What is Computer Network ?

- A group of computers which are connected to each other for the purpose of sharing
their resources and data is called computer network.
- A computer network is a group of computers that are linked together to allow users and
devices to communicate and share resources.
- Computer network means interconnection of the devices. All the devices are connected
using the centralized device called as Switch.
- The first working network, called ARPANET, was created in the late 1960s and was
funded by the U.S. Department of Defense.
- In a network one person can send any information to group of people.
- A computer network is a system that connects two or more computing devices for
transmitting and sharing information. Computing devices include everything from a
mobile phone to a server. These devices are connected using physical wires such as fiber
optics, but they can also be wireless.

Advantages of Computer Network

1. Sharing: Users can share files, data, and resources like printers, scanners etc.
2. Accessibility: Users can access resources and information from anywhere.
3. Security: Networks can implement security measures like firewalls, access controls, and
encryption.
4. Scalability: Networks can be easily expanded by adding more devices and components.
5. Remote access: Users can access resources and data remotely.
6. Flexibility: Different people can explore different things as per their requirements.
7. Data backup: Data is easy to back up.
8. Communication: Users can communicate via email and instant messenger.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

What are the devices used in Computer Network
- Network Devices (Hub, Repeater, Bridge, Switch, Router, Gateways and Modem).
Network devices, also known as networking hardware, are physical devices that allow
hardware on a computer network to communicate and interact with one another.

Types of Computer Network

- A computer network is a system that connects many independent computers to share
information (data) and resources. The integration of computers and other different
devices allows users to communicate more easily. A computer network is a collection
of two or more computer systems that are linked together. A network connection can
be established using either cable or wireless media. Hardware and software are used
to connect computers and tools in any network.
- According to the size, distance and structure, a computer network can mainly classified
into four types.
1. Personal Area Network ( PAN )
2. Local Area Network ( LAN )
3. Metropolitan Area Network ( MAN )
4. Wide Area Networks ( WAN )

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 1) Personal Area Network (PAN) - The interconnection of devices within the range of an
individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters. For example, a wireless network
connecting a computer with its keyboard, mouse or printer is a PAN. Another example
of PAN is a Bluetooth. Typically, this kind of network could also be interconnected
without wires to the Internet or other networks.

2) Local Area Network (LAN) - Privately-owned networks covering a small geographic area,
like a home, office, building or group of buildings (e.g. campus). They are widely used to
connect computers in company offices and factories to share resources (e.g., printers)
and exchange information. Traditional LANs run at speeds of 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps,
have low delay (microseconds or nanoseconds), and make very few errors. Newer LANs
operate at up to 10 Gbps.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 3) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) - Covers a larger geographical area than is a LAN,
ranging from several blocks of buildings to entire cities. MANs can also depend on
communications channels of moderate-to-high data rates. A MAN might be owned and
operated by a single organization, but it usually will be used by many individuals and
organizations. MANs might also be owned and operated as public utilities. They will
often provide means for internetworking of LANs. Metropolitan Area Networks can span
up to 50km, devices used are modem and wire/cable.

4) Wide Area Networks (WAN) - Computer network that covers a large geographical area,
often a country or continent. (any network whose communications links cross
metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries). Less formally, a network that uses
routers and public communications links.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

Transmission modes:

- The way in which data is transmitted from one device to another device is known as
transmission mode.
- The transmission mode is also known as the communication mode.
- Each communication channel has a direction associated with it, and transmission media
provide the direction. Therefore, the transmission mode is also known as a directional
mode.
- The transmission mode is defined in the physical layer.
- The Transmission mode is divided into three categories:

1) Simplex mode
2) Half - duplex mode
3) Full - duplex mode

1) Simplex mode

- In Simplex mode, the communication is unidirectional, i.e., the data flow in one
direction.
- A device can only send the data but cannot receive it or it can receive the data but
cannot send the data.
- This transmission mode is not very popular as mainly communications require the two-
way exchange of data. The simplex mode is used in the business field as in sales that do
not require any corresponding reply.
- The radio station is a simplex channel as it transmits the signal to the listeners but never
allows them to transmit back.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 - Keyboard and Monitor are the examples of the simplex mode as a keyboard can only
accept the data from the user and monitor can only be used to display the data on the
screen.
- The main advantage of the simplex mode is that the full capacity of the communication
channel can be utilized during transmission.

