Rom, Sheena DC.
November 9, 2021
BSIT 2-1 Ms. Marienel Velasco
Activity #2
Define and explain the following:
1. Computer Network – a two or more device or machines that are connected to each other
that shares data/device. This is a set of connected computers the connection between
computers can be done via cabling, most commonly the Ethernet cable or fiber optic
cable. Their connection can be wireless.
2. Networking – a combination of connected device which can communicate. The
exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special
interest.
3. Computer Network Application – Are network software application that utilize the
internet or other network hardware infrastructure to perform useful functions for example
file transfers within a neetwork.
4. Roles of Computer in a Network – Computer help users on the network to share
resources and communication. File sharing it helps us the network user to share data files
and we can share devices such as printer, scanner, CD-ROM drives and hard drives.
5. Network Categories – One way to categorize the different types of computer network
designs is by their scope or scale. A tag used to represent a characteristic of an asset in
our network.
LAN- Local Area Network can connect groups of computers and low-voltage devices
together across short distances within a building or between a group of two or three
buildings in close proximity to each other to share information and resources.
WLAN- Wireless Local Area Network helps us to link single or multiple devices using
wireless communication within a limited area like home, school.
MAN – Metropolitan Area Network span an entire geographic area typically a town or
city, but sometimes a campus.
WAN- Wide Area Network connects computers together across longer physical
distances. This allows computers and low-voltage devices to be remotely connected to
each other over one large network to communicate even they’re miles apart.
6. Advantages of Computer Network
a. File sharing – Networks can offer a quick and easy way to share files directly.
Instead of using a disk or USB key to carry files from one computer to another, you
can share files directly using a network.
b. Software cost and management – Many popular software products are available for
networks at a substantial savings in comparison to buying individually licensed
copied for all of your computers. We can also load software on only the file server
which saves time compared to installing and tracking files on independent computers.
c. Security – Specific directories can be password protected to limit access to
authorized users. Also files and programs on a network can be designated as “copy
inhibit” so you don’t have to worry about the illegal copying of programs.
d. Resource sharing – All computers in the network can share resources such as printer,
fax machines, modem and scanners.
e. Communications – Even outside of the internet, those on the network can
communicate with each other via electronic mail over the network system. When
connected to the internet, network users can communicate with people around the
world via the network.
f. Flexible access – Networks allow their users to access files from computers
throughout the network. This means that a user can begin work on a project on one
computer and finish up on another. Multiple users can also collaborate on the same
project through the network.
g. Workgroup computing – Workgroup software like Microsoft Back Office enables
many users to contribute to a document concurrently. This allows for interactive
teamwork.
7. Disadvantages of Computer Network
a. Information security – If computer is connected to a network, it is much easier to
send any secret information stored on that computer to some other computer on the
network.
b. Vulnerability to remote exploits – If computer is on a network, not only can it send
information to any other computer on the network, it is also able to receive messages
from any other computer on the network. Because the people who write computer
software are human and make mistakes, sometimes the software will have bugs in it
that allows someone on a different computer on the network to send data to the
computer with the buggy software in such a way as to “attack” it make it lock up or
crash, make it slow down, or even take control of it.
c. Rapid spread of computer viruses – Computer viruses are programs design to take
advantage of buggy software to spread copies of them. When computers are
connected by a network, the virus can spread itself electronically, at computer speeds.
d. Configuration management – Sometimes such as in medical equipment it is
important for a computer software configuration to be predictable and stable. If a
computer connected to a network, it’s easier to download and install software from
the network unto the computer.
e. Computer network can fail – Computer network can be so powerful and useful that
is common for them to be used for more and more purposes. A network might start
out as a small convenience, but later may become mission-critical- the computer can
no longer do its job without a properly functioning network.
8. Elements of Computer Network –
a. Computers - A computer is a digital device that is able to accept data as input, a
process that data using predefined algorithms and data structures, and perform tasks
as output – that includes the transformation of raw data into information, then
knowledge, and finally insight about the data’s domain.
b. Transmission medium (wired or wireless) - The means through which we send our
data from one place to another is known as the Transmission medium.
Signals are used to represent data by computers and other telecommunication devices.
The signal data or information are transmitted in the form of electromagnetic energy
from one device to another. These signals travel through a vacuum, air, or other
transmission mediums to move from one point to another from sender to receiver.
Two types of transmission medium:
Wired or Guided: For example, Twisted Pair Cable, Coaxial Cable, and Optical Fiber
Cable.
Wireless or Unguided: For example, Radio waves, Microwaves, and Infrared.
c. Protocols– There is some defined rules and conventions for communication between
network devices .These are called Protocols. Network protocols include mechanisms
for devices to identify and make connections with each other, as well as formatting
rules that specify how data is packaged into sent and received messages.
Three types of Protocols:
Internet Protocols
Wireless Network Protocols
Network Routing Protocols
d. Network software - Network software is a foundational element for any network.
This type of software helps administrators deploy, manage and monitor a network.
The traditional networks are made up of specialized hardware, such as routers and
switches, which bundle the networking software into the solution.
Such types of software encompass a broad range of software used for the design,
implementation, and operation, and monitoring of computer networks. Traditional
networks were hardware-based with software embedded. When software like Defined
Networking (SDN) emerged, the software is separated from the hardware thus making it
more adaptable to the ever-changing nature of the computer network.
