COMPUTER NETWORK

A computer network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share
resources such as printers, storage devices, exchange files/data, or allow electronic
communications.
Advantages of Network:
 Permits the sharing of hardware.
 Allows only authorized users to access data and information stored on other computers
on the network.
 Permits the sharing of software.
 Networking also provides the function of back-up.
 Reduces costs by sharing of resources.
Disadvantages of Network:
Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive.
 Managing a large network is complicated, requires training and a network manager usually
needs to be employed.
 If the file server breaks down the files on the file server become inaccessible.
 Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer network.
 There is a danger of cyber-attacks such as hacking, particularly with wide area networks.
 Network equipment are expensive e.g servers.
Types of a network
1. PAN(Personal Area Network)
Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an individual person, typically
within a range of 10 meters. It can be wirelessly connected to the internet called WPAN.
Appliances use for PAN: cordless mice, keyboards, and Bluetooth systems.
2. LAN (Local Area Network)
Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area such
as building, office. LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through
a communication medium such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
It is a network that covers a larger geographic area by interconnecting a different LAN to
form a larger network.
4. WAN(Wide Area Network)
It is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as states or countries.
The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.
The Internet is a world-wide system of interconnected computer networks linking billions of
devices. It consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks,
connected by a wide range of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies
World Wide Web (Web) The most widely used part of the Internet is the Web, which is a set of
interlinked documents and other resources.
A web browser is a software program that allows you to browse the Web. Examples of web
browsers include Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome.
There are a huge range of activities that you can carry out on the Web by using a browser. These
include: Information Searching, Entertainment, Communication, Shopping/ E-Commerce,
Learning, Publishing, Banking, Government services etc.
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator (another name for web address / website address)
The URL consists of the name of the protocol (usually HTTP); followed by the name of the
website you want to connect to.
Web address structure

Hyperlink
If a piece of text or a picture is a hyperlink, when you point to it with your mouse, the mouse
pointer will change into the shape of a hand. A hyperlink is a piece of text or a picture on a web
page that when clicked will automatically do one of the following:
1. Take you to a different part on the same page.
2. Take you to a different page within the web site.
3. Take you to a page in a different web site.
4. Enable you to download a file.
5. Launch an application, video or sound.
A web browser is a software program that allows you to browse the Web by simple point and
click navigation. Examples of web browsers include Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and
Google Chrome. There are a huge range of activities that you can carry out on the Web by using
a browser. These include:
1. Information Searching
2. Entertainment
3. Communication
4. Shopping – E-Commerce
5. Learning
6. Publishing
7. Banking
8. Government services

Web browser Interface

A browser uses four buttons for navigation: the Back, Forward, Refresh, and Home
buttons.
The Back and Forward buttons allow you to move through pages you've recently viewed.

Tabs

BOOKMARK
If you want to revisit a web site you can bookmark it. This means that you save it, so next
time all you have to do is choose it from a menu.

HISTORY
You can review the list of website that you have visited, and you can also delete this
information.

A search engine is a tool used to search for information on the World Wide Web. The
search results are usually presented in a list and are often called hits. Examples of Search
engines are: www.google.com www.bing.com etc.

GMAIL
Electronic mail, generally known as e-mail, is a technology for exchanging information
or messages on the Internet between a sender and one or many recipients.
E-Mail Structure
For example, an e-mail address such as [email protected] is comprised of a user
name (JDoe), an @ symbol, a domain name (ecdl), and an extension (.org).
E-mail Message
E-mail messages comprise of two areas, the message header and the message
body. The header is organised into fields, for example, From, To, CC, Subject,
Date, and other data about the e-mail. The body contains the message and
sometimes a signature towards the end.
To: The e-mail address(es), and alternatively name(s) of the message's
recipient(s).
Cc: Carbon copy; for optional recipients who are not the primary intended
recipient.
Bcc: Blind carbon copy; addresses added to the list but not recorded in the
message information, so that they cannot be read by other recipients.
Subject: A brief synopsis of the topic of the message. Abbreviations are usually
utilised as a part of the subject, including "RE:" for reply and "FW:" for forward.

E-mail providers generally follow the same folder structure for their e-mail interfaces.
Inbox: This is the folder that all e-mails are sent to by default.
Outbox: Temporary folder that stores e-mails until they have been sent. Gmail does not
include an Outbox folder or label system, e-mails sent instantaneously once the user has
hit send.
Sent: Folder that stores all sent e-mails.
Deleted / Trash items: This is where e-mails that are no longer needed are stored. To
view e-mails labelled as Trash in Gmail, click the More drop-down button and then select
the Trash option.
Draft: Stores mails before the user chooses to send them.
Spam/Junk: Stores incoming mail from unknown or suspicious senders. To view e-mails
labelled as Spam in Gmail, click the More drop-down button and then select the Spam
option.

PRACTICE
1. Create an E-Mail
2. Opening an E-Mail Message
3. Replying to a message
4. Forwarding a message
5. Attaching a file to a message
6. Creating a signature
7. Using the vacation responder