What is called network?

 A computer network is an interconnection among two or more computers or computing

devices. Such interconnection allows computers to share data and resources among each
other.
Advantage of network
Major reasons that emphasize on the need of networks are:
 (i) Resource Sharing: - Through a network, data, software and hardware resources can
be shared irrespective of the physical location of the resources and the user.
 (ii) Reliability :-A file can have its copies on two or more computers of the network, so
if one of them is unavailable, the other copies could be used. That makes a network
more reliable.
 (iii) Reduced Costs :- Since resources can be shared, it greatly reduces the costs.
 (iv) Fast communication:- With networks, it is possible to exchange information at very
fast speeds.
Disadvantage of network
 The systems are more sophisticated and complex to run. This can add to costs and you
may need specialist staff to run the network
 If networks are badly managed, services can become unusable and productivity falls.
 If software and files are held centrally, it may be impossible to carry out any work if the
central server fails
 File security is more important especially if connected to WANs e.g., protection from
viruses
Components of a Computer Network
Major components of a Computer Networks are:
(a) Hosts/Nodes (such as PC, laptops, smartphones etc.)
(b) Servers
(c) Client
(d) Network hardware (such as NIC, router, switch, hub etc.)
(e) Communication channel (such as cables, radio-links etc.)
(f) Software (such as protocols, network operating system etc.)
(G) Network services (such as BNS, File-sharing etc.).

What is called host?

 any device connected to a network that can send or receive data, act as a server offering
resources, or simply function as a client accessing services.
What is called Server?
 A server is a computer or system that provides resources, data, services, or programs to
other computers, known as clients, over a network.
 Servers are typically designed to handle requests from clients, process them, and send
back responses or data
what is called Client?
 A client refers to any device or software application that accesses a service provided by a
server.
 In other words, it’s the system or program that makes requests to a server and consumes
the resources or services provided by the server.
what is called Software?
Software refers to the collection of programs, data, and instructions that tell a computer or
electronic device how to perform specific tasks or operations.
what is called Protocol?
 a protocol is a set of rules that govern how data is transmitted and received in a network
 Protocols ensure that devices on a network can communicate with each other effectively
and accurately.
Types of Network
 A computer network is a type collection of interlinked computer systems via transmission
medium and share and exchange of information one computer/device to another
computer/device is called networking.
 A computer network can be done by transmission that is guided (wired) and unguided
(wireless) media.
 Networking can be used in businesses, organizations and individuals to communicate and
collaborate in digital age.
Based on the geographical area covered and data transfer rate, computer networks are
broadly categorised as:
 LAN (Local Area Network)
 MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
 WAN (Wide Area Network)
 PAN (personal area network)

LAN (Local area network)

 It stands for local area network.
 It is designed to share and exchange of information within a room, building or in a
campus.
 It is a private network.
 It can perform within a limited area of few meters to few km. (i.e., up to 1km radius).
 It’s medium is cable and WLAN (Wireless LAN) can also be formed.
 LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a communication
medium such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
 LAN is comparatively secure as only authentic users in the network can access other
computers or shared resources.
 Data transfer in LAN is quite high, and usually varies from 10 Mbps (called Ethernet) to
1000 Mbps (called Gigabit Ethernet).
  Ethernet is a set of rules that decides how computers and other devices connect with each
other through cables in a local area network or LAN

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

 It stands for “metropolitan area network”. It is designed within a city to share and
exchange of information. A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a larger
geographic area by interconnecting a different LAN to form a larger network.
 Cable TV network or cable based broadband internet services are examples of MAN
 This kind of network can be extended up to 30–40 km. Sometimes, many LANs are
connected together to form MAN
 It is a private network.
 Its security is high and it can be only accessed by the authorized person
 in MAN, various LANs are connected to each other through a telephone exchange line.

