INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION NETWORK

Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the trainee should be able to:-

1. Explain the meaning of a communication network

2. Explain the uses and benefits of communication network
3. Describe telecommunication technologies
4. Describe the types of networks
5. Describe network topologies

CONTENT

1. Meaning of a communication network

2. Uses and benefits of communication networks
3. Telecommunication technology
4. Types of networks
5. Network topologies

Meaning of a communication network

A communication network can be defined as a set of devices (often referred to as nodes) connected by
communication links and is used to transfer information between users located at various geographical points.

A communication network can also be defined as a collection of computers, printers and other equipment that
is connected together so that they can communicate with each other. Using hardware and software, these
interconnected computing devices can communicate with each other through defined rules of data
communications. In a network, computers can exchange and share information and resources.

A computer network may operate on wired connections or wireless connections.

Uses/ benefits of communication networks

i. Resource sharing. Resource sharing is one of the most popular uses of computer networks in the business
applications. For Instance, a printer is shared in a network and hence saves a lot of investment in hardware.
Other resources that can be shared include fax machines and modems
ii. File sharing. A network makes it easy for everyone to access the same file and prevents people from
accidentally creating different versions of the same file. In a larger office, you can use e-mail and instant
messaging tools to communicate quickly and to store messages for future reference.
iii. Collaboration A network allows employees to share files, view other people’s work, and exchange ideas
more efficiently
iv. Organization: A variety of scheduling software is available that makes it possible to arrange meetings
without constantly checking everyone’s schedules. This software usually includes other helpful features,
such as shared address books and to-do lists.
v. Teleconferencing: Teleconferencing allows conferences to occur without the participants being in the
same place. Applications include video conferencing where participants can see as well as talk to one
another
vi. Mobile telephony: Today’s cellular networks make it possible to maintain wireless phone connections
even while traveling over large distances.
vii. E-Business. E-business or electronic business refers to conducting business transactions on the internet,
not only limited to buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business
partners.
viii. Online Education. With network connections, online education is made possible. Students at any location
around the world can participate in an online classroom, download tutorial questions and submit their
assignments.
 ix. E-Banking. E-banking or electronic banking is the most popular banking facility nowadays. It handles all
types of banking transactions like account management, fund transfer and payments primarily over the
internet. User can pay bills, check the account balance and transfer money to other parties, using e-banking
facilities twenty four hours a day and seven days a week.
x. Long Distance Communication. Long distance communication is made easy via network availability.
Communication is possible via voice, text or video. The cost of having this type of communication is
cheaper than making a normal phone call and definitely faster and more effective than corresponding via
letters of fax.
xi. Centralized software management. Software can be loaded on one computer (the file server) eliminating
that need to spend time and energy installing updates and tracking files on independent computers
xii. Workgroup computing. Workgroup software (such as google docs etc) allows many users to work on a
document or project concurrently
xiii. Interactive entertainment: online gaming, online TV, podcasts etc

Disadvantages of networks

 Expensive Set Up: The initial set up cost of a computer network can be high depending on the number of
computers to be connected. Costly devices like servers, routers, switches, hubs and cables can add up to the
cost of installing a computer network.
 Managing a large network is complicated and requires hiring somebody with technical skills.
 Dependency on the Main File Server: In case the main File Server of a computer network breaks down, the
system becomes useless. In case of big networks, the File Server should be a powerful computer, which often
makes it expensive.
 Rapid Spread of Computer Viruses: If any computer system in a network gets affected by computer virus,
there is a possible threat of other systems getting affected too. Viruses get spread on a network easily because
of the interconnectivity of workstations. Such spread can be dangerous if the computers have important
database which can get corrupted by the virus.
 There is a danger of hacking, particularly with wide area networks. Security procedures are needed to
prevent such abuse, eg a firewall.
 As traffic increases on a network, the performance degrades unless the network is designed properly.

Types of Computer Networks

Below is a list of the most common types of computer networks.

1. Local area network (LAN)

A LAN is a computer network covering a small physical area, like a home, office, or small group of
buildings, such as a school, or an airport. Current LANs are most likely to be based on Ethernet
technology. For example, a library may have a wired or wireless LAN for users to interconnect local
devices (e.g., printers and servers) and to connect to the internet.

2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A MAN is a network that connects two or more local area networks or campus area networks together
but does not extend beyond the boundaries of the immediate town/city.

3. Wide Area Network (WAN)

A WAN is a computer network that covers a broad area (i.e., any network whose communications
links cross metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries. This is contrasted with personal area
networks (PANs), local area networks (LANs), campus area networks (CANs), or metropolitan area
networks (MANs) which are usually limited to a room, building, campus or specific metropolitan area
(e.g., a city) respectively. The largest and most well-known example of a WAN is the Internet. A
WAN is a data communications network that covers a relatively broad geographic area (i.e. one city to
another and one country to another country) and that often uses transmission facilities provided by
common carriers, such as telephone companies..

4. A campus area network (CAN)

 A CAN is a computer network made up of an interconnection of local area networks (LANs) within a
limited geographical area. It can be considered one form of a metropolitan area network, specific to an
academic setting.

In the case of a university campus-based campus area network, the network is likely to link a variety
of campus buildings including; academic departments, the university library and student residence
halls. A campus area network is larger than a local area network but smaller than a wide area network
(WAN).

