COMPUTER NETWORKS

• A computer network is an interconnection of two

or more computers that are able to exchange
information. It is also called Data Network.
Note: A network is simply a collection of computers
or other hardware devices that are connected
either physically or logically, using special hardware
and software, to allow to exchange information and
cooperate.
• Networking is the term that describe the process
involve in designing, managing and working with
Networks and Network technologies
 REASONS FOR NETWORKING
COMPUTERS
ADVANTAGES
• To share data- for example a centralized
database can be used to store all the records
of an organization.
• To share tasks- co-worker can collaborate on
tasks to speed up processing
• Increased storage capacity as there is more
than one computer on a network which can
easily share files, the issue of storage
 CONT…D
• Increased Cost Efficiency
Therefore many types of software available in
the market which are costly and take time for
installation. A standalone computer might be
used.
 CONT…Control over access

• Network access control, or NAC, is the set of tools,

processes and protocols that govern access to network-
connected resources. It is a multifaceted discipline that
involves access control solutions for different types of
resources, including conventional PCs and servers, and
also network routers, IOT devices and more.
• NAC also applies to data that travels over the network,
and the resources it helps to secure may be physical (as
in the case of hardware routers or servers) or software-
defined, virtual resources (such as a software firewall
or a virtual machine).
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DISADVANTAGES
• A virus can spread more easily across the
network.
• There is a great need for security as data is
shared.
• If the server fails, all the workstations are
affected.
• The cost of installing the equipment is greater.
• Damage to cables can isolate computers.
 WIRELESS AND WIRED NETWORK
WIRELESS NETWORK

It is the connection between two or more

devices without cables. Networks do not use
any form of cable. The transmission of
data(your files, music, printing to the printer
etc) occurs over radio waves.
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Wireless networks can be divided into three
categories based on their use:
 Bluetooth technology to connect the different
components of the computer in a room, a small
office or home.
 Wireless LAN is used to connect computers and
devices wirelessly in a LAN, for example, different
computers or devices in an office or campus.
 Wireless WAN is used to connect wide area
systems, for example access to Internet via
mobile devices like cell phone, PDAs and laptops
 Cont…D

Examples of wireless network devices

Mobile phone
Television
Radio
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• WIRED NETWORK
This means the connection between two or
more devices via cables.
Examples of wired networks devices are:
Telephone
Cable TV
Optical fibre. etc….
HOW COMPUTERS CAN BE LINKED
• There are many ways in which computers can
be networked.
NOTE: The type of computer network formed is
generally determined by the distance which the
network will cover.
On the basis of distance there are three basic
computer networks.
 NETWORK TYPES
• Computer network is broadly classified into
three types—(1) Local Area Network (LAN),
(2) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and
(3) Wide Area Network (WAN). The different
network types are distinguished from each
other based on the following characteristics:
Size of the network
 Transmission Technology
 Networking Topology
 CONT..D
• The size of the network refers to the area over
which the network is spread. Transmission
technology refers to the transmission media
used to connect computers on the network
and the transmission protocols used for
connecting. Network topology refers to the
arrangement of computers on the network or
the shape of the network.
 LOCAL AREA NETWORK
• LAN is a computer network widely used for
local communication. LAN connects
computers in a small area like a room,
building, office or a campus spread up to a
few kilometres. They are privately owned
networks, with a purpose to share resources
and to exchange information. The computers
in a LAN are generally connected using cables.
LAN is different from other types of network
since they share the network.
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• Star, Bus, and Ring are some of the common
LAN networking topologies. LAN runs at a
speed of 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps and has low
delays. A LAN based on WiFi wireless network
technology is called Wireless Local Area
Network (WLAN).
 METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK
• MAN is a computer network spread over a
city. Cable television network is an example of
MAN. The computers in a MAN are connected
using coaxial cables or fiber optic cables. MAN
also connects several LAN spread over a city
 WIDE AREA NETWORK
• WAN is a network that connects computers over
long distances like cities, countries, continents, or
worldwide. WAN uses public, leased, or private
communication links to spread over long
distances. WAN uses telephone lines, satellite
link, and radio link to connect. The need to be
able to connect any number of computers at any
number of sites, results in WAN technologies to
be different from the LAN technologies. WAN
network must be able to grow itself. Internet is a
common example of WAN.
 LAN TOPOLOGIES
The way computers and other resources are laid out
is known as Topology
There are different types of network topologies that
are used in a network. The network topologies
differ in the structure or the layout of the different
devices and computers connected to the network.
The three topologies commonly used in LAN are:-
 Bus topology,
 Star topology, and
 Ring topology.
 Cont..d
• All devices on the network are connected
through a central cable called a Bus.
• The data signal is available to all computers
connected to the bus. The data signal carries
the address of the destination computer. Each
computer on the network checks the
destination address as the data signal travels
through the bus.
• It is good for connecting 15–20 computers.
 RING TOPOLOGY
• All devices in the network are connected in
the form of a ring. Each device has a receiver
and transmitter to receive the data signals and
to send them to the next computer,
respectively. Ring network does not have
terminated ends, thus data signals travel in a
circle.
 STAR TOPOLOGY
• All devices are connected through a
central link forming a star-like structure.
The central link is a hub or switch. The
computers are connected to the hub or
switch using twisted pair cables, coaxial
cables or optic fibers.
In addition to the bus, ring, and star
topologies, there are complex topologies
like the tree topology, and the mesh
topology used for networking in LAN.
STAR TOPOLOGY
 ADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT LAN NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

BUS RING STAR

ADVANTAGES Easy to All computers in Failure of a

implement the ring have device attached
(computers equal access to to the network
connected the ring Each does not halt the
linearly through computer in the complete
cable) ring gets an network; only
opportunity to that device is
Easily transmit data. down.
extendable
(new devices Easily
extendable— by
can be easily attaching a new
device to the hub
added) or switch.

Not very
expensive
 DISADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT LAN NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

DISADVANTAGES If the cable gets Adding or removing It is costly, since each

damaged, the whole devices is difficult and
device on the network
network collapses affects the complete is attached by a single
network cable to the central
A computer can link. Failure of the
transmit data Failure in a node hub or switch breaks
only if network is not or the cable breaks the complete network
being utilized down the ring and
thus the network
Network slows down
if additional
computers are The length of the ring
connected to the and the number of
network.
nodes are limited