TAITA TAVETA NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC

ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR
Computer networks are made up of interconnected devices that communicate with each
other. Here are some terms related to computer networks:

 Node: A device connected to a network, such as a computer, printer, or router

 Link: The transmission media that connects two nodes, such as a cable or optical fiber

 Protocol: A set of rules that define how devices on a network communicate with each other

 IP address: A unique numerical identifier assigned to each device on a network

 Router: A networking device that connects multiple networks together and forwards data
packets between them

 Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transmitted over a network at any given time

 Network server: A central system for computers to exchange data and programs

 Network switch: Keeps track of which ports are intended recipients of data

 Domain: A group of computers and devices on a network that are administered as a unit

 DNS (Domain Name System): An internet service that translates domain names into IP
addresses

 DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): A protocol that dynamically assigns an IP

address to a computer

 Collision: When two devices attempt to transmit over the network at the same time, usually
resulting in data loss

 Message: The data or information that needs to be transferred from one device to another

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR
Types of Network Topology
Network topology refers to the arrangement of different elements like nodes, links, or devices in
a computer network. Common types of network topology include bus, star, ring, mesh, and tree
topologies, each with its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss different
types of network topology in detail.
What is Network Topology?
Network topology is the way devices are connected in a network. It defines how these
components are connected and how data transfer between the network. Understanding the
different types of network topologies can help in choosing the right design for a specific
network.
There are two major categories of Network Topology i.e. Physical Network topology and
Logical Network Topology. Physical Network Topology refers to the actual structure of the
physical medium for the transmission of data. Logical network Topology refers to the
transmission of data between devices present in the network irrespective of the way devices are
connected. The structure of the network is important for the proper functioning of the network.
one must choose the most suitable topology as per their requirement.
Types of Network Topology
Below mentioned are the types of Network Topology
 Point to Point Topology
 Mesh Topology
 Star Topology
 Bus Topology
 Ring Topology
 Tree Topology
 Hybrid Topology
Point to Point Topology
Point-to-point topology is a type of topology that works on the functionality of the sender and
receiver. It is the simplest communication between two nodes, in which one is the sender and the
other one is the receiver. Point-to-Point provides high bandwidth.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR

Point to Point Topology

Mesh Topology
In a mesh topology, every device is connected to another device via a particular channel. Every
device is connected to another via dedicated channels. These channels are known as links. In
Mesh Topology, the protocols used are AHCP (Ad Hoc Configuration
Protocols), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), etc.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR

Mesh Topology

 Suppose, the N number of devices are connected with each other in a mesh topology, the total
number of ports that are required by each device is N-1. In Figure 1, there are 5 devices
connected to each other, hence the total number of ports required by each device is 4. The
total number of ports required = N * (N-1).
 Suppose, N number of devices are connected with each other in a mesh topology, then the
total number of dedicated links required to connect them is N C 2 i.e. N(N-1)/2. In Figure 1,
there are 5 devices connected to each other, hence the total number of links required is 5*4/2
= 10.
Advantages of Mesh Topology
 Communication is very fast between the nodes.
 Mesh Topology is robust.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR
 The fault is diagnosed easily. Data is reliable because data is transferred among the devices

through dedicated channels or links.

 Provides security and privacy.
Disadvantages of Mesh Topology
 Installation and configuration are difficult.
 The cost of cables is high as bulk wiring is required, hence suitable for less number of
devices.
 The cost of maintenance is high.
A common example of mesh topology is the internet backbone, where various internet service
providers are connected to each other via dedicated channels. This topology is also used in
military communication systems and aircraft navigation systems.
Star Topology
In Star Topology, all the devices are connected to a single hub through a cable. This hub is the
central node and all other nodes are connected to the central node. The hub can be passive in
nature i.e., not an intelligent hub such as broadcasting devices, at the same time the hub can be
intelligent known as an active hub. Active hubs have repeaters in them. Coaxial cables or RJ-45
cables are used to connect the computers. In Star Topology, many popular Ethernet LAN
protocols are used as CD(Collision Detection), CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access), etc.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR

Star Topology

Advantages of Star Topology

 If N devices are connected to each other in a star topology, then the number of cables required
to connect them is N. So, it is easy to set up.
 Each device requires only 1 port i.e. to connect to the hub, therefore the total number of ports
required is N.
 It is Robust. If one link fails only that link will affect and not other than that.
 Easy to fault identification and fault isolation.
 Star topology is cost-effective as it uses inexpensive coaxial cable.
Disadvantages of Star Topology
 If the concentrator (hub) on which the whole topology relies fails, the whole system will crash
down.
 The cost of installation is high.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR
 Performance is based on the single concentrator i.e. hub.

