Computer Networks

• A computer network is formed when two or more computers are connected

• A network allows data and devices to be shared between users

• Data files are divided into data packets before transmission

• A data packet is reassembled when it reaches its destination

• Various hardware is needed to connect computers

• The data transfer speed of a network is determined by several factors, including the cable
media, the network topology and the network connectivity media

• Protocols control the transmission of data

• Networks are used in homes, offices, factories, schools, hospitals, etc.

• A network can be used for many purposes that include:

• Video conferencing

• Cloud storage

• Online gaming

• E-commerce

Types of Network

Client-server Network-

1) A server refers to a computer that provides and manages information and the network

2) A client refers to a computer that requests information from a server

3) Data is backed up to the server

4) Network security is managed by the server

5) Servers can be upgraded, for example, if more clients require access

6) An example of a client-server network is a website that has a server to serve the clients that
request information

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network

• In this type of network no single computer acts as a server

• Data is backed up on each computer

• Multiple network users can store the same file

• Computers can download and share files

• Workload can be shared

 • There is no central control over security of the network

• As data is stored on any computer, files can be deleted by users

• If computers are slow, this can slow down the network

• What type a service would a P2P would be unsuitable for?

Categories of Network

Local Area Network (LAN)

• A network in the same building, e.g. house, office

• Limited by distance and cost

• Typical range is up to 5 km

• Can be extended or connected to other LANs by using additional hardware

• Transmission media include cables and wireless technology

• High data transfer speeds

• Cheaper than a WAN

• Links to other LANs and WANs

Wide Area Network (WAN)

• Extensive range

• Limited by speed and cost

• Can be extended or connected to other WANs by using additional hardware

• Slower data transfer speeds than LANs

• More expensive than a LAN

• Transmission media include cables and wireless technology

• Links to other WANs and LANs

• The Internet is the most well-known WAN

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

• Range is more than a large LAN’s but less than a WAN’s

• Links networks across buildings and across a city area

• Ranges between 5km to 50km

 • Can link LANs in the same and different organizations, e.g. hospitals, universities, businesses,
etc.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

• Devices such as a computer, tablet, mobile phone, printer, etc. are connected in a network
within range of an individual user

• A range is usually up to ten metres

• Files can be transmitted between devices such as mobile phones and laptops

• Transmission media can be cables or wireless

• Can be linked by USB and FireWire cables or Bluetooth or infrared wireless

Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)

• Use Bluetooth or infrared connections

• Bluetooth WPANs are also referred to as piconets

• Bluetooth technology was designed primarily to support networking of portable devices that
include:

• Mobile phones

• Computers

• Keyboards

• Printers

• Speakers

• Headsets

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

• Offers a secure connection to a network linked over a public network, for example, the
Internet

• Adds security and privacy to private and public networks, for example, Intranets, Wi-Fi
Hotspots and the Internet

• Uses encryption

• Recommended when accessing private data, bank details, school/university files, etc.

Satellite Network
 • Data is transmitted between a satellite dish on Earth and an orbiting geostationary satellite
22,300 miles above the Earth

• VPN can be used over it

• Used by governments, military and multinational organisations

Selecting a Network

• The following needs to be considered:

o The advantages and disadvantages of client-server and P-2-P

o Range

o Speed

o Cost

o Efficiency

o Security

Hardware Required for a Network

Server

• There are a number of different types of server:

• File server

• Print server

• Communications server

• Web server

• Application server

• Network attached storage

• Database server

• Proxy server
Cable

• Types of cables include

• Copper

• Coaxial
• Unshielded twisted pair
• Shielded twisted pair
• Fibre-optic (transmits light signals)

Router

• A device that routes data from a LAN to another network connection

• Allows only authorised computers to connect to other computer systems

• Logs network activity

Switch

• Determines what computer or device in a network data is intended for and sends the data to
the computer or device

Repeater

• A signal can lose its strength as it’s transmitted

• A repeater is used to:

• Regenerate a signal

• Retransmit a signal

• Extend the distance that a signal can transmit or

• Transmit a signal to the other side of an obstruction

• Also referred to as a WI-Fi repeater, WI-Fi booster and WI-Fi extender

Bridge

• A device used to connect two or more LANs

• A bridge looks for the device to receive data before it is transmitted

• Data will not be sent if a device has already received it

• Helps improve a network’s performance

Gateway

• A gateway is device or software that enables two networks to communicate

• A router allows computers within a LAN to send and receive data over the Internet

• A firewall filters inbound and outbound traffic and disallows incoming data from suspicious
or unauthorised sources

• A proxy server uses a combination of hardware and software to filter traffic between two
networks and may only allow computers to access a list of authorised websites

Network Interface Card (NIC)

• A NIC is a circuit board that enables a computer to connect to a network

• Some computers have NICs already inside them, others have slots on their motherboards
that NICs can connect to

• Without a NIC there is no connection to a network

---- LAN Transmission Methods

• There are three main transmission methods on a LAN as follows:

• Unicast – data is sent to one destination on a network

• Multicast – data is sent to multiple destinations on a network

• Broadcast – data is sent to all destinations on a network

------Ethernet Protocol

• A protocol refers to a set of rules - a network protocol governs how data is transmitted and
received over a network