WAN (wide area network)

 It stands for wide area network.
 WAN is type of computer network that connects computer over a large geographical
distance through a share communication path.it is not restrained to a sing location but
extends over many locations.
 Most common example of WAN is Internet
 We use Leased-Line and Dial-up technology.
 It is a public network.
 A Wide Area Network is quite bigger network than the LAN.
 The Internet is a giant WAN. The web is also a WAN. Please note that Web (World Wide
Web) is a part of the Internet, not the complete Internet

PAN (personal area network)

 It stands for personal area network.
 It is designed within a small area to share & exchange of information.
 Various media for PAN are Bluetooth, infrared, present within a room or small area.
 It is a private network.  It works in few meters (up to 10 m).
 Its faults tolerant are more or high.
 Its cost is negligible.
 Example: Communication via Bluetooth, sharing of data, computer or printer or the
networking devices are belongs to PAN- private networks.

Types of Networks by Component Roles

there can be two types of computer networks:
(i) Peer to Peer networks
(ii) Client/Server Networks.
Peer to Peer networks
 A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is a type of network architecture where each device
(called a peer) can act both as a client and a server.
 Each computer controls its own information and plays role of either a client or a server
depending upon what is needed at that point of time.
 No central control over security
  No central control over the network. Anyone can set up
 Clients are not dependent on a central server
 If machines on the network are slow they will slow down other machines
 Each computer has to be backed up. Data can easily be deleted by users
Client/Server Networks
 A client-server network is a network architecture where devices (called clients) request
services or resources from a central system (called the server), which provides those
services or resources.
 In this model, the roles of client and server are distinct: the client requests resources,
while the server processes those requests and provides the requested resources or
services.
 The server controls security of the network
 The server manages the network. Needs a dedicated team of people to manage the server
 Clients are dependent on the server
 The server can be upgraded to be made more powerful to cope with high demand
 Data is all backed up on the main server

How It Works:

1. A client sends a request for a resource or service (e.g., requesting a webpage, retrieving a
file from the server, or querying a database).
2. The server receives the request, processes it (e.g., accessing a database, loading a
webpage, or processing an application request), and sends the appropriate response back
to the client (e.g., a webpage, file, or query result).
3. The client receives the response and uses the data, such as displaying the webpage or
saving the file locally.

Data Transmission Media:

 The data is transferred in from of electromagnetic signal.

 In computer network, computers have to exchange information themselves.
 The information being in form of electromagnetic signals.
 It can travel through air or other transmission media.
 The transmission media is a physical path between the transmitter and receiver.
 It is a channel through which data is sent from place to another.

