COMPUTER NETWORKS

Part One General Introduction

I. History of network
II. Introduction to computer Network
III. Networking Devices
IV. Network OS
Part Two: Network Configuration
I. Computer Topologist
II. Network Protocols
III. Basic Configuration of a Network
Part Three: The structure of network
I. Types of a network(LAN, MAN, WAN)
II. MAN& WAN
III. Trasnsmission Media
IV. Basic Network Troubleshooting
Part Four: OSI Model And TCP/IP Model
 Part One General Introduction
Chapter One:
1. History Of Networks
Electronic Communication started with Samuel Morse and a Telegraph. He sent
the first telegraph on May 1884 from Washington to Baltimore about 37miles.
Less than 25 years later Alexander Graham Belt invented the telephone. Bavdot
Emile developed the first Bit-oriented Language Device. The Printing Telegram
was able to send pulses of electricity, which were either positive or negative or had
voltage or not. The machine did the encoding and decoding at both ends of the
wire.
1.1 Telephone Network
A telephone network has the greatest impact on how businesses communicate and
connect. The AT&T Company owned the telephone network from end to end.
1.2 Developments in communications
In 1966, an individual named Carter invented a special device attached to a
telephone or receiver that allowed construction workers to talk over the telephone
from the two-way radio. In 1975, the federal communication commission modified
the specification of the device. Companies like microwave communication were
developed around 1984.
In 1970, traditional computers communication were centred on the mainframe post
containing all the applications needed by the users. Such as file management and
printing. The mainframe used digital signals called binary to pass information from
the terminal to the host
1.3 Problem Faced in Communication
The Telephone Industry wanted to use computers to switch course faster then
connect remote users to the mainframe using the same telephone set. However, the
telephone networks speak analogue and computers speak digital.

The next was how to connect multiple terminals to a single cable. The direct
solution was the multiplexing techniques. It takes remote terminals and connect to a
single central site
NB: Computer hardware and software: system and application software.
1.3 How to connect

2. Introduction to computer network

A computer network can be define as the inter connection of many computers. The
network is establish by the network layer called OSI model, Wi-Fi network
connection. Various media are used to carry the communication signals e.g. radio.
2.1Networking concepts
It is the process of sharing resources and services. The share resources can be data
fast-machines, modem or projectors. Services can be a database, an email system or
a calculating-device. A pathway or transmission device is used to send message
from one computer to another. All Systems on the path way must follow a set of
common rules for the sending and receiving system to understand each other. A
protocol is the set of rules that governs communication. The system in summary all
network must have the same elements during communication.

1. SENDER
2. RECEIVER
3. RESOURCE TO SHARE
4. PATH WAY TO TRANSFER DATA
5. THE SET OF RULES OR PROTOCOLS

2.2 Benefits of computer network

An efficient network brings a wide range of benefits to a computer such as:
i. File sharing: a network offers a quick an easy way to share file directly
instead of using a disk of flash to carry files from one computer or one office
to another. A file is a collection related data stored as a single item with a
file extension.
ii. Specific directories: This can be password protected to limit access to
unauthorized users.
iii. Resources sharing: all computers in the network can share resources such as
printers, modem, scanners etc.
iv. Communication: Even outside of the internet, those on the network can
communicate to each other via network.
v. Flexible Access: network allow their users to access files from computers
throughout the network on a project on one computer and complete it on
another computer.
vi. Work Group Computing: work group software enables many users to
contribute to document concurrently (at the same time).
vii. Improve Consistency: The can reduce errors an improve consistency by
adding all staff work from a single source of information so that standard
document can be made available and data backup can be done from a single
point.
2.3 Network Application Areas
 Email services, Airline reservation, Hotel booking, Car reservation.
 Stock market information system, which allows searches for stock following
some criteria.
 News access machines which can search for past news or stories with given
criteria.
 Online systems for investments advice and management
 Sport result.
 Shopping information, prices and advertisement.
 Radio and TV programs.
 Medical assistant services.
 Insurance information.
 Tax assistance and tax information.
 Computer assisted instruction.

2.4 Key points to computer network

 Topology:
Network topology is the physical and logical arrangement of computer devices to
share information and resources.
 Nature of nodes:
In a network, a computer can be set as participating node with spontaneous nature.
 Interconnection type:
The type is point to point (p2p), multipoint or broadcast type.
 The routing techniques:
Under the routing technique, we have the routing table, the router.
 Protocol
The response time, the access time, the resource utilization.
3. Networking hardware:
Networking hardware includes all computers peripherals, NIC (network interface
card), and other equipment has to perform data processing and communication
within the network.

I. File server: A file server stands at the heart of most networks. It is a very
fast computer with a large amount of RAM and storage space with a fast NIC
using a network OS and any application software for data management.

The file server control the communication of information between the nodes on
the network. This requires a computer that can store a lot of information and
share it deliberately. File servers should have at least the following
characteristics.

 GHZ * 8
 A fast HDD with at least 1terabyte of storage.
 A fast NIC
 At least 8gb of ram memory
 Many expansion slots
 Redundant array. It is used to preserve data after a dis.

