Unit-3

Introduction to Computer
Networks

Introduction to
Networks
The collection of interconnected computers is called a computer
network. Two computers are said to be interconnected if they are
capable of sharing and exchanging information.
Need of Computer
Network
Resource :- Resource Sharing means to make
Sharing all programs,
data and peripherals available to anyone on the network
irrespective of the physical location of the resources and the
user.
Reliabilit :- Reliability means to keep the copy of a file on two or
y more
different machines, so if one of them is unavailable (due to
some hardware crash or any other) them its other copy can be
used.
Cost :- Cost factor means it greatly reduces the cost
Factor since the
resources can be
shared.

Application of
Computer Networks
1. Sharing of data, services and resources

2. Access to remote database

3. Communication facilities

4. Time saving

Elementary Terminology of Networks :-

1. Nodes The term nodes refer to the computers
are(Workstations):- thatand are seeking to share the
attached to a network
resources.
Server A computer that facilitates the sharing of data,
:- software and
hardware resources on the
network.
MAC A (Media access Control) address is a hardware
Address: identification
number that uniquely identifies each device on a network (assigned
to a NIC by the manufacturer).
IP Each computer on internet is identified by a unique
Address: number
called IP Address. E.g: 192.168.1.1

Types of Computer
Networks
LAN (Local Area A Local Area Network (LAN) is a
Network): network
that is limited to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a
geographic area such as a school building, office or a university
campus. It is generally privately owned networks over a
distance not more than 5 Km. e.g. network in a college,
school, hospital etc.
MAN (Metropolitan Area MAN is the networks
Network): that
cover a group of nearby corporate offices or a city and might
be either private or public. E.g. Cable TV Network in a city.
WAN (Wide Area These are the networks spread
Network): over
large distances, say across countries or even continents
through cabling or satellite uplinks are called WAN. E.g.
Internet
PAN (Personal Area A PAN a network of
Netw ork): is
communicatingdevices (Computer, Phone, MP3/ Player,
MP4 etc.) organized around Camera can
using individual
an guided media (USB
person. cable) or unguided media
A PAN be set up
(Bluetooth, Infrared).
Network Dev
ices
1. Modem :-A modem (modulator/demodulator) is a
hardware device that allows a computer to send and receive
information over telephone lines. When sending a signal, the
modem converts (modulates) digital data to an analog signal
and transmit it over a telephone line. Similarly when an analog
signal is received, the modem converts it back (demodulates)
to a digital signal.
2. Hub :- A Hub is an electronic device that sever
connects al
computers together to form a network and redirects the received
information to all the connected nodes in broadcast mode. The
computer(s) for which the information is intended receive(s) this
information and accept(s) it. Other computers on the network
simply reject this information.

Example of how a hub works is shown

below.
Computer A wants to send a message to computer B. It
sends the message through the Ethernet cable to the hub,
then the hub repeats the message to all of the connected
computers.
Modem
Hub
Types of
Hub-
Passive This type of does not amplify or boost the
Hub: signal. It
does not manipulate or view the traffic that
crosses it.
Active It amplifies the incoming signal before passing it to
Hub: the other
ports
.

3 Switc :- A switch is a network device which is used to

h
.interconnect computers or devices on a network. It and
filters
forwards data packets across a network. The main difference
between hub and switch is that hub replicates what it receives
on one port onto all the other ports while switch keeps a
record of the MAC addresses of the devices attached to it and
forwards
for whichdata
it ispackets onto the ports
addressedacross a that’s why switch
network, is
intelligent
Hub.
 D iagram of A 4-Port Sw itch

Example of how a switch works is shown

comput below.
A sends Using a to switch,
a message B—the other computers
er computer do not
see the message. Those computers can send other
messages at the same
time without
interfering.
4.Repeater : - A Repeater is a device that is used to amplify and
regenerate a signal which is on its way through a
communication channel. A repeater regenerates the received
signal and re-transmits it to its destination.

5.Router :- A device that forwards data packets from one

network to another by finding the shortest route, based on an
internal routing table and the address of the destination network
in the incoming packet, the router determines whether to send
the packet out (in other network) or keep it or forward within
the own network.
Gatew a :- A gateway is a device that connects dissimilar
y networks
(Networks with different software and hardware
configurations
and with different transmission
protocol).

