COMPUTER NETWORKING

What is a computer network ?

A computer network is a collection of two or more computers linked together for the
purpose of sharing information and resources.

Fig-1 Fig-2

Why computers are connected over a network ?

Computers are linked together over a network inorder to exchange files, share
information and resources(printer,scanner,cpu)

What are the types of network connections ?

Generally there are two types of network connections they are :-
(i) wired (guided) (ii)wireless/wi-fi(un-guided)

Fig – 3
 What is a standalone computer ?
A computer that is not connected to a network is known as standalone computer.
Advantages of Computer Network
1.Sharing of files, data and information.
2. Sharing of hardware and software.
3. Communication media
4. File integrity
5.Cost effective
6.Reliability
7.Flexibility
8.Backup
9.Security
** ARPANET is the first network started by US Defence
(Advanced Research Project Agency Network)

Components / parts of Computer Network

In a computer network in-order to join multiple computers together there has to
be certain essential components/parts :-
1.Computer
In the category of computers in a network there exists two types they are :-
(i) client (ii) server
(i)client (also called as workstation or Node)
Each computer connected in a network is called as Node or workstation for
sharing of resources.
(ii)server : It helps in sharing of resources or information. It controls all other
clients or nodes
 .
2. Network Interface card
 It is the device which is attached to each client/workstations and also with the
servers to establish communication between server and the workstations.
 It acts like an interpreter and is also called Terminal Access point.

***Note
The NIC manufacturer assigns a unique physical address to each NIC card and this
address is called as MAC(media access control) address.

3.HUB/Switch
 A networking device that allows you to connect multiple computers to a single
network.

4. Transmission Media
 A transmission medium is one which carries signal from one computer system
to another, which is also called as communication channel.
 It can be wired or wireless.

What are various types of wired transmission media

i. Twisted pair cable
ii. Ethernet cable
iii. Coaxial cable
iv. Optical fiber
What are various types of wireless transmission media
i. Microwave
ii. Radiowave
iii. Satellite
iv. Infrared
v. Bluetooth
vi. Wi-Fi

What is Data Communication?

Data communication is exchange of data between two or more computers i.e
between a sender/source and a receiver with the help of some
communication/transmission medium.
Sender – The device that transmits the data is known as Sender/source
Receiver- The device that receives the transmitted data is known as receiver.
What are the three conditions that data communication must obey ?
Data communication must fulfil / obey three conditions :
Delivery: Network should deliver the data at destination.
Accuracy : Data communication should be free from fault.
Time limit : Data should reach the destination without any delay.

Components / Parts of data communication ?

The essential components of data communication are :-
Sender :- Sender prepares information(data) and sends it.
Medium: It carries the information from sender to receiver.
Receiver : Receiver receives the information.
Protocol : The rules under which data transmission takes place between sender
and receiver
Transmission mode :-
 The mode by using which we can transmit data between two or more than two
linked devices is known as transmission mode.
 Data transmission can be possible in following three different modes according to
the direction of signal flow between two linked devices:-

I. Simplex mode
II. Half-duplex mode
III. Full-duplex mode

Simplex mode :-

 It is uni-directional or one-directional data transmission mode.

 In this mode, sender can only send the data and receiver can only receive the data
but the receiver cannot send back a message to the sender.
 Example:- TV, Radio, loudspeaker, etc

Half-duplex :-

 It is a bi-directional data transmission mode but not at a time or not

simultaneously.
 In this mode when the sender sends the data at the same time the receiver cannot
send the data.
 In this mode the data is send in one direction at a time.
Example :- walkie- talk
Full-duplex :-

 It is a bi-directional data transmission mode in which data can be transmitted

from both the side at a time or simultaneously.
 In this mode when a sender sends data it can also receive the data at the same
time.
 It is the easier and reliable data transmission mode.
example:- mobile phone

COMMUNICATION CHANNEL

A communication media is the channel used to transmit data / information

or messages between devices in a network.
(i)guided medium or wired or cable
(ii) unguided medium or wireless or broadcast
Guided Media or Wired Medium
1. GUIDED MEDIA :

(I)It is also known as wired medium

(II)The medium which uses physical path or dedicated path for data transmission is
known was guided media.
(II)The medium which uses physical path or dedicated path for datatransmission is
known was guided media.
Various types of guided media used for data transmission are :-
I. Twisted pair cable
II. Co-axial cable
III. Fiber optic cable
TWISTED PAIR CABLE :-
 This is a pair of insulated copper wire twisted over each other in a spiral pattern.
 The twisted cabling design helps to reduce noise from outside sources and cross
talk on multi pair cable, making it suitable for use in the field of telecommunication
for a long time.
 Each cable consists of one or more twisted pairs and wrapped in a protective
sheath.

