Computer Network Notes Class 12

Computer Networks :

A computer network is an interconnection of two or more computers or

computing devices. A network allows computers to share data and resources
among each other.

Advantages of Computer Network | Uses of Computer Network

 Resource Sharing: Computer Network allows sharing of resources such as-

o Hardware Resources: Printer, Scanner, Photocopier, CD Drive etc.
o Information Sharing: File Sharing like documents, sheets, reports etc.
 Increase Storage Capacity: Usually Server of Computer Network have large
storage capacity. Total Storage capacity of each node of Computer Network also
increases storage capacity.
 Cost Efficient: Computer Networks are cost effective as we can share one
resource to many.
 Collective User Interaction (Multi User Environment) : Computer Network allows
many user to work together simultaneously in a project and as a result a lot of
time and effort is saved.
 Improved Communication and Information availability: Due to WAN (Internet)
people across different location can instantly get and share any information at
any point of time.

Node :

In a communication network, each device that is a part of a network and that can
receive, create, store or send data to different network routes is called a node.
Server :

It is a special computer which provide services to other computer/devices in a

network is called server.

Client :

A computer/device connected in a network sending request to server is called

client.

Types of Network :

Based on the geographical area covered and data transfer rate, computer
networks are broadly categorised as:

1. PAN(Personal Area Network)

2. LAN (Local Area Network)
3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
4. WAN (Wide Area Network)

1) Personal Area Network

A Personal Area Network is collection of various interconnected devices such as

computers, mobile devices, fax machines and printers available closely to an individual
user.

Characteristics of PAN

 Mostly it uses Wi-Fi connectivity.

 Usually operated or owned by individuals.
 It covers distance of maximum 10-30mtr.
 Usually PAN is private .
2). Local Area Network (LAN) : It is a network that connects computers, mobile
phones, tablet, mouse, printer, etc., placed at a limited distance. The geographical
area covered by a LAN can range from a single room, a floor, laboratory, a
school, college, or university campus etc.

LAN is comparatively secure as only authentic users in the network can access
other computers or shared resources.

Characteristics of LAN

 LAN Occupies small area not more than 1-5kms.

 Usually operated or owned by single person
 Speed of data transfer is high as compare to other networks.
 Easy Installation and Maintenance

3). Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) : It is an extended form of LAN which covers
a larger geographical area like a city or a town. Data transfer rate in MAN also
ranges in Mbps, but it is considerably less as compared to LAN. Cable TV
network or cable based broadband internet services are examples of MAN. This
type of network can be extended up to 30–40 km.

Characteristics of MAN

 MAN Occupies area between 5 to 50 kilometers.

 Usually operated or owned by consortium of people or an organization provides
services.
 It often acts as high speed network.
 MAN may be public.
 Examples- Municipal Offices network, Police Station network etc.
4). Wide Area Network (WAN) : Wide Area Network (WAN) connects computers
and others LANs and MANs, which are spread across different geographical
locations of a country or in different countries or continents. A WAN could be
formed by connecting a LAN to other LANs via wired or wireless media. The
Internet is the largest WAN that connects billions of computers, smartphones etc.

Characteristics of WAN

 WAN covers very long distance area.

 Usually operated or owned by national or multinational organizations.
 Comparatively low speed network to LAN and MAN.
 Most often WAN is public.
 Examples- National Banks, Railways, INTERNET etc.

Network Devices :

Those devices which are used to connect computer, laptop, printer etc. to create
a network are called networking device. for example Modem, Hub, Switch, Router
etc

1. Modem : Modem stands for ‘MOdulator DEMolulator’. It refers to a device

used for conversion between analog signals and digital bits. The modem at
the sender’s end acts as a modulator that converts the digital data into
analog signals. The modem at the receiver’s end acts as a demodulator
that converts the analog signals into digital data for the destination node to
understand.
2. Ethernet Card : Also known as by many names like- Internal Network Card, Network
Adapter, Network Interface Card (NIC) or LAN Card.

 It establish a physical connection between Computer and a Network.

 It act as an interface between Computer and a Network where it converts
electrical signals received from a network to digital signal that computer
understood.
 Now a days it is inbuilt in motherboard of Computer, laptop. We can also mount it
separately in motherboard incase of failure of pre installed card.

3. Repeater : Repeater is used to boost strength of a signal being transmitted on a

network.

