COMPUTER NETWORKS I

A computer network is a series of connections and associated devices through which computers can communicate with other
computers. A computer network consists of two or more computers that are interconnected in order to share resources (such as
printers), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. In a computer network the individual stations, called "nodes", may be
computers, terminals, or communication units of various kinds. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone
lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.
In addition to physically connecting computers and communication devices, a network system has the function of
establishing a cohesive architecture that allows almost seamless data transmission while using various equipment types. Open System
Interconnection (OSI) and IBM's System Network Architecture are two popular architectures used at present.
Local-area networks and wide-area networks are two basic network types.
A local-area network (LAN) is a computer network that covers a local area. It may be a home, office or small group of
buildings such as a college or factory. The topology of a network dictates its physical structure. The generally accepted maximum size
for a LAN is 1 square km. At present, there are two common wiring technologies for a LAN, Ethernet and Token Ring. A LAN
typically includes two or more PCs, printers, CD-ROMs and high-capacity storage devices, called file servers, which enable each
computer on the network to access a common set of files. A LAN is controlled by LAN operating system software. LAN users may
also have access to other LANs or tap into wide-area networks. LANs with similar architectures are linked by transfer points, called
"bridges", and LANs with different architectures use "gateways" to convert data as it passes between systems. A router is used to
make the connection between LANs.
A wide-area network (WAN) is a computer network that covers a wide geographical area, involving a large number of
computers. Computer networks may link the computers by means of cables, optical fibres, or satellites and modems. Typically, WANs
are used to connect LANs together. Many WANs are built for one particular organization and are private, others, built by Internet
service providers, provide connections from an organization's LAN to the Internet. WANs are most often built of leased lines. At each
end of the leased line, a router is used to connect to the LAN on one side and a hub within the WAN on the other.
The best example of a WAN is the Internet, a collection of networks and gateways linking millions of computer users on
every continent. Networks within the Internet are linked by common communication programs and protocols. A protocol is a set of
established standards that enable computers to communicate with each other. A number of network protocols such as TCP/IP,X.25,
ATM and Frame relay can be used for WANs. By means of the Internet, users can obtain a variety of information browsing via
buttons, highlighted text, or sophisticated searching software known as search engines.

Exercise 1. Answer these questions.

1. What is a computer network?

A series of connection and associated devices through wich computers can communicate with other computers.
2. What does a computer network consist of?
Consists of two or more computers that are interconnected in order to share resources, exchange files, or allow
electronic communications.
3. What are computers on a network connected for?
To share resources, exchange files, or allow electronic communications.
4. What is a “node” in a computer network?
A node is the individual stations, may be computers, terminals, or communication units of various kinds.
5. How may the computers on a network be linked?
The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared
light beams.
6. What function does a network system have in addition to physically connecting computers and
communication devices?
A network system has the function of establishing a cohesive architecture that allows almost seamless data
transmission while using various equipment types.
7. What are the two popular architectures used at present?
Open System Interconnection (OSI) and IBM´s System Network Architecture.
8. What is a local-area network?
Is a basic network type that covers a local area, may be a home office or a small group of buildings.
9. What dictates the physical structure of a network?
The topology of a network.
10. What is the generally accepted maximum size for a LAN?
The generally accepted maximum size for a LAN is 1 square km.
 11. What wiring technologies for a LAN are there at present?
At the presents, Ethernet and Token Ring are the common wiring technologies for a LAN.
12. What does a LAN typically include?
A LAN typically includes two or more PC´s, printers, CD-ROMs and a high-capacity storage devices.
13. What is a LAN controlled by?
Is controlled by a LAN operating system software.
14. What may LAN users have access to?
LAN users may also have access to other LANs or tap into wide-area networks.
15. What is a “bridge”?
Is a transfer point that link LANs with similar architectures.
16. What is a “gateway”?
Is what allowing LANs to convert data and passes to another LAN whit a different architecture.
17. What is a router used for?
A router is used to make the connections between LANs.
18. What is a wide-area network?
A wide-area network is a computer network that covers a wide geographical area.
19. How may computer networks be linked?
A large number of computers.
20. What are WANs typically used for?
WANs are used to connect LANs together.
21. What do WANs built by Internet providers provide?
Many WANs are built for one particular organization and are private , others, built by Internet providers, provide
connection from an organization´s LAN to the internet.
22. What are WANs most often built of?
WANs are most often built of leased lines.
23. What is the Internet?
Is a collection of networks and gateways linking millions of computers users on every continent.
24. What are networks within the Internet linked by?
Networks within Internet are linked by common communication programs and protocols.
25. What is a network protocol?
A protocol is a set of established standards that enable computers to communicate with each other.

