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Network: It is a system of interconnected computers which usually share data. The connection is either
wireless or wired.
Classification of Computer Networks
Geographical Span
Personal Area Local Area Metropolitan Area Wide Area
Network (PAN) Network (LAN) Network (MAN) Network (WAN)

Used among BT Used within a Used throughout a Used throughout

devices which are single premises. city. cities/ provinces.
nearby.

Interconnectivity – Refers to the connection between computers in a network.

Mesh Star Hybrid Bus Ring
Every device is All devices are Devices are Each device is Each device is
connected to each connected connected to each connected to a connected to 2
of the other together with a other using a main cable known other devices.
devices making a single device. combination of the as a bus. Data packet
mesh. other methods travels in one
making a hybrid direction along
connection. all the computers
till it reaches the
destination,
forming a ring.

Administration- Refers to a private network in which a single system governs all of its changes and it
cannot be accessed by foreign domains. A network can also be public which can be accessed by all.

Network Architecture
Client Server Model
Definition Uses Examples

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It is an application which  Allows the users to access Video Streaming Server
divides the tasks among the most of their files on the  The server stores all the
clients and the servers. server. videos that are uploaded on
 Uses access rights via the website.
security databases which  When the user requests a
provide great security. video, the server loads the
 They can be easily expanded video from a stack of HDDs
which allows for catering into the RAM of the user.
more clients.  Then the user can click and
 If a file is deleted it can be play the video.
restored via backup.
 They use a file server which Print Server
allows for the storage and  If a client computer wants to
management of data files print, a request is sent to the
remotely. server.
 However, they can become  The print server is hosted by
bottlenecked if several a single computer.
requests are received  The printer server will keep
simultaneously. track of the printing requests
to make sure that the order of
prints is followed.

2 types of Clients:
Thin Client Thick Client
 A device or software which is connected to a  A device or software which is connected to
powerful computer/ server for processing. LAN/MAN/WAN or the internet for
 It is dependent on the server to access files processing.
and run apps.  It is independent of the server.
 It needs an online connection to work.  It can also work offline.
 For example, PC/laptops as they have their
own storage.

Advantages Disadvantages
Thin Client  Cheap cost of hardware.  High dependency on the
 All devices are connected to server; if the server goes
a server which allows central down, the devices won’t
data transmission. work.
 Server provides protection  The startup costs are
against threats like hacking. generally higher.
Thick Client  More convenient as they can  Less secure.
work offline and without a  Each client needs to update
server. data and software
 Clients have more control as individually.
they can save/ edit their files  Many clients access the same
etc. data which leads to
inconsistencies in data.

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Server: is a computer or a software which provides services to other computers present in a network.
Types of Servers

 Servers are classified on the basis of their roles.

 One server may be used to carry out multiple tasks.
 For example, a s


 ever can be used to simultaneously run web server and print server for clients making different
requests.
Web Server Print Server File Server Database Server Content
Streaming Server
Provides Provides printing Provides file Provides hosted Provides
webpages and services to client hosting services. databases which streaming of
relevant content to devices. can be accessed content such as
client software. on an associated audio/ video.
client software.
Peer to Peer Network Model
Definition Mostly used when: Examples of uses
 It does not have a central  A company has no more  Used when sharing large
server and each of the than 10 computers. files over the internet.
computer has its own data.  A company requires little  Used when downloading
 A computer can send its data security. games between users.
to all the other computers  The processing of data and  Transfer of OS such as
present in the network. apps need to be computer Linux.
 There is no need to based rather than server
authenticate users due to based.
lack of central server.
 It is less secure as it is not
known who is authorized to
share data.
 Users can create their own
central share point as a
security measure.

Cloud Storage:

 Data is stored on offsite servers.

 The offsite servers contain hundreds of servers in various locations.
 This allows the users to access data anytime and at any place.
Examples of Cloud Storage:

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Public Cloud Private Cloud Hybrid Cloud
The user and the cloud storage The user and the cloud storage It is a combination of public and
provider are different provider are linked and work as private clouds.
companies. a single entity.
It is used to store common data It is used to store more private
and is hence less secure. data and is hence more secure.

Advantages Cloud Storage Disadvantages of Cloud Storage

 Files can be accessed anywhere at any time  There is a problem accessing the files if there
with an internet connection. is an internet connection issue.
 No need to carry computer/ external drive  High costs for high storage capacity.
with their data.  Download/ upload of files results in high
 Provides a source of backup data. internet usage bills.
 Offer almost unlimited storage.  Failure of cloud storage company risks the
data.

