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CHAPTER
COMPUTER COMMUNICATION

OBJECTIVES
Introduction toComputer Networks
Guided Media and Unguided Media
LAN, MAN, WAN
Networking Hardware
Network Topologies

Computer Communications are any processes that allow youto communicate with
acomputer or computer program. The computer does this by sending data to one or
moreother computers,who decode the message and allow the recipient to send a
message back.
Communication Media is classified into two types: Guided media and Unguided
media.
In Guided media, the computers are connected with each other through cables.
Examples of Guided communication are twisted pair cable, coaxial cable and fiber
optic cable.
In Unguided media, the computers are connected with each other through waves.
Examples of Unguided communication are microwave, radio wave andsatelliteetc.
Computer networking is afundamental aspect of modern technology and plays a
critical role in various aspects of our personal and professional lives. A Computer
Network is an interconnection among two or more computers orcomputing devices.
Such interconnection allows computers to share data and resources among each
other.

Advantages of Computer Network

Central Storage of Data: Files can be stored on a central node (the file server) that can
be shared and made available to every user in an organization.

Chapter-1) Computer Communication

 negligible range of abilities required to connect to amodern
Connectivity: There is a makes itworkable for even youthf.,l Se
effortlessness of joining N
computer network. The
data.
kids to start exploring the disintegrated into a fe da
an extensive procedure is
Faster Problem-solving: Since all the associated gadgets, an explicit
Te
taken care of by
littler procedures and each is
re
lesser time.
issue can be settled in
W

backing up information. Due to some reason equipment LO

Reliability: Reliability implies undermined or inaccessible on one PC
and
information gets
crashes, and so on, the accessible on another workstation for
information is
another duplicate of similar further handling without
smooth working and
tuture use, which prompts
interruption. th
offers clients the
be truly adaptable, as it
Flexible: This innovation is known to fundamental things, for example,
investigate everything about
chance to
usefulness.
programming without influencing their
Authorization: Security and protection of information are
Security through
settled through the system. As just the system clients areapproved to
additionally
or applications, no other individual can crack the protection or
get tospecific records
security of information.
capacity in acomputer network, in the form of servers,
Storage capacity: Storage storage, offers several significant
network-attached storage (NAS), or cloud-based
centralization, built-in data backup and redundancy
advantages like data
features.
Disadvantages of Computer Networking
computer networking offers numerous advantages, it also comes with
While
several disadvantages and challenges.
significant costs,
Expensive: Implementing and maintaining a network involves
hardware, software, infrastructure, security measures and personnel. The
including
substantial.
initial investment and ongoing expenses can be
Privacy Issues:Storing and transmitting data over networks can lead to privacy
Data
Unauthorized access or data interception may result in a breach of
concerns.
sensitive information.

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Security Concerns: One of the most significant disadvantages is security risks.
Networks are vulnerable to cyberattacks, including viruses, malware, hacking and
data breaches.Protecting network resources and data is a continuous challenge.
Technical Expertise Requirements: Management of the Network is quitedifficult as it
requires skilled persons to handle that large network. It requires training of people
who are employed in this work.
Loss of Information: In case of a crash of the Computer Network, it can lead to the loss
of information or not being able to access information for some time.
The System can be Hacked: lIn the case of Wide Area Networks(WAN), there is a threat
of Hacking of the System. Some security features should be added to prevent such
things.
Computer network is formed according to
Types of Computer
Network size, complexity and their geographical
spread. It is mainly classified into fourtypes:
PAN (Personal Area Network)
LAN(LocalArea Network)
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
LAN MAN WAN PAN
WAN(Wide Area Network)
Networking Hardware
Network Interface Cards (NICs): Each device
on the LAN is equipped with a network
interface card to connect to the network.
Routers: Routers are networking devices that
play a central role in computer networks.
They are responsible for forwarding data
packets between different networks. Routers
examine the destination IP address in
incoming data packets and make forwarding
decisions based on routing tables.

