Dennis Osadebay University

Faculty of Computing

COS111: Introduction to Computing Sciences

3 Credits

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 UNIT FIve
CompUTer NeTworks

A computer network consists of a collection of computers, printers, and other equipment that is
connected so that they can communicate with each other. We can easily say that networks are
systems that are formed by links. For example, roads that connect groups of people create a
physical network. Connections with your friends create your network. Websites that allow
individuals to link to each other’s pages are called social networking sites.
People use the following networks every day:
• Mail delivery system
• Telephone system
• Public transportation system
• Corporate computer network
• The Internet
Networks share information and use various methods to direct the manner in which information
flows. The information on the network goes from one place to another, sometimes via different
paths, to arrive at the appropriate destination. For example, the public transportation system is a
network similar to a computer network. The cars, trucks, and other vehicles are like the messages
that travel within the network. Each driver defines a starting point (source computer) and an
ending point (destination computer). Within this system, there are rules such as stop signs and
traffic lights that control the flow from the source to the destination. A computer network also
uses rules to control the flow of data between hosts on a network.
Nodes: Nodes are devices that are connected to a network. These can include computers,
servers, printers, routers, switches, and other devices.
A host is any device that sends and receives information on the network. Some devices can serve
either as hosts or peripherals. For example, a printer connected to your laptop that is on a
network is acting as a peripheral. If the printer is connected directly to a network, it is acting as a
host.
Many different types of devices can connect to a network:
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers

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 • Tablet computers
• Smartphones
• Printers
• File and print servers
• Game consoles
• Home appliances
A computer network consists of two or more computers that are linked to share resources (such
as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications.

USES OF COMPUTER NETWORK

Computer networks are used globally in businesses, homes, schools, and government agencies.
Many of the networks are connected through the Internet. A network can share many different
types of resources and data:
• Services, such as printing or scanning
• Storage space on removable devices, such as hard drives or optical drives
• Applications, such as databases
• Information, stored on other computers
• Documents
• Calendars, synchronizing between a computer and a smartphone
Some other functions of a network include:
i Communicate with other network users (e-mail, instant messaging, video-conferencing,
etc.)
ii Store data centrally (using a file server) for ease of access and back-up Storage Space
Storage could be up to terabits of space which would need massive storage houses were they
to be stored by paper format. You can additionally get extra space through Google Drive or
any other cloud storage

iii Keep all of our settings centrally so we can use any workstation
iv Secure- Users cannot see other users’ files unlike on stand-alone machines.

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TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
The following are the popular types of Computer Network based on geographical area covered:
1. PAN (Personal Area Network)
2. LAN (Local Area Network)
3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
4. WAN (Wide Area Network)

1. PAN (Personal Area Network)

PAN is the most basic type of computer network. A personal Area Network is a network
arranged within a person, typically within a range of 10 meters. Thomas Zimmerman was the
first research scientist to bring the idea of the Personal Area Network. Its transmission speed is
very high with very easy maintenance and very low cost. This uses Bluetooth, and Zigbee as
technology.
Examples of PAN are USB, computer, phone, tablet, printer, headphones, PDA, etc.

Fig 1. Personal Area Network

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2. LAN (Local Area Network)
Local Area Network is a group of computers connected in a small area such as a building, office
or geographically near each other within the range of about 10 meters to about 1km or a few
more. LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers and devices through a
communication medium such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc. LAN can be wired or wireless.
Wireless LAN is also known as WLAN.

3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

Metropolitan Area Network is called MAN which covers huge geographical areas by connecting
to various local area networks united to form a large network. This network is within a range
from 5km to 50km. Examples of MAN: Telephone company network that provides a high speed
DSL to customers and cable TV network.

4. WAN (Wide Area Network)

WAN is a type of computer network that connects computers over a large geographical
distance and countries through a shared communication path. WAN can also be defined as a
group of local area networks that communicate with each other with a range of about 50km and
above. WANs may transmit data using satellites, fibre optics and microwave links. The world's
most popular WAN is the Internet

NETWORK DEVICES
Hardware devices that are used to connect computers, printers, fax machines and other electronic
devices to a network are called network devices.
Some network devices are:

1. NETWORK CABLE: this is a type of connecting cable used to transfer data between
computers and a network.

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Fig 2. Network cable

2. NETWORK INTERFACE CARD: This is also known as network adapter card, Ethernet
Card and LAN card. NIC is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to a
computer network.

