Scribd
Upload
130 views

What Is Computer Networking

A computer network connects two or more computer systems through hardware and software. It allows sharing of resources like printers, files, and expensive software. Key components include switches, routers, servers, and clients. Switches connect devices on a network, routers connect multiple networks, servers store shared files and programs, and clients access and use network resources. Computer networks provide benefits like fast communication and resource sharing but also have costs like initial investment and need for administration.

Uploaded by

Leo Walican Antonio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
130 views

What Is Computer Networking

A computer network connects two or more computer systems through hardware and software. It allows sharing of resources like printers, files, and expensive software. Key components include switches, routers, servers, and clients. Switches connect devices on a network, routers connect multiple networks, servers store shared files and programs, and clients access and use network resources. Computer networks provide benefits like fast communication and resource sharing but also have costs like initial investment and need for administration.

Uploaded by

Leo Walican Antonio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 32

What is Computer

Networking? Basics, Uses &


Components
What is a Computer Network?
A computer network is a group of two or
more interconnected computer systems.
You can establish a network connection
using either cable or wireless media.
Every network involves hardware and
software that connects computers and
tools.
Computer Network Components
Essential computer network components:
Switches
Switches work as a controller which connects
computers, printers, and other hardware
devices to a network in a campus or a
building.
It allows devices on your network to
communicate with each other, as well as with
other networks. It helps you to share
resources and reduce the costing of any
organization.
Routers
Routers help you to connect with multiple
networks. It enables you to share a single
internet connection with multiple devices
and saves money. This networking
component acts as a dispatcher, which
allows you to analyze data sent across a
network. It automatically selects the best
route for data to travel and send it on its way.
Servers:
Servers are computers that hold shared
programs, files, and the network operating
system. Servers allow access to network
resources to all the users of the network.
Clients:
Clients are computer devices which
access and uses the network as well as
shares network resources. They are also
users of the network, as they can send and
receive requests from the server.
Transmission Media:
Transmission media is a carrier used to
interconnect computers in a network, such
as coaxial cable, twisted-pair wire, and
optical fiber cable. It is also known as
links, channels, or lines.
Access points
Access points allow devices to connect to
the wireless network without cables. A
wireless network allows you to bring new
devices and provides flexible support to
mobile users.
Shared Data:
Shared data are data which is shared
between the clients such as data files,
printer access programs, and email.
Network Interface Card:
Network Interface card sends, receives
data, and controls data flow between the
computer and the network.
Local Operating System:
A local OS which helps personal
computers to access files, print to a local
printer and uses one or more disk and CD
drives which are located on the computer.
Network Operating System:
The network operating system is a
program which runs on computers and
servers. It allows the computers to
communicate via network.
Protocol:
A protocol is the set of defined rules that
allows two entities to communicate across
the network. Some standard protocols
used for this purpose are IP, TCP, UDP,
FTP, etc.
Hub:
Hub is a device that splits network
connection into multiple computers. It
acts a distribution center so whenever a
computer requests any information from a
computer or from the network it sends the
request to the hub through a cable. The
hub will receive the request and transmit
it to the entire network.
LAN Cable:
Local Area Network(LAN) cable is also
called as Ethernet or data cable. It is used
for connecting a device to the internet.
OSI:
OSI stands for Open Systems
Interconnection. It is a reference model
which allows you to specify standards for
communications.
Unique Identifiers of Network

Hostname:
Every device of the network is associated
with a unique device, which is called
hostname.
IP Address:
IP (Internet Protocol) address is as a
unique identifier for each device on the
Internet. Length of the IP address is 32-
bits. IPv6 address is 128 bits.
DNS Server:
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It
is a server which translates URL or web
addresses into their corresponding IP
addresses.
MAC Address:
MAC (Media Access Control Address) is
known as a physical address is a unique
identifier of each host and is associated
with the NIC (Network Interface Card).
General length of MAC address is : 12-
digit/ 6 bytes/ 48 bits
Port:
Port is a logical channel which allows
network users to send or receive data to
an application. Every host can have
multiple applications running. Each of
these applications are identified using the
port number on which they are running.
Other Important Network
Components
ARP:
ARP stands for Address Resolution
Protocol which helps network users to
convert the IP address into its
corresponding Physical Address.
RARP:
Reverse Address Resolution Protocol
gives an IP address of the device with
given a physical address as input.
Uses of Computer Networks
Helps you to share resource such as
printers
Allows you to share expensive software’s
and database among network participants
Provides fast and effective
communication from one computer to
another computer
Helps you to exchange 
data and information among users via a
network.
Advantages of Computer Networking
Helps you to connect with multiple
computers together to send and receive
information when accessing the network.
Helps you to share printers, scanners, and
email.
Helps you to share information at very fast
speed
Electronic communication is more efficient
and less expensive than without the network.
Disadvantages of Computer
Networking
Investment for hardware and software can be costly
for initial set-up
If you don’t take proper security precautions like
file encryption, firewalls then your data will be at
risk.
Some components of the network design may not
last for many years, and it will become useless or
malfunction and need to be replaced.
Requires time for constant administration
Frequent server failure and issues of regular cable
faults
Summary:
A computer network is a group of two or
more interconnected computer systems
Computer networks help you to connect
with multiple computers together to send
and receive information
Switches work as a controller which
connects computers, printers, and other
hardware devices
Routers help you to connect with multiple
networks. It enables you to share a single
internet connection and saves money
Servers are computers that hold shared
programs, files, and the network operating
system
Clients are computer device which accesses and
uses the network and shares network resources
Hub is a device that split a network connection
into multiple computers.
Access points allow devices to connect to
the wireless network without cables
Network Interface card sends, receives
data and controls data flow between the
computer and the network
A protocol is the set of defined rules
which that allows two entities to
communicate across the network
Hostname, IP Address, DNS Server, and
host are important unique identifiers of
computer networks.
ARP stands for Address Resolution
Protocol
RAR Reverse Address Resolution
Protocol gives an IP address of the device
with given a physical address as input.
Computer network helps you to share
expensive software’s and database among
network participants
The biggest drawback of installing
computer network is that its initial
investment for hardware and software can
be costly for initial set-up

You might also like