A computer network is a collection of interconnected

computers and other devices which are able to

communicate with each other. Also defined as - collection
of hardware components and computers interconnected
by communication channels that allow sharing of
resources and information. Where at least one process in
one device is able to send/receive data to/from at least
one process residing in a remote device, then the two
devices are said to be in a network
1. Resource Sharing
2. Cost Saving
3. Collaborative user interaction
4. Time savings
5. Increased storage
 If network are badly managed, services can
become unusable and productivity fails
 If software and files held centrally, it may be
impossible to carry out any work if the central
server fails.
 File security is more important
especially if connected to WAN e.g. protection
from viruses
 To handle network of org anization
you may need specialist staff to run the
network
Components of Computer Network

Hosts/Nodes
Servers
Clients
Network Hardware: NIC, Hub,Switch,Router.,
Communication Channel: Wired and Wireless channels
/guided and unguided channels
Software: protocols
Network services: DNS,FTP VoIP.,
There are many different types of networks available. Network is not the only
internet , there are many different ways we can create a network, if we connect
two computers this is also a network or if we use Bluetooth for file sharing this is
also a network.

Network can be differentiated by their size, structure, distance, and purpose.

Networks can be divided by their geographical area and number of computers.
So networks are divided mainly into four types:

⦿ PAN
⦿ LAN
⦿ MAN
⦿ WAN
•PAN means a personal area network is the smallest
network which is very personal to a user.
•This network is used in the personal space of a person that’s
why this network name is a personal area network.
•This network normally ranges within around 10 meters.
•Personal area networks may include Bluetooth enable
devices or infrared enable devices. So when we connect two
devices using Bluetooth for data transfer then we create a
network in our personal space.
•All the Bluetooth devices like keyboard, mouse, Bluetooth-
enabled headphones, speakers, etc all are the network which
is used in the personal area.
•Infrared enable devices like TV remote, cordless
keyboard/mouse, infrared touch screen are also a part of the
personal area network.
•Local area network is a network, which is used in local
areas means it is a small network that covers small areas
like an office, school, college, building, etc.
•In this network, we can connect computers, printers,
servers, and other network devices.
•Local area network is a privately owned network which
means anyone can create this network easily we just need
some cables like Ethernet cables or central devices like a
hub or switch.
•It is the most secured network because there is no
outside connection with the local area network, so the data
which is shared on the LAN network is safe and can’t be
accessed outside.
•LAN networks are small-size networks so they
are considerably faster, data transfer speed over a LAN
network can reach up to 1000 Mbps.
•Using Ethernet cables, data transfer speed can reach up to
10 Mbps and by using FDDI or Gigabit Ethernet, data
transfer speed can reach up to 1 Gbps.
•LAN networks are mostly used in businesses where all
business data is stored on servers.
•This network can be used in factories.
•This network can be used in Schools and Colleges where
all the students, teachers, and staff have all the data stored
on servers.
•This network can also be used in our homes where all the
computers, mobiles, printers are connected to the
switch/router, and these devices can exchange data.
•A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a type of
computer network that spans a metropolitan area,
connecting multiple LANs (Local Area Networks)
means it is a network, which is bigger than the local
area network.
•A network is referred to as a Metropolitan Area
Network (MAN) when it covers a larger geographical
area compared to Local Area Networks (LANs).
•This network is used to connect devices in a city or
metropolitan area, often for the purpose of providing
internet access or sharing resources among
businesses and organizations.
•In other words, When two or more two LANs network
connected for the purpose of communication then it
becomes a MAN network. So these types of networks are
bigger than the LAN network but also smaller than the WAN
network.
•For Example, a business company has many branches in
different locations and every branch uses a LAN network.
So the company connects all these LAN networks through a
telephone line so now this network becomes a MAN
network.
•MAN’s network mostly uses fiber optic cables so this
network’s data delivery rate is faster and more efficient.
These networks are typically owned and operated by a
single organization or consortium of organizations.
•MAN networks are widely used in cable television
networks, available in the whole city
•This network can be used in private industries.
•This network can be used in universities or
colleges.
•This network can be used in military areas for
communication.
•This network also can be used in railways or
airlines.
 Network of computing/communication devices
crossing the limits of city, country, or continent.
 Cover area of over hundreds of kilometer radius
 Network of ATMs, BANKs, National or International
organization offices spread over a country,
continent are example of WAN.
 It is usually formed by LANs,
interconnecting
MANs or may be other WANs.
 Best example of WAN is internet
Which type of network is commonly used in offices, buildings, or
campuses?

