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Computer Networks

The document defines a computer network and provides details about network classification, topologies, types, and basic hardware components. It discusses how computer networks allow sharing of resources and information between connected devices. Networks can be classified by connection method, scope, and topology. Common network topologies include bus, star, ring and mesh. Examples of network types are local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs). Basic hardware components that make up networks include network interface cards, repeaters, hubs, switches, and routers. The Internet is described as a global system of interconnected computer networks that provides a wide range of information and communication services.

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95 views

Computer Networks

The document defines a computer network and provides details about network classification, topologies, types, and basic hardware components. It discusses how computer networks allow sharing of resources and information between connected devices. Networks can be classified by connection method, scope, and topology. Common network topologies include bus, star, ring and mesh. Examples of network types are local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs). Basic hardware components that make up networks include network interface cards, repeaters, hubs, switches, and routers. The Internet is described as a global system of interconnected computer networks that provides a wide range of information and communication services.

Uploaded by

pvijaycs
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CONTENTS

1) Definition
2) Introduction
3) Applications of Computer Networks
4) Network Classifications
5) Network Topologies
6) Types of Network
7) Network Hardware Components
8) Internet
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a group
of computers and devices interconnected by communications channels that facilitate
communications among users and allows users to share resources. Networks may be
classified according to a wide variety of characteristics.

Introduction
A computer network allows sharing of resources and information among interconnected
devices. In the 1960s, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) started funding the
design of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) for the United States
Department of Defense. It was the first computer network in the world. [1] Development of the
network began in 1969, based on designs developed during the 1960s Computer networks can
be used for several purposes:

 Facilitating communications. Using a network, people can communicate efficiently and


easily via email, instant messaging, chat rooms, telephone, video telephone calls, and video
conferencing.
 Sharing hardware. In a networked environment, each computer on a network may
access and use hardware resources on the network, such as printing a document on a
shared network printer.
 Sharing files, data, and information. In a network environment, authorized user may
access data and information stored on other computers on the network. The capability of
providing access to data and information on shared storage devices is an important feature
of many networks.
 Sharing software. Users connected to a network may run application programs on
remote computers
Applications of Networks
Resource Sharing

Hardware (computing resources, disks, printers)

Software (application software)

Information Sharing

Easy accessibility from anywhere (files, databases)

Search Capability (WWW)

Communication

Email

Message broadcast

Remote computing
Distributed processing (GRID Computing)
Network classification
Connection method
Computer networks can be classified according to the hardware and
software technology that is used to interconnect the individual devices the
network, such as optical fiber, Ethernet, wireless LAN,HomePNA, power
line communication or G.hn.

Wired technologies

 Twisted pair wire is the most widely used medium for telecommunication. Twisted-pair wires are
ordinary telephone wires which consist of two insulated copper wires twisted into pairs and are
used for both voice and data transmission. 

 Coaxial cable is widely used for cable television systems, office buildings, and other worksites for
local area networks. The cables consist of copper or aluminum wire wrapped with insulating layer
typically of a flexible material with a high dielectric constant, all of which are surrounded by a
conductive layer.

 Optical fiber  cable consists of one or more filaments of glass fiber wrapped in protective layers. It
transmits light which can travel over extended distances. Fiber-optic cables are not affected by
electromagnetic radiation. Transmission speed may reach trillions of bits per second. The
transmission speed of fiber optics is hundreds of times faster than for coaxial cables and
thousands of times faster than a twisted-pair wire.

Wireless technologies
 Terrestrial  microwave – Terrestrial microwaves use Earth-based transmitter and receiver. The
equipment look similar to satellite dishes. Terrestrial microwaves use low-gigahertz range, which
limits all communications to line-of-sight. Path between relay stations spaced approx, 30 miles apart.
Microwave antennas are usually placed on top of buildings, towers, hills, and mountain peaks.

 Communications satellites – The satellites use microwave radio as their telecommunications


medium which are not deflected by the Earth's atmosphere. The satellites are stationed in space,
typically 22,000 miles (for geosynchronous satellites) above the equator. These Earth-orbiting
systems are capable of receiving and relaying voice, data, and TV signals.
 Cellular and PCS systems – Use several radio communications technologies. The systems are
divided to different geographic areas. Each area has a low-power transmitter or radio relay antenna
device to relay calls from one area to the next area.

Network topology
Computer networks may be classified according to the network topology upon which the
network is based, such as bus network, star network, ring network, mesh network.  Network
topology is the coordination by which devices in the network are arranged in their logical
relations to one another, independent of physical arrangement. Even if networked computers
are physically placed in a linear arrangement and are connected to a hub, the network has a
star topology, rather than a bus topology.
Types of networks based on physical scope
Local area network
A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in a
limited geographical area such as home, school, computer laboratory, office building, or
closely positioned group of buildings. Each computer or device on the network is a node

Metropolitan area network


A Metropolitan area network is a large computer network that usually spans a city or a
large campus.

Wide area network


A wide area network (WAN) is a computer network that covers a large geographic area
such as a city, country, or spans even intercontinental distances, using a
communications channel that combines many types of media such as telephone lines,
cables, and air waves.
Basic Network hardware components
All networks are made up of basic hardware building blocks to interconnect
network nodes, such as Network Interface Cards (NICs), Bridges, Hubs,
Switches, and Routers.
Network interface cards
A network card, network adapter, or NIC (network interface card) is a
piece of computer hardware designed to allow computers to communicate
over a computer network. It provides physical access to a networking
medium and often provides a low-level addressing system through the use
of MAC addresses.
Repeaters
A repeater is an electronic device that receives a signal, cleans it of
unnecessary noise, regenerates it, and retransmits it at a higher power
level, or to the other side of an obstruction, so that the signal can cover
longer distances without degradation. In most twisted pair Ethernet
configurations, repeaters are required for cable that runs longer than 100
meters.
Hubs
A network hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one
port, it is copied unmodified to all ports of the hub for transmission.
Routers
A router is an internetworking device that forwards packets between
networks by processing information found in the datagram or packet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet
Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions of
private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad
array of electronic and optical networking technologies. The Internet carries a vast range of information resources
and services, such as the inter-linked hypertext documents of the World Wide Web (WWW) and the infrastructure
to support electronic mail.

Most traditional communications media including telephone, music, film, and television are being
reshaped or redefined by the Internet. Newspaper, book and other print publishing are having to adapt to Web
sites and blogging. The Internet has enabled or accelerated new forms of human interactions through instant
messaging, Internet forums, and social networking. Online shopping has boomed both for major retail outlets and
small artisans and traders. Business-to-business and financial services on the Internet affect supply chains across
entire industries.

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