2) Half - Duplex mode

- In a Half-duplex channel, direction can be reversed, i.e., the station can transmit and
receive the data as well.
- Messages flow in both the directions, but not at the same time.
- In half-duplex mode, it is possible to perform the error detection, and if any error
occurs, then the receiver requests the sender to retransmit the data.
- A Walkie-talkie is an example of the Half-duplex mode. In Walkie-talkie, one party
speaks, and another party listens. After a pause, the other speaks and first party listens.
Speaking simultaneously will create the distorted sound which cannot be understood.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 3) Full- Duplex mode

- In Full duplex mode, the communication is bi-directional, i.e., the data flow in both the
directions.
- Both the stations can send and receive the message simultaneously.
- Full-duplex mode has two simplex channels. One channel has traffic moving in one
direction, and another channel has traffic flowing in the opposite direction.
- The Full-duplex mode is the fastest mode of communication between devices.
- The most common example of the full-duplex mode is a telephone network. When two
people are communicating with each other by a telephone line, both can talk and listen
at the same time.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

Wavelength :
- A wavelength is a way of measuring the distance covered by a wave’s full cycle.
- The distance travelled by a wave in one complete oscillation is called as wavelength.
- The distance between two corresponding points on adjacent waves, measured in
meters, centimeters, or nanometers.

Frequency :
- Frequency is the number of cycles completes in one second. Or Frequency is the
number of oscillation per second.
- The number of waves that pass a point in a given amount of time, measured in hertz
(Hz). Data cabling normally rated kilohertz (KHz) or megahertz (MHz).

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

What is Transmission Media?
- A transmission medium is a physical path between the transmitter and the receiver i.e.
it is the channel through which data is sent from one place to another. Transmission
Media is broadly classified into the following types:

Guided Media
- In guided transmission media in which the connection between two devices is
established through a physical method, such as a cable or wire, is referred as wired
transmission media or guided media.
- Wired media is also known as bounded media because it has a specific limit.
- The main features of guided media mainly include secure, high-speed, and used in small
distances. This kind of media is classified into three types which are discussed below.

1) Twisted Pair Cable :

- A twisted pair cable is a type of wire in which two wires are twisted together.
- This cable contains 4 pairs of wires encased in plastic, with each pair consisting of two
wires twisted around each other.
- Each pair has a distinct color code. Twisted pair cable is the most widely used cable in
LAN network.
- The Twisted pair cable is the most commonly used and cost effective transmission
medium compared to co-axial cable or optical fiber cable. However, with this cable, data
transmission is limited to distances of no more than 100 t0 150 meters.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 Advantages:

 They are more affordable compared to other types of cables.

 They are lightweight, flexible, and easy to install.
 They offer a good range of distance on a single cable run.

Disadvantages:

 Their data transfer speed is lower compared to optical fiber cables.

 Signal quality can degrade over long distances.

Types of twisted pair cable:

1) UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)

2) STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 1) UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)

- This is an unshielded twisted pair cable, which means it does not have any separate
shielding or cover, as you can see in the image.
- This cable can typically transfer data from 1 Gbps to10 Gbps over distances up to 100
meters.

2) STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)

- This type of cable consists of a special jacket to block external interference that
enhances data security and increases data transfer speed. It is used in fast-data-rate
Ethernet and in voice and data channels of telephone lines.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 3) Co – axial cable:

- The Co-axial cable is made from copper wire.

- It has insulation on top of the copper wire, and above that there is a copper mesh made
of brass.
- The data transmission range for this cable is up to 185 meters.
- Installing co-axial cable is easy.
- Co-axial cable is used for cable TV, CCTV, Internet etc.
- Generally two types of co-axial cable are commonly used. One is 50 – ohm cable, which
is used for digital transmission. The other is the 75-ohm cable, which is used for analog
transmission.