Advantages :-

(I) has low cost and low weight

(ii)physically flexible and can be easily connected.

Disadvantages :-

(i)Due to high attenuation signals can’t be transported over a long distance without using
repeaters.

(ii)Due to low bandwidth it is unsuitable for broadband application.

CO-AXIAL CABLE :-

This cable has an inner conductor (a copper wire)wrapped in a sheath of Teflon or PVC.
The inner conductor carries electric signals .

Advantages :-
(i)transmission quality of co-axial cable is better than twisted pair cable.
(ii)can transmit several channels at same time, so used for broadband transmission
Disadvantages :-
(i)It is expensive compared to twisted pair cable
(ii)These are not compatible with twisted pair cable.
FIBER OPTIC CABLE :-
An optical fiber is a flexible, thin, transparent wire made up of highquality glass
or plastic, slightly thicker than human hair.
It transmits signals in the form of light pulses with minimum loss and long distance
transmission.

Advantages :-
(i)It prevents from electrical magnetic fields, so the data does not get disturbed and pure data is
retrieved on the other end.
(ii) can be used for broadband transmission , where several channels are held parallel.
Disadvantages :
(i)Connecting two fibres is difficult.
(ii) It required more protection around the cable than copper cable.
UNGUIDED MEDIA

 It is also known as wireless medium.

 The medium which does not use any physical path or dedicated pathfor data
transmission is known as unguided medium.
 Various types of unguided medium used for data transmission are :-
I. Microwaves
II. Radiowaves
III. Satellite waves
IV. Infrared waves
V. Bluetooth etc.

Unguided signals can travel from the source to the destination in several ways: ground
propagation, sky propagation, line of sight propagation.

GROUND PROPAGATION :
In this , radio waves travel through the
lowest portion of the atmosphere , cuddling
the earth. These low frequency signals
spread in all directions & follow the
curvature of the planet.

SKY PROPAGATION :
In this, higher frequency radio waves radiate
upward into the ionosphere where they are
reflected back to the earth. This type of
transmission allows for greater distances with
lower output power.
LINE OF SIGHT PROPAGATION :
In this type, very high frequency signals are transmitted in straight lines directly from
antenna to antenna.

MICROWAVES:(uni-directional waves)
(i) Microwaves having a frequency range of 0.3GHz to 300 GHz.
(ii)These are travel in straight lines and can not penetrate any solid object.
(iii)Therefore for long distance micro wave communication high towers are build
and microwave antennas are put on their tops.
(iv)These waves travel in straight lines and therefore sending and receiving
antennas have to be aligned with each other along the line of sight.

Advantages :
 Quick Installation.
 Less expensive that wired

 Uses :
 Used in radar (weather forecast, military target tracking )
 Transmitting info such as data or telephone calls.
 Disadvantages
Insecure communication
Affected by harsh weather conditions

RADIOWAVE :( omni-directional waves)

(i)Radiowaves having a frequency range of 3 KHz to 3 GHz.
(ii)When an antenna transmits radiowaves , they are propagated in all directions.
This means that the sending and receiving antennas do not have to be aligned.
(ii)These waves are easy to generate , can travel long distances and can penetrate
buildings easily.
(iii)That’s why they are widely used for communication both indoors and outdoors.
(iv) Cordless phones, AM and FM radio broadcast , etc are examples of radiowaves
transmission

Advantages

These waves propagate uniformly in all directions.

Less expensive as compared to wired medium.
Disadvantages
Less secure mode of transmission.

Affected by harsh weather conditions.

 SATELLITE WAVES :
(i)Satellite waves are used for very long distance wireless communication which
may range from inter city to intercontinental.
(ii)Transmission from the earth to a satellite is known as uplink.
(iii)Transmission from a satellite to the earth is known as downlink.

(iv)Downlink frequency is always lower than the uplink frequency.

(v)A communication satellite is a relay station in orbit above the earth that
receives , regenerates and redirects signal carried on a specific frequency.

(vi)These satellites are artificial and move around the earth in different types of
orbit.

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INFRARED WAVES :
(i)These are used for short range wireless communication(approx. 5m)like TV
Remote control device, cordless mouse etc.
(ii)These waves do not pass through solid objects.
(iii)So an infrared device in one room of a building does not interfere witha similar
system in adjacent rooms.
For example a TV remote in one room can not control a TV set inanother
room.

Advantages
Power consumption is less.
Less and low use of circuit.
No government license is required for their use.

Disadvantages
Line of sight , need to be in straight line for communication.
Limited in short range& can be blocked by common materials like walls, peoples&
plants.
BLUETOOTH
It is a wireless communication used for exchange of data over short distances to
create a personal area network. .

TOPOLOGY :-
The physical or logical arrangement of nodes in a computer network is called as topology.