Exercise 2. Which of the sentences below are true and which of them are false? Correct the false ones.

1. Increasing processing speed is the main idea of a computer network. FALSE

Connect and associate devices is the main idea of computer network.
2. In a computer network the individual stations, called "nodes", may be computers, terminals, or
communication units of various kinds. TRUE
3. The computers on a network may be linked through a communications network called a bus. FALSE
The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared
light beams.
4. In addition to physically connecting computers and communication devices, a network system has the
function of establishing a cohesive architecture that allows converting data as it passes between systems.
TRUE
5. Ethernet and Token Ring are two popular network architectures used at present. FALSE
Open System Interconnection and IBMs System Network Architecture are two popular network architectures
used at present.
6. A local-area network is a computer network that covers a local area. TRUE
7. The size of a network dictates its physical structure. FALSE
The topology of a network dictates its physical structure.
8. The generally accepted maximum size for a LAN is 1 square mile. TRUE
 9. A LAN typically includes two or more PCs, printers, CD-ROMs and high-capacity storage devices, called
transfer points, which enable each computer on the network to access a common set of files. FALSE
A LAN typically includes two or more PCs, printers, CD-ROMs and high-capacity storage devices, called file
servers, which enable each computer on the network to access a common set of files.
10. A LAN is controlled by LAN operating system software. TRUE
11. LANs with similar architectures are linked by transfer points, called "nodes", and LANs with different
architectures use "bridges" to convert data as it passes between systems. FALSE
LANs with similar architectures are linked by transfer points, called "bridges", and LANs with different
architectures use "bridges" to convert data as it passes between systems.
12. A hub is used to make the connection between LANs. FALSE
A router is used to make the connection between LANs.
13. A wide-area network is a computer network that covers a wide geographical area, involving a large
number of gateways. FALSE
A wide-area network is a computer network that covers a wide geographical area, involving a large   number of
computers.
14. Computer networks may link the computers by means of cables, optical fibers, or satellites and   modems.
TRUE.
15. Typically, WANs are used to connect LANs together. TRUE
16. Many WANs are built for one particular organization and are personal, others, built by Internet service
providers, provide connections from a person’s LAN to the Internet. TRUE
17. WANs are most often built of leased lines. TRUE
18. At each end of the leased line, a hub is used to connect to the LAN on one side and a modem within the WAN on
the other. FALSE
At each end of the leased line, a router is used to connect to the LAN on one side and a hub within the WAN on the other.
19. The Internet is a collection of routers and bridges linking millions of computer users on a particular continent.
FALSE.
The Internet is a collection of networks and gateways linking millions of computer users on a every continent.
20. A protocol is system software that enables computers to access a set of common files. FALSE
A protocol is a set of established standards that enable computers to communicate with each other.

Exercise 3. Match the columns in order to complete the definitions.

1. A gateway is an interface... H
2. A bridge is a hardware and software combination... E
3. A backbone is a network transmission path... F
4. A router is a special computer... C
5. A network is a number of computers and peripherals... G
6. A LAN is a network... D
7. A server is a powerful computer... A
8. A client is a network computer... B
9. A thin client is a simple computer... I
10. A hub is an electronic device... J

A) ...connecting computers over a small distance such as within a company.

B) ...directing messages when several networks are linked.
C) ...used for accessing a service on a server.
D) ...connecting all the data cabling in a network.
E) ...used to connect the same type of networks.
F) ...comprising a processor and memory, display, keyboard, mouse and hard drives only.
G) ...linked together.
H) ...enabling dissimilar networks to communicate.
I) ...handling major data traffic.
J) ...storing data shared by all the clients in the network.