Advantages:

1) Coaxial cables can transmit data much faster than twisted pair cables.

2) It is easy to install coaxial cable.

3) Less effected by noise or cross talk or electromagnetic inference.

Disadvantages:

1) Coaxial cables are expensive.

2) Coaxial cable must be multiple layer it is very bulky.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 4) Fiber Optics cable :

- Fiber optics refers to the technology and method of transmitting data as light pulses
along a glass or plastic fiber. Fiber optic cables are used for long-distance and high-
performance data networking. They are capable of transmitting data over longer
distances and at higher bandwidths (data rates) than electrical cables, making them a
critical component in modern telecommunications, internet, and computer
networking.
- Until now, it remains the fastest cable in the world of networking for transferring data
at high speed.
- The construction of this cable is such that it has a plastic jacket on the outside, and
inside it there are insulators and inside these layers, there is high quality glass or
plastic that sends the signal to the destination, known as the core.
- In this cable, data travels in the form of a light signal, and upon reaching the data
destination, the light signal is converted into electrical signal.

- It is extensively used in submarine communications, meaning that fiber optic cable is

employed to connect the network of one country with that of another country,
facilitating international network connectivity.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

Advantages :

 Fiber Optics has high bandwidth (transfer large amount of data quickly) with higher
capacities.
 Signal travels long distances without losing strength.
 Has larger life, making it cost effective.
 Electromagnetic Interference is very little with Fiber Optics.
 Very little Maintenance is required in Optical Fiber.

Disadvantages :

 Fiber Optics is more costly than Copper Wire.

 Huge manual work is required to install new cables.
 Some optical fibers like glass fiber require more protection.
 Fiber Optics are more fragile i.e., can be easily broken, or signals can be lost easily.
 Need special equipment for installation and maintenance.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 Magnetic Media:

- Any storage medium that utilizes magnetic patterns to represent information is

considered magnetic media. Examples of a magnetic media and magnetic storage are
a tape drive, floppy diskette, and hard drive.
- Magnetic media is a type of storage device that uses magnetized particles to store and
retrieve data. Magnetic media works by using magnetic fields to represent binary data,
or ones and zeros.
- One of the most common ways of transporting data from one computer to another
computer magnetic tapes eg: recoverable DVD’s.
- They can be physically transported to destination machine.
- One of the most convenient way to transfer data from one computer to another, even
before the birth of networking, was to save it on some storage media and transfer
physically from one station to another.
- In magnetic media data backup is stored onto magnetic tapes or magnetic disc and then
shifted physically at remote places.

Advantages

1) Non-volatile and high storage capacity

2) Cost-effective durable, and widely compatible.

Disadvantages

1) Slower access speeds,

2) Sensitivity to physical damage, size and weight, power consumption, and noise.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

UnGuided Transmission :

o Unguided transmission media in which no cable or wire is used for connection between
two devices, meaning data is sent wirelessly from one device to another, is called
unguided or wireless media.
o An unguided transmission transmits the electromagnetic waves without using any
physical medium. Therefore it is also known as wireless transmission.
o In unguided media, air is the media through which the electromagnetic energy can flow
easily.

Unguided transmission is broadly classified into three categories:

Radio waves
o Radio waves are the electromagnetic waves that are transmitted in all the directions of free
space.
o Radio waves are omnidirectional, i.e., the signals are propagated in all the directions.
o The range in frequencies of radio waves is from 3 KHz to 300 GHz.
o In the case of radio waves, the sending and receiving antenna are not aligned, i.e., the wave sent
by the sending antenna can be received by any receiving antenna.
o An example of the radio wave is FM radio.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

Applications Of Radio Waves:

o A Radio wave is useful for multicasting when there is one sender and many receivers.
o An FM radio, television, cordless phones are examples of a radio wave.

Advantages :

o Radio transmission is mainly used for wide area networks and mobile cellular phones.
o Radio waves cover a large area, and they can penetrate the walls.
o Radio transmission provides a higher transmission rate.