Network
Topologies
Topology means the way by which a network is
formed.

1.Bus
Topology
Bus Topology :-Bus topology is a topology for a Local
Area

Network (LAN) in which all the nodes are connected to a single

cable. The starting and ending point of cable is called
ADVANTAGES
terminator.
 It is easy to install and expand.

 It requires less cable length and hence it is cost

effective.

 Failure of a node does not affect the network.

DISADVANTAGES

 In case of cable or terminator fault, the entire network

breaks down.

 Not suitable for large number of computers.

 At a time only one node can transmit data.

The STAR
Topology: -

A STAR topology is based on a central node which acts as a

hub. In star topology each node is directly connected to a
Hub/Switch .
Advantages:
 Easy to troubleshoot
 A single node failure does not affect the entire
network.
 Fault detection and removal of faulty parts is
easier.
 In case a workstation fails, the network is not
Disadvantages:-
affected.
 Difficult to expand.
 Longer cable is
required.
 Central node
dependency.
  The cost of the hub and the longer cables makes it
expensive
over others.
 In case hub fails, the entire network stop working.
TREE Topology
Tree topology is a combination of bus and star topologies. It is
used to combine multiple star topology networks. All the stars
are connected together like a bus.

Features of Tree
Topology
 Ideal if workstations are located in
groups.
 Used in Wide Area Network.
Advantages of Tree
Topology
 Extension of bus and star
topologies.
 Expansion of nodes is possible and
easy.
 Easily managed and maintained.
  Error detection is easily done

Disadvantages of Tree
Topology
 Heavily cabled.
 Costly.
 If more nodes are added maintenance is
difficult.
 Central hub fails, network fails.

Mesh Topology :-

Mesh topology is a group of nodes which are all connected to

each other and many types of connections are possible in a
mesh topology.
Advantage of Mesh Topology
The arrangement of the network nodes is such that it is
possible to transmit data from one node to many other
nodes at the same time.
 Each connection can carry its own data load.
• Fault is diagnosed easily.

Disadvantage of Mesh
Topology
 Installation and configuration is
difficult.
 Cabling cost is more.
 Bulk wiring is required.

Introduction to
Internet
The Internet is a massive network of networks, a
infrastructure. networking connects millions
globally,
It forming aof networkcomputers
in which any computer can
together
communicate with another computer as long as they are
both connected to the Internet. The World Wide Web, or
simply Web is a way or medium of accessing information
over the Internet. It is an information sharing model that is
built on top of the Internet.
The Internet provides a capability so powerful and general
that it
can be used for almost any purpose that depends on
information,
and it is accessible by every individual who connects to
one of
its associated
networks.
URL :- URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. A URL is
nothing more than the address of a given unique resource on
the Web or address of a website. The URL is an address that
matches users to a specific resource online, such as
webpage.
Exampl http://www.python.com
e-
WWW : The World Wide WEB (WWW), commonly known
as the
‘Web’. It is an information system where all the web
resources are identified by Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
Tim Berners- Lee invented the WWW in 1989. He wrote
the first web browser in 1990.

The World Wide WEB (WWW) or ‘Web’ is a

collection of
WebPages found over the internet. Web browser uses
the
internet to access the
‘Web’.
Application of
Internet
Web 2.0
:
The term web 2.0 is used to refer to a new generation of
websites that are supposed to let people to publish and
share information online. It aims to encourage the sharing of
information and views, creativity that can be consume by
the other users. E.g:Youtube
The Main characteristics of web
2.0 are:
 Makes web more interactive through online social media
web- based forums, communities, social networking
sites.
 It is a website design and development world which aim
to encourage sharing of information and views,
creativity and user interactivity between the users.
 Video sharing possible in the websites
Web It refers to the 3rd Generation of web where
3.0: user will
interact by using artificial intelligence and with 3-D Web
portals. 3.0
supports semantic web which improves web technologies to
create,
connect and share content through the intelligent search
and the
analysis based on the meaning of the words,
instead of on the
keywords and
numbers.
e-mail : email (or e-mail) is defined as transmission
the messages over communications of Typically
networks. messages are notes entered the and
from keyboard internet using sent over
computer or mobile.
Chat : Chat may refer to any kind of communication
over the
Internet that offers a real-time transmission of text
messages from sender to receiver. Chat messages are
generally short in order to enable other participants to
respond quickly.
Voip :- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a
technology that
allows you to make voice calls usinga broadband
Internet
connection instead of a regular (or analog)
phone line. VoIP
services convert your voice into a digital
signal that travels
over the If you are calling a regular phone
Internet. number, the
signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it
reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call
directly from
compute a
Examples of Voip:-Whatsapp, Skype, Google etc
r. Chat .
Advantage of Voip:
 Save a lot of money.

