Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ILOCOS SUR

LESSON TITLE:

COMPUTER NETWORK CONCEPTS

___________________________________________________

MELC: Plan cable routes in accordance with network design and actual
installation site TLE_IACSS9-12SUCN-Iva-j33

Quarter 2
Week 2

Name of Teacher –Writer: EMERSON D. REBIBIS

School: SINAIT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
 This Self Learning Kit (SLK) is an exploratory course which leads
you to Computer Systems Servicing NC II in order for you to know and
gain more knowledge about the course in improving your skills that will
help you in the near future.
In this Self Learning Kit, it covers the Most Essential Learning
Competencies (MELC) that a Grade 10 Technology and Livelihood
Education (TLE) ICT - CSS students like you ought to possess, namely:

CORE COMPETENCIES:
1. Installing and Configuring Computer Systems
2. Setting Up Computer Networks
3. Setting Up Computer Servers
4. Maintaining and Repairing Computer Systems and
Networks
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
1. define computer network;
2. enumerate the components of networking;
3. differentiate the different types of area networks;
4. explain the different network topologies;
5. appreciate the value of computer networking.

A. Direction: Find at least five (5) terms related to

computer networking from the crossword puzzle.
Write the terms in your activity paper.

A S W I T C H O P S
T H R A I L W A R E
C A B L E S T H I S
O R D I N A R Y N E
N I N T E R N E T R
N N E T W O R K E V
E G S O F T W A R E
C O M P U T E R S R
 You need to focus your attention on the following
discussions for you to fully understand the topic and
attain the objectives stated earlier.
If you cannot understand the technical terms you may
use the Webster’s Dictionary or the Google Search bar
to find the meaning.

A. BASIC NETWORK CONCEPTS

A computer network is defined as the interconnection of two or

more computers. It is done to enable the computers to communicate
and share available resources. (See Figure 1)

Figure 1. Sample of Networked Computers

• APPLICATIONS OF NETWORKING
Below are the applications of networking:
1. Sharing of resources such as printers.
2. Sharing of expensive software’s and database
3. Communication from one computer to another computer
4. Sharing of information over geographically wide areas.

• COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER NETWORK

In order for computers to communicate with one another, the
following components should be met:
1. Two or more computers
2. Cables as links between the computers
 3. A network interface card on each computer
4. Switches
5. Software called operating system (OS)

• BENEFITS OF NETWORKING
The network provided to the users can be divided into two
categories: SHARING and CONNECTIVITY.

➢ SHARING RESOURCES
Types of resources are:
1. Hardware – a network allows users to share
many hardware devices such as printers,
modems, fax machines, CD ROM, players, etc.
2. Software – sharing software resources reduces
the cost of software installation, saves space
on hard disk.
➢ CONNECTIVITY
Connections of computers in a network can be
connected either wired or wireless.

• OTHER BENEFITS OF COMPUTER NETWORK

1. Increased speed
2. Reduced cost
3. Improved security
4. Centralized software managements
5. Electronic mail
6. Flexible access

• DISADVANTAGES OF NETWORKS
1. High cost of installation
2. Requires time for administration
3. Failure of server
4. Cable faults

B. INTRODUCTION TO LANs, WANs and OTHER KINDS OF AREA

NETWORKS

One way to categorize the different types of computer network designs is

by their scope or scale. For historical reasons, the networking industry
refers to nearly every type of design as some kind of area network.
Common types of area networks are:

• LAN - Local Area Network

• WAN - Wide Area Network
• WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network
• MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
• SAN - Storage Area Network, System Area Network,
Server Area Network, or sometimes Small Area Network
• CAN - Campus Area Network, Controller Area Network, or
sometimes Cluster Area Network
• PAN - Personal Area Network

LAN and WAN are the two primary and best-known categories of area
networks, while the others have emerged with technology advances.

