IB Arthur School

Strand: Networks and Digital Communication

Topic: Introduction to Computer Networking
Learning objectives:
1. Understand what a computer network is.
2. Identify the types of computer networks (LAN, WAN).
3. Know the basic networking devices (router, switch, modem).
4. Understand the importance of computer networks.
5. Know the advantages and disadvantages of computer networks.

Video links:
https://youtu.be/1VPkXhVPOPo?si=fGyyXrCQStdEONl6
https://youtu.be/UXsomnDkntI?si=c7ucZNoc2oHrkQmE
https://youtu.be/4_zSIXb7tLQ?si=8bH4uzDRjQxe_Ma9
https://youtu.be/1z0ULvg_pW8?si=W31DxtD3QwbAzwDC

Keywords: antennas, packet, local area network, search engine, internet, server, protocols, Internet
Service Provider (ISP), malware

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 What is a Computer Network?
A computer network is a group of two or more computers or devices that are connected together
to share information and resources (such as printers, books, music, files, etc.).
When you use a tablet in class and your friend uses a computer, both of you can connect to the
internet and even share documents. That is possible because you are on the same network.

Modes of Connecting to a Network

1. Wired Connection
This mode of connection as the name says, uses cables (like Ethernet cables, coaxial
cables, and fiber optic cables) to connect a device to the network. You often see this in
schools, offices, or homes when a computer is plugged into the internet box (router) with a

cable.
Ethernet cable fiber optic cable

Advantages
• Fast internet speed
• Stable and strong connection
• More secure (harder for people to hack)

Disadvantages
• Can be messy with many cables
• Not easy to move around (you must stay near the cable)
• Harder to set up in large spaces

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 2. Wireless Connection
This mode of connection uses radio waves to send and transmit information. It does not
use cables to connect devices to the network.
You often use this at home when your phone, tablet, or laptop connects to the internet
without plugging anything in.

Advantages
• No messy cables
• You can move around freely with your device
• Easy to connect many devices

Disadvantages
• Slower than wired connections sometimes
• The signal can be weak if you are far from the router
• Less secure (needs a strong password to keep safe)

Type Does it use Can it be moved Speed Security

cables? around?

Wired Yes No Fast More secure

Wireless No Yes Sometimes Needs strong

slower password

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Types of Computer Networks
There are several types of networks, primarily classified by their geographical scope and purpose.
The main categories include;
1. Personal Area Network (PAN):
Connects devices around a single person, such as a smartphone, tablet, and headphones.
Imagine your own little bubble of gadgets! It is like when your headphones (iPod) are
connected to your phone or your smartwatch is connected to your phone. Personal Area
Network is a tiny network just for you and your close devices.

Advantages
• Easy to set up
• Low cost
• Good for personal use

Disadvantages
• Very short range
• Only connects a few devices

2. LAN (Local Area Network):

A LAN connects computers in a small area, like a classroom, school, or home.
Think of your home or classroom. All the computers and printers there are connected so
everyone can share things. That is a LAN. A network in one small place, like a house,
school, or office.

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 Advantages
• Fast connection
• Low cost in small areas
• Easy to share files and printers

Disadvantages
• Works only in small areas (like one building)
• Needs good management when many devices are connected

3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN):

Imagine connecting lots of houses or schools across a whole town or city. It is a bigger
network that covers a larger area than a LAN. MAN is like connecting different homes in a
city together.

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 Advantages
• Covers a bigger area than LAN
• Connects many LANs together
• Good for city-wide services

Disadvantages
• More expensive than LAN
• Needs special equipment and skilled people to manage

4. Wide Area Network (WAN):

Now imagine connecting houses or homes and schools across the whole country or even
the world! That is a Wide Area Network. The biggest WAN you know is the internet. WAN
connects computers that are very far apart.
A WAN connects computers over a large distance, like different cities or countries.

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Advantages
• Covers very large areas
• Connects people around the world
• Helps share information quickly

Disadvantages
• Expensive to set up and maintain
• Can be slower and less secure

Network Area Size Advantage Disadvantage

PAN Around one person Easy and cheap to set up Very short range.

LAN One building Fast and easy to share files Small area only.

MAN City or town Connects LANs across city More costly.

Needs experts.

WAN World/countries Connects people worldwide Expensive.

Can be slower.

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 Basic Networking Devices
1. Switch
A switch connects multiple devices within a network and helps them communicate directly.
Just like a teacher helps students in a classroom talk to each other, a switch helps
computers on a network talk to each other. It connects all the computers together so they
can share information.

A network switch A network switch with an ethernet cable

2. Router
Imagine you have two separate houses (like two different LANs). The people in each house
can talk to each other easily inside their own house.

But what if someone in one house wants to send a message to a friend in the other house?
A router is like a special doorway and a smart messenger between the two houses.
When a message needs to go from one house to the other, it goes through the router's
doorway.
The router is smart so, it looks at the message and knows exactly which house it needs to
go to.
So, a router helps different groups of connected devices (different LANs) talk to each other,
even if they are in different places
In simple terms, a router connects different networks together.