A common example of star topology is a local area network (LAN) in an office where all
computers are connected to a central hub. This topology is also used in wireless networks where
all devices are connected to a wireless access point.
Bus Topology
Bus Topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is connected to a
single cable. It is bi-directional. It is a multi-point connection and a non-robust topology because
if the backbone fails the topology crashes. In Bus Topology, various MAC (Media Access
Control) protocols are followed by LAN ethernet connections like TDMA, Pure Aloha,
CDMA, Slotted Aloha, etc.

Bus Topology

Advantages of Bus Topology

 If N devices are connected to each other in a bus topology, then the number of cables required
to connect them is 1, known as backbone cable, and N drop lines are required.
 Coaxial or twisted pair cables are mainly used in bus-based networks that support up to 10
Mbps.
 The cost of the cable is less compared to other topologies, but it is used to build small
networks.
 Bus topology is familiar technology as installation and troubleshooting techniques are well
known.
 CSMA is the most common method for this type of topology.
Disadvantages of Bus Topology
 A bus topology is quite simpler, but still, it requires a lot of cabling.
 If the common cable fails, then the whole system will crash down.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR
 If the network traffic is heavy, it increases collisions in the network. To avoid this, various

protocols are used in the MAC layer known as Pure Aloha, Slotted Aloha, CSMA/CD, etc.
 Adding new devices to the network would slow down networks.
 Security is very low.
A common example of bus topology is the Ethernet LAN, where all devices are connected to a
single coaxial cable or twisted pair cable. This topology is also used in cable television networks.
Ring Topology
In a Ring Topology, it forms a ring connecting devices with exactly two neighboring devices. A
number of repeaters are used for Ring topology with a large number of nodes, because if
someone wants to send some data to the last node in the ring topology with 100 nodes, then the
data will have to pass through 99 nodes to reach the 100th node. Hence to prevent data loss
repeaters are used in the network.
The data flows in one direction, i.e. it is unidirectional, but it can be made bidirectional by
having 2 connections between each Network Node, it is called Dual Ring Topology. In-Ring
Topology, the Token Ring Passing protocol is used by the workstations to transmit the data.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR
Ring Topology

The most common access method of ring topology is token passing.

 Token passing: It is a network access method in which a token is passed from one node to
another node.
 Token: It is a frame that circulates around the network.
Operations of Ring Topology
 One station is known as a monitor station which takes all the responsibility for performing
the operations.
 To transmit the data, the station has to hold the token. After the transmission is done, the
token is to be released for other stations to use.
 When no station is transmitting the data, then the token will circulate in the ring.
 There are two types of token release techniques: Early token release releases the token just
after transmitting the data and Delayed token release releases the token after the
acknowledgment is received from the receiver.
Advantages of Ring Topology
 The data transmission is high-speed.
 The possibility of collision is minimum in this type of topology.
 Cheap to install and expand.
 It is less costly than a star topology.
Disadvantages of Ring Topology
 The failure of a single node in the network can cause the entire network to fail.
 Troubleshooting is difficult in this topology.
 The addition of stations in between or the removal of stations can disturb the whole topology.
 Less secure.
Tree Topology
Tree topology is the variation of the Star topology. This topology has a hierarchical flow of
data. In Tree Topology, protocols like DHCP and SAC (Standard Automatic
Configuration) are used.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR

Tree Topology

In tree topology, the various secondary hubs are connected to the central hub which contains the
repeater. This data flow from top to bottom i.e. from the central hub to the secondary and then to
the devices or from bottom to top i.e. devices to the secondary hub and then to the central hub. It
is a multi-point connection and a non-robust topology because if the backbone fails the topology
crashes.
Advantages of Tree Topology
 It allows more devices to be attached to a single central hub thus it decreases the distance that
is traveled by the signal to come to the devices.
 It allows the network to get isolated and also prioritize from different computers.
 We can add new devices to the existing network.
 Error detection and error correction are very easy in a tree topology.
Disadvantages of Tree Topology
 If the central hub gets fails the entire system fails.
 The cost is high because of the cabling.
 If new devices are added, it becomes difficult to reconfigure.
A common example of a tree topology is the hierarchy in a large organization. At the top of the
tree is the CEO, who is connected to the different departments or divisions (child nodes) of the

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company. Each department has its own hierarchy, with managers overseeing different teams
(grandchild nodes). The team members (leaf nodes) are at the bottom of the hierarchy, connected
to their respective managers and departments.
Hybrid Topology
Hybrid Topology is the combination of all the various types of topologies we have studied
above. Hybrid Topology is used when the nodes are free to take any form. It means these can be
individuals such as Ring or Star topology or can be a combination of various types of topologies
seen above. Each individual topology uses the protocol that has been discussed earlier.