LAN: Local Area Network

A LAN connects network

devices over a relatively short
distance. A networked office
building, school, or home usually
contains a single LAN, though
sometimes one building will
contain a few small LANs (perhaps
one per room), and occasionally a
LAN will span a group of nearby
buildings. In TCP/IP networking, a
Fig. 2. Example of a Local Area
LAN is often but not always Network
implemented as a single IP subnet.

In addition to operating in a limited space, LANs are also typically

owned, controlled, and managed by a single person or organization.

WAN: Wide Area Network

As the term implies, a WAN spans a large physical distance. The

Internet is the largest WAN, spanning the Earth.
 Figure 3. Example of a Wide Area Network

A WAN is a geographically-dispersed collection of LANs. A network

device called a router connects LANs to a WAN.

In IP networking, the router maintains both a LAN address and a

WAN address.

A WAN differs from a LAN in several important ways. Most WANs

(like the Internet) are not owned by any one organization but rather exist
under collective or distributed ownership and management.

HOME NETWORKING

Residences typically employ one LAN and connect to the Internet

WAN via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a broadband modem.
The ISP provides a WAN IP address to the modem, and all of the
computers on the home network use LAN (so-called private) IP
addresses. All computers on the home LAN can communicate directly with
each other but must go through a central network gateway, typically
a broadband router, to reach the ISP.
Figure 4. Typical Simple Home Network

On home networks, a broadband router typically serves as the

network gateway although ordinary computers can also be configured to
perform equivalent functions.

OTHER TYPES OF AREA NETWORKS

While LAN and WAN are by far the most popular network types
mentioned, you may also commonly see references to these others:

• Wireless Local Area Network - A LAN based on Wi-Fi wireless

network technology
• Metropolitan Area Network - A network spanning a physical area
larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, such as a city. A
MAN is typically owned and operated by a single entity such as
a government body or large corporation.
• Campus Area Network - A network spanning multiple LANs but
smaller than a MAN, such as on a university or local business
campus.
• Storage Area Network - Connects servers to data storage devices
through a technology like Fibre Channel.
• System Area Network (also known as Cluster Area Network) -
Links high-performance computers with high-speed
connections in a cluster configuration.
C. DIFFERENT TYPES OF NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

Key Difference: Network topology refers to the arrangement of

different devices on the network. Star, ring, mesh, tree and hybrid are
main topologies in context to a computer network.
Topology in general is related with the study of spaces. It assists in
differentiating between different types of geometry from each other. The
term topology is widely used in context to network topologies related to
the field of computers. It defines the arrangement of various components
like links, nodes, peripherals, etc. in a network. It can be used for
describing physical as well as logical type of arrangement of the nodes
involved in the network. There are many different types of topologies like
–

1. Bus Topology – It is
defined by the use of a
single main cable which
has terminators on both
ends. All the other
nodes like
workstations,
peripherals, etc. are
connected to this main
cable. This type of
topology is widely
implemented in LANs
as it is easy to install and does not cost much.

2. Star
Topology – It
is named as
star topology
as it looks
similar to a star
whereas all the
elements of
the network
are primarily
 connected to a central device. This central device is known as hub
and can be either of a hub, router or a switch.

3. Ring Topology – It is in a
shape similar to a ring, in
which every node is
connected to only two
neighbors. The messages
move in only one and the
same direction in this
arrangement. In case any
cable or device breaks
away from the loop, then it
can be a fatal problem for
the entire network. Token
ring technology is used to
implement this type of topology.

4. Tree Topology – It is also

known as the hierarchical
topology. It can be
considered as the
combination of linear bus
and star topologies as it
contains systems with star
topology connected to a
linear bus main cable.

5. Mesh Topology – In this type of

arrangement every node participating
in the network is connected to every
other node. However, this tends to be
very expensive and difficult to
implement.
6. Hybrid Topology – It
refers to the
arrangement which is
basically a combination
of any two or more
different types of
network topologies. This
arrangement is known
for its flexibility and
reliability. It tends to be
little expensive.

