CHAPTER 1

Workstation: A computer on the network that uses the resources of the network
NETWORKING AND TELECOMMUNICATION
is known as workstation. It is personal computer also known as client computer.
Network Interface Card: A network adapter through which a computer is
Components of Computer Network connected on the network is called NIC. It is also known as LAN card or Ethernet
card. It can be both wired or wireless.
In a computer network, communication between two computers is possible
through hardware and software. The manufacturer of NICs assigns a unique permanent address to a NIC which
is known as Media Access Control (MAC) address.
The hardware components required for a computer network are as follows:
1. Computer System 2. Network Interface Card 3. Communication channel
4. Network connectors 5. Network device

Network devices: The network devices used for setting up a network are:
a. Hub b. Switch c. Bridge d. Gateway e. Router
f. Repeater g. Modem

Hub: A hub is a network device that

connects computers through its ports.
When a hub receives data packets at one of
its ports, it transmits the data packets to all
Server: A server is a powerful computer on the network which controls and
computers on the network which creates unnecessary traffic on the network which
manages other computers on the network. It provides facilities of the sharing of
waste bandwidth.
data, software and hardware resources. Server can be dedicated and non-dedicated
server.
Switch: A switch is a network device that connects computers through its ports
like a hub. As compared to hub, switch is an
intelligent device which can determine source and
destination of the data packets.
When a switch receives data packets at one of its ports, it transmits the data
packets to the destination computer. It does not transmit the data packets to all
the computers on the network like a hub does. Thus, it reduces unnecessary
network traffic and improves the network performance. Gateway: A gateway is a networking device that connects different network
having different protocol. A gateway accepts the packet formatted for one
Differences between hub and switch: protocol and converts the formatted packet into another protocol.

Hub Switch
1. It transmits data packets to all the 1. It transmits data packets only to
devices connected with it. the intended computers.
2. It cannot read MAC address of the 2. It can read the MAC address of
computer. the computer.
3. It is cheap in cost. 3. It is expensive in cost.
4. It creates unnecessary network 4. It reduces unnecessary network
traffic which wastes bandwidth. traffic and improves the network
performance.
MODEM (Modulator-Demodulator): Modem is a device used to transfer the
data of one computer to another using telephone lines. It can convert analog
Router: A router is a network device that routes or forwards data from one
signals into digital signals and vice-versa.
network to other based on their IP address. A router can determine the best path
for forwarding the data packets. The conversion of digital signals into analog signals is known as modulation. The
conversion of analog signals into digital signals is known as demodulation.

Bridge: A bridge is a networking device that connects the segments of the same
network or different network having same protocol.
Network Architecture Disadvantages
Network architecture defines how the computer communicates and interacts with  It is difficult to set up client-server model than peer-to-peer network
each other on network. model.
There are three types of network architecture. They are:  Workstation has to depend upon the server computer.
 A trained network administrator is required to handle the model.
1. Client-Server Network Model 2. Peer to peer Network Model
3. Centralized Network Model
2. Peer-to-Peer Network Model:
Peer-to-Peer network model is a network model where there are two or more
1. Client-Server Network Model:
client computers but no server. It is also called workgroup model. There is no
Client server network model is a network model where there is at least one any computer on the model which controls and manages other computers on
server and one or more clients. It is also called Domain model. The server the network. Thus, all the computers have equal rights on the network.
computer on this model controls and manages the resources on the network.

Peer-to-peer Network Model

Client-Server Network Model
Advantages
Advantages  It is easy to set up than client-server network model.
 Only the authorized person can access the resources of network.  Each computer on the network has equal rights.
 It is secured networking system where unauthorized person cannot Disadvantages
access.
 It has low level security.
 All the clients/workstations can be controlled and managed from a single
 The expansion of network is limited.
server. The network can be expanded to any size.
 The network performance degrades as the expansion of the network.
 The expansion of the network doesn’t degrade the performance of the
network.
Differences between client-server and peer-to-peer: Disadvantages
Client-Server Peer-to-Peer  The malfunctioning of host computer affects other workstation.
1. There is one powerful computer 1. No server is needed.  It takes long time for data processing.
acting as server.  It is difficult to add more workstation
2. It provides better data security. 2. It provides less data security.
3. It is easy to manage. 3. It is hard to manage.
4. It is used in small and large 4. It is normally used in small
networks. networks.
5. Cabling cost is higher. 5. Cabling cost is cheaper.

3. Centralized Computer Network:

Centralized Computer Network 1

It is a network model where the computers are connected to the main computer
which is known as host or server computer. Workstation is just used for
input/output operations, which has no processing capabilities.
The processing is done by the host computer on behalf of the workstation. Linux
or UNIX operating system is used in centralized network.
Advantages
 It saves cost of installation of network system.
 Host Computer gives facilities like Disk storage and software to
workstation.