Fig 3. Network Interface card

3. HUB: A hub is a device that connects multiple devices in a single LAN network. When a hub
receives a data packet from a connected device on one of its ports, except for that port, it
broadcasts the data packets to all other connected devices. Hubs are not very secure because
data packets are delivered to every device on the network.

Computer
Data packets sent to
one of the hubs Data packets sent out
Computer
HUB to all the computers
and devices connected
Computer to the hub on the

Computer

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4. SWITCH: A network switch is a small hardware device that joins multiple computers
/devices together within one local area network (LAN).The switch checks the data packet
received and sends it to the appropriate [specific] computer on the network, making the
switch more secure.

Computer

Computer
SWITCH
Computer

Computer

Fig 5. A SWITCH Switch network connection

5. ROUTER: This is a network device that forwards data packets[transmits data] from one
local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) to another, based on their IP
addresses. The work a router does it called routing.

Fig 6. A router

NETWORK TOPOLOGY
Topology is derived from two Greek words topo and logy, where topo means 'place' and logy
means 'study'.
In computer networks, a topology is used to explain how a network is physically connected and
the logical flow of information in the network. There are mainly two types of topologies, namely:

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1. Logical Topology: A logical topology describes the way, data flow from one computer to
another. It is bound to a network protocol and defines how data is moved throughout the network
and which path it takes. In other words, it is the way in which the devices communicate
internally.

2. Physical Topology: A physical topology describes the way in which the computers or nodes
are connected with each other in a computer network. It is the arrangement of various elements
(link, nodes, etc.), including the device location and code installation of a computer network. In
other words, we can say that it is the physical layout of nodes, workstations, and cables in the
network.

LOGICAL TOPOLOGIES
It describes the flow of data, information, and back, from one system to another and the routes it
takes.
A logical topology describes how the hosts access the medium and communicate on the network.
The two most common types of logical topologies are broadcast and token passing.
1. Broadcast topology: In a broadcast topology, a host broadcasts a message to all hosts on
the same network segment. There is no order that hosts must follow to transmit data.
Messages are sent on a First In, First Out (FIFO) basis.

2. Token passing topology: controls network access by passing an electronic token

sequentially to each host. If a host wants to transmit data, the host adds the data and a
destination address to the token, which is a specially-formatted frame. The token then
travels to another host with the destination address. The destination host takes the data
out of the frame. If a host has no data to send, the token is passed to another host.

PHYSICAL TOPOLOGIES
A physical topology defines the way in which computers, printers, and other devices are
connected to a network. The figure below describes four physical topologies.

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1. Bus Topology
In a bus topology, each computer connects to a common cable. The cable connects one computer
to the next, like a bus line going through a city. The cable has a small cap installed at the end
called a terminator. The terminator prevents signals from bouncing back and causing network
errors.

2. Ring Topology
In a ring topology, hosts are connected in a physical ring or circle. Because the ring topology has
no beginning or end, the cable is not terminated. A token travels around the ring stopping at each
host. If a host wants to transmit data, the host adds the data and the destination address to the
token. The token continues around the ring until it stops at the host with the destination address.
The destination host takes the data out of the token.

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Star Topology
The star topology has a central connection point, which is normally a device such as a hub,
switch, or router. Each host on a network has a cable segment that attaches the host directly to
the central connection point. The advantage of a star topology is that it is easy to troubleshoot.
Each host is connected to the central device with its own wire. If there is a problem with that
cable, only that host is affected. The rest of the network remains operational.

Mesh Topology
The mesh topology connects all devices to each other. Mesh topology is a computer network
topology in which nodes are interconnected with each other. When every device is connected to
every other device, a failure of any cable or device along a connection does not affect the
network. The mesh topology is used in WANs that interconnect LANs.