The form of data in different ways with,

(i) Guided Media
(ii) Unguided Media
Guided Media:
 The guided media data transmission is also known as wire data transmission.
 It is also referred to as “wired “and bounded transmission media.
 The guided media is a physical link.
 The different guided media are:
 Twisted pair cable.
 Co-axical cable.
 Optical fiber cable.
Twisted pair cable:
 The twisted pair cable works in small computer networks. It is also known as ethernet
cable.
 this is a pair of insulated copper wires twisted over each other in a spiral pattern.
 Each cable consists of one or more twisted pair and wrapped in a protective sheath.
 The twisted pair cable design helps to reduce noise from outside.
 It reduces crosstalk.
 Twisted Pair cables used in small computer networks (ethernet) contains four twisted
pairs and sometimes called as Ethernet cables. These pairs are color coded and is used to
connect to a computer through RJ-45 connectors.
 Data transfer rate 10mbps to10gbps
 A cable can carry data up to a length of 100m.
 The twisted pair cable is two types:
 Unshielded Twisted Pair(UTP)
 Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
UTP:
 It stands for “Unshielded Twisted Pair”.
 It is covered by plastic covered.
 UTP uses in telephone system.
 The UTP cable is covered by a plastic cover.
 This cable can carries both voice as well as data.
Advantages:
I. It is easy to install.
II. Less expensive.
III. High speed capacity.
IV. It is flexible
Disadvantages:
I. Short distance transmission.
II. Lower performance in comparison to STP.
STP.
 It stands for “Shielded Twisted Pair”
 It is covered by a metal shield (Meshor Braided Metal shield) and finally covered by a
plastic cover.
 It is heavier than UTP
 It consists of a special jacket to block or break external interference.
 It is also used in telephone lines.
Advantages:
I. Better Performance than UTP.
II. High data rate than UTP.
III. Eliminate crosstalk
IV. Comparatively faster
Disadvantages:
I. Difficult to install and manufacture as compare to UTP
II. More expensive.
Co-axical cable:
 Coaxial cable is a type of guided media is which a conductor copper wire is covered with
another conducting metal as outer conductor.
 The outer conductor is coated with insulating material.
 A plastic jacket cover protects the whole cable.
 This is used for LAN communication called as ethernet connection with television signal
transmission.
 The outer conductor also shields any kind of electromagnetic noise.
 It consists of 4 primary components i.e.
 A core copper wire which is the primary channel.
 Insulating cover which surrounds the coppers.
 A braded conductor which protect the external electromagnetic interference.
 A plastic jacket which protect the whole cable.
 The co-axial cable is two type i.e., used for baseband connection & broadband
connection.
BASE BAND:
 The baseband connection used for digital data transmission with high speed.
 It is used for LAN connection only.
 It requires amplification after every 1000feet.
 It can transfer a single signal at a time.
BROAD BAND:
 Broadband connection is used for analog data transmission.
 It is used for long distance data transmission like LAN and MAN also.
 It can transfer the data for a long distance without any disturbance.
 It can transfer multiple signal at a time.
 It is used for analog transmission on cable TV.
Advantages:
(i) Bandwidth is higher than twisted pair.
(ii) Used for long distance.
(iii) Much more immunity of noise than twisted pair.
(iv) Data transmission without distortion.
(v) Transmits digital signals at a very high rate of 10Mbps.
Disadvantage:
(i) Expensive than twisted pair
(ii) Failure of this cable cannot support other types of media.
(iii) It needs amplification.
(iv) It is difficult to install.
(v) Difficult to install and expensive when compared with twisted pair
Optical Fiber:
 It is a type of guided media in which a flexible transparent high quality of plastic, the size
in very similar to the human hair is used for data transmission.
 It is used for long distance data transmission.
 It transmits light pulses by the principle of total internal reflection, which ensures
minimum loss and long-distance transmission
 The transmission rate is more than100mbps i.e., nearly equal to lights peed.
 A number of fibers are bundled together and protected by an outer jacket.
 An optic fiber cable has following parts:
 Core - It is the thin glass /plastic rod at the center through which the light
travels
 Cladding - It is the outer optical material (of lower refractive index)
surrounding the core that reflects the light back into the core.
 Buffer coating - It is the plastic coating that protects the cable from
damage and moisture

