SESSION 2: NETWORKING FUNDAMENTALS

RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE

A computer network is a collection of computers and other hardware

components interconnected by communication channels (cables or satellites)
that allow sharing of resources and information. This session introduces you to
the basic fundamental concepts of networking and Internet and using different
types of Internet connection.

Networks are designed using the following architecture:

Peer-to-peer (P2P)

Networks in which all computers have an equal status are called peer to peer
networks. Generally in such a network each terminal has an equally competent
CPU.

Client- Server

Networks in which certain computers have special dedicated tasks, providing

services to other computers (in the network) are called client server networks.
The computer(s) which provide services are called servers and the ones that
use these services are called clients.

Types of networks

There are two major types of network Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area
Network (WAN).

Local Area Network

A local area network (LAN) is one which connects computers and devices in a
limited geographical area such as home, school, computer laboratory, office
building, or closely positioned group of buildings.

Usually local area networks offer very high speeds and are used for connecting
computers and peripherals such as printers, scanners, etc.

Wide Area Network

A wide area network (WAN) is one which covers a broad area (i.e., any network
that links across metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries). The Internet is
the most popular WAN, and is used by businesses, governments, non-profit
organizations, individual consumers, artists, entertainers, and many others.

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Internet

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use

the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a
network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic,
business, and government networks.

Internet is one of the most useful technologies of modern times which help us
in our daily, personal and professional life. Internet is widely used by students,
educational institutes; scientist and professionals to gather information for
research and general information. Businesses use the Internet to access
complex databases such as financial database. The Internet is the largest
encyclopaedia for all age groups. The Internet helps in maintaining contact
with friends and relatives who live across different locations via Internet
chatting systems and email software. Internet is also becoming a major source
of entertainment for the general public.

World Wide Web

World Wide Web (abbreviated as WWW or W3, commonly known as the Web), is
a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet. With a
web browser, one can view web pages that may contain text, images, videos,
and other multimedia, and navigate between them via hyperlinks.

Information is stored on web servers referred to as web pages are retrieved by

using a web browser such as Firefox on the local computer. A Web Browser is a
software used to view Web sites and acts as an interface between the user and
the World Wide Web. A Web server is a computer that stores web sites and
their related files for viewing on the Internet.

Some of the advantages associated with networking are:

 Data Sharing: One of the most important uses of networking is to allow the
sharing of data. Users can send text files, spread sheets, documents,
presentations, audio files, video files, etc. to other users.
 Hardware Sharing: Hardware components such as printers, scanners, etc.
can also be shared. For example, instead of purchasing 10 printers for each
user, one printer can be purchased and shared among multiple users thus
saving cost.
 Internet Access Sharing: You can purchase a single Internet connection and
share it among other computers in a network instead of purchasing multiple
Internet connection for each computer. This is very commonly found in
Internet café (browsing centres), schools, colleges, companies, etc.
 Usage of network based applications such as web browsers, email clients,
chat application, audio & video calling, etc is another advantage.

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Getting access to the Internet

To use the Internet, you need an Internet connection. Internet connections are
provided by Internet Service Providers such as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
(BSNL), Airtel, MTS, Vodafone, Tata Docomo, etc.

Internet Service Provider

An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization which provides you with

access to the Internet via a dial-up (using modem) or direct (hard wired) or
wireless connection.

Choosing connectivity depends on the availability of a particular technology,

speed and connection type in your area. Usually small and medium business
users, home users use connectivity types such as DSL, cable modem, dial-up,
broadband wireless, WiMAX or 3G. Medium to large business users or customers
with more demanding requirements may use high speed connectivity such as
DSL (High Speed), ISDN, etc.

Modem

Á modem is a device that converts digital computer signals into a form (analog
signals) that can travel over phone lines. It also re-converts the analog signals
back into digital signals. The word modem is derived from its function
MOdulator/DEModulator.

Types of Common Internet Connectivity

There are different types of Internet Connectivity available today; it can be

widely categorized into wired and wireless access. Following table is a summary
of different types of Internet connectivity categorized into wired and wireless:

Technology Type of Connectivity

Dial-Up Wired
DSL Wired
Cable Internet Access Wired
3G Wireless
WiMAX Wireless
Wi-Fi Wireless

Some of the commonly used Internet connectivity are:

Dial-up: Dial-up Internet access is a form of Internet access that uses the
facilities of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to establish a
connection to an Internet service provider (ISP) via telephone lines using a
device called MODEM. Users dial a particular number provided by the ISP and
gain access to the Internet.

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Dial-up connections are extremely slow and in most cases, it is replaced by a
high speed connection such as DSL or Cable Modem.

DSL: Digital subscriber line(DSL) provide Internet access by transmitting digital

data over wires of a local telephone network. DSL service is delivered along
with wired telephone service on the same telephone line. On the customer
premises, a DSL filter removes the high frequency interference, enabling
simultaneous use of the telephone and data transmission. For using a DSL
connection, you need a DSL modem and a subscription.