Hybrid Topology

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TAITA TAVETA NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC
ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR
The above figure shows the structure of the Hybrid topology. As seen it contains a combination
of all different types of networks.
Advantages of Hybrid Topology
 This topology is very flexible .
 The size of the network can be easily expanded by adding new devices.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology
 It is challenging to design the architecture of the Hybrid Network.
 Hubs used in this topology are very expensive.
 The infrastructure cost is very high as a hybrid network requires a lot of cabling and
network devices .
A common example of a hybrid topology is a university campus network. The network may have
a backbone of a star topology, with each building connected to the backbone through a switch or
router. Within each building, there may be a bus or ring topology connecting the different rooms
and offices. The wireless access points also create a mesh topology for wireless devices. This
hybrid topology allows for efficient communication between different buildings while providing
flexibility and redundancy within each building.
Why is Network Topology Important?
Network Topology is important because it defines how devices are connected and how they
communicate in the network. Here are some points that defines why network topology is
important.
 Network Performance: Upon choosing the appropriate topology as per requirement, it helps
in running the network easily and hence increases network performance.
 Network Reliability: Some topologies like Star, Mesh are reliable as if one connection fails,
they provide an alternative for that connection, hence it works as a backup.
 Network Expansion : Chosing correct topology helps in easier expansion of Network as it
helps in adding more devices to the network without disrupting the actual network.
 Network Security: Network Topology helps in understanding how devices are connected and
hence provides a better security to the network.
Conclusion
In conclusion, network topologies play a crucial role in determining the efficiency and reliability
of a computer network. Each topology, whether it’s bus, star, ring, mesh, or tree, offers unique

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benefits and potential drawbacks. By understanding these different arrangements, network
designers can choose the most appropriate topology to meet the specific needs of their systems,
ensuring optimal performance and connectivity.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR

Types of Computer Networks

A computer network is a cluster of computers over a shared communication path that works to
share resources from one computer to another, provided by or located on the network nodes. In
this article, we will discuss computer networks and their types.
What is a Computer Network?
A computer network is a system that connects many independent computers to share information
(data) and resources. The integration of computers and other different devices allows users to
communicate more easily. A computer network is a collection of two or more computer systems
that are linked together. A network connection can be established using either cable or wireless
media. Hardware and software are used to connect computers and tools in any network.
Uses of Computer Networks
 Communicating using email, video, instant messaging, etc.
 Sharing devices such as printers, scanners, etc.
 Sharing files.
 Sharing software and operating programs on remote systems.
 Allowing network users to easily access and maintain information.
Types of Computer Networks
There are mainly five types of Computer Networks
1. Personal Area Network (PAN)
2. Local Area Network (LAN)
3. Campus Area Network (CAN)
4. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
5. Wide Area Network (WAN)

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Types of Computer Networks

1. Personal Area Network (PAN)

PAN is the most basic type of computer network. It is a type of network designed to connect
devices within a short range, typically around one person. It allows your personal devices, like
smartphones, tablets, laptops, and wearables, to communicate and share data with each other.
PAN offers a network range of 1 to 100 meters from person to device providing communication.
Its transmission speed is very high with very easy maintenance and very low cost. This
uses Bluetooth, IrDA, and Zigbee as technology. Examples of PAN are USB, computer, phone,
tablet, printer, PDA, etc.

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Personal Area Network (PAN)

Types of PAN
 Wireless Personal Area Networks: Wireless Personal Area Networks are created by simply
utilising wireless technologies such as WiFi and Bluetooth. It is a low-range network.
 Wired Personal Area Network: A wired personal area network is constructed using a USB.
Advantages of PAN
 PAN is relatively flexible and provides high efficiency for short network ranges.
 It needs easy setup and relatively low cost.
 It does not require frequent installations and maintenance
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 It is easy and portable.

 Needs fewer technical skills to use.