• Ethernet is a communication protocol used for LANs and MANs to connect computers and
other devices over a wired connection

• Ethernet topologies are bus and/or bus-star

• Inexpensive

• Easy to install, maintain and expand

• Widely accepted as an industry standard

 Wireless Networks (Wi-Fi)

• Allows devices to connect to a network without using cable

• Increasingly used, however, wired connections are generally less prone to interference and
are more secure, which is why a number of organisations still use Ethernet

Voice over internet (Voip)

• Telephone calls can be transmitted over networks such as the Internet

• Cheaper calls than traditional services with some services free

• Beneficial to businesses

• Providers include:

• Skype

• Vonage

• RingCentral Business

• eVoice

Network Transmission Protocols

• There are two main methods used to describe the process of transferring and receiving data
from two connected systems:

• TCP/IP

• OSI

TCP/IP

• Consists of four layers

• The way that the Internet works is based on these layers

• Each layer of the model has a specific job to perform so that communication take place

• The four layers are:

• Application layer – provides network services to applications

• Transport layer – rules for how data is transmitted

• Internet layer – contains a description of the source and destination

addresses and the data to be transmitted

• Network Access layer – preparation for the transmission of data

 • OSI

Divides network communications into seven layers, which each perform specific functions
when transmitting data across a network:

o Application layer - provides interfaces to software enabling it to use a network to email,

transfer files, access Web services

o Presentation layer - translates and formats data, for example, ASCII, encryption

o Session layer – enables connections between computers and manages security

o Transport layer – enables error free data transmission across a network

o Network layer – facilitates addressing and routing of data

o Data link layer – deals with digital representation of data, for example, signals that enter and
leave network cables

o Physical layer – transmits binary data from one computer to another

Software- Software is a set of instructions, data, or programs used to operate a computer

and execute specific tasks

Main Types of Software:

• There are two main types of software:

• Application software

• System software

• Application software enables users to use a computer for specific purposes, for example,
work, communication and leisure

• There are many different types of application software that can be used for work,
communication and leisure
 • Eg Word processing, desktop publishing

• Spreadsheet, accounts

• Database, management information systems

• Computer-aided design

• Computer aided engineering

• Project management

Examples of Application Software for Communications

• Electronic mail (email)

• Short messaging service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS)

• Social networking

• Personal assistants, e.g. Siri, Cortana

• Videoconferencing, teleconferencing

• Blog, Vlog

• Podcasting

• Wikis

Examples of Application Software for Leisure

• Gaming

• Multimedia

• Animation

• Graphics

• Image editing

Criteria to consider when selecting Application Software

• Compatibility

• Price

• Where obtained from

• User requirements
 • Business requirements if used for work

• Ease of use

A Definition of System Software

• As we discussed in Lecture One, a computer needs system software to be able to perform its
essential tasks such as, input, process, storage and output.

• Software such as operating systems, utilities and drivers enable a computer to undertake
numerous essential tasks

PURPOSE:

• It operates and controls the computer’s hardware

• It provides a platform for the use of application software

• It can offers an interface between the computer and a user

• It acts as an interface between a user and a computer

FUNCTIONS:

• Manages memory, e.g. allocates memory to tasks

• Manages processes, e.g. input, output, the movement of data to and from a hard disk

• Recognises and manages external devices, e.g. memory sticks, printers

• Manages files and folders

• Handles errors and problems and informs users

• Helps to protect a computer system’s security

• Loads and runs application software

• Enables application software to communicate with system hardware

Operating System Categories

• An operating system can support a single user

 • An operating system can support multiple users, for example, on a network

• An operating system can manage and control computer systems that use one processor

• An operating system that manages and controls a computer system that uses multi-
processors is described as a multiprocessing operating system

• An operating system allows more than one program to run at the same time is described as a
multitasking operating system

• An operating system that enables different parts of a single program to run at the same time
is described as a multithreading operating system

• An operating system that responds to input instantly is described as a real-time operating

system

Types of Operating System Interfaces

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

• Easy to use

• The main features are the use of :

• Windows

• Icons

• Menus

• Pointers

Touch screen interface

• Commonly used on tablets and mobile phones

• The main features are:

• the use of fingers and/or pointing devices

• Icons, documents, images can be pinched to enlarge or decrease the view

• Pages can be swiped and scrolled

• Objects such as images can be rotated

Voice recognition

• A user communicates with a computer system by speech

• Can be used to convert speech into text

• Can be used to communicate with an intelligent personal assistant, e.g. Siri, Cortana, Evie, S
Voice, etc.
Utility Software

• Helps to:

• Maintain a computer system

• Secure a computer system

• Analyse a computer system

• Optimise a computer system

• Eg Anti-virus utilities

• Back-up utilities

• Data compression utilities

• Back-up utilities

• Disk cleaners

• Disk compression utilities

• Disk fragmenters

• Archive utilities

• File managers

• Cryptographic utilities

Driver software

• Driver software can be used for many hardware devices, the following are a few examples:

• Printers

• USBs

• Modems

• Mice

• Keyboards

Criteria to Consider When Selecting System Software

• Compatibility

• Processing requirements
• Price

• Where obtained from

• User requirements

• Business requirements if used for work

• Ease of use