0% found this document useful (0 votes)
43 views32 pages

Ch-07 (Comp) - Computer Networks

Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
43 views32 pages

Ch-07 (Comp) - Computer Networks

Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 32

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Chapter 7
Computer Networks
Revised by: Ansar Javed
Govt. Graduate College Garhmaharaja, Jhang.
Slides Copyrights © PM Series (Original Authors)
Computer Networks
Chapter 7 – Computer Networks
Computer Networks
• A collection of computers and other devices connected together via
communication devices and communication channels for sharing information
and resources is called a computer network
• Resources may include printers, scanners, and storage devices (such as hard
disks)
• In a computer network, computers or devices are connected together via
communication devices and transmission media
• Examples of transmission media are cables and wirelessly or WiFi
• Connected computers/devices in the network can be in the same room,
building, or at different locations
• A computer network can be simple or very large
• In a large computer network, usually many computer networks are connected
together
• This type of network is called a network of networks
• Internet is the most well-known example of a network of networks
Uses of Computer Network
• People around the world use computer networks every day in business, at offices,
and homes, etc.
• Uses or benefits of a computer network
Communication
• People can communicate with each other around the world through computer
networks
• They can talk and share information with each other using different network
services such as email, social networking, video conferencing, groupware, blogs,
wikis, and SMS service
Data Sharing
• Different users connected to the computer network can share data among them
• For example, on the Internet, a large number of users can access the same database
Software Sharing
• In a computer network, usually, application software and other software are
installed on the central computer (i.e. server computer)
• These software can be shared over a network instead of purchasing a separate copy
of the software for each user
Uses of Computer Network
Hardware Sharing
• In a computer network, hardware devices such as printers, scanners, CD-ROM
drives, and hard disks can be shared among different users
• For example, many users can share a single printer connected to a network
• An organization can save a lot of money by sharing different devices over a network
• Without the facility of network, these devices have to be arranged separately for
each user
• It becomes very costly for an organization
Internet Sharing
• In a computer network (i.e. LAN), many users can access the Internet through a
single Internet connection and can use its different services
Centralized Software Management
• All of the software are installed or updated on one computer (server computer)
• This saves time for installing/updating on individual computers in the network
• Users connected to a network can access these software/programs
Uses of Computer Network
Data Security and Management
• Computer network provides centralized data storage
• It means that all data is stored on the central computer
• In a business environment, an administrator manages the company's critical data in a
better way
• Everyone can find the data easily
• Administrator has full control and he/she can read or change critical information
• He/she can take the backup of data very easily
• Similarly, security features can also be implemented on the data very easily
Saving Disk Space
• In a computer network, all computers use the same copy of application programs and data
files
• These are only stored on the hard disk(s) of the server computer
• There is no need to store application programs and data files on individual computers on
the network
• In this way, disk space on each computer is saved
Uses of Computer Network
Performance Enhancement
• A network can be used to improve (enhance) the performance of different
applications by using distributed computing
• In distributed computing, a computation task is divided on various computers
on the network
• In this way, the performance of the application is increased
Entertainment
• Computer network provides many sources of entertainment to the people
• For example, we can play different types of games, see movies, and listen to
music. We can also make new friends on the Internet.
Remote Access
• A network also provides the facility to access data remotely
• A user can access and update data by connecting to the network from
anywhere in the world
Types of Network
Chapter 7 – Computer Networks
Types of Network
• Computer networks are divided into the following types based on the size
and physical area or distance covered by the network:
• Local Area Network
• Wide Area Network
• Metropolitan Area Network
• Personal Area Network (PAN)
Local Area Network (LAN)
• Local Area Network (LAN) is a type of computer network that covers a small area
• It is generally limited to a building or group of adjacent buildings
• It consists of a limited number of computers
• LAN is designed to share different resources (such as printers, scanners, storage devices,
and application programs) between computers
• Network of computers in the computer laboratory of a college and network of computers
in an office building are examples of LANs
• In LAN, nodes (computers and other devices such as printers and scanners) are connected
to each other using cables or wireless transmission medium
• Network Interface Card (NIC) is used in each computer to
connect it to a LAN
• Network card enables computer to share information with
other computers connected to the LAN
• Data transmission rate through LAN is very fast
• It is from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps
Local Area Network (LAN)
+Resource Sharing
+For example, many users on network can use a single printer
+Similarly, storage media and software located in the central server can be shared
between all users on the network
+Inexpensive
+Small businesses, firms, and educational institutes can afford and easily install the LAN
+Communication
+Users can easily communicate with each other
+They can also share data among them
+Centralized Data
+All data is stored and updated on the central server through nodes
+So it becomes very easy to take a backup of the database at regular intervals
Local Area Network (LAN)
+Internet Access Sharing
+Multiple users can access the Internet using a single Internet connection
+Internet connection is established at the central server
+In this way, all users can access the Internet
+Data Security
