What is networking?

A collection of computing devices that are connected in various

ways in order to communicate and share resources between them is
known as computer networking. It is an interconnection between multiple
autonomous computers.

The term 'networking' is defined in dictionary as 'a larger system

consisting of many similar parts that are connected together for movement
or communication between or along the parts.’

Usually, the connections between computers in a network are

made using physical wires or cables. However, some connections are
wireless, using radio waves or infrared signals.

Because of networking, the different resources such as printer,

modem, storage device, software etc. can be shared within the
organization and it causes the reduction of cost for organization.
 Advantages of networking

• i) Sharing of resources:- It is the main advantage that we get from

networking as it causes the reduction of cost in the organization. We
can share different resources like file, hardware or computer peripheral
devices in the network. A single file can be shared and used between
multiple users at the same time. Similarly computer hardware such as
printer, modem, hard disk etc. can be shared in the network.

• ii) Faster and cheaper communication:- communication in modern

days has been very faster and cheaper than before because of
networking. It is very fast and cheap to send message or file to a long
distance through computer networking rather than postal service or
other ways. So, the faster message transfer is another advantage of
networking.
 Advantages of networking

• iii) Centralized networking:- All the computers and other components

of a network are managed and controlled by a central computer which is
known as the server. So, any rules, security measures etc. which are
necessary in the network are implemented at first in the server and then
they can be automatically transferred to all the clients. So, it is easy and
convenient to manage and troubleshoot all the clients through server
rather than individually.

• iv) Backup and recovery:- Server is the main component of the

computer network so it is kept in a very secured place and good
security mechanism have been implemented to keep the data and files
safe. In networking environment, all the data and files are centralized in
a server. So, if any data or files are lost in the clients, it is possible to
restore them from the server.
 Disadvantages of networking

• i) Increase Expenses:- If we want to do networking, then we have to

purchase some extra devices such as hubs, cable, NIC, modem etc.
These devices increases the cost for the organization.

• ii) Possibility of leakage and corruption of data:- Although the server

manages and controls all the other computer in the networks, data in
between the communication process may be hacked and used by third
parties which causes the data corruption and leakage in networking.
Similarly, the hackers and computer viruses are the great threat to the
computers in the networks nowadays.

• iii) Needs special technical knowledge:- To work in the networking

environment, the organization needs very high skilled manpower which
is another main problem for the developing countries like Nepal.
 Types of Network

Based on Size of Network

• LAN (Local Area Network)
• MAN( Metropolitan Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
 Local Area Network (LAN)

It is a data communication network which connects two or more

computers, computer terminals, printer etc. with wire. It permits the
exchange of data and information among all the computers in the
networks. As the name suggests, it covers very limited local area i.e.
within a building, college, organization or can be extended up to few
KM. It is simpler and cheaper than other networking system. The main
advantage of LAN is that data and network resources always remain
very secured because no any outsider can access the resources of
network without permission. The major disadvantage of LAN is that it
can’t cover large area.
Features of LAN
• Area covered is very small.
• Data transfer rate is very high i.e. 1 mbps-100 mbps
• Each device connected in the network can communicate with any
other devices in the network.
• Transmission media is shared by all connected devices in network.
• Cost of setting of network is low.
 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

As the name suggests, MAN covers a city or larger geographical area

than LAN. It can connect large number of heterogeneous computer with
or without wire. Different communication media can be adopted and
different protocols can be used. As it covers larger area, it has very high
chances of data leakage or security breaks.

Features of MAN
• Network size generally ranges from 5 to 50 km. It may be as small as a
group of buildings on campus to as large as covering the whole city.
• In general, a MAN is either owned by a user group or by a network
provider who sells service to users, rather than a single organization as
in LAN.
• Data rates are moderate to high.
• It facilitates the sharing of regional resources.
• They provide uplinks for connecting LANs to WANs and the Internet.
 Wide Area Network (WAN)
As the name suggests, WAN covers a very large area i.e. an entire country,
continent, whole world or even more. Communication is done through radio
waves, VSAT, satellite etc. It links different LANs and MANs which are
situated in separate geo-graphical location. It connects very large number
of different computers with different transmission media, protocols,
topologies etc.
Features of WAN
• Multiple computers are connected together
• It connect devices that are separated by a broader geographical area than
a LAN
• A WAN usually interconnects multiple LANs and MANs.
• Communication links between computers are provided by telephone
networks, public data networks, satellites etc.
• Low bandwidth for data transfer.
• The data rates of WAN is low as compare to data transfer rate of LAN and
MAN
 Types of Network…

