Computer network

Network Environment
• Personal computers are powerful tools that can process and manipulate large
amounts of data quickly, but they do not allow users to share the data efficiently.
Before networks , users needed to share information through floppy disk etc. this is
known as stand alone environment.
• However when two computers are linked together using a cable that allows them to
share data , it is known as networked environment. This is called network and the
connected computers sharing resources is called networking.
NOS
• Unlike operating systems , such as DOS that is designed for single user to control one
computer, the network operating system(NOS) is an interconnected system of
computing devices that provide shared and economical access to computer services.
• NOS are broadly divided into two types of Network architecture:
• Client/server network
• Peer to peer network

Client Server Network

• In this network each computer is either a client or a server. To complete a particular
task there exists a centralized host computer known as server and a user’s individual
work stations known as clients.
Peer to peer network
• A peer to peer computer networks does not rely on dedicated servers for
communication instead it uses direct connections between clients(peers). Every
node is able to initiate or complete any supported transaction(file transfer) with the
other connected node.
• Peer to peer networks are designed primarily for small to medium local area
networks.
 Difference between peer to peer and client server networks.

Basis Peer to peer networks Client server networks

Centralized No central repository for files Resources and data security are controlled through
server.

Maintenance Low maintenance cost file A large network requires extra staff for efficient
operation.

Installation Can be easily installed Requires experts for proper installation of the
networks.

Expensive No need for dedicated server Expensive as it requires a dedicated server.

Security lack of proper security policy is the biggest Provides high level of security
drawback

Dependence All nodes are independent of each other When server goes down it affects functioning of the
entire network.

LAN (LOCAL AREA NETWORK)

• A LAN is a computer network that covers only a small geographic area (usually within a
square mile or less), such as office ,home or building. In a local area network NOS is installed.

• One computer is designated as file server , which stores the software that can be shared by
other computer which are work stations.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

• A MAN or metropolitan Area Network is a network of computers spread over a metro -
politan area such as a city and its suburbs. It may be single network such as cable television
network or it may be a means of connecting a number of LANs. MAN may be operated by
one organization or be shared resources used by several organization.

WAN(Wide Area Network)

• It is a system of interconnecting many computers over a large geographical area such as
cities, states, countries or even the world. These kinds of networks use telephone lines ,
satellite links and other long range communication technologies to connect.

• For example a company with offices in New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai may connect the
LAN’s for each of those locations to each other through a WAN .

Advantages of WAN
• It offers flexibility of location.
 • Communication between branch offices can be improved using email and file sharing .

• It provides centralized company wide back up.

• Companies located in a number of small , interrelated offices can store files centrally and
access each others information.

Network topologies
• The term topology means the way a network is laid out , either physically or logically. A
topology can be considered as a network shape.

• Different types of topologies are

• Bus

• Ring

• Star

• Tree

• Mesh

Bus Topology
• Bus topology uses a common bus or back bone (a single cable) to connect all devices with
terminators at both ends. The back bone acts as the shared communication medium.
Message transmitted passes back and forth along the cable.

• The message has a destination address which is checked at each station.

Advantages of Bus topology

• Connecting a computer to a linear bus is easy.

• This topology requires least amount of cabling.

 • It can be easily extended.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

• Entire network shuts down if there is a failure in the back bone.

• Heavy traffic can slow down the bus

Ring topology
• In ring topology computers are placed on a circle of cable without any terminated ends.
Every node has exactly two neighbors for communication purposes. All message travel in the
same directions. Each node in the ring incorporates a repeater which helps in passing the
message to destined node.

Advantages of ring topology

• Ring topology is easy to install and reconfigure.

• Every computer is given equal access to the ring.

Disadvantages of Ring Topology

• Failure in any cable or node breaks the loop.

• Maximum ring length and number of nodes are limited.

Star Topology
• In star topology devices are not directly linked to each other but they are connected via
centralized network components known as hub. The hub acts as a central controller.
 Advantages of star topology

• Star topology is easy to install and wire.

• The network is not disrupted even if a node fails.

Disadvantages of Star topology

• It requires a longer length of cable .

• If the hub fails nodes attached to it are disabled.

Tree topology
• A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies . It consists of
groups of star configured workstations connected to a bus.

• The majority of nodes connect to a secondary hub that, in turn is connected to the central
hub.
 Advantages of tree topology

• Hubs increases the signal in case of larger distance.

• Tree topology allows easy expansion of the network.

Disadvantages of tree topology

• If the back bone line breaks , the entire segment goes down.

• It is more difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.

Mesh topology
• In mesh topology , every node has a dedicated point to point link to every other node.
Message sent on a mesh network can take any of several possible paths from source to
destination.. A fully connected mesh network has n(n-1)/2 physical links to link n devices.

Advantages of mesh topology

• The use of large number of links eliminates network congestion.

• If one link becomes unusable , it does not disable the entire system.

Disadvantages of mesh topology

• The amount of required cabling is very large.

• Installation and reconfiguration is very difficult.