+Data security can be implemented very easily because users are granted data access
rights
+Authorized users can connect to the server and can access a specific portion of the
data
+Speed
+Data transmission in a LAN is very fast
+Reliability
+It is a very reliable network
+Communication errors are very rare
Local Area Network (LAN)
- If the central server is infected by a virus, then important data and software
stored on the server may be corrupted and entire network may also be
affected
- All nodes depend on central device (or Hub), if it fails, then entire network
will stop working
- A trained and competent network manager is required to run LAN, so a
handsome salary has to be paid to him. Therefore, it becomes very expensive
to run the LAN
- Mostly in a LAN, one or two printers are shared among several users. In this
situation, lengthy print queues are created. So the users have to wait for a
long period of time to take print on the printer.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
• A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a type of computer network that covers a large area such
as different cities of the country or different countries and continents of the world
• Typically, a WAN consists of many LANs connected together across a wide geographical
area
• Suppose an organization has a LAN at each site. The LANs of all sites are connected
together to form a WAN
• Internet is the world’s largest WAN
• It connects many thousands of computers and LANs around the world and making it a web
• WAN is expensive than LAN but its transmission rate is slower than LAN
• In WAN, computers and other devices are often connected through telephone lines
• However, they can also be connected through leased lines, microwave, or satellite systems
• A modem is used in computers to establish communication between computers over a
long distance
• WANs are used in large organizations
• For example, in Pakistan, large organizations like PIA, WAPDA, ARMY, NADRA, and BANKS
use the WAN
Wide Area Network (WAN)
+ Covers Large Area
+ WAN covers a large geographical area so long-distance businesses can connect on the network
+ Users can access the network from any location of the country or world
+ Sharing and Communicating Messages
+ Messages can be shared and communicated all over the world
+ These messages can have text, pictures, and sounds
+ For example, users can communicate and share messages through video conference
+ Centralized Data
+ Data of an organization is stored in a single location even if the organization is spread all over
the world (or different cities of the country)
+ Everyone on the network can use the same data
+ This avoids problems where some users may have older information than others
+ Entertainment
+ WAN provides many sources of entertainment to users
+ For example, users can play different types of games, see movies, and listen to music over
Internet
Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Hardware and Software Costs
- WAN becomes expensive to install
- Devices and software that are required for installing WAN are very costly.
- Management and Staff Training Costs
- Once WAN is setup, maintaining a network is a full-time job
- Managing WAN is complicated
- Trained and competent network managers/supervisors and technicians are required to
run the WAN
- So handsome salaries have to be paid to them
- Therefore, it becomes very expensive to run the WAN
- Training for users to use the WAN is also required
- Training is required at all levels, including network managers/administrators
- Organization has to pay a lot of amount on the training of staff to run the network
Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Slow for Data Transmission
- Its data transmission rate is from 56 Kbps to 50 Mbps
- Usually, database applications perform their functions very slowly over WAN
- Security Issue
- Security is a real issue when many different people have the ability to use information
from other computers
- Protection against hackers and viruses adds more complexity
- It needs a good firewall to restrict outsiders from entering and disrupting the network
- Firewall is a security system consisting of hardware and/or software to prevent unauthorized access
of a network or computer
- Viruses can also spread very quickly and easily through WAN
- Failure of Server and Communication Line
- If a server fails, entire network is affected
- Similarly, a failure in communication line may also stop the working of WAN
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network system that covers the area of a
city or town
• Usually, MAN consists of two or more LANs in a city or town which are connected
together
• For example, a company may design a MAN by connecting all the LANs in all its
office throughout the city
• The cable television companies, telephone companies, and Internet Service
Providers use MAN
• Mobile phones (cellular) systems often use a MAN
• MAN is larger than LAN and smaller than WAN
• It covers an area of between 5 to 50 km diameter
• A MAN uses different transmission media (wired or wireless) and devices for
communication
• In most of MANs, fiber optic cables are used as transmission media
• So it is a very high-speed network
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
+It covers a larger area than LAN
+It requires fewer resources as compared to WAN. This saves implementation cost
+It provides high-speed communication
+Resources can be shared among different users all over the city
+Its installation and maintenance is less expensive than WAN
+It provides higher security as compared to WAN
+Like LAN and MAN, it also provides centralized data management
- It is more expensive than LAN
- It becomes difficult to manage if the network becomes large
- It is difficult to make the system secure from hackers and industrial spying
- Network installation requires skilled technicians and network administrators. This
increases the overall installation and management costs
Personal Area Network (PAN)
• A personal area network (PAN) is a network that connects personal
computers and devices using wired and wireless technology
• Computers/devices are typically located within a range of about 30 feet
• Devices may include smartphones, digital cameras, printers, telephones,
tablets, and PDAs
• A PAN may connect devices through a router using network cables or directly
using special USB cables
• PANs also may use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technology
LAN WAN
• It covers a small geographical area • It covers a large geographical area
• Computers are directly connected through • Computers are connected through a
