UNIT 5 : COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK CONCEPTS

Network
 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
 Resource Sharing
 Reliability
 Cost Factor
 Communication Medium

Resource Sharing means to make all programs, data and peripherals available to anyone on the network
irrespective of the physical location of the resources and the user.
Reliability means to keep the copy of a file on two or 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 factor means it greatly reduces the cost since the resources can be shared
Communication Medium means one can send messages and whatever the changes at one end are done
can be immediately noticed at another.

Evolution of Networking
1. ARPANET:In 1969, The US govt. formed an agency named ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects
Agency NETwork) to connect computers at various universities and defense agencies. The main objective
of ARPANET was to develop a network that could continue to function efficiently even in the event of a
nuclear attack.
2. Internet (INTERconnection NETwork): The Internet is a worldwide network of computer networks.
It is not owned by anybody.
3. Interspace:InterSpace is a client/server software program that allows multiple users to communicate
online with real – time audio, video and text chat in dynamic 3D environments.

SWITCHING TECHNIQUES
Switching techniques are used for transmitting data across networks.
Different types are :

1. Circuit Switching: In the Circuit Switching technique, first, the complete end-to-end transmission path
between the source and the destination computers is established and then the message is transmitted
through the path. The main advantage of this technique is guaranteed delivery of the message. Mostly
used for voice communication.

2. Message Switching: In the Message switching technique, no physical path is established between
sender and receiver in advance. This technique follows the store and forward mechanism.
3. Packet Switching: In this switching technique fixed size of packet can be transmitted across the
network.
Comparison between the Various Circuit Message Packet
Switching Techniques: Criteria Switching Switching Switching
Path established in advance Yes No No
Store and forward technique No Yes Yes
Message follows multiple routes No Yes Yes

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 DATA COMMUNICATION TERMINOLOGIES
Data channel :- The information / data carry from one end to another in the network by
channel.
Baud & bits per second (bps) :- It’s used to measurement for the information carry of a
communication channel.
Measurement Units :- bit
1 Byte= 8 bits
1 KBPS ( Kilo Byte Per Second)= 1024 Bytes
1 Kbps (kilobits Per Second) = 1024 bits
1 Mbps ( Mega bits Per Second )=1024 Kbps
Bandwidth :- It is amount of information transmitted or receives per unit time.

Transmission media:
1. Twisted pair cable: - It consists of two identical 1 mm thick copper wires
insulated and twisted together. The twisted pair cables are twisted in order to
reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic induction.
Advantages:
(i) It is easy to install and maintain.
(ii) It is very inexpensive
Disadvantages:
(i) It is incapable to carry a signal over long distances without the use of repeaters.
(ii) Due to low bandwidth, these are unsuitable for broadband applications.
2. Co-axial Cables: It consists of a solid wire core surrounded by
one or more foil or braided wire shields, each separated from the
other by some kind of plastic insulator. It is mostly used in the
cable wires.
Advantages:
(i) Data transmission rate is better than twisted pair cables.
(ii) It provides a cheap means of transporting multi-channel
television signals around metropolitan areas.
Disadvantages:
(i) Expensive than twisted pair cables.
(ii) Difficult to manage and reconfigure.
3. Optical fiber: - An optical fiber consists of thin glass fibers that can
carry information in the form of visible light.
Advantages:
(i) Transmit data over long distance with high security.
(ii) Data transmission speed is high
(iii) Provide better noise immunity
(iv) Bandwidth is up to 10 Gbps.
Disadvantages:
(i) Expensive as compared to other guided media.
(ii) Need special care while installation?
4. Infrared: - The infrared light transmits data through the air and can
propagate throughout a room, but will not penetrate walls. It is a secure medium of signal transmission.
The infrared transmission has become common in TV remotes, automotive garage doors, wireless
speakers etc.

