Campion College

Information Technology – Grade 10

Section 2: Computer Networks and Web Technologies

Specific Objective 1: Distinguish among types of networks

A computer network is a group of computing devices that are connected so that they can share data and resources.
Computer networks are needed and used because individuals and organizations want to communicate with others and
share data files and other resources.

a) Types of networks: A computer network may be classified based on its geographic span. Computer networks are
designed to meet the data communication needs of individuals and organizations.
i) Local area network (LAN): A type of computer network where two or more computers are directly linked
within a small area such as a school, home, laboratory or office building. There are several LANS in operation
right here on your school’s campus. There is one for students, one for staff, etc.
ii) Metropolitan area network (MAN): A type of computer network that is connected in a geographical area
larger than a LAN. This may be within a city, a university campus or other areas other than a building. A MAN
can be owned by a government or a company with several locations. A bank will have branches throughout
the city. Each branch will have one or more local area networks, but they will all be networked to the head
office creating a Metropolitan Area Network.
iii) Wide area network (WAN): A type of computer network where two or more computers are connected/linked
over a wide geographical area such as a country or even across the world. WANs provide regional and
international organizations with the connectivity needed to sustain their operations.
iv) Personal are network (PAN): A type of network used for communication among devices close to a single
person. Typically, this includes devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and wearables like smartwatches.
The range of a PAN is usually within a few meters, often up to 10 meters, making it perfect for connecting
devices in a room or within a small area.
v) Mobile network: A wireless communication network that allows devices such as smartphones, tablets, and
other portable devices to connect to the internet and communicate with each other. It's the backbone of
mobile communication, enabling you to make calls, send texts, and access data services on the go.
b) Overview of mobile networks from 2G to Current
i) 2G (Second Generation): Introduced digital communication, enabling text messages (SMS) and basic internet
access.
ii) 3G (Third Generation): Provided faster data speeds, allowing for more internet services and multimedia use.
iii) 4G (Fourth Generation): Improved data speeds significantly, supporting high-definition video streaming and
fast internet browsing.
iv) 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) provides more speed and a universal standard for 4G.
v) 5G (Fifth Generation): The latest technology, offering even faster speeds, lower latency, and the ability to
connect many more devices simultaneously.
c) Wireless network technology:
i) Bluetooth: Bluetooth networking transmits data via low-power radio waves. It transmits signals over short
distances. Bluetooth doesn't require line of sight between communicating devices. The walls in your house
won't stop a Bluetooth signal, making the standard useful for controlling several devices in different rooms.
Bluetooth can connect up to eight devices simultaneously. It is mainly used to send data between devices
 such as between cell phones, or a cell phone and headset, or between a digital camera and a laptop. Bluetooth
systems create a personal-area network (PAN).
ii) Wi-Fi: Wireless networking, also called WiFi, uses radio waves. A Wi-Fi enabled device such as a PC, game
console, mobile phone, MP3 player or PDA can connect to the Internet when within range of a wireless
network connectedevolution) to the Internet. Most modern computers have wireless receivers so they can
easily join a wireless network, often called a Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi is often used to set up LANs because: (a) it
can transmit data quickly, (b) no cables are needed to add a device to the network, (c) the range is high, and
(d) devices do not need direct line of sight with each other or the wireless transmitter.
iii) Hotspot/Access point: A hotspot is a place where you can access Wi-Fi. Hotspots are very common today and
can be found at restaurants, hotels, libraries, schools, airports, offices, hospitals, and banks so that individuals
who have a device with a wireless receiver can access the Internet.
d) Data Communication(DC) : This is the process of transferring data from one computer system to another for direct
use or for further processing. Protocols define the rules for communication so that sender and receiver can
coordinate their activities. A DC system consists of hardware and software and communication facilities.
Communication can cover a small or large area. Data in a DC is moved from one area to another via data
communication channels or links. Channels are classified according to bandwidth.

e) Types of transmission media: When any two devices need to communicate, they have to agree on a number of
points before the conversation can begin. The first point of agreement is physical: Will they talk over wires, or
through some form of wireless signals? If they use wires, how many are required -- one, two, eight? What is the
transmission speed?
i) Cable/wired media
(1) Twisted pair: This cable consists of copper-core wires surrounded by an insulator. Two wires are twisted
together to form a pair. This is a cheap cabling used to connect computers and peripherals. Twisted-pair
cabling does not allow very fast transmission, so it is not suitable for sending large amounts of data. It is
used in small LANs for offices and homes.