Advantages:
(i) It cannot be affected by the external disturbance.
(ii) It can carry data for a long distance.
(iii) It is not require any amplification.
Disadvantages:
i. Difficult to install & maintain.
ii. It is expensive.
-:Unguided Data Transmission:-
 It is a type of wireless communication in which the data transmission can be held without
any communication line.
 The unguided media is also known as wireless or unbounded media.
 In wireless medium the signal transmits through air or vacuum. iii. The different type of
wireless communication are
 Radio wave
 Microwave
 Infrared wave
 Bluetooth
 Satellite Link
Radio wave:
 It is a type of unguided data transmission in which frequency range is 3 kHz or 3 GHz.
 It can communicate up to a kilometer of area.
 it is less expensive than the wire media
 The permission is required from the authorized from radio wave communication.
 It is a type of all direction data transmission.
 Ex: Cordless phone, Walkie Talkies, FM Radio.
Advantages:
i. Less expensive as compared to wire media.
ii. It can easily communicate over difficult terrain.
Disadvantages:
i. Less secure.
Micro Wave:
 It is a type of unguided data transmission media in which frequency range is 0.3 GHz to
300 GHz.
 The data transmission is in a straight line.
 The microwave can be transfer to a long distance with high towers.
 It is easy to install.
 Both sender & receiver translating and receiving towers in a straight line or properly
aligned.
 Less expensive than wired media.
 Microwave is a unidirectional system.
 The microwave sending & receiving antenna need to be aligned.
 Ex: Weather forecasting data transmission, satellite data transmission
Advantages:
i. Quick installation.
ii. Use for long distance for telephone line.
iii. It carries thousands of voices of simultaneously.
iv. Less expensive than wired media
Infra-Red Wave:
 It is a type of data transmission media which frequency range is 3000 GHz to 40000
GHz.
 The distance up to approx. 5 m
 It is used for in remote and TV connection, cordless mouse, etc.
 The visible color of the infrared communication is Red so it is called as infrared.
 It cannot pass through the long distance.
 It cannot pass through a solid object.
 No license is required for the purpose. * It can communicate within 15 feet (~ 5 meter).
 Ex: TV Remote, Cord Less Keyboard, Moose etc.
Bluetooth:
 It is a type of wireless data transmission in which the frequency range is up to 2.402
GHz-2.480GHz.
 It is used in short range distance data transmission i.e., upto10 meter.
 It can communicate 8 devices at a time.
 Its common range within approximately 10 meters.
 Line of site between communication devices is not required.
 Bluetooth basically used in Baby monitor, door open, cell phones etc. Ex- Mobile phone,
Communication device in computer, Monitor, Printer, etc
Satellite Link:
 It is a type of data transmission in which the frequency range 1.6 GHz to 3.0 GHz.
 Satellite links are used for very long-distance wireless communication which may range
from intercity to intercontinental.
 It is very expensive.
 Legal permission is required.
 It ranges from intercity to intercontinental.
 The transmission from earth to satellite is known as “Uplink”.
 Transmission satellite to earth is called ‘Downlink’. * There is multiple microwave
frequency used for satellite links.
 The frequency used for uplink 1.6 GHz to 30.0 GHz.
  Downlink frequency of 1.5 GHz to 20.0 GHz.
 A communication satellite is an artificial satellite.
 The communication satellites are used for T.V, radio, internet etc.
 It can cover a large area.
 It is of 3 types:
 GEO- Geo stationary Earth Orbit
 MEO- Medium Earth Orbit
 LEO-Low Earth Orbit
Advantages:
a. It covers the large area of earth.
b. A single microwave relay station which is visible from any point.
Disadvantages:
a. Satellite communication is highly expensive.it is only used in commercial purpose.
b. Satellite communication very much requires legal permission.
-: Networking Devices: -
 The devices those are used to interlink the computers, devices are called as networking
devices.
 They form the different networks like LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN and the devices are: 
 HUB
 Switch
 Bridge
 Router
 Repeater
 Gateway
 NIC (Network interface Card)
Hub
 It is a type of networking devices which is used to join multiple computer and interlinked
them to form a single network.
 A similar term is concentrator. A concentrator is a device that provides a central
connection point for cables from workstations, servers, and peripherals
 Hub is used to collect the data and form a LAN to share & exchange of information
 It works on physical layer & data linked layer of OSI model. OSI (Open System
Interconnection).
 It collects the data from one computer and sends to all.
 Hub is form of 8 ports, 16 ports or 32 ports, etc.
 The data will be received by the destination port and discarded by all other.
 The HUBs are two types i.e.
I. Passive HUB
II. Active HUB
 The active HUB regenerates a single before forwarding it.
 The active HUB requires power supply.
 he active HUB also referred as a repeater.
 A passive HUB doesn’t regenerate the data signal
 It did not need power.
Advantages:
(i) It connects different network to form a single network.
(ii) It is easy to install.
(iii) It is costless to form a network.
(iv) It is less complex.