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5. Radio Wave: - Radio Wave an electromagnetic wave
with a wavelength between 0.5 cm and 30,000m. The
transmission making use of radio frequencies is termed as
radio-wave transmission
Advantages:
(i) Radio wave transmission offers mobility.
(ii) It is cheaper than laying cables and fibers.
(iii) It offers ease of communication over difficult terrain.
Disadvantages:
(i) Radio wave communication is insecure communication.
(ii) Radio wave propagation is susceptible to weather effects like rains, thunder storms etc.
6. Microwave Wave: - The Microwave transmission is a line of sight transmission. Microwave signals
travel at a higher frequency than radio waves and are popularly used for transmitting data over long
distances.
Advantages:
(i) It is cheaper than laying cable or fiber.
(ii) It has the ability to communicate over oceans.
Disadvantages:
(i) Microwave communication is an insecure communication.
(ii) Signals from antenna may split up and transmitted in different way to different antenna which leads to
reduce to signal strength.
(iii) Microwave propagation is susceptible to weather effects like rains, thunder storms etc.
(iv) Bandwidth allocation is extremely limited in case of microwaves.
7. Satellite link: - The satellite transmission is also a kind of line of sight transmission that is used to
transmit signals throughout the world.
Advantages:
(i) Area covered is quite large.
(ii) No line of sight restrictions such as natural mountains, tall building, towers etc.
(iii) Earth station which receives the signals can be fixed position or relatively mobile.
Disadvantages:-
(i) Very expensive as compared to other transmission mediums.
(ii) Installation is extremely complex.
(iii) Signals sent to the stations can be tampered by external interference.
Network devices:
Modem: A MODEM (MOdulator DEModulator) is an electronic device that enables a computer to
transmit data over telephone lines. There are two types of modems, namely, internal modem and external
modem.
RJ45 connector: - The RJ-45(Registered Jack) connectors are the plug-in devices used in the networking
and telecommunications applications. They are used primarily for connecting LANs, particularly Ethernet.
Ethernet Card: - It is a hardware device that helps in connection of nodes within a network.
Hub: A hub is a hardware device used to connect several computers together. Hubs can be either active or
passive. Hubs usually can support 8, 12 or 24 RJ45 ports.
Switch: A switch (switching hub) is a network device which is used to interconnect computers or devices
on a network. It filters and 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.
Gateway: A gateway is a device that connects dissimilar networks.
Repeater: A repeater is a network device that amplifies and restores signals for long distance
transmission.

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 Network topologies and types
Topology :
 Topology refers to the way in which the workstations attached to the network are interconnected.
The BUS Topology: - The bus topology uses a common single cable to connect all the workstations. Each
computer performs its task of sending messages without the help of the central server. However, only one
workstation can transmit a message at a particular time in the bus topology.
Advantages:
(i) Easy to connect and install.
(ii) Involves a low cost of installation time.
(iii) Can be easily extended.
Disadvantages:-
(i) The entire network shuts down if there is a failure in the central cable.
(ii) Only a single message can travel at a particular time.
(iii) Difficult to troubleshoot an error.
The STAR Topology: - A STAR topology is based on a central node which acts as a hub. A STAR
topology is common in homes networks where all the computers connect to the single central computer
using it as a hub.
Advantages:
(i) Easy to troubleshoot
(ii) A single node failure does not affect the entire network.
(iii) Fault detection and removal of faulty parts is easier.
(iv) In case a workstation fails, the network is not affected.
Disadvantages:-
(i) Difficult to expand.
(ii) Longer cable is required.
(iii) The cost of the hub and the longer cables makes it expensive over others.
(iv) In case hub fails, the entire network fails.
The TREE Topology: - The tree topology combines the characteristics of the linear bus and the star
topologies. It consists of groups of star – configured workstations connected to a bus backbone cable.
Advantages:
(i) Eliminates network congestion.
(ii) The network can be easily extended.
(iii) Faulty nodes can easily be isolated from the rest of the network.
Disadvantages:
(i) Uses large cable length.
(ii) Requires a large amount of hardware components and hence is expensive.
(iii) Installation and reconfiguration is very difficult.

Types of Networks:
LAN (Local Area Network): A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively
small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as writing lab, school or building. It is
generally privately owned networks over a distance not more than 5 Km.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): MAN is the networks cover a group of nearby corporate offices or
a city and might be either private or public.
WAN (Wide Area Network): These are the networks spread over large distances, say across countries or
even continents through cabling or satellite uplinks are called WAN.

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PAN (Personal Area Network): A Personal Area Network is computer network organized around an
individual person. It generally covers a range of less than 10 meters. Personal Area Networks can be
constructed with cables or wirelessly.

Network protocol
 A protocol means the rules that are applicable for a network.
 It defines the standardized format for data packets, techniques for detecting and correcting errors
and so on.
 A protocol is a formal description of message formats and the rules that two or more machines
must follow to exchange those messages.
 E.g. using library books.
Types of protocols are:
1. HTTP
2. FTP
3. TCP/IP
4. SLIP/PPP
 Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a communications protocol for the transfer of
information on the intranet and the World Wide Web. HTTP is a request/response standard
between a client and a server. A client is the end-user; the server is the web site.
 FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the simplest and most secure way to exchange files over the
Internet. The objectives of FTP are:
 To promote sharing of files (computer programs and/or data).
 To encourage indirect or implicit use of remote computers.
 To shield a user from variations in file storage systems among different hosts.
 To transfer data reliably, and efficiently.
 TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol)
TCP - is responsible for verifying the correct delivery of data from client to server. Data can be lost in
the intermediate network. TCP adds support to detect errors or lost data and to trigger retransmission
until the data is correctly and completely received.
IP - is responsible for moving packet of data from node to node. IP forwards each packet based on a
four byte destination address (the IP number). The Internet authorities assign ranges of numbers to
different organizations. The organizations assign groups of their numbers to departments. IP operates
on gateway machines that move data from department to organization to region and then around the
world.