What type of network is the Bluetooth device?

Is T.V remote a type of personal area network?

Which type of network is cable television?

TYPES of networks based on component Role
Client/Server vs Peer-to-peer

A LAN network can be a client/server or peer-to-peer

Client/Server network is mostly used in business
organizations where central servers are used and all the
business data stored in a server. All the clients’ computers are
connected to the central server where they can access data
from the server.
Peer-to-peer LAN networks are mostly used in homes
where all computers are connected to each other and can
exchange data with each other without a server.
If your home computers, tablets, mobiles, smart TV, printer,
etc all are connected to your home Wi-Fi connection then
you are using a LAN network and all these devices are
connected to your home central device and these devices
can share data with each other through LAN network.
⦿ 1969 - First network came into
existence
⦿ ARPANET – Advanced Research
Project Agency Network

⦿ MID80’S - NSFNET (National

Science Foundation Network)
 1980
NSFnet

a high capacity
network to be
1969 strictly academic
used 1990
ARPANET and for INTERNET
research. engineering

to connect computers
at u.s. defense and the internetworking of
different universities. ARPANET, NSFnet and
other private
networks

INTERNET IS THE NETWORK OF NETWORKS.

⦿aglobal computer network providing a variety of
information and communication facilities,
consisting of interconnected networks using
standardized communication protocols

⦿ Network of Networks

⦿ Popularly known as “NET”

⦿ Intranet is a local or restricted communications
network, especially a private network created
using World Wide Web softwares.

⦿ It is managed by any person/ organization

⦿ Intranet user can avail services of Internet

whereas Internet user cannot access intranet
directly.
⦿ Interspace is a client/server software program
that allows multiple users to communicate
online with real time audio, video and text chat
in dynamic 3D environment.

⦿ Online video conferencing is an

example of Interspace.
⦿ Switching techniques are used for transferring
data across network.
⦿ In large network, there might be multiple path
linking the sender and receiver. Information
may be switched as it travels through various
communication channel.
⦿ Three types of Switching techniques
1. Circuit Switching
2. Packet Switching
3. Message Switching
⦿ First the complete physical
connection between two computers is
established
transmitted from theand
sourcethen the todata
computer are
the destination
⦿ When a call is placed the switching equipment within
the system seeks out a physical copper path all the way
from the sender to the receiver.
⦿ It is must to setup an end-to-end connection between
computers before any data can be sent.
⦿ The circuit is terminated when the connection is closed.
⦿ In circuit switching, resources remain allocated during
the full length of a communication, after a circuit is
established and until the circuit is terminated and the
allocated resources are freed
⦿ Packet switching introduces the idea of cutting data i.e.
at the source entire message is broken in smaller
pieces called packets which are transmitted over a
network without any resource being allocated.
⦿ Then each packet is transmitted and each packet may
follow any rout available and at destination packets
may reach in random order.
⦿ At the destination when all packets are received they
are merged to form the original message.
⦿ In packet switching all the packets of fixed size are
stored in main memory.
⦿ In message Switching, data is first stored by one node
then forward to another node to transfer the data to
another system.
⦿ In messag e Switching, data is first
stored, then forwarded to the next node
⦿ In Message Switching there is no upper bound on size
of packet whereas in Packet Switching each packet is of
fixed size.
⦿ In Packet Switching data packets
are stored in main memory whereas
in Message Switching Message
is
stored in Hark disk which makes it reducing the access
time
Difference between Circuit Switching, Message Switching and Packet
Switching

