COMPUTER NETWORK

I.1 Definition and Network Basics

➢ Networking is the concept of sharing resources and services.
➢ A network is a set of interconnected objects (roads, computers, …) with something
to share.
➢ A computer network is a group of interconnected systems sharing resources and
interacting using a shared communications link. All networks must have the
following:
• A resource to share (resource)
• A pathway to transfer data (transmission medium)
• A set of rules governing how to communicate (protocols)
The goal of computer networking, therefore, is not simply to exchange data but to
understand and use data received from other entities on the network.
I.2 BENEFITS AND DOWNSIDES OF A COMPUTER NETWORK
Advantages Disadvantages
➢ Sharing information: networks allow users to ➢ Viruses: If a virus is introduced to the network,
communicate with each other in various ways: either intentionally or unintentionally, it will
email, chat, forums, etc. rapidly spread around all of the workstations and
➢ Sharing resources: Certain computer resources, could start to cause havoc to peoples' files or to
such as printers or hard drives, can be set up so the efficient working of the network.
that network users can share them. Sharing hard
drives involves also sharing of files and folders. A ➢ Network failure: If the file server fails then no-
network can be used to share an Internet one on the network can access any files or folders.
connection.
➢ Sharing applications: One of the most common ➢ Slow service: As more users log onto the network
reasons for networking in many businesses is so and request files, send things to be printed and
that several users can work together on a single open more software applications, the network can
business application. For example, an accounting start to slow down.
department
➢ Flexible Access: Networks allow their users to ➢ Cost: Building a network isn't cheap.
access files from computers throughout the
network.
➢ Reducing of cost: Instead of buying a printer for
each computer of a big network, a single printer
can be shared, and then cost is considerably
reduced
I.3 NETWORKING HARDWARE
Networking hardware includes all computers, peripherals, interface cards and other
equipment needed to perform data-processing and communications within the network.
Some examples of networking hardware are: File Servers, Workstations, Network
Interface Cards, Hubs, Switches, Repeaters, Bridges, and Routers:
a. Workstations: Each user computers connected to a network is called
workstations while a computer not connected to a network is a standalone
computer. A typical workstation is a computer that is configured with a network
interface card, networking software, and the appropriate cables.
b. Network Interface Cards (NIC): It is an internal device that provides physical
connection between the network and the computer workstation.
c. Hub: It is a networking device that connects multiple computers or other network
devices together.
d. Switch. Switches (or concentrators) work the same way as hubs, but they can
identify the intended destination of the information that they receive, so they send
that information to only the computers that are supposed to receive it.
e. Repeaters: The repeater electrically amplifies or boosts the signals it receives and
rebroadcasts it.
 f. Bridges: A bridge is a device that allows you to segment (split) a large
network into two smaller, more efficient networks
g. Routers: A router is a device that forwards data packets between computer
networks.
h. Gateway: A gateway is a network point that acts as an entrance to another network. On the
Internet, a node or stopping point can be either a gateway node or a host (end-point) node.
Firewall: A software utility or hardware device that limits outsider from accessing
a computer or local network by blocking or restricting ports. Firewalls are a great
step for helping prevent un-authorized access to a company or home network.
i. Multiplexer; it is a device that can take many digital or analogue signals from
many sources and transmit them on a single communication Channel. The
opposite is De-multiplexer.
j. Modem: (Modulator – Demodulator) The Modem is a hardware device that
enables a computer to send and receive information over telephone lines. It
converts the digital data used by your computer into an analogue signal used on
phone lines (Modulator) and then converting it back once received on the other
end.(demodulator)
I.4 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER NETWORK
Computer networks can be classify in different ways: according to the geographical
area covered, the strategy used or type of connection
I.4.1 ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF CONNECTION
According to the type of connection, there exist two types of connections. Wired
connection and wireless connection
a. Wired connection
A wired home network is when you physically connect your computer or other
compatible device to your Hub or switch with an Ethernet cable.
