2 Networking

Concepts
Learning Objectives
is a Computer
Network? Disadvantages of a Computer Networlk
What
Peer-to-Peer Networks Network Topologies
Client/Server Networks Types of Networks
Network How Wi-Fi Works?
Advantages of a Computer

Introduction
In the 19th and 20th century we had the industrial revolution, which swept the whole world
Next big thing is the computer revolution, that is going to downsize the achievementsof
the earlier revolutions.
Computer revolution has arrived in parts and by every
minute is spreading and growing bigger. Computer networks
have made a major impact on the society as a powerful
communication medium. In every minute hundreds of PC's
are being bought by the users all around the world and
majority of them are connected to each other. Computer
networking allows various intelligent devices like computers, mobile phones, GPS systems
to communicate with each other either
through physical wires or wireless signals.
What is a Computer Network?
In our daily life, we come
acrossdifferent types of networks like cable TV network,
water supply network in
cities, telephone networks etc. drinkng
when you have two
or more
computers connected to each
purpose of a network is to enable the sharing of files and other, you have a network. 1pie
i
systems. Communications between computers can be information between
as simple as cabling two or more
Same printer or
thousands of
computers to the
World. It can be as computers across the
complex
sending messages through as a
computer at NASA
on Mars how to drive satellites to tell a
around without computer
18 Brainy Gigabyte* 8 hitting the rocks.
Characteristics of a Computer Network:

Share resources from one computer to another.

Create files and store them in one computer, access files

from the other computer(s) connected over the network.
. Connect a printer or a scanner to one computer within the
network and let other computers of the network use the
resources (hardware & software) available over the network.

Definition
What is Computer Network?

A computer network is of computers connected together for the purpose of sharing hardware
a set

and software resources. Computers on a network are called nodes.

Advantages of a Computer Network

Computer networks have highly benefitted various fields of educational sectors, business
world and many organizations. They can be seen everywhere and they connect people all
over the world. There are some major advantages which computer networks have provided

making the human life more relaxed and easy. Some of them are listed below:

File Sharing
The major advantage of a computer network is that it allows file
sharing and remote file access. A person sitting at one workstation
that is connected to a network can easily see files present on
another workstation, provided he is authorized to do so. Instead
of using a disk or USB drive to carry files from one computer or
office to another, you can share/transfer files directly using a network.

Resource Sharing
Resource sharing is another important benefit of a
computer network. For example, if there are twelve
employees in an organization, each having their
Own computer, they will require twelve modems and

twelve printers if they want to use the resources at the

Same time. A computer network, on the other hand,
provides a cheaper alternative by the provision of resource sharing. All the computers can
be interconnected using a network and just one modem and printer can efficiently provide
the services to all twelve users.

Networking Concepts 19
 Increased Storage Capacity
On d network which can easily shara.
Sincethere is more
than one computer
extent. A standalone comr the issue files,
resolved to a great
memory,gets
of storage capacity
of mightmemory
but when many computers are on a network, the storage fall shortof
with each other.
can be shared
different computers

Centralized Software Management

benefits of installing a networkis the fact that

One of the greatest loaded on one computer i.e. server. This
can be
all of the software updates and
time energy installing
and
eliminates that need to spend the
files on independent computers throughout building.
tracking
Easy Communication

It is very easy to communicate through

a network. People can

communicate efficiently using a network with a group of people.

They can enjoy the benefit of emails, instant messaging, telephony,
video conferencing, chat rooms, etc

Flexible Handling
A user can log on to a computer anywhere on the network and access his/her files. This
offers flexibility to the user as to wherever he can be, during the course of his/her routine
while using network.A network also allows the network administrator to choosewhichuser
on the network has what specific permissions to handle a file. For example, the network
administrator can allot different permissions to User A and User B for File XYZ.
Accordingto
thesepermissions, User A can read and modify File XYZ, but User B cannot modify the file.
The permission set for User B is read-only. This offers immense flexibility against unwanted
access to important data.
Inexpensive Set-Up
Snared resources mean
reduction in hardware costs. Shared files mean reduction in
requirement, which indirectly means reduction in file storage expenses. Aparticular memoy
can be installed only once on the server and made available across all connected sorW
at once. This saves the expense of buying and compue
computers, hence we save money. installing the same software/hardware many

Disadvantages of Networks
Virus and Malware
even one computer on a network gets affected by
a possible threat for the other a virus, there is
can systems
spread on a getting affected too.
20
network
Brainy Gigabyte8 easily, because
ecause of the Viruses
inter-connectivity ofor
workstations. Moreover, multiple systems with common resources are the perfect breeding
ground for viruses that multiply. Similarly, if malware gets accidentally installed on the
central server, all clients in the network that are connected to that server will get affected
automatically.
Security Concerns
Since there are already a huge number of people who are sharing some of their files and
resources on the network, security of data would be always at risk. There are hackers wn
are trying to steal valuable data of large companies for their own benefit. In case of big
organizations, various network security software need to be used to prevent theft of any
confidential and classified data.

Server Problems
One major disadvantage of networking is the breakdown of the whole network due to an
issue of the server. If the main file server of a computer network breaks down, the entire
system becomes useless

Needs Efficient Handler

The technical skills and know-hows required to operate/admin a computer network is
considerably high. Any user with just the basic skills cannot
do this job. Also, the responsibility that comes with such a job
is high, since allotting username-passwords and permissions
to users in the network are also the network administrator's
duties. Similarly, network connections and configurations are
also a tedious task, that cannot be done by an average user who
does not have advanced knowledge of computer networking.

Types of Network Configurations

Broadly speaking, there are two types of network configuration, peer-to-peer networks and
client/server networks. The distinction between these two networks is important because
each type has different capabilities.

Peer-to-Peer Networks
Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are more commonly implemented
where less then ten computers are involved and where strict
Security is not necessary. All computers have the same status,
nence the term 'peer' and they communicate with each other on
an equal footing. Files, such as word processing or spreadsheet
cOcuments, can be shared across the network and all the
computers on the network can share devices, such as printers or
a
canners, which are connected to any one computer.

Networking Concepts 21