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Chapter-1 Computer Communication
 networking devices RJ-&
Switches: Switches are
networks (LANS) eig
commonly used in local area
manage network devices, and
to connect and
printers and servers. Fibe
such as computers,
within aLAN
Switches forward data packets LC,
Control (MAC)
based on Media Access fibe
addresses. extend anPO
repeaters are network devices used to
and
Hubsand Repeaters: Hubs serve similar purposes in terms of
signanet
While they
enhance network connectivity. have different roles and capabilities PAI
they
amplification and distribution, such açan
connection point for network devices,
central
Hubs: Hub serves as a broadcast incoming dataCor
network (LAN). Hubs
printers, in a local area destination per
computers and LAN, regardless of the
devices within the same Exa
packets to all connected and regenerate signals
network device designed to amplify
Repeaters: Repeater is a
network. Repeaters receive incoming signals, LO
range of a
in order to extend the and then transmit the refreshed signals, roCO
strength,
amplify them to their original connectors are crucial for ensuring,
Connectors: Proper cabling and
Cabling and Ex
network connectivity.
reliable and high-quality
Pair): Ethernet
Ethernet Cable (Twisted
common types of cabling
cables are the most
are twisted-pair
used in networking. They categories with
cables that come in various transmission
data
different specifications for
speeds and bandwidth.
optic cables use light
Fiber Optic Cable:Fiber high
They offer
signals to transmit data. long-distance
bandwidth and are suitable for
data transmission. Fiber
and high-speed
local area networks
optics are used in both
(WANs).
(LANS)and wide area networks television (CATV)connections,
are often used for cable
Coaxial Cable: Coaxial cables particularly in older installations. They
for networking,
but they can also be used suitable for certain applications.
and are
provide good shielding Chapter-1)

Computer - Vill
PrT
 with Ethernet cables. It is an
RJ-45 Connector: The RJ-45 connector is commonly used
computers, switches, routers,
eight-pin connector that plugs into network ports on
and other networking devices.
types, such as SC,
Fiber Optic Connectors: Fiber optic connectors include various
depends on the specific
LC. ST and MTP/MPO connectors. The choice of connector
fiber optic cabling used.
electrical power to
Power Connectors: Power connectors are used to supply
networking devices.
limited to
PAN: APAN or Personal Area Network, is asmall network that's typically
are designed for
an individual or a person's immediate surroundings. PANS
tablets and
connecting personal devices, such as computers, smartphones,
area.
peripherals (e.g., headphones, keyboards) within a short-range communication
Examples of PAN technologies and protocols are Bluetooth, Infrared etc.
Local Area Network: ALAN or Local Area Network, isanetwork of interconnected
computersand devices that covers a relatively smallgeographicarea, such as a single
room,a building, ora group of closely located buildings. LANs are commonly used to
facilitate communication and resource-sharing among devices in a limited area.
Examples are Networking in home, office, school, laboratory, university campus.
Internet

Client Client

Router

Server

WIi Router
HUB HUB

Server

Client
Printer

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5
 laptops, servers, printers, a
LANS consist of various devices including computers, communication. Metr
interconnected and NICs, Switches, routers and cabling for
as Ethernet for wired connection, MAN
LANS use specific communication protocols, such Conn
and Wi-Fi for wireless connections. mult
the different topologies.
The Local Area Network connects arranged in large
of a computer networ Devi
Network topologies refer to the physical or logical layout computers
(such as
Different network topologies are used to define how devices Exan
to each other. Different networ Wid
servers, routers and switches) are connected
Computer

topologies are: HUB

WAN
Star Topology: In a Star topology, all Computer Computer geo
devices are connected to a central hub COur
orswitch. Coni
an

