New

syllabus
2020-21

Chapter 6
Computer
Networks

Informatics Practices
Class XII ( As per CBSE Board)
 Computer Network
A computer network is a set of nodes like computers and
networking devices that are connected through communication for
the purpose of communication and sharing
resources(hardware/software) among the users.
Networks are used to:
(Benefits of computer network)
• Facilitate communication through email / video conferencing /
instant messaging or any other mode.
• Share hardware devices like a printer or scanner
• Enable file sharing
• Share software or operating programs
• Share information
Disadvantages of computer network
Lack of robustness, security issue, cost of network
 Evolution of
networking
ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency NETwork): In 1969, The US govt.
formed an agency named ARPANET to connect computers at various universities
and defense agencies. The main objective of ARPANET was to develop a network
that could continue to function efficiently even in the event of a nuclear attack.

Internet (INTERconnection NETwork): The Internet is a worldwide network of

computer networks. It is not owned by anybody. The internet has evolved from
ARPANET. The internet is a globally connected network system that utilizes TCP/IP
to transmit information. following services are instantly available through
internet : Email, Web-enabled audio/video conferencing services, Online movies
and gaming , Data transfer/file-sharing, Instant messaging , Internet forums ,
Social networking , Online shopping ,Financial services

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
environments.
 Network devices

Computer hardware devices which are used to connect

computers, printers, or any other electronic device to a
computer network are called network devices. These
devices transfer data in a fast, secure and correct way
with some specific functionality over same or different
networks.

Some devices are installed on the computer, like

Internal modem, NIC card or RJ45 connector, whereas
some are part of the network, like router, switch, etc.
 Network devices
NIC – This is at top among other networking devices and mostly used networking device.
This is also known as network adapter card, Ethernet Card and LAN card. It allows our PC to
communicate with other PCs. A PC uses parallel data transmission to transmit data between
its internal parts where as the media that connects this PC with other device/PCs uses serial
data transmission. A NIC converts parallel data stream into serial data stream and vice versa.

RJ-45 (Registered Jack – 45) is an eight wired connector that is used to connect
computers on a local area network (LAN), especially Ethernet.
 Network devices
Repeater – In a network signal travels a long distance in transmission
media. Due to resistance of media signal becomes weak. Repeater is
a networking device which regenerates the signal and forwards
these signal with more power.
 Network devices

Modem – Modem is short for Modulator Demodulator. It’s an

electronic device used to access the Internet that modulates carrier
waves to encode information to be transmitted and also
demodulates incoming carrier waves to decode the information they
carry.Modulation means digital to analog signal conversion and its
vice versa is known as demodulation.
 Network devices
HUB – HUB is used to connect multiple computers in a single LAN network of one
workgroup. Generally HUBs are available with 4,8,12,24,48 ports.
When a hub receives signal on its port, it repeats the signal and forwards that signal from
all ports except the port on which the signal arrived. In below diagram leftmost node try to
send signal to rightmost node ,but signals are distributed to all ports(nodes).
There are two types of HUB
Passive HUB:- It only forwards the signal on
all ports without amplifying the signal.
Active HUB:- it forwards the signal with
improvement in the quality of data signal
by amplifying it. That why such hubs need
additional power supply.
Based on port type, there are two types of
HUB:-
Ethernet HUB :- All ports have RJ-45
connectors.
Combo HUB :- Several different types of
connectors such RJ-45, BNC, and AUI
available as ports in such HUB.
 Network devices
SWITCH –Switch is also used to connect multiple computers together in a LAN
workgroup,just like hub. Switches are available with 4,8,12,24,48,64 ports. Switch makes
their switching decisions by using application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).Due to
switching decision capability, switch sends signal to recipient only and that’s why switches
are called as intelligent hub. In below diagram leftmost node sending signal to rightmost
node.
 Network devices
Router – Routers operate in the physical, data link and
network layers. Router is a networking device which
chooses the best optimal path from available paths to send
the signals. It interconnects different networks. The
simplest function of a router is to received packets from
one connected network and pass them to second
connected network.