Telnet-
It is an older internet utility that lets us log on to remote computer system. It also facilitates for terminal
emulation purpose. Terminal emulation means using a pc like a mainframe computer through networking.
Wireless/Mobile Computing
Wireless communication is simply data communication without the use of landlines. Mobile
computing means that the computing device is not continuously connected to the base or central
network.
1. GSM(Global System for Mobile communication): it is leading digital cellular system. In covered
areas, cell phone users can buy one phone that will work any where the standard is supported. It uses
narrowband TDMA, which allows eight simultaneous calls on the same radio frequency.
2. CDMA(Code Division Multiple Access): it is a digital cellular technology that uses spread-
spectrum techniques. CDMA does not assign a specific frequency to each user. Instead ,every channel
uses the full available spectrum.

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 3. WLL(Wireless in Local Loop) : WLL is a system that connects subscribers to the public switched
telephone network using radio signals as a substitute for other connecting media.
4. Email(Electronic Mail): Email is sending and receiving messages by computer.
5. Chat: Online textual talk in real time , is called Chatting.
6. Video Conferencing: a two way videophone conversation among multiple participants is called
video conferencing.
7. SMS(Short Message Service): SMS is the transmission of short text messages to and from a
mobile pone, fax machine and or IP address.
8. 3G and EDGE: 3G is a specification for the third generation of mobile communication of mobile
communication technology. 3G promises increased bandwidth, up to 384 Kbps when a device is
stationary.
EDGE(Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution ) is a radio based high speed mobile data
standard.
Network Security Concepts:
Viruses: Viruses are programs which replicate and attach to other programs in order to corrupt the
executable codes. Virus enters the computer system through an external source and become destructive.
Worms: Worms are also self- replicating programs that do not create multiple copies of itself on one
computer but propagate through the computer network. Worms log on to computer systems using the
username and passwords and exploit the system.
Trojan horse: - Though it is a useful program, however, a cracker can use it to intrude the computer
system in order to exploit the resources. Such a program can also enter into the computer through an e-
mail or free programs downloaded through the Internet.
Spams: Unwanted e-mail (usually of a commercial nature sent out in bulk)
Cookies: Cookies are the text messages sent by a web server to the web browser primarily for identifying
the user.
Firewall: A firewall is used to control the traffic between computer networks. It intercepts the packets
between the computer networks and allows only authorized packets to pass.
Cyber Law: Cyber law refers to all the legal and regulatory aspects of Internet and the World Wide Web.
Cyber Crimes: Cyber crime involves the usage of the computer system and the computer network for
criminal activity.
Hacking: Hacking is an unauthorized access to computer in order to exploit the resources.
Web Services:
WWW: The World Wide Web or W3 or simply the Web is a collection of linked documents or pages,
stored on millions of computers and distributed across the Internet.
HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language):- HTML is a computer language that describes the structure
and behavior of a web page. This language is used to create web pages.
XML (eXtensible Markup Language):- Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a meta language that
helps to describe the markup language.
HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol):- A protocol to transfer hypertext requests and information
between servers and browsers.
Domain Names: A domain name is a unique name that identifies a particular website and represents the
name of the server where the web pages reside.
URL:- The Uniform Resource Locator is a means to locate resources such as web pages on the Internet.
URL is also a method to address the web pages on the Internet. There are two types of URL, namely,
absolute URL and relative URL.
Website: A collection of related web pages stored on a web server is known as a website.
Web browser: A software application that enables to browse, search and collect information from the
Web is known as Web browser.
Web Servers: The web pages on the Internet are stored on the computers that are connected to the
Internet. These computers are known as web servers.