 Repeater is generally used in long distance network where chances of signal loss
is more.
 Repeater actually copy the weak signals and regenerate it with full strength.
 Repeater are used to connect similar networks.
 Repeaters are cost effective and do not require any processing overhead.

4. Hub : A hub is hardware networking device that connects multiple nodes in a network
and send and receive data from all the connected nodes.

 A hub contains multiple ports that are used to connect multiple nodes.
 A hub is best suitable device for creating small home network (LAN).
 A hub transmits data in half duplex mode.
  A hub primarily broadcasted messages. It means that the data received by hub
is sent to all the computers connected with it.
 A hub is considered to be dumb network device. It means that it is not able to
filter message and send to selected destination port
 A hub is passive device. It is not equipped with any network software.

Switch

 A switch is a hardware networking device that connects multiple nodes, receives

information from all nodes and sends it only to the selected node.
 A switch has multiple ports to connect with multiple nodes.
 A switch is called intelligent hub as it analyses and receives data and send it to
intended node.
 A switch transmits data in duplex mode.
 A switch uses MAC Address to send data to selected node.
 A switch is active device. It is equipped with network software.

Router

 A router is a hardware networking device that connects multiple physical

networks that follows different protocols.
 A router is responsible for receiving, analyzing and moving incoming data
packets to another network.
 A router ensures that packets are travelling the most efficient paths to their
destinations based on data properties.
 A router is best suitable for WAN (Internet).
 Link failure between routers doesn’t stop network. If a link fails between two
routers, the sending router determines an alternate route to keep traffic moving.

Gateway
  A gateway is a node considered as the entrance point to other networks, so that
different networks can communicate with each other.
 It connects different network follows different protocols and different properties.
 Gateway can be any software, hardware or combination of both.
 Gateway can acts as a proxy server or firewall.
 Generally Router is used as Gateway device in Computer Network.

RJ45

 RJ45, also called Registered Jack-45is an eight pin connector that is used
exclusively with Ethernet cables for networking.
 It is a small plastic plug that fits into jack given in Ethernet card present in CPU

Network Topologies

Network Topology defines the layout or structure of a Computer Network that defines
the pattern of all devices connected to each other.

Types of Topology

There are 5 basic Network Topologies:

 Star
 Bus or Linear
 Ring (Circular)
 Tree
 Mesh
Star Topology

It is one of the most commonly used topology. In a star topology, nodes are not
connected to each other, instead are connected to a central device called hub or switch.
Information sent by a computer is received by hub/switch, which than determines which
node that data needs to send.

Advantages of Star Topology

 It is less expensive.
 Easy to install and update
 Easy troubleshooting
 Robust network
 Easy to add new node

Disadvantages of Star Topology

 If central device (hub/switch) fails, entire network goes down.

 Performance of entire network depends upon central device.
 Needs long cable to connect each node to central device.

Bus (linear) Topology

It is one of the simplest topology used for network. In bus topology, all the nodes are
connected to each other through a single cable generally called ‘backbone’.

Information transmitted by a node reach to all the nodes connected to network, but
information is processed or taken only by that node which address is matched with
address contained within information.

Advantages of Bus (linear) Topology

 It is very simple to design and install.

  less caballing is required as compared to other topologies.
 Best suited for small network (LAN).
 Very cost effective.
 easily expandable.

Disadvantages of Bus (linear) Topology

 Not suitable for large network.

 If cable (backbone) is failed, entire network goes down.
 though its design is simple, it is difficult to diagnose the fault.
 data loss is high
 slow network

Ring (Circular) Topology

In Ring or Circular topology all connected nodes form a circular path. Each node is
connected to it’s two neighboring nodes.

In this topology Information sent by a node transmits from one node to another node
until it reaches to destination node. Usually data is transmitted in half duplex mode in
this topology but it can be duplex mode.

Advantages of Ring (Circular) Topology

 No need of Server control for data transmission.

 Data collision rate is very low as data travels unidirectionaly.
 Easy maintenance and troubleshooting
 High Speed Communication Network.
 Each node has equal access to resources

Disadvantages of Ring (Circular) Topology

 Failure of any node may cause entire network down.

 Less secured network
 Slower than star topology
 Expensive network as it uses expensive components to establish the network.
Tree Topology

It is popularly called Star-Bus Topology which is not so commonly used. Devices at

lower level are connected to devices at next higher level, which resembles a tree like
structure. At higher levels of the tree, often point-to-point or point-to-multipoint
connections are used.