Disadvantages of PAN
 Low network coverage area/range.
 Limited to relatively low data rates.
 Devices are not compatible with each other.
 Inbuilt WPAN devices are a little bit costly.
Applications of PAN
 Home and Offices
 Organizations and the Business sector
 Medical and Hospital
 School and College Education
 Military and Defense
2. Local Area Network (LAN)
LAN is the most frequently used network. A LAN is a computer network that connects
computers through a common communication path, contained within a limited area, that is,
locally. A LAN encompasses two or more computers connected over a server. The two important
technologies involved in this network are Ethernet and Wi-fi. It ranges up to 2km &
transmission speed is very high with easy maintenance and low cost. Examples of LAN are
networking in a home, school, library, laboratory, college, office, etc.

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Local Area Network (LAN)

Advantages of a LAN
 Privacy: LAN is a private network, thus no outside regulatory body controls it, giving it a
privacy.
 High Speed: LAN offers a much higher speed(around 100 mbps) and data transfer rate
comparatively to WAN.

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 Supports different transmission mediums: LAN support a variety of communications

transmission medium such as an Ethernet cable (thin cable, thick cable, and twisted pair),
fiber and wireless transmission.
 Inexpensive and Simple: A LAN usually has low cost, installation, expansion and
maintenance and LAN installation is relatively easy to use, good scalability.
Disadvantages of LAN
 The initial setup costs of installing Local Area Networks is high because there is special
software required to make a server.
 Communication devices like an ethernet cable, switches, hubs, routers, cables are costly.
 LAN administrator can see and check personal data files as well as Internet history of each
and every LAN user. Hence, the privacy of the users are violated
 LANs are restricted in size and cover only a limited area
 Since all the data is stored in a single server computer, if it can be accessed by an
unauthorized user, can cause a serious data security threat.
3. Campus Area Network (CAN)
CAN is bigger than a LAN but smaller than a MAN. This is a type of computer network that is
usually used in places like a school or colleges. This network covers a limited geographical area
that is, it spreads across several buildings within the campus. CAN mainly use Ethernet
technology with a range from 1km to 5km. Its transmission speed is very high with a moderate
maintenance cost and moderate cost. Examples of CAN are networks that cover schools,
colleges, buildings, etc.

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Campus Area Network (CAN)

Advantages of CAN
 Speed: Communication within a CAN takes place over Local Area Network (LAN) so data
transfer rate between systems is little bit fast than Internet.
 Security: Network administrators of campus take care of network by continuous monitoring,
tracking and limiting access. To protect network from unauthorized access firewall is placed
between network and internet.
 Cost effective: With a little effort and maintenance, network works well by providing fast
data transfer rate with multi-departmental network access. It can be enabled wirelessly, where
wiring and cabling costs can be managed. So to work with in a campus using CAN is cost-
effective in view of performance

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4. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A MAN is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. This is the type of computer network that
connects computers over a geographical distance through a shared communication path over a
city, town, or metropolitan area. This network mainly uses FDDI, CDDI, and ATM as the
technology with a range from 5km to 50km. Its transmission speed is average. It is difficult to
maintain and it comes with a high cost. Examples of MAN are networking in towns, cities, a
single large city, a large area within multiple buildings, etc.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Advantages of MAN

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 MAN offers high-speed connectivity in which the speed ranges from 10-100 Mbps.

 The security level in MAN is high and strict as compared to WAN.

 It support to transmit data in both directions concurrently because of dual bus architecture.
 MAN can serve multiple users at a time with the same high-speed internet to all the users.
 MAN allows for centralized management and control of the network, making it easier to
monitor and manage network resources and security.
Disadvantages of MAN
 The architecture of MAN is quite complicated hence, it is hard to design and maintain.
 This network is highly expensive because it required the high cost to set up fiber optics.
 It provides less fault tolerance.
 The Data transfer rate in MAN is low when compare to LANs.
5. Wide Area Network (WAN)
WAN is a type of computer network that connects computers over a large geographical distance
through a shared communication path. It is not restrained to a single location but extends over
many locations. WAN can also be defined as a group of local area networks that communicate
with each other with a range above 50km. Here we use Leased-Line & Dial-up technology. Its
transmission speed is very low and it comes with very high maintenance and very high cost. The
most common example of WAN is the Internet.

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Wide Area Network (WAN)

Advantages of WAN
 It covers large geographical area which enhances the reach of organisation to transmit data
quickly and cheaply.
 The data can be stored in centralised manner because of remote access to data provided by
WAN.
 The travel charges that are needed to cover the geographical area of work can be minimised.
 WAN enables a user or organisation to connect with the world very easily and allows to
exchange data and do business at global level.