Based on Network Architecture

There are 2 types of network
architectures on the basis of how the
computers are connected with each other
in the network.
• Peer-to-peer or Point to point Architecture
• Broadcasting or Client-Server Architecture
 Peer-to-peer architecture
As shown in the figure, there is one-to-
A
one connection between the computers in peer-
to-peer network architecture. Every computer
connected in the network is assigned a unique IP
address such as 192.168.0.1. When any data or
message is to be sent from one computer to B
another computer in the network, then IP address 192.168.0.1 D
of source computer and destination computer is
also sent along with the message. For ex- if
computer ‘A’ wants to send some message to
computer C, then at first the message is sent to
computer B. Then computer B compares the 192.168.0.2
192.168.0.4
destination IP address of the message with its
own IP address. If the two IP address are found
similar, then the message is accepted otherwise
it is re-transmitted to the next computer in the C
network. In this type of architecture, each
computer can work as a server at one time and
as client at another time. The communication is
done is a single direction. So there is not any 192.168.0.3
problem of high traffic jam. But if one of the
computer in the network gets failure, then the
whole network system gets disturbed.
 Broadcasting or Client-Server
network architecture
In broadcasting architecture, all the computers
are connected to a central computer or device
called server or hub and the server is responsible 192.168.0.1

to control, manage and provide services to all the

clients in the network. In this type of architecture
also, the each computer is assigned a unique IP Client A
Server

address in the network to identify the computer. Client C

If computer A wants to send some message to

computer C, then at first message is sent to the 192.168.0.2
Hub 192.168.0.4

server. Then the server sends or broadcasts the

message to all the clients with destination IP
address. Then after receiving the message, all Client B
the clients check the IP address of the message.
If the IP address of the message matches to its 192.168.0.3
IP address, then the message is accepted
otherwise the message is discarded. The main
problem of this type of architecture is traffic
problem as all the computers and transmission
media will be busy at the time of broadcasting.
 LAN Topology/ Network Topology

Network topology refers to the physical layout of

the network. So topology shows the geographical
arrangement of the computers in the network and how
they are connected to each other. The main objective of
the network topology is to find out the most economical
and efficient way for the optimum communication. The
different topologies are as follows:
• Bus Topology
• Star Topology
• Ring Topology
• Tree Topology
• Mesh Topology
• Hybrid Topology
 Bus Topology
A
B

Bus

C D

As shown in the figure, all the computers in the network are connected
to a single cable. That cable is called a ‘bus’. Any message originating
from a computer is transmitted in both directions on the bus. It is based
on broadcasting network architecture. So, after receiving the message
all the computers check the IP address of the message with their own IP
address. If the IP addresses are similar, then the message is accepted
other wise the message is discarded.
 Bus Topology….

Advantages
• It is simple, reliable and easy to use.
• If any computer in the network is down, then other
computer can continue their function.
• It is more flexible because we can easily connect and
disconnect any number of computers in the bus.
Disadvantages
• Data traffic is very high because all the data are
transmitted from the central wire.
• Data collision is very high.
• Finding out the fault and troubleshooting them is very
hard.
 Star Topology
It is also based on broadcasting or client-server network architecture. So,
all the computers in the network are connected to a central computer or
hub. The communication is done in both direction of the wire. The server is
the main component which manages and controls the whole network
system. So message from any client is transmitted at first to the server or
hub and it forwards the message to all the clients with destination IP
address.

Client A Server
Client C

Hub

Client B
 Star Topology…..

Advantages
• It is the most popular and widely used topology.
• It is simple, reliable and easy to use.
• It is flexible to connect new computer and remove existing
computer in the network.
• It is easy to find out fault because of the use of the hub.
• If any computer in the network is down, then other computers can
continue their function.
Disadvantages
• If the central compute or hub gets failure, then the entire network
system gets disturbed.
• High network traffic.
• The cost of cable is more because each client needs a separate
cable to connect with the server.
 Ring Topology

As shown in the figure, the A

computers are connected in a circular
structure as it is based on peer-to-peer
network architecture. Each computer is
connected to other two computers in B
D
either side. The communication is done
in single direction only. When one
computer receives the message, then it
checks the IP address of the message
and if it matches with its IP address, then
it accepts the message otherwise the
message is re-transmitted to the next C

computer in the network. So, in this

topology, each computer becomes
server at one time and client at other
time.
 Ring Topology….

Advantages
• There is no dependence on the server or hub. So each computer is
capable of acting as server as well as client.
• Data transfer speed is very high.
• There is less chance of data collision as data travels in one direction
only.
• Every computer has equal access facility to the network resources.
Disadvantages
• If any computer in the network is down, then the whole network
system gets disturbed.
• It is very hard to find out the errors and troubleshoot them.
• It is not very flexible as connecting new computer and disconnecting
existing computer is very difficult.
 Tree Topology

Tree topology is the

extension of bus or star
topology. So it extends the
branches of bus or star
topology allowing more
stations to access the bus.
As shown in the figure, the
computers are arranged and
linked in a distinct
hierarchical structure. Data
can flow from up to down
and vice versa. A break in
the bus is very difficult to
locate.
 Tree Topology…

