COMPUTER NETWORK

A computer network is an interconnection of

various computer systems located at different
places. In computer network two or more
computers are linked together with a medium
and data communication devices for the purpose
of communicating data and sharing resources.
The computer that provides resources to other
computers on a network is known as server. In
the network the individual computers, which
access shared network resources, are known as
workstations or nodes or terminals.
 Computer Networks may be classified on
the basis of geographical area in three
broad categories.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Local Area Network

Networks used to interconnect computers in a single room,

rooms within a building or buildings on one site are called
Local Area Network (LAN). LAN transmits data with a speed
of several megabits per second (10 6 bits per second). The
transmission medium is normally coaxial cables.
LAN links computers, software and hardware, in the same
area for the purpose of sharing information.
Usually LAN links computers within a limited geographical
area because they must be connected by a cable, which is
quite expensive. People working in LAN get more capabilities
in data processing, work processing and other information
exchange compared to stand-alone computers. Because of
this information exchange most of the business and
government organizations are using LAN.
Major Characteristics of LAN
every computer has the potential to
communicate with any other computers in
the network
high degree of interconnection between
computers
easy physical connection of computers in
a network
inexpensive medium of data transmission
high data transmission rate
Advantages
The reliability of network is high because
the failure of one computer in the network
does not effect the functioning for other
computers.
Addition of new computer to network is
easy.
High rate of data transmission is possible.
Peripheral devices like magnetic disk and
printer can be shared by other computers.
Disadvantages
If the communication line fails, the entire
Use of LAN
Followings are the major areas where LAN
is normally used
File transfers and Access
Word and text processing
Electronic message handling
Remote database access
Personal computing
Digital voice transmission and storage
Metropolitan Area Network
Networks used to interconnect computers in
a single town or city is called Metropolitan
Area Network (MAN). MAN transmits data
with a speed of several megabits per second
(106 bits per second). The transmission
medium is normally coaxial cables and fiber
optic cables
Characteristics of MAN
Similar to those of LAN
Wide Area Network

Wide Area Network (WAN) is used to

describe a computer network spanning a
regional, national or global area. For
example, the entire country or the world.
The distance between computers connected
to WAN is larger. Therefore the transmission
medium used are normally telephone lines,
fiber optic cables and satellite links.
Characteristics of WAN
Communication Facility: WAN has enhanced
the communication process thro video
conferencing, emails and audio conferencing.
For a big company spanning over different parts
of the country the employees can save long
distance phone calls and it overcomes the time
lag in overseas communications.
Computer conferencing is another use of WAN
where users communicate with each other
through their computer system.
Remote Data Entry: Remote data entry is
possible in WAN. It means sitting at any location
you can enter data, update data and query other
information of any computer attached to the WAN
but located in other cities.
Centralized Information: In modern
computerized environment most
organizations go for centralized data
storage. This means if the organization is
spread over many cities, they keep their
important business data in a single place.
As the data are generated at different
sites, WAN permits collection of this data
from different sites and save at a single
site.
Difference between LAN and WAN
LAN is restricted to limited geographical area of
few kilometers. But WAN covers great distance
and operate nationwide or even worldwide.
In LAN, the computer terminals and peripheral
devices are connected with wires and coaxial
cables. In WAN there is no physical connection.
Communication is done through telephone lines
and satellite links.
Cost of data transmission in LAN is less because
the transmission medium is owned by a single
organization. In case of WAN the cost of data
transmission is very high because the
transmission mediums used are hired either
The speed of data transmission is much
higher in LAN than in WAN.

