Research into Communication Protocols/Applications

Index

Applications, 4

FTP, 4

Networking, 1-2

Network Simulation, 3-4

Protocol, 3-4

TCP, 4

Workstation, 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

Networks and Network simulation are a big help for industries and people nowadays. These two new means of communicating makes it easier for people, institutions or other organizations to share data they need. The paper takes a look at networking and network simulation. It will compare the difference between protocols and applications and research into how TCP and FTP are implemented within the NS simulation environment.

 

Introduction

As computer technology moves and continues to move in the direction of networks to support mission-critical and newer applications, the complexity of tools and processes, along with people who are needed to build, operate, and monitor the networks, has become visible to more and more computer managers and users throughout the organization. The way an organization approaches the design, implementation, and operation of networking can make or break the quality of its network services. More than ever, networks of all types, whether they be local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), Wide area networks (WANs), intranets, extranets, linkage to the Internet and the World Wide Web, or a combination of these using wired or wireless technologies are at the very heart of a company’s operations ( 2003).

 

 For a company to be successful, a strategic computer network plan should start with defining the services that the computer network will offer the line operations of its business for optimizing operations (2003). If applied properly, sophisticated computer networking can help companies optimize their operations. In effect, computer networking provides a road to the future by allowing company information systems to talk to one another in an optimum manner. E-commerce enables businesses to streamline their everyday operations. At the same time, computer networking is allowing the dissemination of important output from smart technology to the appropriate parties whether they are within or outside the organization (2003).

 

Networking is something that gives so much benefit to businesses and institutions. Through networking business gets to share data, share different files, compare and contrast information and perform various activities using a specific data without the use of portable devices. The use of networking helps business in sharing data that other people may need to do the certain task or activity assigned to them. The use of networking helps in sharing different files. These files may be in the form of reports, presentation, or letters. Moreover the use of networking helps business in comparing data with other data owned by other people in the organization.

 

The use of networking helps business in acquiring data from different people in the organization and then comparing it with other works to come up with something that can help the company achieve its goals. Lastly networking helps in making sure that various activities can be performed by people using a single data without using portable devices. There can be different benefits of networking. One benefit of networking is it helps in making business activities be done easier; it creates an environment of efficiency. Networking through it having to undergo shorter processes to transfer files helps in making activities easier. Networking also helps in speeding up certain business processes. Networking removes the high probability of errors since files and data can be shared directly. The first figure shows an example of a network system.

Figure 1 Diagram of a network system

(Taken from www.neotelecom.com)

Figure 2 Different kinds of networking topologies

(*Taken from www.comptechdoc.org)

Network Simulation

Conventional capacity-planning methods have not been able to keep up with large enterprise networks because of their variables and randomness. Time and budget constraints don't allow the construction of test networks, and problems such as bottlenecks and weaknesses are hard to pinpoint. Simulating the operation of a software-based network plan will show the impact on performance as changes are made to the network architecture such as devices, capacities and speeds before budget money is spent and the network is implemented (1995). Simulation tools typically run on a PC under Windows or on a Unix workstation, and they can be used for network analysis, design and simulation. Designers first create a virtual model of the network topology on the PC or workstation screen. Next, network traffic characteristics are entered and then an analysis or simulation is run of the network design model to obtain the results (1995). Network simulation helps in ensuring that the network will be usable and it will not create more problems for the organization using it. Network simulation is a program installed into computers to check the status of the network, how data flows and whether or not data goes to its destination.

 

Difference Between protocols and applications

Protocols

Although some networks are relatively autonomous or they are self-contained spaces almost all allow connections to other networks by employing common communication protocols which are ways of exchanging information to form a global system (2001). The incompatibility of computers from different vendors was another hurdle that limited the scope and range of the original address and routing parameter area (ARPA) network. What was needed was a common communication protocol that could cut across various platforms and vendor equipment ( 2001).  A protocol is to computers what language is to humans. Both are sets of rules that all parties understand and agree on before they can communicate with each other. A communication protocol known as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) was adopted by arbitrated loop party address (ALPA) for use by all the interconnecting nodes ( 2001). A protocol is a set of rules that helps different parties in the network to understand each other. Communication protocol serves as a language that helps in making communication in a network possible. It helps in creating rules in networking so that no other problems will arise.  Protocols are also used so that even if there are different equipments that transfer network communications; two or more networks can still understand each other.

 

Applications

Applications are what make sure that the communication between networks runs smoothly. It helps in ensuring that the flow of communication goes smoothly with networks. Applications make sure that there are transactions that happened among networks. It is one that makes sure that transaction is happening between two networks.  Protocols are language of the network while applications are its hands.

 

How TCP and FTP are implemented

TCP

TCP makes sure that there is no network traffic; it makes sure that there are no congestion in the network. TCP also makes sure that there is a reliable connection in the network. This is done by retransmitting lost packets. Without TCP there will be chaos in sending files and data to different networks. More time will be wasted and data cannot be easily acquired by networks needing it. The

 

FTP

FTP on the other hand makes sure that no problems exist when file is transmitted from one network to another. It determines what type of file can be transported and at what time can files be transported from one network system.  TCP and FTP are implemented through the use of different devices.  These different devices are used according to its capacity to adjust to different kinds of systems, and platforms.