Advantages
• It is a combination of bus and star topology
• It provides high scalability, as leaf nodes can add more nodes in the
hierarchical chain.
• Other nodes in a network are not affected, if one of their nodes get
damaged
• It provides easy maintenance and fault identification.
• Supported by several hardware and software vendors.
• Point-to-point wiring for individual segments.
Disadvantages
• Large cabling is required as compared to star and bus topology.
• On the failure of a bus, the entire network fails.
• Tree network is very difficult to configure than other network
topologies
 Mesh Topology

As shown in the figure, all the

computers are connected with
each of the computer with
separate cable in the network.
The communication is done in
both directions. Each computer
can work as server as well as
client. This topology setup allows
for most transmissions to be
distributed even if one of the
connections goes down. It is a
topology commonly used
for wireless networks.
 Mesh Topology…

Advantages of a mesh topology

• Manages high amounts of traffic, because multiple devices can
transmit data simultaneously.
• A failure of one device does not cause a break in the network or
transmission of data.
• Adding additional devices does not disrupt data transmission
between other devices.
Disadvantages of a mesh topology
• The cost to implement is higher than other network topologies,
making it a less desirable option.
• Building and maintaining the topology is difficult and time
consuming.
• The chance of redundant connections is high, which adds to the
high costs and potential for reduced efficiency.
• Requires more cables and connectors.
 Hybrid Topology

Hybrid topology is a type

of network topology, which is
made of two or more different
topologies. It can be made of
different network topologies.
Hybrid topologies are often
made using combination of bus
topology, star topology, mesh
topology, ring topology or
wireless topology as per the
requirement of the organization.

(Note: its advantages and

disadvantages depends upon
the topologies combined to
form a hybrid)
 Transmission Media (Channel)

Transmission media is the most basic hardware

requirement for the communication in the network. It is
the path or way through which data is transmitted and
received from one computer to another computer in the
network. It can be divided into two types:
Guided or Bound media
Unguided or unbound media

A) Bound Transmission Media:-

If the transmission media goes through end-to-end
connection through the wire or cable or optical fiber
between the two computers in the network, then it is
called guided or bounded transmission media. Bound
media is used in local area network.
 Types of guided media

i) Twisted pair cable:- it is one of the most popular bound

transmission media for communication. It consists of a pair
of insulated copper wire which are twisted together. In
twisted pair cable, data can be transferred to longer
distance than in two open wire lines. The wires are twisted
because twisted cable provides better immunity from
external noise and other electrical interference than the
open wire lines. It is mostly used in telephone system. It is
better for communication up to 1 km and its data transfer
rate is 1-2 mbps. If it covers a long distance, then repeaters
are required. There are two types of twisted pair cable.
Shielded Twisted Pair cable (STP cable)
Unshielded Twisted Pair cable (UTP cable)
ii) Coaxial Cable:- It consists of a single wire which is
made up of copper and it is surrounded by insulating
plastics with a net of thin copper or aluminum wire and
again it is insulated by a thick plastic cover. Generally
there are two types of coaxial cable- thick coaxial cable
and think coaxial cable. If the cable has larger or thicker
diameter, then it has high data transfer speed and lower
transmission loss. It is mainly used to connect channels
in our TV from TV operators. It can be used over a
distance of about 1 km and its transfer rate is very high.
It also requires repeater if the data is to carry for a long
distance.
iii) Optical fibers:- it is the most advanced transmission
media. It provides the fastest data transfer rate. Fiber
optics cable are made of glass or finest plastic and
surrounded with cladding which is made of similar
materials. They are as thick as human hair. It uses light
rather than electricity to transmit data from one computer
to another computer. So the data travels almost in the
speed of light. It has the highest speed in comparison to
other media. And it is also the most expensive of all.
Data can travel even a very long distance without any
loss and amplification.
 B) Unbound Transmission Media

• Unguided communication medium transport

electromagnetic waves without using a physical
conductor. This type of communication is often referred
to as wireless communication. Signals are normally
broadcast through free space and thus are available to
anyone who has a device capable of receiving them.
Radio frequencies, microwave and satellite channels
are the examples of unbound transmission media. The
main advantage of unbound media is high data transfer
speed and their capability to cover large geographical
areas. Similarly another advantage is the possibility of
reaching rural and hilly areas not covered by land lines.
The main disadvantage of unbound transmission
media is lack of security.
i) Satellite:- Data needs a path to go from one device to
another device in the network and such path is called
transmission media.
• Communication satellite is a type of unbound
transmission which transmits data in the form of
microwave frequencies. It is becoming more popular for
data communication between computers. Satellites are
launched either by rockets or space shuttles and parked
in a geostationary orbit at 36,000 km above the equator.
• Microwaves signal at 6GHZ is beamed to the satellite
from a transmitter on the earth. It is received by the
satellite. The satellite amplifies the signals and re-
transmits them to the earth at 4 GHZ.
Any question?

Thank you