Circuit Switching Message Switching Packet Switching

There is physical No physical path is set in No physical path is

connection b/w transmitter advance b/w transmitter and established b/w transmitter
and receiver receiver and receiver

All the packet uses same Packet are stored and Packet travels
path forward independently
Need an end to end path
No need of end to end path No need of end to end path
before the data
before data transmission before data transmission
transmission
Reserves the entire Does not reserve the Does not reserve the
bandwidth in advance bandwidth in advance bandwidth in advance
Waste of bandwidth is
No waste of bandwidth No waste of bandwidth
possible

It cannot support store and It support store and forward It support store and forward
forward transmission transmission transmission

Not suitable for handling Suitable for handling Suitable for handling
interactive traffic interactive traffic interactive traffic
⦿ Channels
(Baud) Unit of measurement of data carried
⦿ Bandwidth(difference between hishest and
lowest frequencies of transmission channel
• Hz,
• KHz
• MHz
⦿ Data Transfer Rate (bps,Bps)
• bps
• Kbps(kbps)
• Mbps(mbps)
• Gbps(gbps)
• Tbps(tbps)
⦿ Physical medium like cables over which information is
exchanged is called channel. Transmission channel
may be analog or digital. As the name suggests, analog
channels transmit data using analog signals while
digital channels transmit data using digital signals

⦿ In popular network terminology, path over which data is

sent or received is called data channel. This data
channel may be a tangible medium like copper wire
cables or broadcast medium like radio waves.
⦿ Data transfer rates that can be supported by a network
is called its bandwidth.
⦿ Bandwidth can be used in two different
context with two different measuring
values:
• BANDWIDTH IN HERTZ: is the range of frequencies
contained in a composite signal or the range of
frequencies a channel can pass. It is measured as
Hz (Hertz), KHz(Kilo), MHz(Mega)
• BANDWITDH IN BITS PER SECOND : number of bits
per second that a channel, link, or network can transmit. It
is measures as bps, Kbps, Mbps, etc.
For Example:

Hertz is cycles per second

voice signal bandwidth is approx. 3kHz

Analog TV bandwidth is approx. 6 MHz

⦿ It defines the number of data elements (bits) sent in 1
second. The unit is bps (bits per second)

⦿ Kbps (Kilo bits per second)

⦿ Mbps (Mega bits per second)
⦿ Gbps (Giga bits per second)
⦿ Tbps (Tera bits per second)
⦿ Transmission media is a communication channel that
carries the information from the sender to the receiver.
⦿ It is of 2 type :

• Wired media
🞄 Twisted Pair C a ble
🞄 C o -axial C a ble
🞄 Fiber-Optical C a ble
• Wireless Media
🞄 Radio waves
🞄 Microwaves
🞄 Infrared
🞄 Satellite
⦿ used for creating small computer network. It contains
four twisted pair covered in an outer shield. These pair
are color coded. An RJ-45 is used to connect this cable
to a computer. It is available in various forms such as
CAT1, CAT2, CAT3, CAT4, CAT5, CAT6.
⦿ Also known as Ethernet Cable

⦿ It is of 2 types:
• UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)
• STP(Shielded Twisted Pair)
 Advantages

• Simple , Easy to install and maintain

• Physically flexible
• Low weight
• Very inexpensive

Disadvantages:

• Incapable of carrying data in long distances

• Low bandwidth
• Max 10Mbps
• Easily damaged
Types
Unshielded Twisted pair(UTP)
Shielded Twisted pair(STP)
⦿ Coaxial cable is a type of copper cable specially built
with a metal shield and other components engineered
to block signal interference. It is primarily used
by cable TV companies to connect their satellite
antenna facilities to customer homes and businesses.
Advantages:

➨The cost of coaxial cable is less.