tech
Princer
Net
Computer

HTT
Bus Topology: In aBus topology, all
Re

devices are connected to a single

central cable.
Segment
Terminator Teminaor

Ring Topology: In aRing topology,each Token

deviceis connected to exactly two
other devices, forming aclosed loop.
Wireless LAN
WLAN: Stands for 'Wireless Local Area
Network. A WLAN, or wireless LAN, 0s a
network that allows devices to connect ano
communicate wirelessly. Unlike a traditional
wired LAN, in which devices communicate
over Ethernet cables, devices on a WLAN
communicate via Wi-Fi.
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Metropolitan Area Network
that
MAN is an acronym for Metropolitan Area Network. MAN is a computer network
large city,
connects computers within ametropolitan area, which could be a single
MAN 0S
multiple cities and towns or any given large areawith multiple buildings. A
(WAN).
largerthana localarea network (LAN) but smaller than a wide area network
Wire/Cable.
Devices used for transmission of data through MAN are Modem and
Examples of aMAN are part of the Telephone Company Network.
Wide Area Network
extends over a large
WAN or Wide Area Network is a computer network that
bounds of a state or
geographical area, although it might be confined within the
be aconnection of LAN
country. WAN has a range of above 50 km. A WANCcould
be limited to
connecting to other LANs via telephone lines andradio waves and may
accessible to the public. The
an enterprise (a corporation or an organization) or
Wide Area
technology is high-speed and relatively expensive. An example of
computer to other. FTP,
Network is Internet.On Internet we transfer files from one
Internet.
HTTP AND HTTPS Protocols are used to transfer files on the
Recapitulation
data to one or more other
The computer communicates by sending a
recipient to send
computers, who decode the message and allow the
message back.
privacy concerns.
Storing and transmitting data over networks can lead to
media and
Communication media is classified into two types: Guided
Unguided media.
radio wave and
Examples of Unguided communication are microwave,
satellite.
strength.
Repeaters receive incoming signals, amplify them to their original
devices within the
Hubs broadcast incoming data packets to all connected
same LAN.
Fiber optic cables use light signals to transmit data.
computer
Network topologies refer to the physical or logical layout of a
network.
a central hub or switch.
In Star topology, all devices are connected to
single central cable.
In aBus topology, all devices are connected to a
central node (the file server).
In acomputer network Files can be stored on a
Fullform of NICs is Network Interface Cards.
to the network.
Each device on the LAN is equipped with a NIC to connect
within a metropolitan
MAN is a computer network that connects computers
area.
PAN is Personal Area Network.
WLAN Stands for "Wireless Local Area Network'.

Computer Communication
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 o Exercise
1. Fill in the blanks using the following words:
light topologies node cyberattacks Repeaters
a.
amplifies receivedsignals to their original strength.
b. In a computer network, Files can be stored on a central
C. Network refer to the physical or logical layout of acompute
network.
d. Fiber optic cables use signals to transmit data.
e. Computer Networks are vulnerable to
2. Write True or False for the following statements:
a. Radio wave is an example of Guided communication.
b. Internet is an example of Wide Area Network.
C. PAN is Personal Access Network.

d. Reliability implies backing up information.

e. Telephone company network is an example of MAN.
3. Multiple choice questions:
a. Other name of Ethernet Cable is
(i) Twisted Pair (i) CoaxialCable (ii) Fiber Optic Cable
b. Full form of MAC is
() Media Access Control
(i) Medium Access Control
(ii) Multiple Access Control
C. MAN is an acronym for Area Network.
()) Meteor (ii) Metropolitan (ii) Metropolis
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 d. In_topologyall devices are connected toa central hub or switch.
() Ring (ii) Bus (ii) Star
e. The connector is commonly used with Ethernet cables.
(i) CAT6 (ii) RJ-45 (ii) RJ-54

4. Short answer questions:

a. What are Computer Communications?
b. Give names of the types of Communication Media.
C. How many types of computer networks are there?
d. Name different types of Topologies.
e. What is Full form of NICs?

5. Long answer questions:

a. How does a computer communicate?
b. What is the difference between Hub and Switch? Give reason.
C. What are Routers?
d. What is the difference between WLAN and LAN?

e. What is the difference between Bus Topology and Ring Topology?

Activity
Ask students to design a network diagram for a hypothetical company or
organization. Thisactivity allows them to plan and visualize the layout of
devices, routers, switches and servers.
Assign students roles as network devices (e.g., routers, switches,
the
computers) and have them act out how data travels through
network. This can help them understand the concept of data routing.

Computer Communication
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