Computer Networing Notes
Computer Networing Notes
Computer Networing Notes
1. Sharing of Information In a network: The users can share information, data and text
easily to other users.
2. Sharing of Peripherals: The computers, in a network, can share common
peripherals, e.g. one highly speed common printer can be used for all computers in a
network.
3. Communication: In a network environment, we can send messages, documents
(text), data files, graphics, videos, images or an e-mail to different users over the
network.
4. Accessing Remote Database: We can access the remote database and retrieve
information according to our requirement in a network.
1. Ethernet Cable It is also known as twisted pair cable. There are two identical wires
wrapped together and twisted around each other.
Advantages of Ethernet Cable
It is simple and physically flexible.
It is inexpensive and easy to install and maintain.
Disadvantages of Ethernet Cable
Using ethernet cable, signals cannot be transported over long distances without
using repeaters.
It is not suitable for broadband applications as it has low bandwidth capabilities.
2. Co-axial Cable It consists of a solid core wire surrounded by foil shield, each separated
by some insulator. Co-axial cable is commonly used in transporting multi-channel
television signals in cities.
1. Bluetooth It is a wireless technology, which is used for exchanging data over short
distances from fixed and mobile devices.
Advantages of Bluetooth
1. Even though you are able to exchange data across your cell phones, you still have
the ability to keep your information private.
2. You can use bluetooth on laptops, cell phones, music players, headsets, printers
and many more
2. Infrared In this type of transmission, infrared light signals are used. Infrared signal are
used in TV remotes, infrared wireless speakers, etc., as a mode of transmission.
In infrared transmission, signals are transmitted through the air but these signals cannot
penetrate the walls.
3. Microwave Under this mode of transmission parabolic antennas are mounted on the
towers. These antennas send the signals in the atmospheric air. These signals are
received by the receiver.
Advantages of Microwave
Using microwave, communication is possible even in difficult terrain or over oceans.
Disadvantages of Microwave
It is not a secured mode of communication.
Microwave communication is affected by weather conditions such as rain,
thunderstorms, etc.
4. Radio Link When two terminals are connected by using radio frequencies, then such
type of communication is referred as radiowave transmission or radio link. Any radio
transmission set-up has two parts viz., the transmitter and the receiver. Both the
transmitter and the receiver use antennas to send and receive the radio signals.
Advantages of Radio Link
It is a cheaper means of transmission than wired communication.
It provides mobility and makes communication easy over difficult terrain.
Disadvantages of Radio Link
It is not a secured mode of transmission.
These signals are affected by the weather conditions like rain, thunderstorms, etc.
5. Satellite Under this arrangement, there is an earth station and a satellite placed in the
stationary orbit, which is about 22300 miles above the earth’s surface. In satellite
communication, the earth station transmits data towards the satellite and the satellite
accepts these signals, amplifies them and then retransmits them towards the earth. These
signals are captured by the receiver.
Advantages of Satellite
In satellite communication, large area could be covered.
This mode of transmission is very useful in multimedia transmission.
Disadvantages of Satellite
Satellite communication is very costly.
There is atmospheric loss of transmitted signals.
Q. Define the different types of networks.
Ans. Types of Network
On the basis of coverage or geographical spread, a network can be divided into following
types:
1. Local Area Network (LAN) When the network of computer is confined to a small or
localised area such as school, office or building, it is known as Local Area Network (LAN).
Computers or users in a local area network can share data, information, software and
common hardware devices such as printer, modem, hard disk, etc.
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) A metropolitan area network is the network which
is spread over a city. Like a LAN, computers in a MAN are also capable of sharing data,
information, software and hardware. The difference is only on the basis of geographical
area coverage.
3. Wide Area Network (WAN) The network of computers which is spread across the
countries probably over the entire world is known as a Wide Area Network (WAN).
Personal Area Network (PAN) The PAN refers to a computer network, which is used for
communication among computer devices spread over a few meters. PAN may be wired
(i.e. with the use of computer buses such as USB) or wireless using wireless network
technologies such as bluetooth, wireless USB, Z-wave and ZigBee.
1. Bus Topology Bus topology is also referred as linear topology. Under this
arrangement, all nodes in the network are connected by a single length of transmission
medium, which is normally a co-axial cable. Both ends of the cable are terminated by
terminators. Data transmission from any workstation can travel in both directions.
1. When there is any problem in main cable with any node, whole network stops
functioning.
2. Fault isolation is very difficult. We have to check the entire network to find the fault.
2. Ring Toplogy In ring or circular topology, the nodes are connected in a circular way. In
such arrangement, each node is connected to exactly with its two neighbouring nodes. In
other words, when the last node in a bus network is connected with first node and the
entire network becomes circular network is known as a network using ring topology.
1. When there is transmission problem anywhere in the network, entire network stops
functioning.
2. Fault diagnosis is very difficult in a network formed using ring topology.
3. Star Topology In star topology, there is a direct and dedicated connection of every .
node of the network with the central node or server. In star topology, the server is directly
connected with each and every node in the network via a hub.
1. The star topology is the most reliable as there is a direct connection of every node in
the network with the central node or server.
2. If there is any problem in connection with any node, other nodes in the network are
not affected.
1. Since, every node is directly connected with the central node or the server, so a
large quantity of the cable is required.
2. There is dependency on the central node. If there are some problems with the
central node, entire network stops functioning.
4. Mesh Topology A network set-up where each computer and network device is
interconnected with one another to provide an alternative route in case of the host is down
or busy.
1. Long wire/cable length, hence increase in the cost of installation and maintenance
2. Set-up and maintenance of this topology is very difficult. Even administration of the
network is tough.
5. Tree Topology The tree topology is an extension and variation in bus topology. Here,
the shape of a network is like an inverted tree, where the central node is at the root which
is branching out as the network extends. Since, it is a modified form of bus topology,
hence it is a hybrid topology.
1. The tree topology simulates hierarchical flow of data. So, it is suitable for
applications, where hierarchical flow of data and control is required.
2. We can easily extend the network whenever required.
Internal Modem It refers to the modem that is fixed within a computer, e.g. dial-up
and wireless.
External Modem A modem that resides in a self-contained box outside the
computer system, e.g. USB modem, Cable modem.
Active Hub It amplifies the signals and passes from one connected device to
another. These hubs are working as repeaters to boost up the signals.
Passive Hub It simply passes signals from one connected device to another without
making any changes.
3. Switch The switch is a hardware device used to divide or segment the network into
smaller subnets or LAN segments. The main purpose of segmenting a large network into
smaller segments is to prevent the traffic overloading in a network.
Functions of a Switch
The switch is responsible for forwarding a data packet to a specific route or segment. For
this purpose, the switch establishes a temporary connection between the source and the
destination, when the data packet is transported the connection is terminated.
4. Repeater The repeater is a hardware device used in a network to amplify the weak
signals, when they are transported over long distances. When the signal is transmitted
over a line, then due to resistance and other causes it accumulates noise. Due to this
noise, the quality of signal degrades.
So, to improve the quality of signals, repeaters are needed to be installed.
7. Ethernet Card
Function: A hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a
network via Ethernet cables.
Usage: Provides wired network connectivity for data transfer.
8. RJ45 Connector
Function: A type of connector used for Ethernet cables. It has eight pins
that connect to the wires inside the cable.
Usage: Commonly used to connect computers, routers, and other network
devices.
9. Wi-Fi Card
Function: Allows a computer or device to connect to a wireless network.
Usage: Provides wireless network access without the need for physical
cables.
10. Router
Function: Directs data packets between different networks, such as
between your home network and the Internet.
Usage: Manages local network traffic and connects your devices to the
wider Internet.
8. TELNET
Function: Provides a command-line interface for remote communication
with other systems.
Port: 23
Usage: Allows users to log in and interact with remote servers or devices.
Example: Accessing a remote server to run command-line operations.
Ethernet Card :
IP Address:
Firewall: A security device or software that monitors and controls incoming
and outgoing network traffic, based on a set of predefined security rules.
DNS (Domain Name System):