Gateway – A networking device capable to convert

protocols so that two different network architecture based
system can communicate with each other. It works as
protocol convertor.
 Network devices
Hub Vs. Switch
A hub works on the physical layer (Layer 1) of OSI model while Switch works
on the data link layer (Layer 2). Switch is more efficient than the hub. A
switch can join multiple computers within one LAN, and a hub just connects
multiple Ethernet devices together as a single segment. Switch is smarter
than hub to determine the target of the forwarding data. Since switch has a
higher performance, its cost will also become more expensive.
Switch Vs. Router
In the OSI model, router is working on a higher level of network layer (Layer
3) than switch. Router is very different from the switch because it is for
routing packet to other networks. It is also more intelligent and sophisticated
to serve as an intermediate destination to connect multiple area networks
together. A switch is only used for wired network, yet a router can also link
with the wireless network. With much more functions, a router definitely
costs higher than a switch.
 Network devices
Router vs Gateway
Gateway regulates traffic between two dissimilar networks, while router
regulator traffic between similar networks. A router is a hardware device
that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers perform
the traffic directing functions on the Internet.
 Connection In One Network With Router - For example, there are 30
computers connected inside Network A. All these computers
communicate with each other. In this situation, no gateway is needed.
Because a router with a routing table that defines the hops within those
30 computers is enough.
 Connection Between Different Networks With Gateway - In another
hand, we suppose that there are two networks, that are Network A and
Network B. Computer X from Network A wants to send data to Computer
Y from Network B, then there need to have both a Gateway A
and a Gateway B so that the two networks will be able to communicate.
 Computer Network

Structure of a network- The geometrical arrangement of computer

resources, network devices along with communication channel is
known as Network structure or Network topology.
Topology can be physical or logical
• Physical Topology-physical layout of nodes and cables in the network.
• Logical topology - the way information flows between different components.
Types of Physical Network Topologies
• Bus Topology
• Star Topology
• Ring Topology
• Mesh Topology
• Tree Topology
• Hybrid Topology
 Computer Network

Bus Topology
Nodes are connectedno ethrough a cno
odemmon commu
n n
de ication media

like diagram given below.

Communication media

ode

Advantages of a Bus topology

• Easy to install
• Minimal Cable
Disadvantages of a Bus topology
• Difficult reconnection
• Difficult to find the problem
• Difficult to add new devices
• Break stops all transmission of data
 Computer Network

Star Topology
The star topology uses a separate cable for each
node/workstation.The cable connects the node to a central
device typically a HUB.
Advantages of a Star topology node
node

• Less expensive than mesh

• Easy to install, easy to configure
Hub/
•If one link fails the network can still switch

function node
node

Disadvantages of a Star topology

• Everything depends on the hub node
 Computer Network

Ring Topology
In ring topology every computer is connected to the next
computer in the ring and each transmit the signal ,what it
receives from the previous computer. The messages flow around
the ring in one direction.
node
Advantages of a Ring topology node

• Easy to install
• Easy to reconfigure
•Easy to detect a problem node

Disadvantages of a Ring topology node

• Break means the whole system is dead

node
 Computer Network

Mesh Topology
In mesh topology , separate cable is used to connect each device
to every other device on the network, providing a straight
communication path.
Advantages of a Mesh topology
node
•Avoid traffic since each link can carry its own data and node

none are being shared

•If one link breaks, the rest of the network is still
functional
•Easy to detect a problem in the network by discovering node
node
which device is having problems and examining the link
that connects to it.
Disadvantages of a Mesh topology node

• A lot of cables are needed

• Too many cables means too much cost
• Too many cables means complex network
 Computer Network

Tree Topology
In which a central root node (the top level of the hierarchy) is
connected to one or more other nodes that are one levneodle lower
in the hierarchy
Advantages of a Mesh topology
• It is scalable. node
node
• Easier fault identification and isolation.
Disadvantages of a Mesh topology
node
• Maintenance of the network may be an issue node

when the network spans a great area.

• if the backbone fails, the entire network is
crippled.
 Computer Network

Hybrid Topology
use a combination of any two or more topologies in such a way
that the resulting network does not exhibit one of the standard
topologies (e.g., bus, star, ring, etc.).

de
 Computer Network

Types of network
1. Personal Area Network (PAN) – communication between two-
three mobile devices or PC for personal purpose.
2. Local Area Network (LAN) – limited area (within building)
3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) – within city
4. Wide Area Network (WAN) – within multiple city/state/
countries
 Computer Network

1. Personal Area Network(PAN) –

Spread in the proximity of an individual. Cover an area of a few
meters radius. Set up using guided media(USB cable) or
unguided media (Bluetooth, Infrared). Owned, controlled, and
managed by a single person.
Examples: A network of devices such as computer, Phone,
MP3/MP4 Player, Camera etc. Transferring songs from one cell
phone to another is a PAN of two phones. Transferring files from
a PC to an MP3 playeris a PAN between the two.
 Computer Network

2. Local Area Network (LAN) – LANs are the most frequently

used/discussed networks.It is one of the most common one of
the simplest types of network.It is designed for small physical
areas such as an office, group of buildings.Any of different types
of topologies can be used to design LAN like Star, Ring, Bus, Tree
etc.
Characteristics of LAN
• private networks means no need of regulatory control.
• Operate at relatively high speed.
• Connects computers in a single building, block or campus.
 Computer Network

