Unit-2: Computer Network

Evolution of Networking
1. Networking was started in 1969 with the development of first network called ARPANET.
2. The US Govt. formed an agency named ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency
Network) to connect computers at various Universities and US Department of Défense. The
main objective of ARPANET was to develop a network that could continue to function
efficiently even in the event of a nuclear attack.
3. In mid 80s NSF (National Science Foundation) created a high capacity network called NSFnet,
which allowed only academic research on its network.
4. Later many private networks connected with ARPANET and NSFnet to form Internet.

Diagrammatic Representation

1980
NSFnet

A high capacity network 1990

1969
used for academic and INTERNET
ARPANET
engineering research

Network used to connect computers at Interconnection of

U.S. Défense and different ARPANET, NSFnet and other
Universities private networks

Internet:
- Internet is a network of networks spread across the globe i.e. worldwide interconnection of
networks.
- It is not owned by anybody.
- It provides many services such as accessing information, emailing, chat, video conferencing,
social networking etc.

Interspace:
- Inter Space is a client / server software program that allows multiple users to communicate
online with real – time audio, video and text chat etc. in dynamic 3D environments.
For Example: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blog etc.
Switching Techniques
Switching techniques are used for transmitting data across networks.
1. Circuit Switching Technique
- In Circuit Switching technique, a complete physical connection is established between
two nodes for communication.
- Message is transmitted through the connected path only.
- The advantage of this technique is guaranteed delivery of the message.
- Mostly used in analogue telephone network for voice communication.

Nod
Inte e
rcon

Switching Offices
2. Packet Switching Technique
- In packet switching technique data is broken into fixed size of packets.
- Packets are routed between nodes using shared link with other traffic.
- Each packet consists of approx. 200 bytes data (on average)
- It follows “store and forward” principle for fixed size of packets.
- It limits for packet size.

Receiver

Sender

Data Communication Terminologies

Channel:
A communication channel is a medium for transmission of data / message from one node / device
to another.

Categories of Communication Channel:

Narrow Band - Slow and used for telegraph lines
Voice Band - Used for ordinary telephone line
Broad band - High speed and used for transmitting large volume of data over network.
Bandwidth:
The range of frequencies available for transmission of data is known as bandwidth. It is expressed
in Hertz (Hz), Kilohertz (KHz) and Megahertz (MHz) . For digital devices, the bandwidth is
usually expressed in bits per second (bps) or bytes per second.
For example:
Hz - are commonly expressed in multiples of Kilohertz, Megahertz, Gigahertz and Terahertz.
KHz - is used to measure frequencies of sound waves, A typical voice signal has bandwidth of
approximately 3KHz.
MHz - is used to measure wave frequencies, as well as the speed of microprocessor.

Data Transfer Rate (DTR) :

- The amount of data transmitted or received from one place to another in per second.
- It is measured in bits per second (bps) and bytes per second (Bps)
For example: bps, Kbps, Mbps, Gbps, Tbps etc.
1 Kbps (Kilobits Per Second) = 1024 bits
1 Mbps (Megabits Per Second) = 1024 Kbps
1 Gbps (Gigabits Per Second) = 1024 Mbps - Used for measuring high speed data transfer
1 Tbps (Terabits Per Second) = 1024 Gbps - Used for measuring very high speed data transfer

Remember: In KBps MBps, GBps and TBps ‘B’ stands for Bytes

Transmission Medium
It is a communication medium which carries a signal from one computer to another.

Types:
1. Wired Media
2. Wireless Media
Wired (Guided / Bound) Media
In wired computer network host and other devices are physically interconnected with a wire or
cable.
Most commonly used wired medium are-
1. Twisted Pair Cable
These cables consist of two insulated copper wires twisted around each other in a spiral pattern.
Twisting of wires reduces crosstalk and protect the signal from external interference.
Commonly used types of twisted pair cables are CAT5 and CAT 6
Note:
Crosstalk means bleeding of a signal from one wire to another which can corrupt the signal
and cause network error.
 Uses:
1. Commonly used to form Local Area network.
2. Also used in Telephone connections.
Advantages:
1. Low weight, easy to install and maintain.
2. It is very less expensive.
3. Suitable for small (Local) Networks
Disadvantages:
1. Easily pick up noise signals
2. Due to low bandwidth, unsuitable for broadband applications.

2. Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cable consists of a solid copper wire core surrounded by one or more foil or wire shield.
Each shield is separated by some kind of plastic insulator.
Commonly used types of coaxial cables are Thicknet and Thinnet.

Uses:
It is mostly used in TV channel communication.
Advantages:
1. Data transmission rate is better than twisted pair cables
2. Offers higher bandwidth & Speed.
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive than twisted pair cables.
2. Difficult to manage and reconfigure.

3. Optical Fiber
An optical fiber cable consists of bundle of thin glass threads that can carry information in the
form of visible light.
At source, data signals are converted into light using LED (Light Emitting Diodes) or LASER
diodes and send it over the Optical fiber.

