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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

A computer network connects computers together to share resources. The main types of networks are local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), and personal area networks (PANs). LANs connect computers within a small geographic area like a home or office using hardware like network cables and servers. They allow users to share files, printers, and other resources. WANs connect computers across large areas like cities or countries using hardware like modems and communication links. They are often used to connect LANs together and provide access to the internet. Data transmission modes like simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex determine whether communication between devices is one-way

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Taonaishe Hastings Muzavazi
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51 views5 pages

Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

A computer network connects computers together to share resources. The main types of networks are local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), and personal area networks (PANs). LANs connect computers within a small geographic area like a home or office using hardware like network cables and servers. They allow users to share files, printers, and other resources. WANs connect computers across large areas like cities or countries using hardware like modems and communication links. They are often used to connect LANs together and provide access to the internet. Data transmission modes like simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex determine whether communication between devices is one-way

Uploaded by

Taonaishe Hastings Muzavazi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Communication Networks and Internet Technologies

A computer network is a group of computers connected with each other through a transmission
medium such as cable, wire for purpose of sharing data, files and resources like a printer.
Advantages of Networking
- Expensive peripherals like printers and scanners can be shared between users.
- Messages can be sent easily and faster between users whether on WAN or LAN.
- Avoids duplication of information as users can access the same file on the network.
- Network software can be purchased cheaply than buying individual packages for each computer.
- It is possible to access data or programs from any terminal or workstation.
- Data and programs can be stored centrally making it easier to maintain and backup.
- Users can be easily prevented from accessing files not intended for them.
- Allows sharing of files, software and data held in computers.
- Allows emails to be send between users

Disadvantages of Networking
- Sophisticated equipment is needed, which may be expensive to buy.
- Security of data can be a problem due to hacking.
- Wiring can be expensive both to buy and to install; wiring can be sunk on the ground
to avoid trailing cables.
- If a server breaks down, the whole network becomes unusable.
- Networks need experienced network managers, who will be highly paid to keep the
network running.

Types of Networks

1. Local Area Network (LAN)


2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
3. Wide area network (WAN)
4. Personal Area Network

1. Local Area Network


Local area network is a group of computers connected with each other in a small place
such as school, hospital, apartment etc.
This is the connection of computers over a very small geographical area, like in a single room, for
user to share files, data, software and hardware like printers

Requirements for LAN connections


A. Hardware Requirements
1. Host computer / Server:
This is the main computer that control and manage other computers on the network.

2. Terminals/workstations
These are computers that are on the network and are linked to the host computer. If the terminal has
its own processing and storage capabilities, it is called an intelligent terminal. However, if the
terminal does not have its own processing and storage facilities and relies on the host computer for it
to work, it is called a dump terminal.
3. Network cables: These act as pathway for data from one computer to another. Cables can be
coaxial, fibre optics, twisted pair, etc.
4. Hub: a device used as a connection point for devices and computers on a Local Area Network.
Usually used when connecting computers to a star network.
5. Network cards: a device that identifies computers to the network, where network cables are
plugged on the computer
6. Communication software like TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol Internet Protocol. A
protocol is a set of rules followed by devices when they are communicating.
7. Network operating system: manages the network and network devices

Intranet is a private organisation’s network that uses internet technologies for the
benefits of such an organization.
- An intranet is a private network contained within an enterprise that is used to
securely share company information and computing resources among employees
- a local area network providing internet facilities within an organisation using
internet protocol

Extranet: an extension of the intranet giving authorized outsiders


controlled/limited access to the intranet.
An extranet is a controlled private network that allows access to partners, vendors and
suppliers or an authorized set of customers – normally to a subset of the information accessible
from an organization's intranet

Advantages of LAN
 Costly resources such as printers can be shared by all of the computers.
 Central backing store can be provided in one place (the dedicated file server) so all work is
saved together.
 Software can be shared, and upgrading is easier too.
 Central back-up can take place automatically at regular intervals.
 Data can be shared across the network. For example, this would allow several people to work
on the same project.

NB Read notes on Network topologies


Star network
Bus network
Mesh network
Ring network
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A metropolitan Area Network is a network that covers a large geographical area between usually the
whole city or connects different cities and is owned by a consortium of users. The geographical area of
the MAN is larger than LAN. The network is only accessed by a group of users as defined by the
organization, e.g students of a certain university. It enables users to do researches, share files,
libraries, local email and video conferencing.

3. Personal Area Network (PAN)


Personal Area Network (PAN) refers to the interconnection of information technology devices or gadgets
within the environment of an individual user This a very much limited network, usually used by
one person. This can also be Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), for example connection
through Bluetooth. Bluetooth connects different devices, usually over a short distance. A PAN
enables user to transfer files from a laptop to a PDA, camera or Personal Computer.

4. Wide Area Network


Refers to the connection of computers over a large geographical area, often over 1 km,
e.g. covering the whole district, province or different countries for the purpose of
communication and sharing data. Internet is also part of WAN. WANs can also be
wireless.

Hardware Requirements for a WAN


a. Modem (Modulator Demodulator): - a device that converts analogue data from the telephone line to
digital data that can be understood by the computer and vice versa; often for internet connection using a
telephone line. They can be used as gateway for connecting LAN to a WAN
b. Communication link: Acts as a transmission media for data, e.g. telephone line, satellite transmission,
etc.
c. Network cards for each computer: - a device that identifies computers to the network, where network
cables are plugged on the computer

Software Requirements for a WAN


i. Communication Software like TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol Internet Protocol.
ii. Web Browser: refers to software used for opening web pages on the internet, for
example Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox, etc. it is used
by users to hook to the internet.
iii. Network operating system: manages the network and network devices.

Peer to Peer Network (P2P)


A peer-to-peer network is one in which two or more PCs share files and access to devices such
as printers without requiring a separate server computer or server software.
In its simplest form, a peer-to-peer (P2P) network is created when two or more PCs
are directly connected and share resources without going through a separate server
computer.

Data Transmission modes


Data Transmission mode defines the direction of the flow of information between
two communication devices. It is also called Data Communication or Directional
Mode. It specifies the direction of the flow of information from one place to another
in a computer network.
There are three different types namely simplex, half duplex and full duplex

1. Simplex
Simplex is the data transmission mode in which the data can flow only in one direction, i.e.,
the communication is unidirectional. In this mode, a sender can only send data but can not
receive it. Similarly, a receiver can only receive data but cannot send it.
For Example, Radio and TV transmission, keyboard, mouse,
2. Half-Duplex
Half-Duplex is the data transmission mode in which the data can flow in both directions but not
at a time. It is also referred to as Semi-Duplex. In other words, each station can both transmit
and receive the data but not at the same time. When one device is sending the other can only
receive and vice-versa. For Example, Walkie-Talkie, Internet Browsers, etc.

3. Full Duplex
Full-Duplex is the data transmission mode in which the data can flow in both directions at
the same time. It is bi-directional in nature. It is two-way communication in which both the
stations can transmit and receive the data simultaneously. For Example, a Telephone
Network, in which both the persons can talk and listen to each other simultaneously
.

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