Advantages Disadvantages
➢ Ethernet cables, hubs and switches are very ➢ Need to run cables in difficult environments
inexpensive. through walls, floors and ceilings.
➢ Some connection sharing software packages
are free. ➢ Cables need to be run from computer to
➢ Ethernet cables, hubs and switches are computer and switch to switch. Process can be
extremely reliable. time consuming.
➢ Wired LANs offer superior performance.
➢ Broadband routers offer equivalent firewall ➢ Loose cables likely remain the single most
capability built into the device, configurable common and annoying source of failure in a
through its own software. wired network.
➢ Wired connections can reach networking
speeds of up to 1000 Mbps with Gigabit
b. Wireless connection
A wireless network is a network of computers and computer peripherals that are
connected to each other without wires.
Advantages Disadvantages
➢ Easier to provide connectivity in areas where it ➢ Security is more difficult to guarantee and
is difficult to lay cable requires configuration
➢ Installation is fast and easy, and it can ➢ As the number of computers using the network
eliminate increases, the data transfer rate to each
the need to pull cable through walls and computer will decrease accordingly
ceilings. ➢ Devices will only operate at a limited distance
➢ Access to the network can be from anywhere from an access point
within range of an access point ➢ As standards change, it may be necessary to
➢ Easier to add or move workstations. replace wireless cards and/or access points
I.4.2 ACCORDING TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA COVERED
According to the geographical area covered, there exist three main types of networks:
LAN, MAN and WAN
 a. Local Area Network (LAN)
A LAN is a computer network that spans only a small geographical area such as an
office, home or building. The infrastructure in a LAN is private. The distance between
computers in a LAN cannot be more than 15 Km.
Ex: A school network like CEGET
b. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A MAN is a network of computers spread over a city or closed cities. It may be a single
network such as a cable television network, or it may be many LANS connected
together. It can be either a private network or a public network. Ex: A network of all the
agencies of UBA Bank Douala
c. Wide Area Network (WAN)
A WAN is the interconnection of many computers over a large geographical area such as
states, countries or even the whole world. These kinds of networks use telephone lines,
satellite link and other long-range communication technologies to connect. For instance
a company like MTN Cameroon with agencies at Fundong, Bamenda, Douala,
Bafoussam and Yaoundé use a WAN to connect all its agencies. The most known and
the largest WAN is Internet.
Other types of this network include:
➢ PAN (Personal Area Network). A LAN own by an individual
➢ CAN (Campus Area Network): It‘s the type of LAN limited to a campus
I.4.3 ACCORDING TO THE STRATEGY USED
According to the strategy used there exist two main types of network: Client/Server
network and Peer to Peer (P2P) network
a. Client/server networks
Computers that provide services to the other workstations in a network are called
servers.
Computers that use the services of a server are called clients. Networks in which
servers control access to the network resources are called client/server networks. In a
Client/server network, the role of the server is to provide services demanded by client
computers
b. Peer-to-peer networks
Computers that perform similar functions on a network are called peers. Networks in
which no single, centralized computer controls network functions are called peer-to-
peer networks. The idea of peer-to-peer networking is that each computer on the
network can be both a server and a client. All computers are considered to have equal,
or peer, status.
Comparison between Peer-to-Peer network and Client/Server
Strategy network Advantages Disadvantages
Client/ ➢ Heavy processing power can be localized when needed. ➢ Administrative tasks
Server ➢ Overall installation costs are less than a hierarchical entirely centralized.
not
network. ➢ Expensive to add nodes
➢ Servers provide clients with access to shared printers,
network storage (including shared applications),
network security features, and other network resources
P2P ➢ Relatively inexpensive to implement, can often be ➢ Decentralized
implemented on existing equipment. administration.
➢ Potentially, all resources can be made available over a ➢ Security can be difficult
network. to control
➢ Processing power can be localized to the point of need.