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INTERNET

The Internet commonly referred to as the ‘Net’ is better described than defined, as a global
network of computers. It is often described as a network of networks because it first began
through the linking of the existing local computer networks used by universities and
governmental organizations. The Internet is a constellation of computers around the world that
speak the same language so information travels seamlessly from one computer to another.
Globally, the Internet connects scientific research, educational, government, commercial and
business networks. When you connect to the Internet, your computer becomes part of the global
network of computers. The Internet is more than a technological marvel. The peace is quick, with
messages and information racing round the world in a few seconds. It has ushered in an era of
sweeping changes in networking and communication that has left no business, agency,
organization or government untouched.

How the Internet Developed

The Internet began in the 1960s when the US Department of Defense through ARPANET
(Advanced Research Project Agency Network) began creating a computer network that would
continue to function in the event of a major disaster. In 1969, four mainframe computers at a U.S.
university were linked into a network that transferred data on dedicated high-speed transmission

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lines. Through the 1970s and 1980s new similar networks were created to link educational
institutions, government offices and military centers in the United States and other countries. In
the 1990s, as the Internet grew, private businesses and other regional network providers took
over the operation of the major Internet networks and the development of much of the
information available online. Private businesses, educational institutions, organizations and
individuals now develop much of the information content available online.

How Information is transmitted on the Internet

The Internet is a worldwide complex of small regional networks. To understand this, picture a
major road connecting large cities. Smaller roads link the cities to small towns where residents
travel on narrow residential streets. The high-speed Internet is the major road in this scenario.
Connected to it are smaller computer networks (functioning like smaller, less traveled roads) that
can share data information at high speeds. In order to enable different computers to communicate
and transmit packaged information with each other, a standard ‘protocol’ has been established for
transporting data. This Internet protocol is called Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) and allows all networks all over the world to communicate with each other on
the Internet.
When transmitting information over a network or the Internet, it is in the same binary form as
when it is stored on a computer, but the data has to be packaged for transmission. This procedure
is necessary because bits traveling freely on the network will have no meaning to network
devices. So, before data is transmitted on the Internet, network software forms the data into
packets.

Benefits of the Internet

Basically, and generally, the benefits derivable from the utilization of the Internet are mainly as
follows:
• Speed/Time Saving: The speed of transmission on the Internet is the significant benefit of
the Internet. A letter or document that could take days to arrive by regular mail can be
sent to the other side of the world in minutes. Likewise, searching through a card
catalogue at a library can be a time consuming, tedious process, but you can search an

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 online version of the same catalogue in a fraction of the time. The speed of transmitting
information naturally saves time and money.
• Breadth/Reach: The Internet gives you access to a vast (and growing) collection of
databases, documents, computer software; these and almost any other kind of information
can be stored electronically.
• Cost Saving: Exchanging information via the Internet is less expensive than using
telephones or fax machines especially where telephone access fees are high. Likewise
marketing and advertising your products and services on the Internet can be less
expensive than using conventional printing and document-delivery methods.
• Two-way Communication: Audiences now have the means to respond directly to sources
of information, research and opinion.
• Trading: The Internet provides the opportunity for purchase and sale of goods and
services. Specifically, the Internet through the E-Commerce has provided the business
community, among others, the following benefits:
i. Improved response time to clients’ requests
ii. Improved competitive position
iii. Eased the process of concluding deals and financial transactions
iv. Extended market reach and increased revenue potentials
v. Increased consumer convenience and choice
vi. Reduced prices
vii. Improved customer service

SERVICES OFFERED ON THE INTERNET

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The major Internet services are as follows:
Electronic Mail (e-mail): This is the most popular and most utilized Internet service especially
in the developing countries of the world. A conservative estimate puts the number of people
using the e-mail worldwide at more than 90 million people. E-mail is message sent from one
person to another via a computer network. The same e-mail can be sent easily to one address or
many addresses. Commercial electronic mail is used for the same purposes as the organization
wide mail system. But instead of being limited to members of one organization, the service is
made available to the public on subscription bases. E-mail messages are exchanged between
customers, suppliers, friends and business partners. E-mail service has cut down on the cost of
mailing or sending information thus saving time and money. E-mail is used as a marketing tool,
for example, a company, Dealaday.com uses e-mail to prospect for customers and sends group e-
mail to 10,000 user names all customers who have indicated they would like to receive emails.
With e-mail they receive a 7%, 8% and sometimes 10% response, unlike 1% or 2% response in
normal direct marketing.