Disadvantages :

o Communication is highly insecure.

o Its propagation is susceptible to weather effects like rains, thunder storms etc.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

MicroWaves :

- Microwaves travel in straight lines, and so the transmitter and receiver stations should
be accurately aligned to each other.
- Since it is unidirectional, it allows multiple receivers in a row to receive the signals
without interference.
- Microwaves do not pass through buildings. So, indoor receivers cannot be used
effectively.
- Microwave transmission is the process of sending information or energy using
microwaves, which are a type of electromagnetic radiation.
- Electromagnetic waves having frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz are called
microwaves. The sending and receiving antennas need to be aligned. A pair of
antennas can be aligned without interfering with another pair of aligned antennas.
Let’s talk about the Unidirectional Antenna now.

Advantages :
 Supports larger Bandwidth so more information is transmitted.
 They are used for point-to-point communication.
 More Antenna gain is possible.
 Easy communication over rugged terrain.
 Communication over oceans is also possible.

Disadvantages :
 Weather: Microwave transmission is susceptible to weather effects like rain and
thunderstorms.
 Installation costs: Microwave transmission can have high installation costs.
 Space: Microwave transmission can take up a lot of space.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

Applications

- Long distance telephone communication

- Cellular phones
- Television networks
- Satellites
- Wireless LANs

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

Infrared
o An infrared transmission is a wireless technology used for communication over short
ranges.
o The frequency of the infrared in the range from 300 GHz to 400 THz.
o It is used for short-range communication such as data transfer between two cell phones,
wireless speakers, TV remote operation, data transfer between a computer and cell
phone resides in the same closed area.

Characteristics Of Infrared:

o It supports high bandwidth, and hence the data rate will be very high.
o Infrared waves cannot penetrate the walls. Therefore, the infrared communication in one room
cannot be interrupted by the nearby rooms.
o An infrared communication provides better security with minimum interference.
o Infrared communication is unreliable outside the building because the sun rays will interfere
with the infrared waves.

Advantages
 Low cost: Infrared transmission is inexpensive to set up and use.
 Low power consumption: Infrared devices use very little power.
 Secure: Infrared signals can't pass beyond a room or chamber, making them a secure way
to transfer data.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

 Disadvantages
 Short range: Infrared transmission can only be used for short distances, typically up to 10
meters.
 Line-of-sight: Infrared transmission requires a line-of-sight connection.
 Affected by weather: Infrared signals can be affected by weather conditions.
 Affected by objects: Infrared signals are interpreted by people and objects, and can be
affected by hard objects like walls and doors.

Electromagnetic Spectrum :

- The electromagnetic spectrum is a range of different types of electromagnetic

radiation each with its own unique properties and uses.
- The all of the electromagnetic waves they all travels at the speed of light.
- Gamma ray has the highest frequency and Radio waves are lowest frequency.
- As frequency increases energy increases as well.
- Small wave length High frequency, High energy. Large wave length low frequency low
energy.
- The entire electromagnetic spectrum from the lowest to the highest frequency
(longest to shortest wave length), includes all radio waves, infrared, visible light,
ultraviolet radiation, x-rays and gamma rays.
- Example :The Sun is our planets principal source of energy, and its energy travels in
the form of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic energy moves across empty
spaces at the speed of light in the form of waves of electric and magnetic fields with a
range of frequencies or wavelengths.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

Topology :

- Network topology refers to the arrangement of different elements like nodes, links, or
devices in a computer network. It defines how these components are connected and
interact with each other. Understanding various types of network topologies helps in
designing efficient and robust networks. Common types include bus, star, ring, mesh,
and tree topologies, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

1) Point to Point Topology

Point-to-point topology is a type of topology that works on the functionality of the sender
and receiver. It is the simplest communication between two nodes, in which one is the sender
and the other one is the receiver. Point-to-Point provides high bandwidth.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

2) BUS TOPOLOGY :

o The bus topology is designed in such a way that all the stations are connected through a
single cable known as a backbone cable.
o Each node is either connected to the backbone cable by drop cable or directly
connected to the backbone cable.
o When a node wants to send a message over the network, it puts a message over the
network. All the stations available in the network will receive the message whether it
has been addressed or not.
o The bus topology is mainly used in 802.3 (ethernet) and 802.4 standard networks.
o The configuration of a bus topology is quite simpler as compared to other topologies.
o The backbone cable is considered as a "single lane" through which the message is
broadcast to all the stations.
o The most common access method of the bus topologies is CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple
Access).