Direction: Find at least five (5) terms related to

computer networking from the crossword puzzle. Write
the terms in your activity paper.

A S W I T C H O P S
T H R A I L W A R E
C A B L E S T H I S
O R D I N A R Y N E
N I N T E R N E T R
N N E T W O R K E V
E G S O F T W A R E
C O M P U T E R S R
 The most basic computer network is the connection of
two computers using the Ethernet cable or for the
cellphones using the Bluetooth or share-it application,
and this is called wireless connection.

Area network refers to network designs by scope or

scale.

Network topology on the other hand is the

arrangement of various computer components in
order for these components to communicate in the
network.

I. Direction: Find a computer shop near your location.

Ask the owner or manager of the computer shop or
internet café the different components used in
networking the computers and other devices in the
shop. Use the table below as your reference.

No. Quantity Description of the Device

1
2
3
4
5

Rubrics:
5 or more devices with description = 10 pts
4 devices with description = 8 pts
3 devices with description = 6 pts
2 devices with description = 4 pts
1 device with description = 2 pts
 Application II. Identify the following network topology drawings and
describe briefly in one sentence each. 2 pts each.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.
Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer in
your activity paper.

1. It is defined as the interconnection of two or more computers.

a. Area network c. network topology
b. Computer network d. wireless connection
2. It refers to the connection of computers by their scope or scale.
a. Area network c. network topology
b. Computer network d. wireless connection
3. It is the arrangement of different devices on the network.
a. Area network c. network topology
b. Computer network d. wireless connection
4. It is the largest Wide Area Network spanning the earth.
a. Ethernet b. internet c. pyramid network d. smart network
5. The following are the applications of networking, EXCEPT one:
a. communication of computers
b. communication of printers
c. sharing of resources
d. sharing of information
6. In order for a network to be implemented, there should be at least two
computers connected.
a. False b. True
7. One of the following is not needed in computer networking:
a. cables b. computers c. external hard disk d. switch
8. Connections of computers in a network can be connected either wired
or wireless.
a. False b. True
9. Which of the following is a disadvantage in computer networking?
a. cable maintenance c. high cost of installation
b. failure of election d. requires time for access
10. The two best categories of area networks are:
a. CAN and PAN c. LAN and MAN
b. LAN and WAN d. WLAN and WAN
11. _____ is typically owned, controlled, and managed by a single person
or organization.
a. Campus Area Network c. Personal Area Network
b. Local Area Network d. Wide Area Network
12. _____ exists under a collective or distributed ownership and
management.
a. Campus Area Network c. Personal Area Network
b. Local Area Network d. Wide Area Network
13. _____ is the network gateway in home networking to reach the internet
service provided.
a. broadband router b. ISP c. LAN d. WAN
14. _____ is a network larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, such
as a city.
a. CAN b. MAN c. SAN d. WLAN
15. _____ is a LAN based on Wi-Fi wireless network technology.
a. CAN b. MAN c. SAN d. WLAN
16. It is defined by the use of a single main cable which has terminators
on both ends.
a. Bus topology c. Ring topology
b. Hybrid topology d. Star topology
17. It looks similar to a star whereas all the elements of the network are
primarily connected to a central device.
a. Bus topology c. Star topology
b. Hybrid topology d. Tree topology
18. It is similar to a ring in which the messages move in only one direction
in this arrangement.
a. Bus topology c. Ring topology
b. Mesh topology d. Star topology
19. The combination of two or more different types of network topologies.
a. Bus topology c. Ring topology
b. Hybrid topology d. Star topology
20. The central device where all the elements of the star network topology
are connected.
a. hub b. router c. switch d. all of the choices
https://www.slideshare.net/ASHadventurelover/introduction-to-computer-
network-33788727

https://www.google.com/search?q=wide+area+network&tbm

https://www.google.com/search?q=home+network+diagram&tbm

http://www.differencebetween.info/different-types-of-network-topologies