Communication Media
Advantages Disadvantages
Wired  Easy to form a network.  Difficult to form a network over long
 Cheaper compared to wireless. distances and objects.
 Less chances of hacking as physical  Cable laying damages the infrastructure
interference are needed. and environment.
 Provides high transfer speeds (fiber  Computer locations can’t be easily
optics). changed.
 More resistant to outdoor interference.  Requires skilled people to lay cables.
Wireless  Convenient to construct a network.  Requires additional hardware to extend
 Allow mobile computing. range.
 Cheaper to add devices.  Expensive compared to wired.
 No need to fix computer locations.  Loss of signals due to interference such
 No need of skilled people to lay as weather.
cables.  More chances of hacking.
 No problem in forming network over  Low transfer speeds.
long distances and presence of
obstacles.

Types of hard-wired media

Coaxial Twisted Pair Fiber- Optic
Copper wire and main One or more pair of copper Large # of glass/ plastic fibers
insulation. wires twisted together in a color through which data is
Uses Line/Bus/Ring network coded outside insulation. transmitted in form of light.
topology. Uses star network topology.
Coaxial Twisted Pair Fiber- Optic
Cost Higher Lowest Highest
Bandwidth Higher Lowest Much higher
Disruption at high frequency Most Affected Affected Least affected

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Interference Less Affected Worst Affected Least affected
Need for repeaters More often More often Less often

Wireless Media
Methods of Wireless Media Transmission
Microwave Bluetooth Wi-Fi Satellites
Transmission
Uses Phone cellular Forming PANs. Creating wireless Creating global,
network. Connection networks such as wireless networks.
Satellite between mobile those within
communication. devices. offices.
Navigation Connecting
equipment. wireless devices
TV broadcasting. like earbuds.
Advantages Large bandwidth. Connect multiple Connect multiple Connect devices
Good for point-to- devices together. devices together. with no access of
point High security; High speed of wires.
communication. asks for pairing data transmission. Allows for
before data Allows for mobility of
transmission. mobility of devices within
devices within Wi-Fi range.
Wi-Fi range.

Disadvantages Highly Slow data Signals get weak Signals get weak
directional. transmission. due to due to
Can’t pass around Short transmission interferences. interferences.
obstacles like range. Weak security as Requires large and
hills/ buildings. Limited # of easy to connect well aligned
devices can be via signals. antennas.
connected.

Hub is a device which can have a number of devices connected to it,

Switch checks the location of the data packet received and then sends it to the specified computer only.
Repeaters are devices which are used to amplify the internet signals so that they can travel over long
distances.
Bridge is used to connect one LAN to another LAN so that they can function as a single LAN.
Router:

 Device which transfers data between 2 or more networks via IP Address.

 It is connected via LAN and WAN.
 It determines the best path for sending the data.
 It filters the incoming and outgoing traffic.
 It stores the configuration information in the routing table.
Gateway:

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 It is a device connecting 2 networks to establish communication between 2 devices on either
network.
 It is used when transmitting data packets by translating data into a new format.
 It is the most important component of a router.
 Broadband routers and computers can be configured to serve as the gateway.
Network Interface Card (NIC):

 It allows a device to be connected to the internet.

 It is a part of the hardware device and contains the MAC Address.
Wireless Network Interface Card (WNIC):

 It is the same as the NIC.

 A device is plugged into the USB port or integrated within a system and connects the device via
microwaves by transmitting signals.
Ethernet:
It is a protocol which is used in wired LANs.

Conflict:

 It occurs when another computer on the same network has the same IP address.
 It doesn’t allow the computer to connect to the internet.
 It can be resolved by restarting the router.
Collision:
It occurs when data is transmitted along the same path at the same time.
CSMA/ Collision Detection:
A protocol which regulates communication among nodes.
Working:

 If the network is quiet, transmit.

 If the network is busy, wait until its quiet.
 During transmission, listen for a collision.
 If there is a detection, send a jamming signal to stop the other computers from transmitting data.
Bit streaming is the transfer of a sequence of bits containing data along a communications path, serially.
Bandwidth: Measure of the data transmitted in a given time.
The higher the bandwidth, the more data is transmitted.
On Demand Bit Streaming Real Time Bit Streaming
 Pre recorded media files stored on a server.  Content is transmitted to the server as it is
 Are free or paid. generated.
 Once downloaded, media can be watched as  Includes live events like TV broadcasts.
many times as the user wants.  No need to wait for the event to finish before

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 The media can be pause, rewind, forwarded. watching it.
 However, the user has to wait for the whole  Plays when the required # bits are
file to download. downloaded.
 Live events are not present.  However, it requires a higher bandwidth
network connection.
 Multiple users on the same server cause
interference in the media. This can be
resolved by streaming the same content over
multiple servers.
 May not be kept as a file.