Uses:
Used in big networks for broadband communication
 Advantages:
1. Transmit data over long distance with high security.
2. Data transmission speed is very high up to 10Gbps.
3. Capable to handle several channels in parallel.
4. Provides better noise immunity.
Disadvantages:
1. Most expensive than other guided media.
2. Connection problem due to difficult to install.

Wireless (Unguided / Unbound) Network

In wireless computer network host and other devices are interconnected wirelessly through air as
media and data transmission takes place using electromagnetic waves like IR (Infrared), RF (Radio
Frequencies) and Satellite etc.
Most commonly used wireless medium are-

1. Infrared
It is a short range (approx. 5 mts) wireless communication. Signals are transmitted in the form
of invisible light.
It broadcasts the signal through the air.

Uses:
Used in TV remotes, automotive garage doors, wireless speakers, Car and Toys Remote
controls, DVD Remotes etc.
Advantages:
1. Due to short range communication secure mode of transmission.
2. Very inexpensive (Low cost)
Disadvantages:
1. Can be used only for short range communication
2. Signals can’t pass through walls or buildings.

2. Radio Link
Radio waves are used to transmit television and radio programmes.
Radio waves are used in Wi-Fi to transmit data to connected devices.

Uses:
Commonly used by delivery services, policeman, security personals, cordless phones, FM
radio etc.
Advantages:
1. Radio waves are omni directional hence can travel through long distance in all directions.
2. Radio wave transmission offers mobility.
 Disadvantages:
1. Transmission is affected by weather conditions like rain, thunderstorm, fog etc.
2. Transmission is not secure.

3. Microwave Link
The Microwave waves are high frequency waves to transmit data over long distance.
Transmitters and receivers of microwave system are placed at very high towers and permits
data transmission rate about 16 Gbps.

Advantages:
1. Offers easy communication over difficult areas like hills and oceans.
2. Can carry 25000 voice channels at the same time.
3. Cheaper than laying cables.
Disadvantages:
1. Transmission is affected by weather conditions like rain, thunderstorm, fog etc.
2. Transmission is not secure.
3. Repeaters are required for long distance communication.
4. Installation and maintenance is very expensive.

4. Satellite Link
The satellite transmission is also a microwave relay system to transmit the signals world-wide.
satellites are placed around 36000 KM away from the earth’s surface. Transmitted signals to
the satellite from transmitting station are known as up-link and receiving of signals by receiving
station is known as downlink.
 Advantages:
Covers area beyond geographical boundaries such as mountains, tall building, towers, oceans
etc. i.e. world-wide.
Disadvantages:
1. Very expensive as compared to other transmission mediums i.e. involves very high cost.
2. Installation is extremely complex.
3. Signals sent to the stations can be tampered by external interference
4. Transmission is affected by weather conditions like rain, thunderstorm, fog etc.

Network Devices
Major components of a computer network are-

MODEM
- A MODEM stands for Modulator / Demodulator.
- It is an electronic device that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone or cable lines.
There are two types of modem- Internal and External modem.
Function:
- MODEM converts analog signals into digital signals and vice versa.

Digital Analog Digital

Signals Signals Signals
0110101 0110101
External Telephone External
Modem Line Modem
PC-1 PC-2

RJ45 Connector
- RJ-45 is a short form of Registered Jack-45. These are the plug-in devices used in the networking
and telecommunications applications.
- It is an eight-wire connector primarily used to connect computers on a local area networks (LAN)
especially Ethernet.

Note: RJ-11 connectors are used for connecting telephone equipment.

NIC (Network Interface Card)

It is a network card attached to host computer to establish network connections.
Router
Routers is a networking device that connects two networks with different protocols. Commonly
LAN to LAN or LAN to WAN or LAN and its ISP's network.
It forwards data packets between networks.
Advantage:
Ensures that data packets are travelling through best possible path to reach their destination.

Switch
- A Switch is also a networking device that connects multiple PCs to a single network within the
LAN.
- A switch also contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it examines the
intended recipient node, and then directly passes the messages to that node. Thus, switch does
not generate traffic for other nodes and offers better performance than hub.
- Supports 10/100 Mbps speed.

Repeater
- A repeater is a network device that amplifies the received signal and retransmits it on the
network so that signal can cover longer distances without degradation.
- In most twisted pair Ethernet configuration, repeaters are required for cable runs longer than
100 meters.
For Example:
In cable layout ‘Active hubs’ are called repeaters.
In Wi-Fi, access point may function as repeaters.

100 Metres
Repeater

50 Metres

Gateway
- A Gateway is a network device that connects two dissimilar networks.
- It establishes an intelligent connection between a local area network and external networks with
completely different structures.
- Gateways serve as the entry and exit point of a network. Generally, a router is configured to
work as a gateway device in computer networks.
- A network gateway can be implemented completely in software / hardware or as a both.

Internet
Firewall
Web
Server

LAN

Workstation

Gateway Workstation

Wi-Fi Card
- A small, portable card that allow the desktop / laptop / mobile to connect the Internet through
a wireless network.
- Wi-Fi transmission takes place through radio waves which are received through antennas
equipped with Wi-Fi card.
- Wi-Fi connection only exist between devices and router.
- Wi-Fi connection are usually available within 100 metres range.
- Wi-Fi cards can be internal or external.