Disadvantages:
(i) Its security is less.
(ii) At a time one data packet can be moved.
(iii) Collision and congestion will occur.
Switch:
 It is a type of networking device which is used to join multiple computers & interlinked
them to form a single network.
 It is intelligent than hub.
 It is used in telecommunication sector to send the data from source to destination only
 It is used to collect the data & form a LAN to share & exchange of information.
 It is a form of 8 ports, 16 ports & 32 ports, etc.
 It works on physical layer and data link layer of OSI models.
 The switch can perform error checking before forwarding data
 It re transmit the receiver signal or information.
 It operates in full duplex mode
 Information can be transfer by those computer MAC address
 Transmission speed of Switch is 200Mbps to 300 Mbps.
Advantages:
(i) It connects different networks to form a single network.
(ii) It is easy to install.
(iii) It is less complex.
(iv) It maintains high security.
Disadvantage:
(i) It is high cost than hub.
(ii) It is costly to form a network.
Bridge:
 It is type of networking device which join multiple networks together is from a single
network.
 As it forms a large network, but the efficiency is more.
 It maintains the address and send the data from source to destination.
 It avoids the congestion & collision on the network.
 It decides whether the data will pass through it or not
 It is a network device which connect similar network having similar protocol.
 It has a single input port device
 A bridge function by forwarding data based on the destination MAC address written into
each frame of data
 It works on data linked layer of the OSI (Open System Interconnection) model.
Advantages:
(i) It avoids collision & congestion.
(ii) It forms a single network.
(iii) It saves the time at the time of data transmission.
(iv) It connects two networks.
Disadvantages:
(i) It is high cost than Switch & hub.
(ii) It is complex to configure.
(iii) It is slower as compare to repeater
Repeater:
 It is a type of networking device which is used for long distance data transmission. When
the data will transfer for long distance, then degradation of data will occur due to external
disturbance.
 The repeater is used to regenerate the signal to produce the best quality of the data.
 It works as an amplifier which produces the best.
 The bridge is the decider but repeater is an amplifier.
 It cannot produce the damage data with its original quality.
 The receiver will get the data inform as it is sends by the sender.
 A repeater works in the physical layer in an OSI Model.
 The repeater removes unwanted noise in coming signals.
Advantages:
(i) Data will transfer for a long distance.
(ii) It increasing the signal strength.
(iii) It reduces obstruction.
Disadvantages:
(i) It cannot create the damaged data again.
(ii) It cost is high.
(iii) It can’t filter.
Router:
 It is a type of networking device which is used to decide the best route for the data
transmission.
 The router decides the best path i.e., free from congestion and collision to access the
network.
 It works on network layer of OSI model.
 It maintains a logical routing concept which shares data, path, Address of source, address
of destination. i.e., maintaining of routing table.
 It filters the data packets (small amount of data) and sends to the destination.
 The Routers normally connect LAN and WAN together.
 It has the ability to connect dissimilar LAN on the same protocol.
 Router is a device which is used when multiple devices need to connect with the internet.
Advantages:
(i) It connects LAN to WAN/MAN to WAN
(ii) It makes the free access for the user for any data transmission.
(iii) It is like a firewall.
Disadvantages:
(i) Its configuration is a difficult process.
(ii) Cost is high.
Gateway:
 The networking device which is used to connect different network together is known as
gateway.
 It connects two different networks having dissimilar protocols.
 It can convert the data from one format to another format that can be understood by the
destination site.
 Protocols of 2 different networks are different.
  It can convert from PSTN (Public Switch Telephone Network) to WAN, LAN to WAN
or LAN to MAN.
 It works in all layer of an OSI model.

Advantage:
I. The data can be transferred different network as well as different protocol.
II. It provides some security.
III. It handles the traffic problem.
Disadvantage:
I. It is costly.
II. Noise prevention is not done.
III. It can’t filter out the data
NIC:
 It stands for Network interface card.
 That connects a computer with the network
 It is a circuit board or card.
 That is installing on the mother board of computer.
 NICs are responsible for developing physical contact with computer devices.
 Computers send or receive information from network devices via this card.
 Thus, every node which is to be connected to a network must have an NIC install on it.
 These cards also manage some data conversion.

What is topology? Explain different types of topology?

