Notes Computer Networks PDF
Notes Computer Networks PDF
A computer network consists of a collection of computers, printers and other equipment that is connected
together so that they can communicate with each other. Computers may connect to each other either by
wired or wireless media. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio
Communication
Sharing Resources
Sharing Software
Data Sharing
topology and
organizational intent
A network can be as small as distance between your mobile phone and its Bluetooth headphone and as large
as the internet itself, covering the whole geographical world
Broadly speaking, there are two types of network configuration, peer-to-peer networks and client/server
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networks.
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Computer Studies Notes
Introduction to Computer Networks
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Peer-to-peer networks are more commonly implemented where less than ten computers are involved and
where strict security is not necessary. All computers have the same status, hence the term 'peer', and they
communicate with each other on an equal footing. Files, such as word processing or spreadsheet documents,
can be shared across the network and all the computers on the network can share devices, such as printers
or scanners, which are connected to any one computer.
Client/server networks are more suitable for larger networks. A central computer, or 'server', acts as the
(MAN)
Bluetooth enabled devices or infra-red enabled devices. PAN has connectivity range up to 10 meters. PAN
may include wireless computer keyboard and mouse, Bluetooth enabled headphones, wireless printers and
TV remotes
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Computer Studies Notes
Introduction to Computer Networks
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LAN is restricted to limited geographical area of few kilometres. But WAN covers great distance and
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
organisation. In case of WAN the cost of data transmission is very high because the transmission medium
Wireless Networks
The term 'wireless network' refers to two or more
computers communicating using standard
reasons
People who move around a lot in their work environment e.g. network administrators, doctors, nurses
People who travel a lot outside their work environment e.g. sales executives, directors, journalists, and
highway police patrol officers, etc.
Temporary installations e.g. temporary departments, offices and branches set up for a specific purpose
that will be removed later
Network Protocol
Network Protocol is a set of rules that governs the communications between computers on a network.
Network protocols were created to allow computers to communicate in an organized manner without any
room for misinterpretation.
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Some of the more common ones are TCP, IP, UDP, POP, SMTP, HTTP, and FTP
Advantages of Networking
It allows sharing of information over the network. Resources include data, application and peripherals.
E.g. Instead of buying printers for each member of the organization, one printer can be shared on the
network, print jobs can be properly handled in a queue according to set priorities.
Centralized data management – Enables you to store data at a central location such as a server. This
helps to keep data reliable and up to date.
It facilitates online communication (sending messages) e.g. email communication, and video conferencing
where virtual meetings can take place between users in different locations.
It allows scheduling. Scheduling refers to the act of setting dates of events, activities and appointments
so that every member in the organization is made aware of upcoming events. E.g. Microsoft Shared
calendars.
Sharing of expensive software and database files
Disadvantages of networks
Initial setup cost is high for purchasing PCs, cables, hubs, servers, MODEM, telephone, network cards,
Networks need technical expertise to setup and manage the network such as engineers, technicians and
systems administrators
There is a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data if no proper security measures and access levels
are put in place
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Computer Studies Notes
Introduction to Computer Networks
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The following are essential components
for computer networking.
1. Network hardware
2. Transmission media
3. Network software
1. server and
2. clients
Server is the computer of higher power, and speed. It costs more. To this computer resources are attached.
And the clients access the resources which are attached to server. Networks on which all computers have
equal status are called peer-to-peer networks. In peer to peer computer networks there are no servers.
A computer attached to a printer which users can access is called a print server. Having a single printer rather
than a printer attached to each computer obviously saves capital.
An increasingly important type of server is an applications server. In the case of applications servers,
application packages are not installed on the workstations but on the applications server.
A communications server is a computer dedicated to connecting a network to the outside world. These are
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Introduction to Computer Networks
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Network Card
Each card has its own method of sending information (network protocol) through the cable. A network card
is called Interface card, network adapter, a NIC etc.
It is a circuit board or chip which allows the computer to communicate to other computers on a network.
Switch
Computer networking device that connects devices together on a computer network,
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Hubs
A hub is used to connect multiple computers and devices via a dedicated cable.
Router
These are used to connect
networks and to determine the
is transferring. By contrast,
routers can analyse the data
being sent over a network,
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Bridge
Network topology
A network topology
is the arrangement
with which
computer systems
or network devices
are connected to
each other. The
topology of a
network is the
geometric representation of the relationship of all the links and linking devices to one another. There are four
basic topologies possible: mesh, star, bus, and ring
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Introduction to Computer Networks
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Under this topology the workstations (aka
Heavy network traffic can slow a bus considerably because any computer can transmit at any time. But
networks do not coordinate when information is sent. Computers interrupting each other can use a lot
of bandwidth.
network topology
It is easy to replace, install or remove hosts or other devices, the problem can be easily detected
It has good performance
cables must be pulled to one central point, requiring more cable length than other networking topologies.
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Central node dependency, if central hub fails, the whole network fails to operate.
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Introduction to Computer Networks
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Ring network topology
Under this network topology, all terminals are
Advantages
Ring networks offer high performance
Ring networks can span longer distances than other types of networks.
Ring networks are easily extendable.
Unlike Bus topology, there is no signal loss in Ring topology because the tokens are data packets that are
re-generated at each node.
Disadvantages
Relatively expensive and difficult to install
Failure of one computer on the network can affect the whole network.
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