CSMA: It is a media access control used to control the data flow so that data integrity is
maintained, i.e., the packets do not get lost. There are two alternative ways of handling the
problems that occur when two nodes send the messages simultaneously.

o CSMA CD: CSMA CD (Collision detection) is an access method used to detect the
collision. Once the collision is detected, the sender will stop transmitting the data.
Therefore, it works on "recovery after the collision".

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

Advantages of Bus Topology

 If N devices are connected to each other in a bus topology, then the number of
cables required to connect them is 1, known as backbone cable, and N drop
lines are required.
 Coaxial or twisted pair cables are mainly used in bus-based networks that
support up to 10 Mbps.
 The cost of the cable is less compared to other topologies, but it is used to build
small networks.
 Bus topology is familiar technology as installation and troubleshooting
techniques are well known.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

 A bus topology is quite simpler, but still, it requires a lot of cabling.

 If the common cable fails, then the whole system will crash down.
 If the network traffic is heavy, it increases collisions in the network. To avoid
this, various protocols are used CSMA/CD, etc.
 Adding new devices to the network would slow down networks.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

3) Ring Topology

o Ring topology is like a bus topology, but with connected ends.

o The node that receives the message from the previous computer will retransmit to the
next node.
o The data flows in one direction, i.e., it is unidirectional.
o It has no terminated ends, i.e., each node is connected to other node and having no
termination point.
o The data in a ring topology flow in a clockwise direction.

Advantages :

 The data transmission is high-speed.

 The possibility of collision is minimum in this type of topology.
 Cheap to install and expand.
 It is less costly than a star topology.

Disadvantages :

 The failure of a single node in the network can cause the entire network to fail.
 Troubleshooting is difficult in this topology.
 The addition of stations in between or the removal of stations can disturb the whole
topology.
 Less secure.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

4) Star Topology
o Star topology is an arrangement of the network in which every node is connected to the
central hub, switch or a central computer.
o Coaxial cable or RJ-45 cables are used to connect the computers.
o Hubs or Switches are mainly used as connection devices in a physical star topology.
o Star topology is the most popular topology in network implementation.
o In Star Topology, many popular Ethernet LAN protocols are used as CD(Collision
Detection), CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access), etc.

Advantages:

- It broadcast the messages.

- It is less expensive due to less cable.
- Easy to connect new node without affecting rest of the network.
- If one node failed then would not be failure of entire network.

Disadvantages:

- In star topology we must require a network device like HUB, SWITCH etc.
- If two nodes want to share the data, sharing is only possible through HUB.
- If GUB if failed then the entire network will be failed.
- We can’t send private data.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

5) Mesh topology

o In this topology each and every computer is directly connected with each other, so we
can directly send the data to the destination machine without going to intermediate
machine.
o There are multiple paths from one computer to another computer.
o It does not contain the switch, hub or any central computer which acts as a central point
of communication.

Advantages :

- It is very good topology to send the private messages.

- All nodes are directly associated with another node. So, it provides point to point
connection.
- If the particular machine is failed then entire network will not fail.
- Multiple devices can send or receive data simultaneously.

Disadvantages :

- It is very difficult to add new node because each and every computer directly
connected with another one.
- Installation and configuration are difficult.
- The cost of cables is high as bulk wiring is required, hence suitable for less number of
devices.
- The cost of maintenance is high.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan

6) Tree Topology
o In this topology, all the nodes are connected like branches of tree. This topology is the
variation of the Star and Bus topology. This topology has a hierarchical flow of data.

7) Hybrid Topology

o The combination of various different topologies is known as Hybrid topology.

o A Hybrid topology is a connection between different links and nodes to transfer the
data.

B.C.A TY Notes By - Sandeep Chavan