 More than two people can communicate or speak.

 Supports great audio transfer.

 Provide conferencing facility.

 More than voice (can transfer text, image, video

along with voice).

Disadvantages of
Voip:
 Reliable Internet connection
required.

 No location tracking for emergency

calls.
Website :- a website is a group of web pages,
containing
text, images and all types of multi-media
files.
Difference between Website and
Webpage Website
:- Webpage
1. A collection of web A document which can
pages be
which are grouped displayed in a web browser
together and usually such as Firefox,
connected together in Google Chrome,
various ways, Often Opera, Microsoft Internet
called a "web site" or simply Explorer etc.
a "site."
2. Has content about Has content about single
various entity.
entity.
3. More development time Less development time
is is
required. required.
4. Website address does Webpage address depends
not on
depend on Webpage Website address.
address.
Difference between Static and Dynamic webpage :-

Static Webpage Dynamic Webpage

The static web pages display In the dynamic Web pages,
the the
same content each time page content changes
when someone visits it. according to the user.
It takes less time to load Dynamic web pages take
over more
internet. time while loading.
No Database used. A database is used in at
the
server end in a dynamic
web page.
Changes rarely. Changes frequently.

W eb Server :- a web server is a computer that

stores web
server softwareand a website's component
files (e.g.HTML documents, images, CSS
style sheets, and JavaScript files).

When client sends request for a web page, the web server
search
to clientforwith
the an
requested
HTTP page ifIfrequested page web
the requested is found
pagethen
is
response. not
found,
it web itserver will the send an HTTP response :Error 404
will send
Not
found.
 The basic objective of the web server is to
store,

process and deliver web pages to the users using Hypertext

Transfer

Protocol (HTTP). Apart from HTTP, a web server also supports

SMTP (Simple Mail transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer

Protocol) protocol for e-mailing, for file transfer and storage.

Web Hosting :- Web hosting is an online service that

enables
you to publish your website or web application on the
internet. When you sign up for a hosting service, you
basically rent some space on a server on which you can
store all the files and data necessary for your website to
work properly.

A server is a physical computer that runs without any

interruption so that your website is available all the time for
anyone who wants to see it.
Types of Web Hosting:

One server acts

One can use the
as multiple
space allotted to
servers for
him to host websites
multiple
for other third party
websites.
users.

Web Browswer :- A web browser, or simply "browser," is

application an access and view
used to
browsers include Microsoft
websites. Internet
Common web
Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and
Apple Safari.
Plug-ins:- a plug-in (or plugin, add-in, add-on) is a
software
component that adds a specific feature to an existing comput
program. When a program supports plug-ins, it er
customization. Plug-ins are commonly used in Internet enables
but also can be utilized in numerous other types of
applications.
browser
s
 Add-ons( in terms of H/W): An Add-on is either a
hardware
unit that can be added to a computer to increase the
capabilities or a program unit that enhances
primary program. Some manufacturers and
software developers use the term add-on.

Examples of add-ons for a computer

include
card for sound, graphic acceleration, modem
capability and memory. Software add- ons are
common for games, word- processing and
Cookies :- cookies
accounting are small files which are stored on a
programs.
user’s computer and contains information like Web
which
pages visited They
the past, logging details Password
in are hold a modest amount of data specific
etc.
to a
particular
designed toclient and website and can be accessed by
the web server or the client computer.

Cookies are stored in Hard-drive and are

referenced by
web
browser.