Computer Networing Notes

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Q. Describe the Applications of Network.

Ans. Applications of Network


Some of the applications of network are discussed below:

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.

Q. Define communication media and different types of communication media.


Ans: Communication media of a network refer to the connecting media, through which
different computers in a network are interconnected together. The communication
media can be grouped into two categories:

Wired Technologies (Guided Media)


When the computers in a network are interconnected through a wire or cable, then such a
medium is categorised under wired technologies.

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.

Advantages of Co-axial Cable


 The data transmission quality in co-axial cable is better than twisted pair cable.
 Co-axial cables can be used successfully in shared cable network.
 It can be used effectively for broadband transmission.
Disadvantages of Co-axial Cable
 Co-axial cable is more costly than twisted pair cable.
 The co-axial cable is not compatible with twisted pair cable. So, both of these cables
cannot be used together in a network.
3. Optical Fiber It consists of thin strands of extruded glass silica or plastic, slightly thicker
than human hair, which are capable of carrying light signals from a source at one end to
another end. An optical fiber cable contains following three parts:
 Core
 Cladding
 Protective Coating
Advantages of Optical Fiber
 Noise in any form cannot harm the data because, the information is travelling on a
modulated light beam.
 It is highly suitable for rigid industrial environments.
 Optical fiber cables can be used for broadband transmission.
Disadvantages of Optical Fiber
 In order to intercept the signal, the fiber must be cut and a detector must be
inserted which is not possible.
 Optical fiber cables are more difficult to solding (joint of one or more cable).

Wireless Technologies (Unguided Media)


When the computers in a network are interconnected and transmitted through waves,
which are travelled through air, water or vacuum, then such a medium is categorised
under wireless technologies

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).

 A WAN can be a group of several LANs interconnected together.


 The largest WAN is the Internet.

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.

Q. Define Network Topology and describe different types of Network Topologies.


Ans. The network topology refers to the arrangement or pattern of computers (i.e. nodes
or workstations), which are interconnected in a network.
Commonly used network topologies are as follows:

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.

Advantages of Bus Topology


1. In bus topology, all nodes are connected through a single length of cable.
2. Extension of network is very easy in bus topology.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

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.

Advantages of Ring Topology

1. Short cable length is required for connecting the nodes together.


2. The architecture of network is simple and easy to maintain.

Disadvantages of 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.

Advantages of Star Topology

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.

Disadvantages of Star Topology

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.

Advantages of Mesh Topology

1. Excellent for long distance networking.


2. Communication is also possible through the alternate route, if one path is busy.
Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

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.

Advantages of Tree 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.

Disadvantages of Tree Topology

1. There is a requirement of long cable length.


2. In tree topology, there is dependency on the root node.

Q. Describe different types of Network devices.


Ans: Network Devices
Network devices are the components used to connect computer and other electronic
devices together.

1. Modem (Modulator/Demodulator) Modem is a device that converts digital


signal to analog signal (modulator) at the sender’s site and converts back
analog signal to digital signal (demodulator) at the receiver’s end, in order to
make communication possible via telephone lines.
Modems are of two types:

 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.

2. Hub Hub is a device used to connect several computers together. It provides a


centralised connection to several computers with the central node or server. Hub can be of
4,8,12,16,24 number of ports.
Functions of a Hub A hub is a device that interconnects a number of computers or users.
Whenever any data packet is received by any port in a workstation is forwarded to all
remaining ports.

There are two types of hub:

 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.

5. Gateway The gateway is a network device which is used to connect dissimilar


networks. The gateway establishes an intelligent connection between a local network and
external networks, which are completely different in structure.
Infact, the gateway is a node that routes the traffic from a workstation to outside network.
The gateway also acts as a proxy server and a firewall, which prevents the unauthorised
access.

6. Bridge: A bridge in a computer network is a device used to connect multiple


LANs together with a larger Local Area Network (LAN). The mechanism of
network aggregation is known as bridging. The bridge is a physical or
hardware device.
The primary responsibility of a switch is to examine the incoming traffic and
determine whether to filter or forward it.

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.

Q. Define different types of protocols.

Ans. Network Protocol


Network protocols define rules and conventions for communication
between devices on a network.

1. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)


 Function: Used for transferring web pages and related resources over the
Internet.
 Usage: When you visit a website, HTTP is the protocol used to request and
receive web pages from servers.
 Example: Browsing a website like www.example.com.

2. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)


 Function: Transfers files between a client and a server on a network.
 Usage: Used to upload or download files from a server.
 Example: Uploading a website's files to a hosting server.

3. PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)


 Function: Establishes a direct connection between two network nodes,
commonly used for dial-up connections.
 Usage: Used for connecting to the Internet via a phone line or serial
connection.
 Example: Dial-up Internet connections in the past.

4. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)


 Function: Sends and routes email between servers.
 Usage: Used by email servers to send messages to other servers or clients.
 Example: Sending an email from user@example.com to
user2@example.com.

5. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)


 Function: A suite of protocols that manage how data is transmitted over the
Internet.
 Usage: Ensures reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data
between devices.
 Example: The fundamental protocols used for Internet communication.

6. POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3)


 Function: Retrieves email from a server to a client.
 Usage: Used to download emails from a mail server to an email client.
 Example: Accessing your email through an email client like Outlook.

7. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)


 Function: Secure version of HTTP, encrypting data to ensure privacy and
security.
 Usage: Used for secure communication over the Internet, such as online
banking or shopping.
 Example: Accessing a secure website like https://www.example.com.

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.

9. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)


 Function: Enables voice communication over the Internet.
 Usage: Used for making voice calls over IP networks instead of traditional
phone lines.
 Example: Services like Skype or Zoom for making voice or video calls.

Q. Terminologies of computer networking.


Ans:
Node/Workstation: Any device connected to a network, such as a computer,
printer, or router.
Protocol: A set of rules and standards that define how devices on a network
communicate with each other.
Server :
Client :

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):

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