5. Personal area network (PAN)

A PAN network is a computer network used for communication among computer devices close to one
person. Some examples of devices that are used in a PAN are printers, fax machines, telephones,
PDAs and scanners. The reach of a PAN is typically about 20-30 feet (approximately 6-9 meters).

Network topologies

Network topologies refer to the way in which computers in a network are linked together. It determines the
data path that may be used between any two communicating computers in the network. The following are the
common topologies

1. Bus Topology

This is a network topology in which all the nodes are connected to a common transmission medium with two
endpoints (this is the ‘bus’, which is also commonly referred to as the backbone or trunk). All data that is
transmitted between nodes in the network is transmitted over this common transmission medium and is
received by all nodes in the network simultaneously.

Note:

The two endpoints of the common transmission medium are normally terminated with a device called a
terminator, which dissipates or absorbs the energy that remains in the signal to prevent the signal from being
reflected back onto the transmission medium. Otherwise it causes interference resulting in degradation of the
signals on the transmission medium.

Advantages

 Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus.

 Requires less cable length than a star topology.

Disadvantages

 Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.

 Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.
 Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
 Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building.

2. Star
Also known as a star network, a star topology is one of the most common network setups where each of the
devices and computers on a network connect to a central hub as shown in the diagram above.

Advantages

 A failure on one link does not affect other links as they use different routes.
 It provides shorter data paths. Since the central site is connected directly to the destination site, data
does not have to travel through any intermediate sites, thus providing a shorter data path.
 It is also easier and less expensive to extend a star topology compared to the bus or ring topologies.
 Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

Disadvantages

 Any failure at the central site or hub can cause the entire network to go down.
 In case the central connection point gets overloaded with data, the performance of the entire network
gets affected.
 Requires more cable length than a linear topology.
 More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of the central node

3. Ring

In a ring topology, each node in the network is connected to the next node forming a closed loop giving the
appearance of a ring-like structure. Thus each device is connected directly to two other devices, one on each
side of it. When this topology is used, it connects nodes using two parallel paths of data.

Advantages

 It also offers high bandwidth and can span long distances

Disadvantages

 It is expensive when it comes to expanding the topology

 It may also be difficult to install.
 Ring topology is suitable for only a few node
 4. Tree

A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups of star-
configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable (See fig. 4). Tree topologies allow for the
expansion of an existing network, and enable schools to configure a network to meet their needs.

Advantages

 Point-to-point wiring for individual segments.

 Supported by several hardware and software venders.

Disadvantages

 Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of cabling used.

 If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down.
 More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.

5. Combined (Hybrid) Topology

A hybrid topology is a combination of any two or more network topologies in such a way that the resulting
network does not have one of the standard forms. For example, a tree network connected to a tree network is
still a tree network, but two star networks connected together exhibit hybrid network topologies. A hybrid
topology is always produced when two different basic network topologies are connected.

Advantage

Hybrid topology allows coexistence and cohabitation by integrating different network topologies to work
together.

Disadvantage
it is costly to support and maintain them.

Telecommunications technology

Telecommunications is the exchange of information over significant distances by electronic means. The
technology used includes anything used by humans to communicate information over a distance. The concept
has been around since the early days of human history, when smoke signals and drums were used to inform a
person or groups of people of an event or situation. However, major breakthroughs since the late 1800s have
brought the field of telecommunications into the modern age. More recent developments include the telephone,
radio, television, fax machine and computer, each with its own unique properties to benefit the information
exchange of mankind.

A basic telecommunication system consists of three elements:

 a transmitter that takes information and converts it to a signal;

 a transmission medium that carries the signal; and,
 a receiver that receives the signal and converts it back into usable information.
 Common Telecommunication Technologies

Telephone: It is an instrument which transfers vocal information from place to place. Two main types of
phones are used in modern society: the analog-based fixed-line telephone and the satellite-based cellular
phone.

Radio and Television: The broadcast system, which features the radio and television networks, uses a
different format to transmit information. Both systems use electromagnetic waves that send audio and video
information from one location to another. This can either be accomplished through an analog or digital
method.

Computer Networks:. This telecommunications technology allows users to send and receive a variety of
formatted information such as text via emails or video with webcams. Different types of connections are
available to make this technology function. Early connective techniques included fixed-line analog-to-digital
modems, while newer methods including Ethernet cabling and wireless connections utilizing electromagnetic
waves.

Transmission Media

For effective communication to take place, communication media is required to connect the transmitter and
the receiver. The diagram below gives a clear picture of different type of transmission media.

Guided/Wired Transmission Media

Guided/physical/non-wireless/bounded media have a physical link between sender and receiver. There are
three categories of guided media: twisted-Pair, coaxial and fiber-optic.

Unguided/Wireless Transmission Media

Unguided/non-physical/wireless/unbounded media have no physical link between sender and receiver.

There has been increasing need for mobile users to connect to a network. The answer for their needs is
wireless. In wireless communications, space (air) is the medium for the signals.

Wireless networking has some advantages over wired networking:

 No wires needed. Running wires can be difficult in some cases; such as wiring an existing building, wiring
between buildings, wiring across mountains, etc.
 Staying connected is important for mobile users. Wireless networks allow users stay connected more hours
each day. Users with laptops may roam their work space without losing network connection and without
logging into another machine. This increases the productivity of workers.
 Wireless networks can grow without much difficulty compared with wired networks. Making a wired network
larger often involves wiring and usually costly.
 Wireless networks are not confined to an area. There is no long term commitment as in the wired networks.