Kabale University

Introduction to
computer network

IRIMASO ALFRED
[email protected]
+256-771097982
 Introduction

Introduction to Computer Networks

• We are living in a connected world. Information is being
produced, exchanged, and traced across the globe in real
time. It's possible as almost everyone and everything in the
digital world is interconnected through one way or the other.

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 Why Study Networking?
• Indispensable part of modern society
• Commercial – e-commerce, banking, inventorying,
telecommunications, archiving, health
• Social – critical infrastructure, homeland security, policing
• Human interaction/communication – email, chat,
videoconferencing, social networking, entertainment
• Appears in every facet of engineering
• Modern trend – Network every (electronic) device
(computers, phones, sensors, planes, cars, TVs, appliances,
heart monitors, …)

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Why Use a Computer Network?

• Networks increase efficiency and reduce costs. Computer

networks achieve these goals in three primary ways:
• Sharing information (or data)
• Sharing hardware and software
• Centralizing administration and support

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 Definition

• A network is a collection of computers and devices connected

together via Communications devices and media.
• It is a collection of interconnected computers that are linked
together to share data and resources.
• Therefore
• A computer network is a collection of interconnected devices,
such as computers, servers, and routers, that are linked
together to share resources and communicate with each
other.

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Benefits of Computer Networks
to Organizations
• The desire to share valuable information was one of the driving
forces behind the development of computer networks
• Sharing files and communicate via electronic mail(e-mail).
• Improved response time by overcoming time barrier
• Support organizational decision making processes by overcoming
geographical barriers
• Enable the formation of strategic alliances. E.g forming superior
working relationships with customers and suppliers by linking to
them via networks.
• Generation of revenue. Generating new revenue from online sales
or electronic commerce applications
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 Benefits of Computer Networks to
Organizations Cont.…..

• Speed: Networks provide a very rapid method for sharing

and transferring files.
• Flexible Access: Networks enable users to use any
computer that is connected regardless of their location. One
is able to do work in one computer and then complete the
same piece of work from another computer within the
network

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Issues of using computer Networks
• Expensive to Install
• Requires Administrative Time
• File Server Failure
• Cables May Break
• Unreliability in network. For example wireless network signals
that suffer from interference from other obstacles in the
electromagnetic spectrum
• Security concerns over the network including virus spreading
over the network in a very fast way.

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Features

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 Features cont.…………..
1. Data Sharing; One of the most important features of a Computer Network is that with their
help you can easily share the data between different systems that are connected with each
other through transmission media.
2. Reliability; With the help of Computer Networks there are fewer chances for the occurrence
of failure and in case if there is any failure then recovery is fast.
3. Security; Security is one of the main characteristics of Computer Networks, Thus a
computer network should be secure so that the data transmitting over the network should
be safe from any unauthorized access.
4. Scalability; The scalability of a computer network simply means that we can add new
nodes or components to the network easily.
5. Performance; The performance of a computer network is measured using response time
and with the help of the speed of data transmission. For better performance, the response
time of sending and receiving data from one node to another should be minimum.
6. Backup; There must be a central server for the computer network and this server must
keep the backup of all the data that is shared over the network. And at the time of failure in
the network this central server helps in the faster recovery.
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7. Software and Hardware Compatibility; The computer network should allow better
compatibility between different software and hardware configuration
Applications of computer networks
• 1. Internet and World Wide Web
• In computer networks, we have a global internet, also known as the
World Wide Web, that offers us various features like access to
websites, online services and retrieval of information. With the help
of the World Wide Web, we can browse, and we can do search, and
access web pages and multimedia content.
• 2. Communication
• With the help of computer networks, communication is also easy
because we can do email, instant messaging, voice and video calls
and video conferencing, which helps us to communicate with each
other effectively. People can use these features in their businesses
and organizations to stay connected with each other.
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Applications of computer networks

• 3. File Sharing and Data Transfer

• Data transfer and file sharing are made possible by networks
that connect different devices. This covers file sharing within
a business setting, file sharing between personal devices, and
downloading/uploading of content from the internet.
• 4. Online gaming
• Multiplayer online games use computer networks to link
players from all over the world, enabling online competitions
and real-time gaming experiences.

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Applications of computer networks
• 5. Remote Access and Control
• Networks enable users to access and control systems and devices from a
distance. This is helpful when accessing home automation systems,
managing servers, and providing remote IT support.
• 6. Social media
• With the help of a computer network, we can use social media sites like
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help people set up their profiles, and we
can connect with others and share content on social media.
• 7. Cloud Computing
• The provision of on-demand access to computing resources and services
hosted in distant data centres relies on networks. Some example of cloud
computing is software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and
infrastructure as service (IaaS).
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Applications of computer networks
• 8. Online Banking and E-Commerce
• Online banking and e-commerce platforms, where customers conduct
financial transactions and make online purchases, require secure computer
networks.
• 9. Enterprise Networks
• In Computer networks, we have some networks that are only used in
businesses and organizations so they can store data and share files and
resources like printers, scanners, etc.
• 10. Healthcare
• With the help of computer networks in the health industry, we can share
patient records and store the records in the form of data that is easy and
secure compared to the file method. Networks are also necessary for
telemedicine and remote patient monitoring.
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Applications of computer networks
• 11. Education
• Schools use networks to access online courses, virtual classrooms, and
other online learning materials. Campuses of colleges and universities
frequently have extensive computer networks.
• 12. Transportation and Logistics
• The transportation sector uses Computer Networks to manage and
track shipments, plan the best routes, and coordinate logistics
activities.
• 13. Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Homes
• Through the Internet of Things (IoT), smart homes use networks to
connect to and manage a variety of devices, including thermostats,
security cameras, and smart appliances.
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Applications of computer networks

• 14. Scientific Research

• To share data, work together on projects, and access high-
performance computing resources for data analysis and
scientific simulations, researchers use networks.
• 15. Government and Defense
• With the help of computer networks, we can communicate,
share data, and advance national defence. Government
agencies and the military rely on secure networks.

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