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SAN ISIDRO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

San Isidro, Davao Oriental
TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION
INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Quarter 1 – Week 3

COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING – 10

LESSON 2 - COMPUTER NETWORKS

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NETWORKS

A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via

communications devices and transmission media. Many businesses network their
computers together to facilitate communications, share hardware, share data and
information, share software, and transfer funds. A network can be internal to an
organization or span the world by connecting to the Internet.

Instead of using the Internet or an internal network, some companies hire a

value-added network provider for network functions. A value-added network (VAN)
is a third-party business that provides networking services for a fee.

Networks facilitate communications among users and allow users to share

resources with other users. Some examples of resources are data, information,
hardware, and software.

Networks usually are classified as a local area network, metropolitan area

network, or wide area network.

LAN A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and
devices in a limited geographical area such as a home, school computer laboratory,
office building, or closely positioned group of buildings. Each computer or device on
the network, called a node, often shares resources such as printers, large hard disks,
and programs. Often, the nodes are connected via cables. A wireless LAN (WLAN)
is a LAN that uses no physical wires. Very often, a WLAN communicates with a wired
LAN for access to its resources (Figure 8-7).

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 MAN A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a high-speed network that
connects local area networks in a metropolitan area such as a city or town and handles
the bulk of communications activity across that region. A MAN typically includes one
or more LANs, but covers a smaller geographic area than a WAN. A MAN usually is
managed by a consortium of users or by a single network provider that sells the service
to the users. Local and state governments, for example, regulate some MANs.
Telephone companies, cable television operators, and other organizations provide
users with connections to the MAN.

WAN A wide area network (WAN) is a network that covers a large geographic
area (such as a city, country, or the world) using a communications channel that
combines many types of media such as telephone lines, cables, and radio waves
(Figure 8-8). A WAN can be one large network or can consist of two or more LANs
connected together. The Internet is the world’s largest WAN.

Internet Peer-to-Peer Another type of peer-to-peer, called P2P, describes an

Internet network on which users access each other’s hard disks and exchange files
directly (Figure 8-11). This type of peer-to-peer network sometimes is called a file
sharing network because users with compatible software and an Internet connection
copy files from someone else’s hard disk to their hard disks. As more users connect
to the network, each user has access to shared files on other users’ hard disks. When
users log off, others no longer have access to their hard disks.

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Network Topologies

A network topology refers to the layout of the computers and devices in a

communications network. Three commonly used network topologies are star, bus, and
ring. Most networks, including the Internet, use combinations of these topologies.

Star Network On a star network, all of the computers and devices (nodes) on
the network connect to a central device, thus forming a star (Figure 8-12). Two types
of devices that provide a common central connection point for nodes on the network
are a hub and a switch. All data that transfers from one node to another passes through
the hub or switch.
Star networks are fairly easy to install and maintain. Nodes can be added to
and removed from the network with little or no disruption to the network.
On a star network, if one node fails, only that node is affected. The other nodes
continue to operate normally. If the hub or switch fails, however, the entire network is
inoperable until the device is repaired.

Bus Network A bus network consists of a single central cable, to which all
computers and other devices connect (Figure 8-13). The bus is the physical cable that
connects the computers and other devices. The bus in a bus network transmits data,
instructions, and information in both directions.
When a sending device transmits data, the address of the receiving device is
included with the transmission so that the data is routed to the appropriate
receiving device.
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 Bus networks are popular on LANs because they are inexpensive and easy to
install. One advantage of the bus network is that computers and other devices can be
attached and detached at any point on the bus without disturbing the rest of the
network. Another advantage is that failure of one device usually does not affect the
rest of the bus network. The greatest risk to a bus network is that the bus itself might
become inoperable. If that happens, the network remains inoperative until the bus is
back in working order.

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 Ring Network On a ring network, a cable forms a closed loop (ring) with all
computers and devices arranged along the ring (Figure 8-14). Data transmitted on a
ring network travels from device to device around the entire ring, in one direction.
When a computer or device sends data, the data travels to each computer on the ring
until it reaches its destination.
If a computer or device on a ring network fails, the entire network potentially
could stop functioning. A ring network can span a larger distance than a bus network,
but it is more difficult to install. The ring topology primarily is used for LANs, but also
is used in WANs.

Activity A. Direction: Draw and Illustrate the following statements:

(Use a Long Bond Paper)
1. Draw a LAN that connects three building (Admin Bldg., ICT Bldg., and Teachers
Faculty Bldg), each building consists of 3-5 computers connected in the network
with 1 printer respectively and 1 internet modem available for all.
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Activity B. Direction: Answer the following questions in a separate sheet of paper.
1. Describe the world if “Internet” was not created.
2. Which is the most applicable Network Topology can be used in a certain
establishment?
Activity C. Direction: Re-arrange the following letters to form the correct term and
match it on their respective definition. (Copy and Answer on the separate sheet of
paper)

a cable forms a closed loop (ring)

IRLESEWS LCLOA with all computers and devices
AARE WKNORET arranged along the ring

refers to the layout of the

NNTETEIR computers and devices in a
communications network.
ERPE-OT-PREE

A LAN that uses no physical

ORNWKET TLOPGOOY wires

describes an Internet network on

ETRLIPMOATON which users access each other’s
hard disks and exchange files
RAAE TNERKWO directly

a high-speed network that

INRG NTEORWK connects local area networks in a
metropolitan area such as a city
or town and handles the bulk of
communications activity across
that region.

End of Quarter 1 week 3

Congratulations!

Teacher: RUTH I. ADLAWAN

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