INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

NETWORKS
Network
A network is a group of computers and devices that are connected to each other by cables or wireless
communication channels to communicate, share data and/or resources. In some networks there are special
computers called servers that are dedicated to the managing of resources.

File server
This is a computer with a large storage capacity that is used to store and manage files that are used by
various computers on the network. It is also responsible for file security.

Print server
This computer is connected to a printer to manage the print jobs coming from computers across the
network.

TYPES OF NETWORKS
Local Area Network (LAN)
This is a computer network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area such as a
home, office building, school computer laboratory or in buildings that are close to each other. A LAN is
usually connected using twisted pair cables or coaxial cables. Wireless LANs (WLAN) have now become
popular. WLANs use radio and microwave signals to transmit and receive data. A Network Operating
System (NOS) (Windows NT, Windows 2000, Sun Solaris, Linux etc.) is the system software that
coordinates the activities on a LAN.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

This is a computer network that covers a large geographical area such as a country or countries across the
world. WANs use a combination of fiber-optic cables, telephone lines, satellite and microwave
technology to transmit data. A WAN can be one large network, or a combination of LANs connected.
The Internet is the worlds largest WAN.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

This is a computer network that connects LANs in a metropolitan area such as a city or town. It handles
the bulk of communication activity across that region. A MAN is larger than a LAN, but smaller than a
WAN.

Advantages of a network
1. It facilitates communication. The users can communicate efficiently and easily via e-mails, instant
messaging, videoconferencing etc.
2. It allows the sharing of hardware. For example, several computers on a network can use the same
printer.
3. It allows the sharing of data and information. In a network any authorized computer user can
access data and information that is stored on other computers in the network.
4. It allows the sharing of software. The users on a network can access software on the network.

Disadvantages of a network
1. They may be expensive to set up. Servers, routers, cables and network cards may be required to
setup a network. Network configuration is a very complex process and may require system
administrator.
2. It causes security problems. Unauthorized persons (for example a hacker) may be able to access
information shared on a network.

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 Communication Channel
This is the transmission media on which data, instructions or information travel in a communication
system. A communication channel can consist of one or more transmission media.

TRANSMISSION MEDIA
Transmission media are cables and signaling methods that carry data communications from one place to
another in a network.

Physical or Wired Transmission Media

These are tangible materials such as wire and cable to transport communication signals. Examples of
physical transmission media are coaxial cable, twisted pair cable and fiber optic cable.

Twisted pair cable

These cables are used for network cabling and telephone systems. The cables consist of one or more
twisted pairs bundled together. Each twisted pair has two separate insulated copper wires that are twisted
together. Twisted pair cables are usually used in LANs.

Twisted pair cable

Advantage
1. It is relatively cheap.

Disadvantage
1. It is susceptible to noise (interference).

Coaxial cable
These consist of a single copper wire surrounded by layers of other material. It is used for cable
television wiring and in some networks. It has a faster transmission rate than twisted pair cable and it can
be used over longer distances. Although this is so, most networks now use fiber-optic cabling because of
its speed. This cable can also be used in LANs.

Coaxial cable

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Advantage
1. It transmits signal faster than twisted pair.
2. It can used over long distances.

Disadvantage
1. It is heavy and bulky and costs more than twisted pair.

Fiber-optic cable
This works by transmitting data as a series of pulses of light along a thin glass fiber. One bundle of fibers
is used to send messages, and a second bundle carries messages in the opposite direction. Fiber-optic
cables are very good for transferring data because they are fast and do not suffer interferences like the
other cables. They are now popular for telephones and in high-traffic networks.

Fiber-optic cable

Advantage
1. It transmits signal faster than twisted pair and coaxial cable.
2. It is lighter in weight when compared to either twisted pair or coaxial cable.
3. It offers better security for signals during transmission because they are less susceptible to noise.

Disadvantage
1. It costs more than twisted pair or coaxial cable.
2. It can be difficult to install or modify.

Wireless Transmission Media

Computer data is more frequently transmitted using technologies that do not use cables or wires.
Generally, wireless connections are not as fast or as reliable as cables, but they can be very convenient.
All wireless connections use electromagnetic waves. Different wavelengths are used for different
purposes. Starting from the longest wavelength, electromagnetic waves include radio, microwave,
infrared, light and X-rays.

Radio transmission
These are the most common form of wireless transmission. They are used as the main means of
communication for cell phones and many small LANs. Satellites enable radio signals to be sent around
the world. Data is transmitted by radio up to a satellite in stationary orbit then directed back down to a
receiving station in another country.