Cable Internet Access: Cable Internet Access is a form of broadband Internet

access that uses the cable television infrastructure. Cable Internet Access is
provided through existing cable TV networks; this is similar to DSL that is
provided over existing telephone lines.

3G: 3G, short for 3rd Generation is a set of standards used for mobile devices
and mobile telecommunication services and networks. High-Speed Downlink
Packet Access (HSDPA) is 3G mobile telephony communications protocol that
allows higher data transfer speeds and capacity. If support for 3G is available
on your mobile phone, you can subscribe to the 3G connectivity with your ISP in
order to get high speed Internet connection on your phone.

WiMAX: WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless

communications standard designed to provide mobile broadband connectivity
across cities and countries through a variety of devices. WiMAX is a long range
system, covering many kilometres and is typically used where DSL or Cable
Internet Access cannot be used; this could be difficulty in laying out cables for
home or offices located in remote locations but need access to the Internet.

WI-Fi: Wi-Fi is a popular technology that allows an electronic device such as

computers or mobile phones to exchange data wirelessly over a network,
including high-speed Internet connections. Wi-Fi devices such as personal
computer, smartphones, video game console, etc. can connect to a network
resource such as Internet through a device called the Wireless Access Point
(WAP). Wi-Fi is used where cables cannot be run (such as old buildings, outdoor
areas) to provide network and Internet access. Wi-Fi can also be used where
users require mobile connectivity.

Wi-Fi connectivity is used in home & offices, hotels, college & school campus
typically for Internet Access. Shopping malls, coffee shops, resorts mostly offer
free or paid Wi-Fi access to the Internet for their customers.

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Data transfer on the Internet

Having talked of data transfer and the Internet, have you ever wondered how
sitting in one corner of the world, you get information from another distant
area in a few seconds?

In very simple language, let’s see what happens to a piece of data, say a Web
page, when it is transferred over the Internet:

 The data is broken up into bits of same sized pieces called packets.
 A header is added to each packet explaining where the data has come from,
where it should end up and where it fits in with the rest of the packets.
 Each packet is sent from computer to computer until it finds its destination.
Each computer on the way decides where next to send the packet. All
packets may not take the same route.
 At the destination, the packets are examined. If any packets are missing or
damaged, a message is sent asking for them to be re-sent. This continues
until all packets have been received intact.
 The packets are now reassembled into their original form. All this done in
seconds!

To access the Internet, you need an active internet connection. You need to
gather and understand your requirement carefully before subscribing to an
internet connection plan. In this exercise, you will learn how to choose an
Internet connection.

Some of the common questions that help you in your decision are:

 What is the purpose of getting this connection?

 Will you use the connection regularly?
 How much data will be downloaded on an average per month?
 How much speed do you need?
 What technology is available in your particular area?
 What are the different plans available from the ISP?
 Is there any limitation or catch for the selected plan?

Use the following table to compare different subscription plans to get an

estimate and analyse if that would suit your requirement.

3G
ISP Plan Download Speed Download Free Modem
Name Limit

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 DSL
ISP Plan Download Speed Download Free Modem
Name Limit

Cable Internet Access

ISP Plan Download Speed Download Free Modem
Name Limit

WiMAX
ISP Plan Download Speed Download Free Modem
Name Limit

To access Wi-Fi, you need an access point with an active Internet connection.
Usually when you subscribe to an Internet connection, the ISP provides options
to purchase or rent a Wi-Fi router that can act as both an internet connectivity
device and an access point for Wi-Fi connectivity. Setting up a Wi-Fi network
requires technical expertise; however, you can access the Wi-Fi network by
connecting to an access point that is already setup for use. On computers that
run Windows XP, you can view the list of wireless networks available by using
the following procedure:

 Right-Click on the Wireless Icon in the system tray and Click View Available
Wireless Networks (figure 10)

Figure 10

Windows XP will display the list of available Wi-Fi networks; you can choose any
of the connection from the list. Select by Double-clicking on the name
displayed in the list.

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 Figure 11

Note: You may be prompted to enter a password if the selected network is

secure. You will receive a confirmation that you are connected to a wireless
network. Now the system is ready to be used for network related applications
such as Firefox, Chrome, Skype, etc.

EXERCISE

Perform the following activity till you are confident:

S.No. Activities
1. List any 3 ISP’s available in your city. After collecting information such as
connectivity type, speed and charges, compare them and state which is the
best ISP and why?

ASSESSMENT

I. Fill in the blanks:

1. The acronym for LAN is _________________.

2. Three types of Wired Internet Connectivity are ___________ ,
______________ & _______________.
3. Three types of Wireless Internet Connectivity are ___________ ,
______________ & _______________.

II. Answer the following:

1. What is the definition of networking?

2. What are the advantages of networking?
3. What are the different types of networking?
4. Explain LAN and WAN.

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