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3. Modem
Let us take the internet as a super-fast highway that goes all over the world. Your house
and your gadgets (like your computer and tablet) have their own little roads inside.
A modem is like the special ramp that connects your little house road to the big internet
highway!
When your computer wants to go onto the internet highway (to see a website), the modem
takes the information from your computer's road and changes it into a language that can
travel on the big internet highway.
When information comes from the internet highway (like a video or a song), the modem
takes that internet language and changes it back into a language your computer can
understand on its own little road.
So, the modem is the translator and the connection point that lets your home network talk to
the big internet highway and understand what it's saying! Think of the modem as the entry
and exit point to the worldwide web!
A modem connects the local network to the internet through your Internet Service Provider
(ISP).

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4. Firewall
A firewall is like the security guard for your computer and your home internet network!
It watches all the information that tries to come into your computer or network from the
internet.
If the information is safe and something you asked for (like a website you want to see or a
video you want to watch), the firewall lets it in, like a friendly visitor.
Bad Information: If something looks suspicious or like it could be harmful (like a computer
virus trying to sneak in), the firewall blocks it and says, "Nope, you can't come in here!" just
like a security guard stopping someone who doesn't belong.

A firewall is a network security system that acts as a barrier between a trusted internal
network and untrusted external networks, such as the Internet.
A firewall can either be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of both.

5. Access Point
An access point (AP) in networking is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a
wired network, often using Wi-Fi.
Think of an AP like how your internet comes into your house through a wire, like a water
pipe bringing water. But your phone and tablet don't have a "water pipe" connection to the
internet.
The access point takes that internet "water" from the wired connection and sprays it out
into the air as invisible waves, like a sprinkler! Your phone and tablet have special
"receivers" that can catch these waves and understand the internet information they carry.
So, the access point's job is to:
• Take the internet from a wire.
• Turn it into wireless signals (waves).
• Send those signals out so your devices can connect without cables.

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 Importance of Computer Networks
Computer networking has lots of benefits to us. Some of these include;
• Sharing Resources: With a network, we can share things like printers, the internet, and files
with other computers.
• Communication: Networks let us send emails or messages really fast, even to people in
other countries! It’s like passing a note in class, but super speedy!
• Collaboration (working together): Have you ever worked on a group project? With a
network, people can work on the same document at the same time. Just like using Google
Docs together, even if you are not in the same room.
• Access to Information (Finding Information): Networks help us connect to the internet,
where we can watch videos, read articles, and find answers to our questions. It’s like having
a huge library at your fingertips!

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 Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer Networks
Advantages:
• Easier communication and file sharing: You can send messages, pictures, or files to friends
and teachers quickly. Just like sending a note without leaving your seat.
• Shared access to expensive equipment like printers: Instead of buying one printer for every
computer, everyone can share one. That saves money.
• Centralized data management: Important things like report cards or class lists can be
stored on one computer, so it’s easier to find and keep safe.
Disadvantages:
• Failure Communication: If the network stops working, all the computers might have trouble
talking to each other or using shared tools.
• Set Up Cost: Building a network can be expensive because you need special cables,
devices, and someone to fix things.
• Security Risk: Without strong passwords or security, bad people (like hackers) or malware
could sneak in and cause problems. (like stealing important files or making changes to
important files)

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 Definition of Keywords
Communication
Talking or sending messages between people or computers.
Example: Sending an email or chatting online.
File Sharing
Giving other people access to your pictures, videos, or documents using a network.
Example: Sharing a class project with your friend’s computer.
Printer
A machine that puts words or pictures from the computer onto paper.
Example: Printing your homework or a coloring sheet.
Centralized Data Management
Storing important files and information in one main place so it’s easy to find and use.
Example: All report cards being saved on the school’s main computer.
Network Failure
When the computers in a network stop working properly together.
Example: The internet goes off and you can't send an email.
Malware
Bad software that can harm your computer or steal information. It might try to steal information or
stop things from working
Example: A virus that makes your computer act strange.
Hacker
Someone who tries to get into computers or networks without permission.
Example: Like a burglar, but on the internet.
Antennas
Antennas are parts of a device (like a router or phone) that help send and receive signals so we can
connect to the internet or talk to other devices without wires.
Packet
A packet is a tiny piece of information. When you send something on the internet (like a message), it
gets broken into little pieces called packets and put back together at the other end.
Local Area Network (LAN)
A Local Area Network is a group of computers connected together in one place, like in your school
or home, so they can share things like files and printers.
Search Engine
A search engine (like Google) is a tool on the internet that helps you find information. You type in a
word or question, and it shows you websites that match your searched item.
Internet
The internet is like a big web that connects computers all over the world. It helps us send
messages, play games, watch videos, and learn new things.
Server
A server is a powerful computer that stores websites and information. When you click a link, your
device talks to the server to get the page you want.
Protocols
Protocols are like rules that computers follow to talk to each other on the internet. These rules help
make sure the messages go to the right place.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
An ISP is a company that helps your home or school connect to the internet. It’s like a bridge
between you and the websites you visit.

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