(2) Coaxial: This cable is more expensive than twisted pair and consists of a solid copper core surrounded by
an insulator, a combination shield and ground wire, and an outer protective jacket. Coaxial cables carry
electric current at radio frequencies. It is used for cable television and broadband Internet connections.
 (3) Fibre-optic: This is the most robust, efficient and expensive cable. It provides for very fast and reliable
form of data transmission. It consists of a center glass core through which light waves propagate. Although
light travels in straight lines, a light beam bounces off the sides of the fibre along its length so the cable
can be quite flexible. Fibre-optic cable is available with a metal core for strength if the cable will be hung
over distances.

ii) Wireless media: Radio and Microwave signals are used to send and receive data.
(1) Satellite: Satellite communication systems consist of Earth-orbiting communications platforms that
receive and retransmit microwave signals from one earth-based station to another. This is a good way to
transmit data wirelessly over very large distances, but it would be needlessly expensive for a small
network.

(2) Microwave: Microwaves are short-wavelength, high-frequency signals that occupy the electromagnetic
spectrum 1,000 MHz (1 GHz) to 1,000 GHz (1 terahertz). This is just above the radio frequency range and
just below the infrared range. The entire range is huge, but much of it is not used for data communications,
especially at the high-end due to water absorption.

(3) Infra-red: This is short-wave electromagnetic radiation that falls between radio waves and visible light.
Infrared can't be seen, but it can be felt as heat given a strong energy source. It can be used to transmit
data fairly quickly over a short range. Most people are familiar with infrared as implemented in remote
 control devices. Infrared is used in most television remote control systems. Infrared communications are
fairly reliable and don't cost very much to build into a device. To use infrared communication, each device
must have an infrared port, the infrared ports must be in line of sifht and they must be fairly close to each
other, usually within 5 metres. Infrared Data Association (IrDA) is the group responsible for developing
the technology.

f) Bandwidth (capacity of the communications channel): This refers to the volume of data that can be transmitted
in a given time. The wider the bandwidth the more data it can transmit. Think of bandwidth as a pipe and data
as water flowing through the pipe into a bucket. If the pipe is very narrow, the water will pour into the bucket in
a thin stream, so the bucket will take a long time to fill. If the pipe is wide, the bucket will fill up quicker.
i) Narrowband: channel which is almost obsolete can transmit data at slow speeds of between 10 and 30
characters per second (cps).
ii) Voiceband: channel can transmit data at the rate of 1000 to 8000 cps. A telephone line is voice-band, and is
one of the most widely used methods of transferring data.
iii) Broadband: channel can transmit large volumes of data at speeds of over 100000 cps. Uses fibre optic,
microwave, satellites and coaxial cables.

g) Communication modes: the lines that transmit data can also be classified according to the direction which data
flows through them
i) Simplex: Data is transmitted in one direction only. You can send or receive data, but not both. When you
watch TV or listen to the radio you receive the broadcast signal but you do not need to send any data.
ii) Half duplex: Data is sent and received but not at the same time. You cannot receive data while you send data,
and vice versa. Walkie-talkies use half-duplex communications.
iii) Full-Duplex: Data is sent and received simultaneously. Phone lines use full duplex which enables two-way
communication between two or more persons carrying on a conversation.

h) Point-to-point: This occurs when data is sent directly from one device to exactly one other. On a point-to-point
link, there is no contention for the channel because it connects only the sender and receiver, not a number of
shared devices. Example: a phone call, a WhatsApp message, etc.

i) Broadcast: A method of sending a signal where multiple parties may hear a single sender. It also refers to a type
of networking that is done on shared-media networks where multiple nodes are attached to the same LAN. It is a
one-to-many method of transmitting information. Think of radio and TV signals being broadcast such that all with
the appropriate equipment can receive the signal. WhatsApp status message is another example.

j) Ways in which data is transmitted: