FUNDAMENTAL OF COMPUTER UNIT IV

UNIT IV

Unit IV
Introduction to Computer Network & Internet

4.1 Definition of Network

A network is a collection of two or more computers that are connected together so that they can
communicate with each other. Networks allow users to share resources, such as files, printers, and
internet access.

A computer network is a set of devices connected through links. A node can be computer, printer,
or any other device capable of sending or receiving the data. The links connecting the nodes are
known as communication channels.

4.2 Types of Network

A. Local Area Network (LAN):

Definition: A LAN is a network that covers a small geographical area, such as a home, office, or a
single building.

Scope: Limited to a few kilometers or less.

4.1 Local Area Network (LAN)

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Characteristics:

 High data transfer rates.

 Devices connected within a LAN can communicate directly.
 Commonly used for sharing resources like printers and files.
 Often set up with Ethernet technology.
 Typically privately owned and managed.

Example: Local office network connecting computers, printers, and servers.

B. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN):

Definition: A MAN is a network that spans a larger area than a LAN but is smaller than a WAN,
usually covering a city or a campus.

Scope: Spans several kilometers to tens of kilometers.

4.2 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Characteristics:

 Offers faster data transfer rates than WANs.

 Connects multiple LANs and data centers.
 Used by institutions or organizations within a city.
 Provides efficient resource sharing and data exchange.

Example: City-wide network connecting different branches of a university.

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C. Wide Area Network (WAN):

Definition: A WAN is a network that covers a large geographic area, often spanning countries or
continents.

Scope: Global or national coverage.

4.3 Wide Area Network (WAN)

Characteristics:

 Lower data transfer rates compared to LAN and MAN due to longer distances.
 Utilizes public and private telecommunication networks.
 Connects multiple LANs and MANs across vast distances.
 Supports diverse communication technologies.
 Enables global connectivity, such as the internet.

Example: The internet, connecting users and resources worldwide.

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Network Type Definition Scope Characteristics Example

High data transfer
rates. Devices
connected within a
A network that LAN can Local office
covers a small communicate directly. network
Limited to a few
Local Area geographical area, Commonly used for connecting
kilometers or
Network (LAN) such as a home, sharing resources like computers,
less.
office, or a single printers and files. printers, and
building. Often set up with servers.
Ethernet technology.
Typically privately
owned and managed.
Offers faster data
transfer rates than
A network that
WANs. Connects
spans a larger area
multiple LANs and City-wide network
Metropolitan than a LAN but is Spans several
data centers. Used by connecting
Area Network smaller than a kilometers to tens
institutions or different branches
(MAN) WAN, usually of kilometers.
organizations within a of a university.
covering a city or a
city. Provides efficient
campus.
resource sharing and
data exchange.
Lower data transfer
rates compared to
LAN and MAN due to
longer distances.
Utilizes public and
A network that private
covers a large telecommunication The internet,
Wide Area geographic area, Global or national networks. Connects connecting users
Network (WAN) often spanning coverage. multiple LANs and and resources
countries or MANs across vast worldwide.
continents. distances. Supports
diverse
communication
technologies. Enables
global connectivity,
such as the internet.

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4.3 Data Transmission Modes

Data transmission modes refer to the ways in which data is transferred between devices in a
communication system. These modes define the direction and timing of data transmission,
indicating how data signals travel between the sender and the receiver. There are three main data
transmission modes: simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex.

Simplex Mode:
 In simplex mode, data can flow in only one direction. This means that communication
occurs unidirectional, from the sender to the receiver.
 The receiver can only receive the data and has no capability to send data back to the
sender.
 Examples include television broadcasting and most remote controls, where signals are sent
from a source to a device, but the device cannot send signals back to the source.

Half-Duplex Mode:
 In half-duplex mode, data can flow in both directions, but not simultaneously. The
communication alternates between sending and receiving.
 Devices in a half-duplex communication system can both transmit and receive, but they
must take turns, and only one device can send at a time.
 This mode is often compared to a walkie-talkie, where users switch between transmitting
and listening.
 Examples include two-way radio communication and some older Ethernet networks.

Full-Duplex Mode:
 In full-duplex mode, data can flow in both directions simultaneously. This means that both
devices can send and receive data simultaneously without waiting for turns.
 Full-duplex communication requires separate channels for sending and receiving to
prevent data collisions.
 Examples include telephone conversations, video conferencing, and modern Ethernet
networks.

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4.4 OSI Model

 The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework that
standardizes the functions, and the way how computers and devices communicate with
each other over networks.
 The OSI model is developed by ISO (International Standards Organization).
 It's called the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Reference Model, but we'll call it OSI
model.
 The OSI model has seven layers, each with its own specific role, making it easier for
different machines to talk to one another.

4.4 OSI Model

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1. Physical Layer:

 Deals with the physical medium and transmission of raw bits over a physical link.
 Defines characteristics such as voltage levels, data rates, and physical connectors.
 Concerned with mechanical, electrical, and timing aspects of data transmission.

2. Data Link Layer:

 Responsible for establishing a reliable link between two directly connected nodes.
 Frames data packets for transmission and includes error detection and correction
mechanisms.
 Manages access to the shared medium and controls flow of data.

3. Network Layer:

 Focuses on routing and forwarding of data packets between different networks.

 Determines the best path for data to travel from source to destination across multiple
nodes.
 Deals with logical addressing (like IP addresses) and sub-netting.

4. Transport Layer:

 Ensures end-to-end communication, error detection, and data integrity.

 Segments and reassembles data from upper layers into manageable chunks.
 Provides flow control and error recovery mechanisms.

5. Session Layer:

 Manages sessions or connections between applications on different devices.

 Handles session establishment, maintenance, and termination.
 Provides synchronization and check pointing of data for reliable communication.

6. Presentation Layer:

 Translates, encrypts, and compresses data for efficient transmission.

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 Handles data translation between different formats and character encodings.

 Ensures that data from the application layer is properly formatted for the network.

7. Application Layer:

 Represents the user interface and the applications themselves.

 Provides network services directly to end users.
 Includes various protocols for tasks like file transfer, email, remote access, and more.

4.5 E-Mail (Electronic Mail):

Email, short for electronic mail, has revolutionized communication in the digital age. It's a method
of sending and receiving messages and digital files over the internet. Just as traditional mail relies
on addresses, envelopes, and post offices, email uses a sophisticated digital system for
transmitting information.

How Email Works:

 Creating the Message: To compose an email, you use an email client (software) or a web-based
interface. You type the recipient's email address, subject, and message content.

 Sending the Message: When you hit "send," the email client or service routes your message to an
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server.

 Routing and Delivery: The SMTP server checks the recipient's domain (like gmail.com). It then
contacts the recipient's email server through DNS (Domain Name System) and delivers the email.

 Storing the Email: The recipient's email server stores the incoming message until the recipient
checks their inbox.

 Recipient Access: When the recipient opens their email client, it connects to the server using
protocols like POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) or IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol). IMAP
allows access to emails from multiple devices while keeping them synchronized, while POP3
downloads emails to a single device.

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Advantages of Email:

 Speed and Efficiency: Emails are delivered in seconds, regardless of distance.

 Cost-effective: Sending digital messages is much cheaper than traditional mail.
 Attachments: Emails can include files, photos, and documents for easy sharing.
 Global Reach: Emails transcend geographical boundaries.

Use Cases:

 Personal Communication: Friends, family, and acquaintances stay connected regardless of

location.
 Business Communication: Email is crucial for professional correspondence, from project updates
to client communication.
 Marketing: Businesses use email campaigns to reach potential customers.
 Notifications and Alerts: Organizations use emails to send updates, reminders, and notifications.

Challenges and Considerations:

 Security: Emails can be intercepted or hacked if not properly secured.

 Spam: Unsolicited emails (spam) clutter inboxes.
 Phishing: Cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick users into sharing sensitive information.

In conclusion, email has transformed communication by making it faster, more efficient, and accessible
across the globe. Despite challenges, it remains an indispensable tool for personal, professional, and
commercial communication.

4.6 File Transfer Protocol (FTP):

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a crucial technology that enables the seamless transfer of files over
the internet. It's like a digital bridge that allows you to move files from one computer to another,
regardless of their physical locations. Whether you're sharing documents, images, videos, or
software, FTP plays a vital role in simplifying the exchange of data.

How FTP Works:

 Client-Server Interaction: FTP involves two main components - the FTP client and the FTP
server. The client initiates the transfer, while the server hosts the files.

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 Logging In: The user logs in to the FTP client using their credentials (username and password).

 Navigating: The user browses directories on the server just like exploring folders on a computer.

 Uploading and Downloading: To upload a file, the user selects it on their local system and sends
it to the server. To download, the user retrieves a file from the server to their local machine.

 File Movement: FTP manages the connection, ensuring the safe and efficient transfer of files.

Advantages of FTP:

 Efficiency: FTP can handle large files and directories efficiently.

 Accessibility: Users can access files from remote servers, allowing collaboration and data sharing.

 Reliability: FTP ensures accurate delivery of files without corruption.

 Automation: FTP processes can be automated, saving time for repetitive tasks.

Use Cases:

 Website Management: Developers upload web files to servers using FTP.

 File Sharing: Businesses share documents and resources among employees.

 Media Distribution: Content creators distribute multimedia files like videos and images.

 Backup and Recovery: Data can be backed up to remote servers for safekeeping.

Challenges and Considerations:

 Security: Traditional FTP lacks encryption, posing risks in data transmission.

 Complexity: Setting up FTP servers and clients might require technical expertise.

 Alternatives: Secure FTP protocols (SFTP, FTPS) address encryption concerns.

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In summary, FTP simplifies file sharing by providing a standardized method for data movement. While
traditional FTP has security limitations, its alternatives offer enhanced protection. Whether for personal,
business, or creative purposes, FTP remains a pivotal tool for efficient digital file exchange.

4.7 Web Browser

 A browser is a software program that is used to explore, retrieve, and display the information
available on the World Wide Web.
 This information may be in the form of pictures, web pages, videos, and other files that all are
connected via hyperlinks and categorized with the help of URLs (Uniform Resource Identifiers).
 A browser is a client program as it runs on a user computer or mobile device and contacts the
webserver for the information requested by the user.
 The web server sends the data back to the browser that displays the results on internet supported
devices.
 On behalf of the users, the browser sends requests to web servers all over the internet by
using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).
 A browser requires a smartphone, computer, or tablet and internet to work.

History of Web Browser

 The World Wide Web was the first web browser. It was created by W3C Director Tim Berners-
Lee in 1990. Later, it was renamed Nexus to avoid confusion caused by the actual World Wide
Web.
 The Lynx browser was a text-based browser, which was invented in 1992. It was not able to
display the graphical content.
 Although, the first graphical user interface browser was NCSA Mosaic. It was the first most
popular browser in the world, which was introduced in 1993.
 In 1994, there were some improvements occurred in Mosaic and came to Netscape Navigator.
 In 1995, Microsoft introduced the Internet Explorer It was the first web browser developed by
Microsoft.

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4.8 Types of Web Browser

1. Internet Explorer:
 In 1995, Microsoft introduced the Internet Explorer It was the first web browser developed
by Microsoft.
 Internet Explorer is included with the Microsoft Windows operating system. But It was
removed in Window 10 in support of Microsoft's new Edge Browser.

2. Opera:

 An Opera web browser was first conceived at Telenor company in 1994, later bought by
the Opera Software on 1 April 1995.
 It was designed for desktop and mobile interfaces, but it is more popular now for mobile
phones.
 It is based on Chromium, and it uses the blink layout engine. An opera mini was released
for smartphones on 10 August 2005 that could run standard web browsers.
 It can be downloaded from the google play store or Apple play store.

3. Apple Safari:

 Safari is an internet browser available for the Macintosh, and Windows operating systems
included the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
 It was developed by Apple, Inc. on 30 June 2003.
 It is the default browser for the operating system in its products, such as OS X for the
MacBook and Mac computers and iOS for the iPad and iPhone mobile devices.
 It is at number four in the browser market after Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla
Firefox, and Google Chrome.
 It uses the WebKit engine, which is used for rendering fonts, displays graphics,
determining page layout, and running JavaScript.

4. Mozilla Firefox:

 The Mozilla Firefox web browser is developed by the Mozilla Foundation and its
subordinate company, Mozilla Corporation.

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 It was first released was beta on 23 September 2002. Although it was released as the
Mozilla Browser, it was internally code-named Phoenix.
 The First version 1.0 of Firefox was introduced on 9 November 2004.

5. Google Chrome:

 Google Chrome launched on September 4, 2008, with a vision to create a better, more
modern browser.
 Google Chrome is the leading and most popular type of web browser used worldwide. It
has an impressive speed.
 People find it easy to access as it opens quickly and loads multiple tabs and pages in just
one click.
 It’s probably the fastest browser available today.
 It also provides users with a safe browsing option that helps block dangerous and
malicious sites.
 Another reason for using Chrome among the various types of web browsers available is its
simplicity.
 It can also easily get customised by selecting apps and themes from a wide range.
 It can also sync across devices.
 The user can sign into Chrome using their respective Google account, and their data will
sync across the selected Google devices.

6. Microsoft Edge

 Microsoft Edge was launched on April 29, 2015.

 Edge is the default browser on Windows 10 and is known for its integration with other
Microsoft products and services.
 This was developed to replace internet explorer and thus acts as a default browser.
 It is gaining popularity because of its new rendering feature, easy-to-use UI, freestyle
writing over webpage displays, and much more.
 Microsoft also provides customising options to edit the browser’s appearance.

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