, DIGITAL LITERACY Computer Network After completing this chapter, you will be able to: Understand about computer communication. Learn about computer network and its types. Learn about types of network hardware, communication channels and network architecture. Learn about topologies and protocols. Communication Communication is required by for people to share their views and ns. It is a process in which two or more people share their . knowledge, information, resources and expertise among themselves. * Communication involves a sender transmitting an idea, information, or his EX ‘ feeling to a receiver. Effective communication occurs only if the receiver understands the exact information that the sender intends to give. COMPUTER COMMUNICATION Computer communication is described as a process in which one computer transfers data, instructions, and information to another computer(s). Earlier, only large computers had communication capabilities. Today, even the smaller computers and devices can communicate directly with one another, with hundreds of computers on a company network, or with millions of other computers around the globe—often via Internet. Some communications involve cables and wires; others are sent wirelessly through the air. For successful computer communication, you need the following components. SENDER: It is a sending device that initiates to send data, instructions or information. It can be a computer or mobile device. COMMUNICATION CHANNEL OR TRANSMISSION MEDIA: It is a medium through which the data, instructions, or information can travel. It can be cables, microwave stations, or satellites. RECEIVER: It is a receiving device that accepts the transmission of data, instructions, or information. It can be a computer or a mobile device. PROTOCOL: It is a set of rules that outlines characteristics of how two devices communicate. Without protocol, two devices may be connected, but cannot transfer or exchange any data. A Protocol may define data format, coding schemes, and the sequence in which data transfers among devices. For example, a person who knows only English language cannot communicate With another who knows only Hindi language. For communication between two persons, the knowledge of same language is a must. Protocol >for a variety of reasons, are hardware, software, data and facilitate communication. ters network can be as small as two comput ‘ected to each other, or it may be spread over ferent parts of a city, or even covering the whole world, NEED FOR A NETWORK You can share resources such as hardware devices, the help of a network. Sharing resources saves time and money. Data And Information Sharing In a network environment, any authorized user can use a ‘computer to access data and information stored on other computers in the network. A large company, for example, might store a database of customer information on the hard disk of the server. Any authorized person can connect to the network and can access this database. The capability of providing access, and storage of data Data and Information Sharing. and information on shared storage devices is an important feature of network. software programs, data and information with — Hardware Sharing In a network environment, each computer can access and use hardware available on the network. Suppose, there are a number of personal computers on a network and each one needs to use a printer. If the personal computers and the printer are connected in a network, each personal computer user can access the printer arittars sharing over the network, whenever he or she needs it. Software Sharing Network lets people gain access to software Programs stored on a central computer. Using their Own computer, individuals can gain access to and work with these programs. By sharing a program, a company can avoid having, to install a copy of th Program on each person's computer separately ‘ Transfer Funds Software Sharing Network allows users to exchan Be money fro Transfer (EFT). Both busine ene Neeccount ty i Tense (ET, Both business oes and conga SCOUT 0 another via leet Fd , posit of funds into bank, oni Reeser eupes include use of credit and debit ; and online bill payment.When your computer is a part of a network, where two or more computers are connected using a cable or some other communication channel, you can become a network user and can share files, folders, and computer hardware such as printers attached from one computer to other computers. These commonly used resources are referred to as local resources. SERVER AND WORKSTATIONS Powerful computers responsible for distributing files to network users are referred to as servers. Other computers less powerful than servers and connected to a server are called workstations. Each workstation contributes equally in the network and is often called peer. Types of Network There are many types of network: Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), i Wide Area Network (WAN) and Personal Area Network (PAN), Each one of these is discussed below. LAN (Local Area Network) A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects the computers and the devices in a limited geographical area, such as home, school computer laboratory, office building or closely positioned group of buildings. These computers are usually within 100 to 300 meters away from each other. If you have a home network with two or more computers, or if you are at your school where more than 20 computers are connected to each other, then you are on a LAN. Each computer or device on the network is a node. Often, the nodes are connected to the LAN via cables. LAN can either work with cables and hubs or wirelessly. A Wireless Local Area Network is also known as WLAN. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) MAN is a network that connects the Local Area Networks in a metropolitan area such as a city or a town, A MAN typically includes one or more LANs but covers a smaller geographical area than a WAN. Telephone companies, cable television operators, and other organizations use MAN network. MANA personal area network (PAN) is a network that connects personal devices like laptop, smartphones, digital cameras, printers, etc. in an individual's workspace Using wired or wireless technology. A PAN may connect devices through a router using network cables or by using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technology. You can transfer files and songs from one device to another using PAN. Network Hardware Network hardware consists of physical devices used on a network. All networks need network hardware to function, COMPUTER The most important job of a network is to link computers together. _ When computers are linked, the people using them can work more | sfficiently, Computers connected to a network do not have to be of the same type. For example, a network could contain desktop couputers, Such as IBM-compatible and Macintosh or portable | computers, such as notebooks and Tablet PCs, NETWORK INTERFACE CARD (NIC) pesratsion card is used to provide network access to a computer or other A levice, such as a Printer. Network interface cards mediate between Peeemoueuendsthe physical media such as cables over which data CONNECTOR , The most common connectors are: tion where all the cabl 2 single network. it they can exchange dat; of connecting compute; connect multiple computers to computers on a network, so that Use hubs as the primary method “s On a network meet. It allows you to also provides a connection for all the 2. Many types of network structures now rs,Provides a central point for cables in many directions and then forwards it to one ‘al more destinations. A switch is considered more advanced than a hub because switch sends the data to a device that needs or requests for it. Switches can be used in place of hubs. ROUTER: A router is a device that connects multiple computers or devices together and transmits data to its correct destination on a network Shrough 2 process known as routing. A router acts as a junction between two or more networks like LAN and MAN to transfer data packets among ae tt ls used to connect your home network (LAN) with the Internet (WAN). © the NIC (Network Interface the network. network data travel or fiber-optic devices al a disk drive, printer, a process, while it is nication channels. tions, or information jobile device, the signal mission media. Most send communications signals. LANs often use, ain types of physical transmission media: twisted ne or more twisted-pair wires bundled insists of two separate insulated copper ummm and is color-coded for identification. = Twisted Pair Cablestrands of glass or plastic that use light to transmit signals. Inside the fiber-optic cable, an insulating glass cladding and a protective coating surrounds each optical fiber. Many big companies use fiber-optic cables in high-traffic networks. Fiber-optic Cable WIRELESS TRANSMISSION MEDIA Wireless transmission media send communication signals through the air. Many people use this media because it is more convenient than installing cables. Types of wireless transmission media used in communication include infrared, broadcast radio, cellular radio, microwaves, and communication satellites. Infrared (IR) Infrared (IR) is a wireless transmission medium that sends signals using infrared light waves, Infrared systems use the same technology as household remote controls. They are also used with computers and devices like cordless keyboards and mouses. Broadcast Radio Broadcast radio is a wireless transmission medium that distributes radio signals through the air over long distances, such as between cities, Fegions, and countries, and short distances, such as within an office or home. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication technologies use broadcast radio signals. WiFi Wi-Fi, short for wireless fidelity, is a Po} that uses radio waves to provide wireless pular wireless networking technology high-speed network connections. Cellular Radio for mobile communication. It is a radio transmissions exi G (first BGlatacera cs exist, such as 1G (1licrowaves provide a high-speed wireless signal __ transmission. It involves sending signals from one © microwave ‘station to another. A microwave station is an earth-based dish that contains the antenna and other equipment necessary to conduct wave communication. Microwave transmission is used in wide-open areas, such as deserts, forests or lakes. ‘Microwave Satel Communication Satellite ‘A communication satellite is a space station that receives microwave signals from an