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Disadvantages of WAN
 Traffic congestion in Wide Area Network is very high.
 The fault tolerance ability of WAN is very less.
 Noise and error are present in large amount due to multiple connection point.
 The data transfer rate is slow in comparison to LAN because of large distances and high
number of connected system within the network.
Comparison between Different Computer Networks

Parameters PAN LAN CAN MAN WAN

Campus
Personal Area Local Area Metropolitan Wide Area
Full Name Area
Network Network Area Network Network
Network

Leased
Bluetooth, Ethernet & FDDI, CDDi.
Technology Ethernet Line, Dial-
IrDA,Zigbee Wifi ATM
Up

Above 50
Range 1-100 m Upto 2km 1 – 5 km 5-50 km
km

Transmission
Very High Very High High Average Low
Speed

Private or Private or
Ownership Private Private Private
Public Public

Very
Maintenance Very Easy Easy Moderate Difficult
Difficult

Cost Very Low Low Moderate High Very High

Other Types of Computer Networks

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 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

 Storage Area Network (SAN)

 System-Area Network (SAN)
 Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
 Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
 Virtual Private Network (VPN)
 Home Area Network (HAN)
1. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
WLAN is a type of computer network that acts as a local area network but makes use of wireless
network technology like Wi-Fi. This network doesn’t allow devices to communicate over
physical cables like in LAN but allows devices to communicate wirelessly. The most common
example of WLAN is Wi-Fi.

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Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

There are several computer networks available; more information is provided below.
2. Storage Area Network (SAN)
SAN is a type of computer network that is high-speed and connects groups of storage devices to
several servers. This network does not depend on LAN or WAN. Instead, a SAN moves the
storage resources from the network to its high-powered network. A SAN provides access to
block-level data storage. Examples of SAN are a network of disks accessed by a network of
servers.

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Storage Area Network (SAN)

3. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)

A POLAN is a type of computer network that is an alternative to a LAN. POLAN uses optical
splitters to split an optical signal from a single strand of single-mode optical fiber to multiple
signals to distribute users and devices. In short, POLAN is a point to multipoint LAN
architecture.

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Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)

4. Enterprise Private Network (EPN)

EPN is a type of computer network mostly used by businesses that want a secure connection over
various locations to share computer resources.

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Enterprise Private Network (EPN)

5. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN is a type of computer network that extends a private network across the internet and lets
the user send and receive data as if they were connected to a private network even though they
are not. Through a virtual point-to-point connection users can access a private network remotely.
VPN protects you from malicious sources by operating as a medium that gives you a protected
network connection.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

6. Home Area Network (HAN)

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Many of the houses might have more than a computer. To interconnect those computers and with
other peripheral devices, a network should be established similar to the local area network
(LAN) within that home. Such a type of network that allows a user to interconnect multiple
computers and other digital devices within the home is referred to as Home Area Network
(HAN). HAN encourages sharing of resources, files, and programs within the network. It
supports both wired and wireless communication.

Home Area Network (HAN)

Internetwork
An internet network is defined as two or more computer network LANs, WANs, or computer
network segments that are connected by devices and configured with a local addressing system.
The method is known as internetworking. There are two types of Internetwork.
 Intranet: An internal network within an organization that enables employees to share data,
collaborate, and access resources. Intranets are not accessible to the public and use private IP
addresses.

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ICT DEPARTMENT
LESSON NOTES BY FELISTER M. ICT TRAINER/ COUNSELLOR
 Extranet: Extranets extend the intranet to authorized external users, such as business partners

or clients. They provide controlled access to specific resources while maintaining security.
Advantages of Computer Network
 Central Storage of Data: Files are stored on a central storage database which helps to easily
access and available to everyone.
 Connectivity: A single connection can be routed to connect multiple computing devices.
 Sharing of Files: Files and data can be easily shared among multiple devices which helps in
easily communicating among the organization.
 Security through Authorization: Computer Networking provides additional security and
protection of information in the system.
Disadvantages of Computer Network
 Virus and Malware: A virus is a program that can infect other programs by modifying them.
Viruses and Malware can corrupt the whole network.
 High Cost of Setup: The initial setup of Computer Networking is expensive because it
consists of a lot of wires and cables along with the device.
 loss of Information: In case of a System Failure, might lead to some loss of data.
 Management of Network: Management of a Network is somehow complex for a person, it
requires training for its proper use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, computer networks are essential components that connect various computer
devices in order to efficiently share data and resources. PAN, LAN, CAN, MAN, and WAN
networks serve a wide range of applications and purposes, each with its own set of advantages
and drawbacks. Understanding these networks and their applications improves connectivity, data
exchange, and resource utilization in a variety of applications from personal use to global
communications.

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