physical cable or wireless connection telephone line or microwave system
• In LAN, connection is permanent using • In WAN, connection is not permanent
cables
• A network card is used in each computer • Modem or router is used in each computer
for data transmission between computers for data transmission between computers
• Its data transmission speed is faster than • Its data transmission speed is slower than
WAN LAN
• Its installation and configuration cost is less • Its installation and configuration cost is
than WAN greater than LAN
• It has less possibility of data transmission • It has a higher possibility of data
errors
transmission errors
• In LAN, normally problems occur due to
cable disturbance • In WAN, normally problems occur due to
• In LAN, computers can be connected in a telephone lines, or other wireless media
limited area • In WAN, computers can be connected
anywhere in the world
Network Architectures
Chapter 7 – Computer Networks
Network Architectures
• Network architecture is the design or layout of computers, devices, and
media in a computer network
• Computer network can be designed using different ways
• Most popular network architectures are:
• Client-server network
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) network
• Hybrid network
Client-Server Network
• A network architecture in which one or more computers act as servers and
other computers act as clients is called a client-server network
• In this network, servers are not used as clients and clients never act as servers
• Both wired and wireless networks can be configured as a client-server
network
• The server is a powerful computer
• It is also called a host computer
• It controls the whole network and provides services to the clients
• It also provides a centralized storage area for data & software and centralized
security to ensure that resources are not accessed by unauthorized users
Client-Server Network
• A client-server network may consist of two or more servers
• Each server performs only one specific task
• A server that performs only a specific task in the network is called a
dedicated server
• File Server Stores and manages files
• Print Server Manages printers and print jobs
• Database Server Stores and manages databases. It also provides access to databases
• Application Server Stores and distributes application software on the network
• Network Server Manages network activity (or network traffic)
• Web Server Stores web pages. It also receives requests from clients, processes the
requests, and sends the results of requests to clients
• Email Server Stores and handles incoming and outgoing email messages
• Authentication Server It keeps track of the users who log on the network. It also
keeps track of different services available to each user on the network.
Client-Server Network
• All computers and mobile devices other than the server(s) in the client-server
network are called clients
• They can be PCs and laptops or other mobile computers or devices
• Users run applications on the clients
• For example, users send requests to the server through clients
• Server receives requests from clients and takes proper actions on these
requests
• The results of the requests are sent to the clients
• Clients depend on the server for different resources like centralized storage,
printing, and data processing, etc.
Client-Server Network
+It reduces the volume of data traffic on the network
+It provides faster responses to the clients
+It allows using less expensive computers as clients because most of the work
is done by the server
+It provides centralized security/management
+It provides the facility to easy backup of data
- More powerful computer is required to install as server
- So it becomes very costly
- The entire network may be affected if there is any problem on the server
Peer-to-Peer Network
• A network architecture in which all computers on the network have equal status and no
one has control over others is called a peer-to-peer network (or simply P2P network)
• In this network architecture, each computer or mobile device is called a peer
• Each peer can act as both a server and client at the same time
• Both wired and wireless networks can be configured as a peer-to-peer network
• In peer-to-peer network architecture, there is no central computer to control other
computers on the network
• Each computer can share data and devices (or resources) of other computers in the
network
• For example, a printer attached to any computer can be used by all computers connected to the
network
• Each computer stores its data and program files because P2P does not have a common file
server
• Peer-to-peer network is a simple and low-cost network
• It normally consists of less than 10 computers
• This type of network architecture is ideal for small businesses and home users
• Some operating systems include a P2P networking tool that can be used to set up a peer-
to-peer network
Peer-to-Peer Network
+It is useful in small offices
+It is easy to design and to maintain
+It does not require any powerful computer
- It becomes slow under heavy use
- There is no central place for storing data and software
- In this network, data is not stored on a central computer
- So it provides less security
Hybrid Network
• Hybrid network has combined features of both client-server and peer-to-peer
networks
• It also has one or more servers
• Users can share data and software
• Similarly, each node can store its own data files and programs and has its own
peripheral devices
• Users can also share each other’s data and devices
Client – Server Network Peer – to – Peer Network
• Each computer is called either a server • Each computer is called a peer
or a client • No computer act as a server
• One or more computers act as servers • There is no dedicated server or central
• There is one or more dedicated servers computer to control other computers
that control the other computers on on the network
the network • It consists of less than ten computers
• It may consist of many computers • Each computer stores its data and
• Mostly data and program files are program files
stored on the dedicated server • Data cannot be managed easily because
• Data can be managed very easily data is stored on different computers
because all data is stored on a • It is useful in small offices/businesses
dedicated server
• Data is not stored on a central
• It is used in large organizations computer. So it does not provide
• Data is stored on a central computer. proper data security
So it provides the best security
For more details, refers to

PM Series

Introduction to Computer

by
CM Aslam, Aqsa Aslam, Mussadiq Fida, & Mudassir
Ahmad

Publisher: Majeed Sons


22- Urdu Bazar, Lahore

You might also like