COMPUTER NETWORKS

A computer network is a collection of interconnected devices, such as computers,

servers, printers, and routers, that are connected together to share resources and
information. The devices on a network can be connected through wired or wireless
connections, and the network can be connected to other networks through the Internet.
There are several types of computer networks, including:
1. Local Area Networks (LANs): These networks connect devices within a small geographic
area, such as a home, office, or school.
2. Wide Area Networks (WANs): These networks connect devices over a larger geographic
area, such as a city, state, or country.
3. Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs): These networks connect devices within a
metropolitan area, such as a city.
4. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs): These networks connect devices using wireless
technology, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
5. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): These networks connect devices over the Internet
using encryption to secure the connection.
Computer networks allow devices to share resources, such as printers and servers, and to
communicate with one another. They also enable users to access the Internet and share files
and data.
 Key hardware for setting up network systems
1. Client: A client is a computer or device that connects to the network and accesses the
shared resources. Clients can be personal computers, laptops, mobile devices, or other
types of devices that can connect to the network.
2. Server: A server is a computer or device that stores and manages the data and resources
that are shared on the network. It can be a dedicated computer or a software running on
a computer, and it is responsible for managing access to the shared resources and
providing security.
3. Hub: A hub is a device that connects multiple devices together on a network. It receives
data from one device and sends it to all other connected devices. It is used to connect
devices to a LAN and is considered a passive device since it does not perform any
processing on the data.
4. Switch: A switch is a more advanced device that connects multiple devices together on a
network. It examines the data it receives and sends it only to the device it is intended for.
It is used to connect devices to a LAN and is considered an active device since it performs
processing on the data.
5. Router: A router is a device that connects multiple networks together. It routes data
between different networks and can also provide security and network management
features.
6. Modem: A modem is a device that connects a computer or network to the Internet. It
converts the digital data from the computer into an analog signal that can be transmitted
over a telephone or cable line.
7. Cable: Cables are used to connect devices to the network. Ethernet cables are the most
common type of cable used for connecting devices to a LAN. They can be either Cat5,
Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a. Fiber optic cables are also used for high-speed connections over
longer distances.
 A network topology is the physical and logical layout of the devices on a network.
There are several different types of network topologies, each with its own advantages
and disadvantages.
1. Point-to-point topology is a type of network topology in which two devices are directly
connected to each other, without the use of a central hub or switch. In this topology, each
device has a direct connection to only one other device.
2. Bus topology: A bus topology connects all devices to a single cable, called a bus. All data is
sent along the bus, and each device listens for the data that is intended for it. This type of
topology is easy to set up and maintain, but it can be affected by a single point of failure.
3. Star topology: A star topology connects all devices to a central hub. The hub is
responsible for forwarding data to the correct device. This type of topology is more
reliable than a bus topology because if one device fails, the rest of the network is still
operational.
4. Ring topology: A ring topology connects all devices in a loop, with each device connected
to two other devices. Data is sent around the ring in one direction, and each device listens
for the data that is intended for it. This type of topology is more reliable than a bus
topology because if one device fails, the rest of the network is still operational.
 5. Mesh topology: A mesh topology connects multiple devices in a way that each device has
a direct connection to every other device. This type of topology is the most reliable and
provides the most redundancy, but it is also the most complex and expensive to set up
and maintain.
6. Tree topology: A tree topology is a combination of a bus and a star topology. It consists of
a central hub connected to multiple branches, with each branch connecting to multiple
devices. This type of topology is commonly used in larger networks, such as in schools or
businesses, where multiple sub-networks need to be connected to a main network.
7. Hybrid topology: A hybrid topology is a combination of two or more different types of
topologies. It allows for a combination of the strengths of different topologies, such as the
reliability of a ring topology and the flexibility of a mesh topology.

Features of network topologies

1. Bus topology:
 Simple and easy to set up
 Requires fewer cables and devices
 Data is sent to all devices on the network
 Can be affected by a single point of failure

2. Star topology:
 Central hub provides a central point of control and management
 More reliable than a bus topology because if one device fails, the rest of the network is
still operational
 More expensive than a bus topology as it requires more devices
 Can be affected by a failure of the central hub

3. Ring topology:
 Data is sent around the ring in one direction
 More reliable than a bus topology because if one device fails, the rest of the network is
still operational
 Can be affected by a failure of the ring, as it will break the loop.
 More expensive than a bus topology as it requires more devices
4. Mesh topology:
 Each device has a direct connection to every other device
 Provides the most redundancy and reliability
 Most complex and expensive to set up and maintain

5. Tree topology:
 Combines the features of a bus and a star topology
 Suitable for larger networks
 Provides a central point of control and management
 Can be affected by a failure of the central hub or a branch

6. Hybrid topology:
 Combines the strengths of different topologies
 Can be customized to fit specific needs
 More expensive and complex to set up and maintain.

7. Point-to-point topology:
 Simple and easy to set up
 Direct connection between two devices
 Less expensive than other topologies as it requires fewer devices and cables
 Suitable for small networks or wireless connections
 Not suitable for large networks as the number of connections