protocol) is a protocol made by Cisco. It maintains multiple metrics for routes [2] together with delay-load, bandwidth and reliability. |
Open shortest path first (OSPF) |
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) is categorized as link state routing protocol [2]. OSPF operates in the internet protocol. |
Enhanced interior gateway routing protocol (EIGRP) |
EIGRP protocol makes use of optimization to reduce routing unsteadiness, bandwidth and processing power usage in the router. |
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) |
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) maintains a table for Internet protocol (IP) networks that then authorizes the network reaching ability. |
Intermediate System to Intermediate System (ISIS) |
This protocol is utilized to determine the best way to promote datagram in a packet switched network. |
The speed of internet grows at the rate of 50% per year. The formula for calculating internet speed growth is c*1.5^n, n is the years, c is a constant. Below is a sample figure and table showing the growth of internet speed.
year |
1990 |
1992 |
1994 |
1996 |
1998 |
2000 |
2002 |
2004 |
2006 |
kbits/s |
1.2 |
2.7 |
6.1 |
13.7 |
30.8 |
69.2 |
155.7 |
350.3 |
788.2 |
year |
2006 |
2008 |
2010 |
2012 |
2014 |
2016 |
2018 |
2020 |
kbits/s |
788.2 |
1773.5 |
3990.3 |
8978.2 |
20200.9 |
45452.1 |
102267 |
230101 |
Since the mid-1990s, when the issue of working environment related musculoskeletal issue (MSD) has increased far reaching consideration. There is requirement for interests in furniture and PC peripherals that are ergonomically intended to avoid working environment related wounds. The following are guidelines for effective and pain-free computer use:
- Be adjusted to allow your arms to rest at a 90-degree angle to the keyboard
- Allow separation of monitor and keyboard.
- Have a chair that supports your back in an upright seated position with a slight arch that may or may not contain a lumbar roll for the lower back
- Position the monitor to be directly in front of you (at least 18 inches) and at eye level
- Keep feet flat on the floor with the legs in a parallel position, and for the vertically challenged, a footrest may be needed
- If using a hard-copy document, use a document holder to keep it at eye level
For the mobile users, contemplates have recorded different client setups, which regularly incorporate non-impartial stances, that clients receive when utilizing versatile innovation, alongside some confirmation proposing that more drawn out term of utilization is related with more distress. It is advisable that users don’t stick in any given posture for too long.
The future of computer networking has been especially difficult to predict because it is technically complex, networks operate on world-wide scale and are well commercialized, making it challenging for observers to understand challenges and see trends. However, if network technology’s growth continues as quickly as it has in the previous years, we will have numerous adjustments in future. Here are a few examples:
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a recent architecture that is dynamic, reasonable, practical, versatile and expects to make systems coordinated and adaptable [7]. Its will likely enhance arrange control by pushing businesses to react faster to changing business requirements. SDN architecture comprises three layers as shown in the figure below;
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing refers to conveyance of computing services, databases, analytics, networking, software and others via Internet [8]. Future of cloud centers around hybrid and multi-cloud deployments.
Hybrid solutions should imply that workloads will naturally move to the most streamlined and financially savvy condition, in light of execution needs, security, information residency, application workload qualities, end-client request and activity.
Intelligent Networking
An intelligent network (IN) is a network begun by Bell Communications Research the conventional framework standard range. It has expanded telecom’s capacities past its interesting basic limit of empowering phone calls.
A later form of IN called Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) presents the possibility of an administration autonomous engineering making it simple to add new administrations without installing new telephone gear.
The Internet of Things is a network of computing equipment, mechanical and computerized machines, articles, creatures or individuals that use sensors and APIs to connect and data exchange via Internet. IoT depends on technologies such as application programming interfaces (APIs), Big Data management tools, predictive analytics, AI and machine learning, the cloud and radio-frequency identification (RFID).
References
K. Stafford, “A Brief History Of Computer Network Technology | Visual.ly”, ly, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://visual.ly/community/infographic/technology/brief-history-computer-network-technology. [Accessed: 28- Aug- 2018].
“Type of Routing Protocol – RIP – IGRP – OSPF – EGP – EIGRP – BGP – ISIS Protocols | FreeWimaxInfo.com”, com, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://freewimaxinfo.com/routing-protocol-types.html. [Accessed: 28- Aug- 2018].
V. Cerf and R. Kahn, “A protocol for packet network intercommunication,” IEEE Trans. Commun., vol. COM-22,1974, pp. 637–648.
V. DiCiccio, C. Sunshine, J. Field, and E. Manning, “Alternatives for interconnection of public packet switching data networks,” 6th Data Commun. Symp., Nov. 1979, ACM/IEEE, pp. 120–125.
A. Mpitziopoulos, “A Brief History of Keyboards & the Birth of the Mouse – Computer History”, Tom’s Hardware, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/history-of-computers,4518-37.html. [Accessed: 29- Aug- 2018].
D. Clark, “The design philosophy of the DARPA internet protocols,” SIGCOMM’88 Symp., Stanford, Aug. 1988, pp. 106–114.
M. Rouse, “What is software-defined networking (SDN)? – Definition from WhatIs.com”, SearchSDN, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://searchsdn.techtarget.com/definition/software-defined-networking-SDN. [Accessed: 28- Aug- 2018].
C. Donelly, “Cloud computing: Past, present and future – Ahead in the Clouds”, com, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.computerweekly.com/blog/Ahead-in-the-Clouds/Cloud-computing-Past-present-and-future. [Accessed: 28- Aug- 2018].