It creates Parent-child hierarchy as there can be only one connection between two
nodes and two nodes can have only one mutual connection.

Advantages of Tree Topology

 It is most suitable for large networks.

 Failure of any node does not affect network communication.
 It is Flexible network because new node can be added easily without interrupting
whole network.
 Large community for support.
 It provide highly secured network.

Disadvantages of Tree Topology

 It depends upon central cable (backbone), which if fails may stop working of
entire network .
 Higher level node failure may affect next level node performance.
 More expensive and complex network.
 Tough maintenance due to large no of components and cables.

Mesh Topology

In Mesh topology, all the nodes are connected to every other node individually. Each
node is capable to send and receive information to and from another node. Generally,
Mesh topology does not implement any central Server/Switch/Hub.
The connections in Mesh topology can be Wired or Wireless.

Advantages of Mesh Topology

 It can manage high amount of traffic easily.

 Robust Network as failure of any node doesn’t affect entire network
communication.
 New node can be added easily without interrupting network communication.
 Scalable Network as there is no central Server/Hub/Switch/Router. Each node
can act as router.
 It provides high security and privacy.

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

 Complex network as each node is connected to every other node and hence
needed many connections.
 Consumes more power as each node is treated as router and a result it is active
for all time.
 Difficult Installation and Maintenance due to its complexity.
 Expensive Network.

MAC address:-

 MAC address is the physical address, which uniquely identifies each

device on a given network.
 To make communication between two networked devices, we need two
addresses: IP address and MAC address.
 It is assigned to the NIC (Network Interface card) of each device that can
be connected to the internet.
 It stands for Media Access Control, and also known as Physical address,
hardware address.
 It is globally unique; it means two devices cannot have the same MAC
address.
 It is represented in a hexadecimal format on each device, such as
00:0a:95:9d:67:16.
  It has 12-digits, and 48 bits, out of which the first 24 bits are known as
manufracturor id , and last 24 bits are unique serial number.

 It works on the data link layer of the OSI model.

 It is provided by the device's vendor at the time of manufacturing and

embedded in its NIC, which is ideally cannot be changed.

 The ARP protocol is used to associate a logical address with a physical or

MAC address.

IP address:- It stands for internet protocol address. It is a unique address .each device
connected to the interner has a unique ip address. It is also known as logical address.

Types of IP Address:- IP Address is of two types

1. IPV4( Internet Protocol version 4) :-

It consists of 4 numbers separated by the dots.

Each number can be from 0-255 in decimal numbers. But computers do not

understand decimal numbers, they instead change them to binary numbers which

are only 0 and 1. Therefore, in binary, this (0-255) range can be written as

(00000000 — 11111111). Since each number N can be represented by a group of 8

digit binary digits. So, a whole IPv4 binary address can be represented by 32-bits of
binary digits. In IPv4, a unique sequence of bits is assigned to a computer, so a total of
(2/32) devices approximately = 4,294.967,296 can be assigned with IPv4.

IPv4 can be written as:

189.123.123.904

2. IPv6(Internet Protocol version 6):-

But, there is a problem with the IPv4 address. With IPv4, we can connect

only the above number of 4 billion devices uniquely, and apparently, there are much
more devices in the world to be connected to the internet. So, gradually we are making
our way to IPv6 Address which is a 128-bit IP address. In human-friendly form, IPV6 is
written as a group of 8 hexadecimal numbers separated with colons).
But in the computer-friendly form, it can be written as 128 bits of Os and 1s. Since, a

unique sequence of binary digits is given to computers, smartphones, and other

devices to be connected to the internet. So, via IPv6 a total of (2˄128) devices can

be assigned with unique addresses which are actually more than enough for

upcoming future generations.

IPv6 can be written as:

2011:0bd9:75c5:0000:0000:6b3e:0170:8394

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

HTML or Hypertext Markup Language is basically used to design and format a
web page.
HTML were developed by Tim Berner Lee in 1991
HTML contains different tags puted inside <> used in designing web page.
« Ideally itis a formatting language not a programming language.

o Domain name system: DNS is a service that translates the domain name into IP
addresses. This allows the users of networks to use user-friendly names instead
of the IP addresses.
o the conversion of the domain name of web server to its corresponding IP address
is called domain name resolution. It is done through a server called DNS server.