➨➨It is less susceptible to noise or interference (EMI or
RFI) compare to twisted pair cable.
➨It supports high bandwidth signal transmission compare
to twisted pair.
➨It is easy to wire and easy to expand due to flexibility.
➨It allows high transfer rates with coaxial cable having
better shielding materials.
Disadvantages:

➨It is expensive to install for longer distances due to its

thickness and stiffness.
➨As single cable is used for signal transmission across the
entire network, in case of failure in one cable the entire
network will be down.
➨The security is a great concern as it is easy to tap the
coaxial cable by breaking it and inserting T-joint in between.
➨It must be grounded to prevent interference.
⦿ arelong, thin strands of glass about thickness of human
hair. It is used to transmit data
through light signals
over long distances. It is capable of
transmitting messages modulated onto light waves.
Advantages of Optical Fiber
Greater bandwidth & faster speed—Optical fiber
cable supports extremely high bandwidth and
speed.
Cheap—Long, continuous miles of optical fiber
cable can be made cheaper than equivalent lengths
of copper wire.
Thinner and light-weighted—Optical fiber is
thinner, and can be drawn to smaller diameters
than copper wire. They are of smaller size and light
weight than a comparable copper wire cable,
offering a better fit for places where space is a
concern.
Higher carrying capacity—Because optical fibers
are much thinner than copper wires, more fibers can
be bundled into a given-diameter cable. This allows
more phone lines to go over the same cable or more
Less signal degradation—The loss of signal in optical
fiber is less than that in copper wire.

Light signals—Unlike electrical signals transmitted in

copper wires, light signals from one fiber do not
interfere with those of other fibers in the same fiber
cable.
Long lifespan—Optical fibers usually have a longer
life cycle for over 100 years.

Disadvantages of Optical Fiber

Installation problems
Difficult to tap need to insert a detector by
cutting the wire
Difficult to solder
Most expensive
Problem in connection loss due to weather
 Twisted Pair Coaxial Cable Optical fiber
Cable cable

Data Transfer 10Mbps-10Gbps 100Mbps >100Gbps

Rate

Data Transfer 100 m 185-500m -

Range

Interference More Less than NIL

susceptibility Ethernet cable

Cost Least cost More than Very Expensive

Ethernet
Electromagnetic waves are used for wireless
communication over computer network. Based on their
frequencies, electromagnetic waves are categorized into
various categories.
These categories are in increasing order of their
frequencies –
Radio Waves < Microwaves < Infra radiation < visible
light < ultraviolet radiation < x-rays < gamma rays

Out of these only radio waves, microwaves and infrared

rays are used for wireless communication
⦿ Are high frequency waves that can be used to transmit
data wirelessly over long distance
⦿ Travels in straight lines and cannot penetrate any solid
object, therefore for long distance
microwave
communication high towers are built and
microwave antennas are put on their top.
⦿ It consists of transmitter, receiver and atmosphere
⦿ Used to transmit signals such as mobile phone calls
⦿ Radio waves are used to transmit television and radio
programs. Wi-Fi / Bluetooth has become a common
word today also used radio wave to transmit data
among connected device.
⦿ It is Omni-directional and can penetrate solid objects.
⦿ Used for short range communication approx. 5-10m
⦿ Used in cordless mouse, remote controlled devices
⦿ They do not pass through solid object
 One advantage of this is that infrared system in one

room of building will not interfere with a similar system

in adjacent room.
 It is a line of sight transmission, so information passed

to one device is not leaked to another device.

 Used for very long distance wireless communication.
 Transmission from earth to a satellite is uplink
(frequency range 1.6GHz to 30.0 GHz) and transmission
from satellite to earth is known as downlink(frequency
range 1.5GHz to 20.0GHz)
 It covers large area of earth
 Expensive
 Require legal permissions.
BASIS OF
COMPARISON RADIO WAVE MICROWAVE INFRARED

The microwaves are The primary source of

A radio wave is generated produced with the help of infrared radiation is heat
when a charged particle is klystron or magnetron in or thermal radiation. Any
Generation swiftly accelerated and which the radio wave is object which has a
decelerated in the air. propagated in a magnetic temperature radiates in
field in order to generate the infrared.
microwave.