II. Work Station

All computers connected to network are called workstations. A workstation is
configured with a network interface card, networking software and cables. They
don’t require a storage device because files can be saved on a file server. Any
configure can work as a workstation. Network interface card ensures connection
between a workstation and a network. Most NIC are internal. Laptop computers are
designed with NIC or a PCMCIA. The three most common network interface card
are Ethernet cards, localTalk cards, and token ring cards. Ethernet card is the most
popular connector.

III. Ethernet Cards

Ethernet boards have RJ-45 connection. Some Ethernet boards can attach Coaxial
cables to twisted pair cables or fiber optic cables.

 LocalTalk: LocalTalk is apples technology used for networking marking

touch computers. Most internet connections operate at 10Mbps.
 Token Ring: Token ring network card are similar to internet card. With
9pins attached to the backend. It is used on servers

IV. Switch
A concentrator is a device that provides a central connection points for cables from
workstations, servers and other peripherals. Concentrators are also called hub.
Most switches are active. They work as repeaters. The hub or concentrator
broadcast network package to all devices of the network but they switch,
memorizes addressing of computers and send the information to the correct
location directly. Some properties of a switch are

 It is usually configured with a 12 or 24rg 45 port.

 It is mostly used in a star topology.
 It is designed with specific software for port management
 It is usually installed in a standardized meta rack that may also store or
contain the modem, the bridge or the router

V. A Repeater
A repeater electrically amplifies a signal it receives then rebroadcast it. They are
used when a total length of your network cable exceeds its standard. The length
limit for USTP cable is 100meters
VI. Bridge
A bridge is a device that allows you to segment in large network into two smaller
more efficient networks. A bridge monitors the information traffic on both sides of
the network so that it can pass packet of information to the correct location. Most
Bridges can listen to the network and automatically figure out the address of each
computer on both side of the bridge. The bridge manages the traffic to maintain go
performance. It can be used to connect to different types of cabling or physical
topologist. They must be used between networks with the same network.

VII. Router

A router translates information from one network to another. It is similar to the

super intelligent bridge. Routers select the best path to route a message based on
the destination address and origin of the source. While bridges know the addresses
of all computers on each side of a network, routers know addresses of computers,
bridges and other router available. Routers can even listen to the entire network to
determine which sections are busy. Some properties of routers are:

 It can direct signal traffic efficiently.

 It can route messages between any two protocols.
 It can route messages between bus, star or ring topology.
 It can route messages across optic fiber, coaxial cable and twisted pair cable.
 4. Network OS

Introduction:

A Network OS is a software that allows multiple computers to communicate, share

files and hardware devices with one another. NOS are mostly used to run
computers that act as servers. NOS is designed to support workstations, personal
computers and terminals connected to a LAN. Some multiple purpose OS such as
Windows NT (New Technology) come with capabilities to be described as a
network OS. NOS provides printer sharing, common file system, database sharing,
application sharing and security. NOS are configured to coordinate activities of
multiple computers across a network. The two major types of NOS are peer to
peer and client/server.

4.1 Peer 2 Peer NOS

P2P NOS allows users to share resources and files located on their computers and
to access shared resources found on older computers. In a p2p network, all
computers are considered equal. They have the same abilities to use resources
available. They are designed for small to medium LAN.

 Advantages Peer 2 Peer NOS

 Computers of a network are independent to one another.
 Most operating systems are configured for p2p network.
 It is less expensive since a server is not required

 Advantages Peer 2 Peer NOS

 It is less secured.
 There isn’t a central repository for files and application
 4.2 Client/Server NOS

Client/Server NOS allow the network to centralize functions and applications in

one or more dedicated file servers. The file server, becomes the heart fo the system.
The NOS provides mechanism to integrate all the components of a network. They
allow multiple users to share the same resources at the same time.

 Advantages of client/server network

 Security: Resources and data security are controlled through the data.
 Flexibility: New technology can be easily interpreted into systems.
 Accessibility: Server can be accessed remotely across multiple platforms.
 Interoperability: All components work together (a client, the network and
server).
 Scalability: Any or all elements can be replaced individually as needs
increase

 Disadvantages of client/server network

 Expensive: It requires initial investment for servers and cabling.
 Maintenance: Large networks will require a staff to ensure efficient
operation.
 Dependence: When a server goes down operations will seize across the
network.
 LOOK FOR ATLEAST FIVE EXAMPLES OF NOS
Some simple questions
1. What is a computer system software
2. What is an application software with their file extension
3. What is a search engine
4. What are the four groups of system software :OS,
device drivers, utility software, language translators
5. What is an operating system
6. What is a network OS and its example?
7. Hardware devices are divided into five namely:
 Input devices e.g. joystick, scanner , light pen, barcode reader
 Output device:
 Storage device:(divided in to 2 volatile and non- volatile )
 System unit components.
8. What is a computer network: it is the inter-connection of 2 or more computer
9. What is a file: it is the collection of related data stored as a single item with
an extension.