Internet
Network of networks.
It is a system used to connect computers globally using communication links (backbones).
The data is divided into packets and sent to its destination via different routes.
Protocol:
It is a set of rules and regulations to be considered when transmitting data over the internet.
Protocol suite- Combination of similar protocols.
Internet Protocol Suit or IP/TCP is the most important protocol and is used to connect devices globally.
IP/TCP/Internet Hyper Text Transfer File Transfer Protocol Post Office Protocol/
protocol suite Protocol (HTTP) (FTP) Simple Mail Transfer
Protocol (POP/SMTP)
Most common protocol Provides Hyper linked Allows to upload/ Allows computers to
to connect to devices files and apps such as download files by send and receive mails.
over the internet. WWW. connecting to a file
server.

How the internet works:

 A request is sent over the network to the targeted server. Along the way, different DNS are hit.
 When the targeted server receives the request, it sends back a response to your computer.
 The return path could be different from the send path.
Hardware Requirements for Internet:

 Router
 Gateway
 Server
Proxy server: Sits between the computer and the network. Filters out incoming and outgoing information,
improving performance.
Web Server: Loads a file onto the web browser.

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Application Server: Handles the processes between the user’s computer and backbend business apps. For
example, online shopping.
Communication Systems
Dial up connection/ PSTN

 Allows any telephone to communicate with another.

 Connects the telephones worldwide.
 Data is transferred via telephone lines.
 Modem establishes a connection between the computer and the internet via telephone lines.
Digital Subscriber line (DSL)

 Allows to transfer digital signals over telephone lines.

 Phone calls using a landline are in the range 0-4kHz (voice band).
 DSL uses high frequencies to make phone calls (25kHz – 1MHz)
 DSL filters are used to filter out the interferences in the call made using high frequencies.
 Modems allow to access the internet via DSL.

Cell Phone Network

 Mobile phones are able to communicate with each other and connect to the internet via base
stations.
 Base stations contain transceivers which receive cells.
 Cells spread the wireless network over a large area.
IP Addressing and URL
IP Addressing:

 Numerical value given to each device in a network using TCPAP.

 This IP address can be 32bit (IPv4) or 128bit (IPv6).
Static IP Address:

 When a computer disconnects and rejoins the network, its IP address remains the same.
 Address is assigned by the server/ISP.
Dynamic IP Address:

 When a computer disconnects and rejoins the network, its IP address changes.
 Address is assigned by the network OS.
Versions of IP Addresses:
IPv4:
174.16.254.1
First half is the Network ID. Second Half is the Host ID.

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Written in denary.
Contains 32 bits, 232 IDs.
Specifies the Network and Host (user) address
IPv6
A8FB:7A88: FFF0:0FFF:3D21:2085:66FB: F0FA
It has increased address space.
Compatibility with IPv4.
Simplified configuration.
(These are in denary and hexadecimal format)
Classes of IP Addresses:
Types of IP Addresses:
Public Private
 Assigned to all devices connected to the  Assigned to devices enclosed in a
internet. network by a router.
 Assigned by the ISP so that the computers  Addresses must fall within the given
connected to the internet can be uniquely range.
identified.  1.0.0.0-10.255.255.255
 It has 2 types, Static and Dynamic IP  192.168.0.0-192.168.255.255
Addresses.  172.16.0.0-172.131.255.255
 Used for communication over a network.
(WAN)  This address cannot be accessed through
the internet.

 Used for communication within a network

(LAN).

AD:CD: EF: 00:00:01 (First Half is manufacturer ID. Second Half is serial # of device)
Classless Inter Domain Routing (CIDR)
Prevents IP Address from being wasted by adjusting the host address in a reasonable number of bits.
Allocates different IP addresses to different devices in a network.
Sub Netting divides a LAN into 2 or more smaller networks. This helps reduce network traffic.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
String which gives the exact location of a resource on the internet.
It is used by browsers to identify a network.
It consists of 3 parts:
Network protocol

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Host name/ address (Domain Address)
File/ resource location or server
Format of a URL:
Protocol://hostname/location of file
How a URL is used to locate a resource on the web:
Each URL is assigned a domain name and a private IP address.
This helps identify the resource.
Domain Name System (DNS):
Responsible for managing public names of websites.
Translates the domain name into the IP address which is then looked up by the DNS server in the
database.
The client computer sends a host name to the DNS server which is then looked up against the
corresponding IP address.
If there is no corresponding IP address found, the request is forwarded to a higher-level domain server.

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