earth-based station, amplifies (strengthens) the signals, and broadcasts the signals back over a wide area to any number of earth-based stations. Applications such as television and radio broadcasts, weather forecasting, videoconferencing, GPS, and Internet Communication Satellite connections use communication satellites. Network Architecture Network architecture refers to how computers are organised and how tasks are allocated among these computers. It is mainly categorized into two major types. PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK A network of two or more computers that uses the same type of programs to communicate and share data is called a Peer-to-Peer network. Each ‘computer or peer is considered equal in terms of responsibilities, and each acts as a server to others in the network. Peer-to-Peer networks work best in a small environment. These Bi Computer networks are designed primarily for small to medium local area networks. Peer-to-Peer network is not effective if more than ten Computer computers are to be connected together. CLIENT/SERVER NETWORK ‘A network in which one or more computers are designated as server(s), and the other computers on the network, called clients, can request services from the server, is known as Client/Server network.o sf, contr 0 the hardware and uter, controls access to the nos co rtorage area for programs, data, and inform: files, printers, etc. become available, dicated A server, some roves a centralized st072 "user connects to the server, then applications, ar perform a specific task and are calle servers. + A file server stores and manages files. + A print server manages printers and documents being printed. + A database server stores and provides access to a database. * A network server manages network traffic. * A web server is a computer that delivers requested web fe pages to your computer. Client A client is a computer system that relies on a 5 server for all the resources. For example, a server might store a network version of word processing program. Every client on the | network can access the word processing program on the server. in networking, the term topology refers to the layout structure of connected computers and devices on a network. A network topology has two levels, i.e., physical and logical, is The physical level refers to the parts of a network that ; Physically exist, such as computers, cables and connectors. This ] level specifies where the computers on a network are located fd how all the parts of the network are connected. Cables are the most popular transmission media to transfer in ees formation on PHYSICAL bo The logi sf rs) ee eS level refers to the path that the information takes t@ ] coon espeation on a network. The logical level of a network rskeaies Baty factors, such as the applications used and the ae Pamecamation transferred over the network. Computers San 2 via the transmicg Y exchanging electrical signals. Signals are sent mon medium that connects the computers. ‘ LOGICAL ‘ 3 a 5 & 3a $ 3 z 5 =z 3 g Q 2 e z 8 3s 3 S S cy BIn this ine Of topology, all the computers and thelr devices are connected to one single cb ; This network is also called linear network. it transmits data, instructions and information in both directions. partion’ eer can communicate at a time in bus topology. A device, wanting to pepmeneste with another device on the network, sends a broadcast message onto the wire that all other devices can see, but only the intended recipient accepts and processes the message. sily added or removed from the network. The failure In this topology, computer system can be ea of a single node does not affect the performance of the remaining network. STAR TOPOLOGY In this kind of topology, connector called a hub is placed at the center to which all the other nodes are connected. All the information that is transferred from one computer to another on the network passes via the hub. Star network is one of the most common computer network easy to add or remove nodes. A failure in any star network cable will topologies because it is f one computer and not the entire network. However, when the only take down network access of hub fails, then the network also fails. Star Topologythe last node is connected to the first one. Every device exactly neighbours for communication purpose. Pretec: aval trie ring in the same direction (either clockwise or counter clockwise). In this, if one node fails, the whole network goes off. Computers are usually located close together. A ring _ network is easy to set up because the computers are attached to a single ring of cable and no central connector, such as hub, is required. There is no beginning or end in a ring network. Protocol A protocol is a set of rules that outlines characteristics of how two devices communicate over the network. There are different protocols for different operations on the Internet. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): This is a set of rules that defines how pages transfer on the Internet and what actions web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. Many web addresses begin with http:// as the protocol FTP (File Transfer Protocol): This is a set of rules that allows file uploading to and downloading from other computers on the Internet. Uploading is the process of transferring files from your computer to a server on the Internet. Downloading is the process of transferring files from a ‘ server on the Internet to your computer. Web page developers often use FTP to upload their web Pages to a web server. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/internet Protocol): This is a network protocol that defines how the information or messages are routed from one end of a network to the other, ensuring the data arrives correctly. It has been used as network standard for Internet communications, POPS (Post Office Protocol version 3): This is an email protocol that stores email messages on a imall server and allows the user to view, access and manipulate the message after downloading or storing it on thelr computer. Once the messages are downloaded onto your computer, they are deleted from the mail server. This means that after the email is downloaded, it can only be accessed Using the same computer. If you try to access your emails from a different device, the Messages that have been previously downloaded will not be available to you. IMAP {intemet Message Access Protocol}: This is also an emall protocol that stores email messages On a mail server and allows the user to view, access and manipulate the messages on the mail server from their computer. When you read an email message using IMAP, you are not actually downloading or storing it on your computer; instead, you are reading it on the mail server from your computer. As a result, if you try to access your emails from a different device, the same messages will be available to you, Most popular protocols in use worldwide, Most email software programs use SMTP for sending Brel>/and|se elther the POPS or IMAPIprotocol for receisinattacieCHECKLIST ey, Self-Evaluation | After reading the chapter, | know these points: £ f | know that computer communication is described as a process in which one computer transfers the data, instructions, and information to another computer(s). 1 know that a network is a collection of a collection of computers and devices connected by communication channels. . 4 ' know that there are many types of networks: Local Area Network, Metropolitan ‘Area Network, Wide Area Network and Personal Area Network. 1 know that communication channel is a medium on which the data, instructions, or information can travel. 1 know that network architecture is mainly catogarized into two major types~ Peer-to-Peer network and Client/Server network. I know that network topology has two levels~ Physical and Logical. I know that there are different protocols used for different operations on the Internet such as HTTP, FTP, SMTP, etc. Exercises Tick [v] the correct answer. 1. Computer network is a collection of computers and devices connected by Coanmamuauical aa channels a. internal b. communication TH «. external [ 2. The computer connected to the server is called Most, a. host > b. workstation c. workgroup 3, MA CtouailA provide a high-speed wireless signal transmission. a. Infrared rays b, Cellular networks ©. Microwaves 4 network is designed primarily for small to medium local area networks. a. Client b. Peer-to-Peer & «. Server 5, ...Pyunk...... server manages printers and documents being printed on network a. Print CF b. web “| & Mail i lar chain, In. RUNG... topology, nodes are connected in ac a. Ring EF ». star c. Bus a Write ‘T’ for True and "F’ for False statements. Each computer on a network cannot access hardware available on the network =r] 1 2. We can transfer songs from one device to another using PAN. idl 3. Landline phone networks and LANs often use twisted-pair cable. fais 4. Acclient is sometimes called the host computer. CB 5. A Peer-to-Peer network works best in a large working environment. (FI : = SMTP is an email protocol for sending messages across the Internet5. Some servers perform a specific task and are called . usbhicod ah. . «isa computer system that relies on a server forall Define the following. \. psteleco.L.s...0. Sth .o. 2d... pen fire, Menten .comonboatcods...VE..The. anche ork Fage=.4, : 3. FTP: rile dns prelocel.) ey a stem Differentiate between the following. 1. Hub Switch : Pages. B Foge=§. . Twisted Pair Cable Coaxial Cable Pager Page fe 3. Star Topology Ring Topology hae . : 4. POPS IMAP ee fosckecal. vestain- CSerternet....M.eesage,. Octhé... p40 by cl). - Paes GE oe fe Fi. finswer in 1-2 sentences, 1. What is a computer network?Pe Whit are recwors commamtrton charts? She. ronedium..om..vobich.. the.data.s..ins bauchins. or taformabion,.. prcaw els. Name the different types of wireless transmission media. Page.-10 ql 4, What is network topology? G. Answer briefly. 1, What are the,basic requirements for computer communication? Basic. sjyreuntn th fr Compudex comemuncation <= — Sender 7 tramsemission anedia ? Recetua >. Pnotece! 2, What are the different types of r Diffount +yp of Muebvork ame Zan - man WAN Par 3. What The diffeunt + J metwork corchu'techuu qete i+ Pes - > t oH Sewts Mehus Chitnt Nebwerk H. — ipplication-based Question Se laa lor this hunposs Divide the students into groups and discuss about the various protocols in a network. Online Link To learn more about working of computer network, visit the website: https://www.javatpoint.com/type . et