Advantages of LAN Examples: A networked

• Resource Sharing office building, school or
• Software Applications Sharing home. Sometimes one
• Easy and Cheap Communication building can contain a few
• Centralized Data small LANs (Like some
• Data Security schools have independent
•Internet Sharing LANs in each computer
Disadvantages of LAN lab.).
• High Setup Cost
• Privacy Violations
• Data Security Threat
• LAN Maintenance Job
• Covers Limited Area
 Computer Network

3. Metropolitan Area Network(MAN):– Spread within a city .

Cover an area of a few kilometres to a few hundred kilometres
radius. Set up using all types of all guided and unguided media.
Owned and operated by a government body or a large
corporation.
Examples: A network of schools, or banks, or Government
offices etc. within a city. A MAN is usually formed by
interconnecting a number of LANs and individual computers.
 Computer Network

4. Wide Area Network (WAN) –Slightly more complex than a

LAN, a WAN connects computers across longer physical
distances. The Internet is the most basic example of a WAN,
connecting all computers together around the world.
Characteristics of WAN
• Covers large distances(states, countries, continents).
• Communication medium like satellite, public telephone
networks etc and routers are used establish connection.
Examples: A network of ATMs, BANKs, National Government
Offices, International Organizations' Offices etc., spread over a
country, continent, or covering many continents.
 Computer Network

Advantages of WAN
• Long distance business can connect on the one network.
• Shares software and resources
• Messages can be sent very quickly to wide range of nodes
• Hardware devices can be shared.
Disadvantages of WAN
• Need a good firewall to restrict unauthorized access
• Setting up a network can be an expensive, slow and
complicated.
• Maintaining a network is a full-time job
• Security is a mazor issue when many different people have
the ability to use information
 Computer Network

Network Layout –
The plan or design or arrangement of network wings and nodes
to be laid out is known as network layout.

A good network layout provides the following features

 Communication speed
 File sharing
 Back up and Roll back is easy
 Software and Hardware sharing
 Security
 Scalability
 Reliability
 Computer Network

How to decide Network Layout –

The network layout can be best which provide

less installation and maintenance cost as well as
easy installation and maintenance. It is only
possible when it is properly designed, design
with shortest cable length and fulfill our
network requirements.
 Computer Network
How to decide Network Layout – Example
Freya Tech Corporation (FTC) is a professional consultancy company. The
company is planning to set up their new offices in India with its hub at
Udaipur. As a network adviser, you have to understand their requirement and
suggest them the best network layout.
 Computer Network
How to decide Network Layout – Example

-> Possible bus topologies

a) Human Resource -> Conference -> Finance = 110+80 =190m

b) Conference -> Finance -> Human Resource = 80+40 =120m

c) Finance -> Human Resource -> Conference = 40+110=150m

All can be arranged in round robin manner
Ring topology will be discarded as it will increase the cable length
 Computer Network
How to decide Network Layout – Example

-> Possible Star topologies

 Here best layout is
a) Human Resource = 110+40 =150m b) finance to
conferece and
Conference Finance finance to Human
resourse as it
b) = 80+40 =120m require minimum
Finance
cable length
Conference Human Resource Tree topology will
be also same due to
Conference only three blocks
c) = 80+110=190 m are here
Finance Human Resource
 Computer Network
How to decide Server location– Example

Server location can be decided by seeing the number of

computers/nodes required in each block of network.
Server must be installed at the wing/block with Maximum
number of Computers due to maximum load/requirement
of services in that block in whole network .So in above
example Server can be installed at Finance block.
 Computer Network
How to decide Repeater location
 We need a repeater when the total length of a single span of
network cable(Twisted pair) exceeds 100 meters (328 feet).
 We need a repeater when the total length of a single span of
network cable(Coaxial cable) exceeds 500 meters.
 maximum distance of a fiber optic link can be 80-100 km but it
depends on varying factors like the bit rate and the quality of the
splices and the total attenuation of distance. It also depends on
the power of the transmitter and receiver quality.
Satellite link is required when network blocks/wings are too much
far from each other or where installation of cable is hard.
For data security firewall can be installed in network.
For economic internet connection – dialup internet connection
would be preferred but for faster internet broadband internet
connection would be preferred.
 Computer Network

How to decide hub/switch location

The answer is always switch when we can afford it. A Hub
is always half-duplex, and simply acts as a repeater. The
resulting packet collisions, even with only 2 devices, will
make it slower than simply using a cable, whereas a switch
intelligently directs traffic based on the Ethernet
address(MAC address), and is full duplex, resulting in full
speed between any devices on the network at the same
time.
In general sense Hub or switch any device can be installed
when there are more than one computer in a wing/block.