COMPUTER NETWORKS

A computer network is an interconnection of two or more network

devices. It is a link between two or more computers.

What are the reasons for networking computers?

 To share data

 For example, a centralized database can be used to

store all the records of an organization.

 The same data in the database can be accessed by

everyone.

 To share tasks

 Co-workers can collaborate on tasks to speed up

processing.

 To share computer resources

 Expensive resources, such as hard disk drives, printers

and software programs can be shared.

 Sharing these resources greatly reduces acquisition and

maintenance costs.

 To make communication more efficient and effective

 It is easier and cheaper for people to communicate.

Advantages of networking

 Connectivity and Communication

 Data Sharing

 Hardware Sharing

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  Internet Access

 Internet Access Sharing

 Data Security and Management

 Performance Enhancement and Balancing

 Entertainment

The Disadvantages (Costs) of Networking

 Network Hardware, Software and Setup Costs

 Hardware and Software Management and Administration Costs

 Undesirable Sharing

 Illegal or Undesirable Behavior

 Data Security Concerns

NETWORK DEVICES

Network devices refers to those components needed to create a

computer network. To set up a LAN you need the following
resources.

 A hub or a switch
 Communications channel, e.g. wired or wireless
 Communications software
 A network interface card (NIC)

MODEM and NIC

(a) MODEM stands for Modulator Demodulator. A modem is a device

that connects the computer to the telephone line. In a

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 computer, data signals travel in parallel lines, but in a
telephone wire the signals travel serially, i.e. one behind
the other.

We say that computers handle data in digital form and telephone

wires transmit data in analog form. A modem is used to convert
data from digital to analog, and from analog to digital.

(b) NIC stands for Network Interface Card.

 A NIC connects a computer to a LAN, not to a telephone wire.

 A NIC also does the conversion of signals from digital to

analog and vice versa.

 Generally, a NIC transmits signals faster than a modem.

 A NIC has a unique number which identifies every computer on

a network

HUB OR SWITCH

Hub or switch is used to interconnect computers and other

network resources or segments. Communications channel is
required as a passage of signals between network devices.

A hub differs from a switch in certain respects. A switch is

more “intelligent” than a hub.

 When a hub receives data meant for one device, it broadcasts

the signal to all the devices on the network.
 Unlike a hub, a switch first identifies the owner of the
data and then sends only to that destination.
 A switch also works faster than a hub

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A ROUTER
A router is hardware device designed to receive, analyze and
move incoming packets to another network. It may also be used to
convert the packets to another network interface, drop them, and
perform other actions relating to a network. A router can also
play a role of a firewall.

A firewall is a software utility or hardware device that acts as

a filter for data entering or leaving a network or computer. You
could think of a firewall as a security guard that decides who
enters or exits a building. A firewall works by blocking or
restricting network ports. Firewalls are commonly used to help
prevent unauthorized access to both company and home networks.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER NETWORKS

Computer networks can be classified into three ways. These
includes:

 Based on topology
 Based on size
 Based on media used.

1.CLASSIFICATION BY TOPOLOGY

• The way computers and other resources are laid out is known
as topology. In short, topology refers to the physical
layout of a network.

• There are various LAN topologies in use.

• Examples of LAN topologies are:

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  Star topology
 Ring topology
 Bus topology
 Tree topology
 Mesh topology

a)BUS TOPOLOGY
 In this network, a cable called a bus runs through all the
computers in the network are linked to this cable.

Sometimes computers may transmit signals at the same time.

Transmitted signals are broadcast. Every computer receives a
transmitted signal but checks if the signal is its own.

Advantages of bus topology

 Theoretically, this is the fastest network.
 It is easier to connect a computer to the bus.
 It requires less cable length than star network.

Disadvantages of bus topology

 There is a possibility of signal collisions.
 The entire network shuts down if there is a break in the bus.

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 The process of preventing signal collisions makes this network
slow and expensive practically.

b)STAR TOPOLOGY

This is named so because the computers when connected in this

configuration look like a star. In this topology, there is a
central computer called the host or server to which all other
nodes are linked.