Microwave is a high The radio wave is a low Infrared is a high

Nature frequency and high energy frequency and low energy frequency low energy
region. wave. wave.

Direction These are omni-directional These are unidirectional in These are unidirectional in
in nature. nature. nature.

At frequency, they can

penetrate through solid They cannot penetrate
At Low Frequency At low frequency, they can objects and walls, at high through any solid object
penetrate through solid. frequency they cannot and walls.
penetrate.

The detection of a radio Microwave is detected Infrared are detected using

Detection wave is done using aerials. using point contact diodes. photon detectors
 Frequency ranges from 3 Frequency ranges from Frequency ranges from
Frequency KHz to 1GHz. 1GHz to 300 GHz. 300GHz to 400 GHz.
Attenuation Attenuation is high. Attenuation is variable. Attenuation is low.
Infrared are commonly
used in applications like
Microwaves are remote sensing, remote
Radio waves are commonly used in radar controls, optical fibres,
Uses commonly used in AM, systems, aircraft security systems and
FM, cellular systems etc. navigation and microwave thermal imaging cameras
oven. which detect people in
the dark.

Some frequencies in the Some frequencies in the Infrared wave frequencies

Government License radio-waves require microwave require do not require
government license to government license government license for
use. others don’t. use.
Radio wave is usually Microwave uses the line
Propagation propagated through sky of sight propagation.
mode.

Costs Setup and usage costs are Setup and usage costs are Setup and usage costs are
high. high. low.

Radio waves are use in Microwave are used in They are not used in long
Communication long distance long distance distance communication.
communication. communication.
Security Offers poor security. Offers medium security. Offers high security.
⦿ The way in which the computers/devices are physically
interconnected to form a network is called a Topology.
⦿ It can be defined as the arrangement or structure of
network.
⦿ Types of
Topologies:
• Bus
• Star
• Tree
• Ring
• Mesh
⦿ In bus topology all the nodes are connected to a main
cable called backbone.
⦿ If any node has to send some information to any other
node, it sends the signal to the backbone. The signal
travels through the entire length of the backbone and is
received by the node for which it is intended.
⦿ A small device called terminator is attached at each
end of the backbone. When the signal reaches the end
of backbone, it is absorbed by the terminator and the
backbone gets free to carry another signal.
⦿ It is easy to install.
⦿ It requires less cable length and hence it is cost
effective.
⦿ Failure of a node does not affect the network
⦿ In case of cable (backbone) or terminator fault, the
entire network breaks down.
⦿ Fault diagnosis is difficult.
⦿ At a time only one node can transmit data.
⦿ In star topology each node is directly connected to a
hub/switch.
⦿ If any node has to send some information to any other
node, it sends the signal to the hub/switch. This signal
is then broadcast (in case of a hub) to all the nodes but
is accepted by the intended node(s).
⦿ It is easy to install
⦿ It is easy to diagnose the fault in Star topology.
⦿ It is easy to expand depending on the specifications of
central hub/switch
⦿ Failure of hub/switch leads to failure of entire network
⦿ It requires more cable length as compared to bus
topology.
⦿ Tree topology is a combination of bus and star
topologies.
⦿ It is used to combine multiple star topology networks.
⦿ All the stars are connected together like a bus.
⦿ It offers easy way of network expansion

⦿ Even if one network (star) fails, the other networks

remain connected and working.
Basic communication modes of operation

Simplex

Half-duplex

Full –Duplex
Identifying Nodes of computer Network

IP Address

IPv4 32 bit address

Ex: 123.109.9.004
Max4.3 billion addresses

IPv6 128 bit address

Ex:2001:ODC1:E003:0001:0000:0098:F00D
Max 2 to the power 128

MAC address(Media Access Control)