Microwave transmission
Microwave transmission uses a signal with a shorter wavelength than radio. It can be used over distances
of up to 50km, but it cannot get round or through objects in its way.

Infrared transmission
This is a wireless transmission medium that is used in the remote controls for televisions and other
domestic devices. The signal has a very much shorter wavelength than radio. It is occasionally used in
computer systems, for example, when controlling robots. However, the signal cannot travel very far and
also needs clear space for the signal to travel.

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 Wireless Network Technology

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)

Wi-fi is a wireless method of data transmission that is used in LANs and for Internet access.

Bluetooth
This is a wireless method of data transmission that uses radio signals to send data between devices over
short distances.

Hotspot
A hotspot is a public place where you can use Wi-Fi.

TRANSMISSION SPEED
Communication channels can be categorized or placed into groups according to their bandwidth.

Bandwidth
This is the volume of data that can be transmitted through the channel each second. It is normally quoted
in bits per second (bps) or character per second (cps).

Types of Bandwidths

Narrowband
This can transmit data at slow speeds of 10 to 30 cps. An example of a communication channel that uses
this bandwidth is a telegraph line.

Voice-band
This can transmit data at the rate of 1,000 to 8,000 cps. An example of a communication channel that
uses this bandwidth is a telephone line.

Broadband
This can transmit large volumes of data at speeds of over 100,000 cps. Coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,
microwave links and communication satellites are commonly used to provide these channels.

COMMUNICATION MODES
TRANSMISSION DIRECTION
Communication channel lines can also be classified or placed into groups according to the transmission
direction. That is according to the direction in which data flows through them.

Simplex
This refers to a data transmission direction that permits data to flow in only one direction. You can send
data or receive data, but not both. An example where this is applicable is in a television broadcast.

Half-duplex
This refers to a data transmission direction that permits data to flow in both directions but not at the same
time. An example where this is applicable is in a two-radio walkie-talkie system.

Full duplex or Duplex

This refers to a data transmission direction that permits data to flow in both directions at the same time.
An example where this is applicable is in a telephone system.

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The computers and devices in a network have to send data to each other and sometimes that data is sent to
the whole network or the data may be sent specifically from one device to another.

Point-to-Point transmission
This is the process by which data is sent from one location to another by a dedicated communication
channel that is directly between the two communicating devices. Point-to-Point transmission networks
generally use a dedicated physical transmission medium.

Advantage of Point-to-Point transmission network

1. It is easy to control who receives the data because the data is transmitted in a single line that links
the computers directly.

Broadcast transmission
This is the process by which data is transmitted in such a way that any person with the correct equipment
can receive it. In broadcast transmission networks, wireless transmission media are generally used.

Disadvantage of Broadcast transmission network

1. It is difficult to control who receives the data because the data is transmitted in such a way that
any person with the correct equipment can receive it.

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 NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
A network topology is the configuration, or physical arrangement of the devices in a communication
network. Some commonly used topologies are: ring, star and bus. Networks usually use a combination of
these topologies.

1. BUS TOPOLOGY – consists of a central cable, to which all computers and other devices connect. The
bus is the physical cable that connects the computers and other devices. The bus can transmit data,
instructions and information in both directions.

ADVANTAGES
a. they are inexpensive and easy to install.
b. You can attach and detach computers and other devices at any point on the bus without
disturbing the rest of the network.
c. Failure of one device usually does not affect the rest of the bus network as the transmission
will simply bypass the failed device.

DISADVANTAGE
a. if the bus become inoperable, the entire network becomes inoperable.

2. RING NETWORK – a cable forms a closed ring or loop, with all computers and devices arranged
along the ring. Data transmitted on a ring network travels from device to device around the ring in one
direction, until the data reaches it’s destination.

ADVANTAGES
a. can span a larger distance than a bus network

DISADVANTAGES
a. difficult to install
b. if a device fails, all the devices that come after it will also fail. Those before it would not be
affected.

3. STAR NETWORK – in this network all the devices connect to a central computer or device , thus
forming a star. The central device that provides a common connection point for devices in the network is
called the hub. All data that is transfered from one computer to another passes through the hub.

ADVANTAGES
a. easy to install and maintain
b. devices can be added and removed with little or no disruption to the network.

DISADVANTAGES
a. if the hub becomes inoperable, the entire network becomes inoperable. Most large STAR networks
have a backup hub, in case the primary hub fails.
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