 Computers in a network have to be connected in some logical manner. The layout pattern
of the interconnections between computers in a network is called network topology.
 The topology is of following types:
(i) Bus Topology
(ii) Tree Topology
(iii) Ring Topology
(iv) Star Topology
(v) Mesh Topology
(vi) Hybrid Topology

Bus Topology
 This is a type of network topology in which a common cable is used for the data
transmission.
 The structure of the topology is in straight line, so all the modes are connected to that
single common cable. The common cable is known as bus.
 he signal travels through the entire length of the backbone and is received by the node for
which it is intended.
 A small device called terminator is attached at each end of the backbone.
 The main cable or common cable acts as a backbone for the network.
 When the signal reaches the end of backbone, it is absorbed by the terminator and the
backbone gets free to carry another signal
 It is also known as linear topology.
 A small device called terminator is attached at each end of the backbone.
 All a computer are connected is called as node.
Advantages:
(i) Short cable length.
(ii) Easy to extend.
(iii) Cost is less to design the network
(iv) It is easy to install.
(v) Failure of a node doesn’t affect the network.
Disadvantages:
(i) No center node is present to manage the network.
(ii) It can be difficult to identify the fault or problems.
(iii) It is not used for large network.
(iv) At a time only one node can transmit the data

Star Topology
 The topology in which the nodes are in a star fashion is called as star topology.
 All nodes are connected to the main computer called as server.
 It transmits the data as a hub to each node.
 The central node can monitor individually all the nodes.
 The nodes are called as client to the server.
 The star topology is more efficient than the bus topology.
 The central hub can be a computer server that manages the network, or it can be a much
simpler device that only makes the connections between computers
Advantages:
(i) Central node is present to monitor all other network.
(ii) Problem diagnosis is easy.
(iii) It is easy to add new nodes to the network.
(iv) Failure of one node doesn’t affect the entire network.
(v) The network is robust.
Disadvantages:
(i) If center node fails, total network will also fail.
(ii) It requires more cable than bus topology.
(iii) It is more expensive.

Ring Topology
 This is a type of topology in which the nodes are designed in a ring fashion.
 Data is accepted from one of the neighbouring nodes and is transmitted onwards to
another (see Fig.). Thus data token travels in one direction only, from node to node
around the ring .The data transmission is unidirectional i.e., one-way data transmission.
 If a single node transfer the data, it depends on it adjacent node the send and receive the
data i.e., the nth node will depend on (n-1)th node and (n+1)th node
 In this topology the data travels in one direction.
 Each computer is directly connected to the next computer, forming a single pathway for
signals through the network.
Advantages:
(i) Short cable length
(ii) Easy for addition & deletion of a node.
(iii) It is easy to install and manage.
(iv) It is easy to point out which connection is defective.
(v) It is used for handling high volume traffic over long distances.

Disadvantages:
(i) No central node to monitor all other nodes.
(ii) Adding or deleting the compute disturbs the network activity.
(iii) If the single computer fails then the entire network goes down.

Tree Topology
 It is a type of topology in which a parent node is present to design the network.
 The structure of network is like a tree fashion.
 Every node having child nodes for share and exchange of information.
 Each node (Child node) depends on its parent node for the data transmission.
 The tree topology is the combination of bus & star topology.
 The tree topology is also known as hierarchical topology.
 It is the extension of bus topology.
Advantages:
(i) Parent node is present to monitor the child.
(ii) Failure of node can be reconfigured by the parent.
(iii) Extension is easy.
(iv) It is well suitable for temporary networks.
(v) It provides easy way of network expansion.
Disadvantage:
(i) If one parent node fails, the corresponding child node will fail.
(ii) It maintenance is difficult for large network.
(iii) Difficult to configure.
(iv) If the common cable damaged then the network will be separated.

Mesh Topology:
 It is a type of complex topology
 All nodes are interconnected to share and exchange of information.
 The individual nodes are connected in such manner that no nodes can be removed easily.
 There is no central node is present to monitor all other nodes
 The installation is complex to add or remove a new node.
 In this topology data travelled along a dedicated connection.
 every node has a direct point-to-point connection to every other node. Because all
connections are direct, the network can handle very high-volume traffic.
Advantage:
I. Each connect can carry its own data.
II. Security is high.
III. Fault is diagnosed easily.
IV. If one connection fails it can’t be hamper to the network
Disadvantage:
a. Initialization & configuration are difficult.
b. It is expensive.
c. It is hard to understand.