Few data transmission errors occur in

LAN compared to WAN. It is because in
LAN the distance covered is negligible.
NETWORK TOPOLOGY
Network Topology refers to the physical layout of
a computer network. This includes the way in
which each computer is wired into the network,
as well as how equipments (such as hubs and
switches) are used to join together different parts
of the network.
Different topologies, provide different
performances in the following areas –
Centralization
Cost
Maintenance and troubleshooting
Scalability
Security
Speed
Stability
In addition to these factors, the issue of
single point of failure (SPF) has to be
considered. This is a physical or logical
location (a server, hub, wire, or router) where
one or more network devices connect. When
this connection fails, one or more
workstations will be unable to transmit data.
Every network has at least one single point of
failure. In networks that perform mission-
critical tasks, the trick is to minimize the
damage that occurs when that single point
finally fails. Different topologies pose
different limitations in regard.
BUS TOPOLOGY
The bus topology network is supported by a long,
uninterrupted cable called a backbone. All
communications devices are connected to this
common channel using co-ax, STP or UTP. This
backbone is the root for all connectivity. Network
devices – workstations, terminals, and
peripherals, -- draw their network feed from the
backbone.
There is no central computer or server, and data
transmission is bi-directional. Each
communications device transmits electronic
messages to other devices. If some of those
messages collide, the device waits and tries to
retransmit.
ADVANTAGES
Simplicity. Implementing bus topology is
very straight forward – you simply string a
backbone and plug in your workstations.
Bus topology is inexpensive because it
requires neither hubs nor routers.
A bus topology does not necessarily require
all the workstations housed in the same
space. Widespread office LAN can still be
achieved by winding the backbone through
the building. So long as the wire is
continuous, it doesn’t matter how many
twists and turns it takes.
DISADVANTAGES
Bus topology based networks are difficult to
troubleshoot. If problems arise at the network
level, it can be difficult to isolate the source.
Bus topology lacks central administration.
Because most bus topology networks have no
hubs, routers, or switches, they are difficult to
manage.
Speed and performance constraints. Only one
workstation can send data at any one time. Thus,
each additional workstation east substantial
network resources.
Bus topology networks have a high-profile single
point of failure. That is, if the network backbone
fails, the entire network is effectively knocked
out.
Bus topology is undesirable from a security
standpoint. Data sent from one workstation is
transmitted to all remaining workstations. Under
normal conditions, only the intended recipient
captures that transmission. However, with
simple modification, any connected workstation
could capture all transmissions, even though that
workstation is not “entitled” to the information.
STAR TOPOLOGY
Star topology is more structured than bus
topology, and focuses on centralization. All
microcomputers and other communications
devices are connected to a central point or
hub such as a file server or host computer.
This is done via UTP or STP. Some intelligent
hubs can provide switching, bridging and
routing capabilities. Electronic messages are
sent through the central hub to their
destinations.
 The central hub monitors the flow of traffic.
ADVANTAGES
Star topology offers centralization. Thus star
networks are more easily managed and secured.
Star networks are usually faster than bus
networks. Each workstation is independently
wired directly to the hub; data is transmitted
directly, allowing greater speed and organization.
Star networks are stable. If one workstation fails,
the rest continue to operate unhindered. Damage
control is therefore much easier.
Reconfiguration is easy. If new workstations are
to be removed or added, this can instantly be
done by plugging them or unplugging them from
the hub.
DISADVANTAGES
Star networks have a single point of failure at
the hub level. Hence, if a hub cable breaks,
or the hub fails for other reasons, all
workstations will lose connectivity.
Star networks can represent a greater initial
investment. This is because hubs are
expensive.
The average hub has between 8 and 20 ports
(ports are where the workstations get
plugged into). If the number of workstations
exceeds the number of available ports,
another hub needs to be bought.
RING TOPOLOGY
A ring network is one in which all
microcomputers and other communications
devices are connected in a continuous loop.
Electronic messages are passed around the
ring in one direction, with each node serving
as a repeater, until they reach the right
destination. Rings are generally co-ax or
fiber .
Ring networks are very similar to bus
networks, the difference lying in the fact that
the ring network’s backbone is a closed loop.
ADVANTAGES
Ring topology has the same basic advantages
of bus topology --
Ring networks can be easier to establish.
Ring networks represent low initial overhead
(that is, no need to purchase a hub, and each
wire only has to connect to the next
workstation).
DISADVANTAGES
Ring networks have many single points of
failure. (That number is equal to the number
of connected network devices). If even one
network device fails, or the cable between
any two workstations is disconnected, the
entire network is temporarily not functional.
NETWORK DEVICES
Wire Pairs:
Wire pairs are commonly used in local telephone
communication and for short distance digital data
communication. They are usually made up of
copper and the pair of wires is twisted together.
Data transmission speed is normally 9600 bits
per second in a distance of 100 meter.
Coaxial Cables:
Coaxial cable is groups of specially
wrapped and insulted wires that are able
to transfer data at higher rate. They
consist of a central copper wire
surrounded by an insulation over which
copper mesh is placed. They are used for
long distance telephone lines and local
area network for their noise immunity,
faster data transfer and higher bandwidth
Microwave: Microwave system uses very
high frequency radio signals to transmit data
through space. The transmitter and receiver
of a microwave system should be in line-of-
sight because the radio signal cannot bend.
With microwave very long distance
transmission is not possible. In order to
overcome the problem of line of sight and
power amplification of weak signal, repeaters
are used at intervals of 25 to 30 kilometers
between the transmitting and receiving end.
Communication Satellite:
The problem of line-sight and repeaters are
overcome by using satellites which are the most
widely used data transmission media in modern
days.
A communication satellite is a microwave relay
station placed in outer space.
In satellite communication, microwave signal is
transmitted from a transmitter on earth to the
satellite at space. The satellite amplifies the
weak signal and transmits it back to the receiver.
The main advantage of satellite communication
is that it is a single microwave relay station
visible from any point of a very large area.
Network Repeater:
A repeater connects two segments of a
network cable. It regenerates signals to
proper amplitudes and sends them to the
other segments.
Repeaters require a small amount of time to
regenerate the signal. This can cause a
propagation delay which can affect network
communication when there are several
repeaters in a row. Many network
architectures limit the number of repeaters
that can be used in a row.
Bridge:
A bridge reads the outermost section of data
on the data packet, to tell where the message
is going. It reduces the traffic on other
network segments, since it does not send all
packets.
Bridges can be programmed to reject packets
from particular networks. Bridges forward all
broadcast messages.
Only a special bridge called a translation
bridge will allow two networks of different
architectures to be connected. Bridges do not
normally allow connection of networks with
different architectures.
 Router:
A router is used to route data packets
between two networks. It reads the
information in each packet to tell where it is
going. If it is destined for an immediate
network it has access to, it will strip the outer
packet, readdress the packet to the proper
Ethernet address, and transmit it on that
network. If it is destined for another network
and must be sent to another router, it will re-
package the outer packet to be received by
the next router and send it to the next router.
END