The World Wide Web (WWW): The World Wide Web or the web is one of the Internet’s most
popular applications and it was launched in 1991. It is a graphical, easy–to-use way to organize
and present information, including texts, images, movies, sounds and more.
The World Wide Web has generated tremendous popular interest in the Internet. The www is
unique for two reasons. Firstly, it is highly interactive media bringing documents in graphics,
audio and video. Secondly, it uses hyperlink, which provides connections between different
resources. It allows users to jump from one page to another.
A [first page] file in www is called the home page and usually contains a multimedia clip. A page
can link you to other web pages and Internet resources with clicks of a mouse. You can view and
download any information you need on any home page with the aid of software known as the
web browser.

File Transfer Protocol (ftp): File transfer protocol (ftp) is an Internet tool used to transfer files
between computers and it is the most common method of transferring files on the Internet.
Without viewing them as they are transferred the ftp enables you to access file on a remote
location on the Internet once you log on to an ftp site, and you are able to access all files on sites

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and download them if you so desire. It is fairly easy to publish information on the Internet. Many
institutions maintain publicly accessible archive of information that they want to share with
others.

Telnet: Telnet is an Internet service that allows you to connect to a remote computer to use
specific databases or other applications available on that computer. Telnet is one of the first
applications widely used on the Internet. Many telnet applications are now available on the
World Wide Web where they are easier to use.

Internet Conference: This is an Internet service whereby different techniques are used to allow
people to discuss topics of mutual interest. A conference can be as simple as sending e-mail to
many different people or as complex as arranging to have people link different cities, see images
of each other and hear each other talk in real time- that is video conferencing. Internet
conferencing is possible, but the technology becomes more complex and the speed of the
connection becomes more important as you go from text only, to transmitting sound and video in
real time. Internet conference brings about tremendous savings on travelling, time and money.

Internet Telephony: This is a service in which you can use the Internet as a voice telephone line.
With some types, both you and the person you are calling must have an Internet connection and
be online at the time you wish to talk. Some companies also offer Internet-to- telephone services
where from your computer you can call any telephone number in the world. Internet telephone
services are inexpensive when you compare them with the conventional cost of telephone
services. If your organization spends a lot of money on long distance telephone calls, this might
be a good option for you. There are growing numbers of companies providing Internet telephone
services.

Internet Fax: Internet fax is a service that takes a special type of e-mail message and sends it to
a fax machine specified in the message. The message can be faxed to a computer (Internet-to-
Internet).

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THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP)
For a modem to bring information, it must have a number to dial. This is where an Internet
service provider (ISP) comes in. The ISP is the organization that gives a subscriber access to the
information super highway. So, to be connected to the Internet you need to subscribe to an ISP.
There are several ISPs scattered all over the world; some of the popular ones are American
Online (AOL), UK Line and CompuServe. Here in Nigeria, some of the common ones are MTN,
GLO, Main one, Hyperia, Infoweb, Cyberspace, Linkserv, Nigeria Online, Nigeria Net, Nitel,
Nova, Prodigy, etc. The choice of an ISP depends mostly on the effectiveness in the transmission
of information, that is, speed of service is an important criterion for selecting an ISP. The
efficiency of an ISP, in terms of speed of transmission of information, can be determined by the
bandwidth it can support. A bandwidth is a measure of the amount of data line, satellite link etc.
The bandwidth available determines the total capacity of an ISP to move data anywhere in the
world.

INTRANET
An intranet is a local area network that companies use to distribute information and speed up the
movement of data within offices. In other words, an intranet allows the job of processing to be
distributed among multiple computers. Intranet activities usually take place behind secure
‘firewalls’ that only authorized users have access to.
An intranet can span multiple business locations via the Internet. Intranets are built using the
same standard Internet software such as TCP/IP, e-mail client, web browser and telephone dialer.

EXTRANET
When a company makes open its internal network or intranet to selected business partners, the
intranet becomes an extranet. Suppliers, distributors and other authorized users can then connect
to the company’s network over the ‘Net’ or through virtual private networks. Once inside, they
can view the data the company makes available.

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