Any computer if want to communicate, it will have to do so

through the central computer. The computers connected to the
host are called terminals or workstations or slaves or
clients.

A high speed computer, e.g. a minicomputer or a mainframe

computer, can be used as a server. A star network is also
commonly known as a client-server network.

Advantages of star topology

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 • It is relatively cheaper because computer resources, e.g.
printers and software are concentrated on the server.

• There is better or improved security and control for data

and other resources.

• A faulty client does not affect network traffic between

other clients.

Disadvantages of star topology

• The whole network is affected when the server is down.

• The whole network is affected if the server is slow.

RING TOPOLOGY
The ring is named so because the computers in this topology are
connected in a ring
• There is no host and no slave; all the computers are peers.
• Computers are connected to a cable that runs round forming a
ring.

Peer

Peer Peer

Peer

• Because there is no host computer to control communication,

a special signal called a token is sent round the network.
• The computer with the token is the one that is able to send
while the other computers can receive only.
Advantages of ring topology
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 • This type of LAN is faster than the star network.
• There are no signal collisions during transmission.
• All stations have equal access.
• Because each station on the ring acts as a repeater, ring
networks can span longer distances.
Disadvantages of ring topology
• There is poor security for data.
• It is the most expensive topology.
• Failure of one node may affect others.
• For these reasons, ring networks are no longer popular.
c)TREE TOPOLOGY
In computer networks, a tree topology is also known as
a star bus topology. It incorporates elements of both a bus
topology and a star topology. Below is an example network
diagram of a tree topology, in which the central nodes of
two star networks are connected to one another.

In the picture above, if the

main cable or trunk between each of the two star topology
networks were to fail, those networks would be unable to
communicate with each other. However, computers on the same star
topology would still be able to communicate.

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 d)MESH TOPOLOGY

A network in a mesh topology has every device connected to every

other device in the network. A mesh topology provides a great
deal of redundancy to a network and has proved very expensive to
construct as a lot of wiring is involved.

2.BASED ON SIZE
a)Local Area Network (LAN)

A LAN is a computer network within a room, a building or a

small area such as a school campus. Computers in a LAN are
separated by distances of up to a few kilometers.

b)Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A MAN is a computer network within a state or district. A MAN

covers a longer distance than a LAN.

An example of a MAN is the computer network used to connect

branches of a bank within a town.

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 c)Wide Area Network (WAN)

WANs connect computers separated by longer distances, for

example in different towns, in different countries or
different continents.

WANs also use specialized and expensive hardware and leased

communications services.

An example of a WAN is the Internet which interconnects many

computer networks in the world.

d)Storage Area Network (SAN)

A storage area network (SAN) is a high-speed network that
connects a collection of computers or servers to storage
devices using optical cables.
e)Personal Area Network (PAN) or Home Area Network (HAN)
A personal area network (PAN) or Home Area Network (HAN) is
a type of a network that is within the reach of an
individual. A simple network can be created using devices
like a laptop, phone, printer etc.

3.CLASSIFICATION BY COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS (BASED ON MEDIA)

CLABLE TYPES

A communications channel can either be wired or wireless.

WIRED CHANNELS

 Wired channels form physical links.

 Examples are UTP, Coaxial cable and Optical fibre.

WIRELESS CHANNELS

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Wireless channels allow for the sending of data as
electromagnetic waves. Examples are infrared, radio, Bluetooth,
microwaves, and satellite.

Wired/Cabled Networks Wireless Networks

Connectivity is only possible Connectivity is possible
to those physical locations beyond the boundaries of the
where network cabling is physical network location and
extended and security is security is a gamble
guaranteed
Difficult to implement Easy installation. Neat and
because of manual works clean, no untied cables are
involved wired.
Wired networks are confined Wireless networks are visible
to their physical locations to other networks as they can
extend beyond physical
locations
All nodes can hear other There is signal interference
nodes on the network and signals weakens beyond
coverage area (hot spots)
Works with any node on the A lot of incompatibility
network problems

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