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Web Hosting: - Web Hosting or website hosting is the service to host, store and maintain the websites on
the World Wide Web.
Web Scripting: - The process of creating and embedding scripts in a web page is known as Web
Scripting. Types of Scripts:-
(i) Client Side Scripts: - Client side scripts supports interaction within a webpage. E.g. VB Script, Java
Script, PHP (PHP‟S Hypertext Preprocessor).
(ii) Server Side Scripts: - Server side scripting supports execution at server – end. E.g. ASP, JSP, PHP

OPEN SOURCE TERMINOLOGIES

 Free Software: The S/W’s is freely accessible and can be freely used changed improved copied
and distributed by all and payments are needed to make for free S/W.
 Open Source Software: S/w whose source code is available to the customer and it can be
modified and redistributed without any limitation .OSS may come free of cost but nominal charges
has to pay nominal charges (Support of S/W and development of S/W).
 FLOSS (Free Libre and Open Source Software) : S/w which is free as well as open source S/W.
( Free S/W + Open Source S/W).
 GNU (GNU’s Not Unix) : GNU project emphasize on the freedom and its objective is to create a
system compatible to UNIX but not identical with it.
 FSF (Free Software Foundation) : FSF is a non –profit organization created for the purpose of
the free s/w movement. Organization funded many s/w developers to write free software.
 OSI (Open Source Initiative) : Open source software organization dedicated to cause of
promoting open source software it specified the criteria of OSS and its source code is not freely
available.
 W3C(World Wide Web Consortium) : W3C is responsible for producing the software standards
for World Wide Web.
 Proprietary Software: Proprietary Software is the s/w that is neither open nor freely available,
normally the source code of the Proprietary Software is not available but further distribution and
modification is possible by special permission by the supplier.
 Freeware: Freeware are the software freely available , which permit redistribution but not
modification (and their source code is not available). Freeware is distributed in Binary Form
(ready to run) without any licensing fees.
 Shareware: Software for which license fee is payable after some time limit, its source code is not
available and modification to the software are not allowed.
 Localization: localization refers to the adaptation of language, content and design to reflect local
cultural sensitivities .e.g. Software Localization: where messages that a program presents to the
user need to be translated into various languages.
 Internationalization: Opposite of localization.

OPEN SOURCE / FREE SOFTWARE

 Linux : Linux is a famous computer operating system . popular Linux server set of program –
LAMP(Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
 Mozilla : Mozilla is a free internet software that includes
 a web browser
 an email client
 an HTML editor
 IRC client
 Apache server: Apache web server is an open source web server available for many platforms
such as BSD, Linux, and Microsoft Windows etc.

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  Apache Web server is maintained by open community of developers of Apache software
foundation.
 MYSQL : MYSQL is one of the most popular open source database system. Features of MYSQl :
 Multithreading
 Multi –User
 SQl Relational Database Server
 Works in many different platform
 PostgreSQL : Postgres SQL is a free software object relational database server . PostgresSQL can
be downloaded from www.postgressql.org.
 Pango : Pango project is to provide an open source framework for the layout and rendering of
internationalized text into GTK + GNOME environment.Pango using Unicode for all of its
encoding ,and will eventually support output in all the worlds major languages.
 OpenOffice : OpenOffice is an office applications suite. It is intended to compatible and directly
complete with Microsoft office.
OOo Version 1.1 includes:
 Writer (word processor)
 Calc(spreadsheet)
 Draw(graphics program)etc
 Tomcat : Tomcat functions as a servlet container. Tomcat implements the servlet and the
JavaServer Pages .Tomcat comes with the jasper compiler that complies JSPs into servlets.
 PHP(Hypertext Preprocessor) : PHP is a widely used open source programming language for
server side application and developing web content.
 Python: Python is an interactive programming language originally as scripting language for
Amoeba OS capable of making system calls.

Tips to solve Questions based on Networking

1. Where Server should be placed: Server should be placed in the building where the number of
computers is maximum.

2. Suggest a suitable cable layout of connection: A suitable cable layout can be suggested in the
following two ways:-
(i) On the Basis of Server: First the location of the Server is found out. Server is placed in that building
where the number of computers are maximum (According to 80 – 20 rule). After finding the server
position, each building distance is compared with the Server building directly or indirectly (taking other
building in between). The shortest distance is counted whether it is through directly or indirectly.
(ii) On the Basis of Distance from each building: The distance between the each building is compared to
all other buildings either directly or indirectly. The shortest distance is counted whether it is directly or
through some other building.

3. Where the following devices be placed:

(i) MODEM:-
(ii) HUB / SWITCH:- In all the wings
(iii) BRIDGE:
(iv) REPEATER: It is used if the distances higher than 70 m. It regenerates data and voice signals.
(v) ROUTER: When one LAN will be connected to the other LAN.

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 4 Marks Questions (Communication and Network Concepts)
1. Knowledge Supplement Organisation has set up its new center at Mangalore for its office and web
based activities. It has 4 blocks of buildings as shown in the diagram below:

Center to center distances between various blocks

Block A to Block B 50 m
Block B to Block C 150 m
Block C to Block D 25 m
Block A to Block D 170 m
Block B to Block D 125 m
Block A to Block C 90 m

Number of Computers
Black A 25
Block B 50
Block C 125
Block D 10
 Suggest a cable layout of connections between the blocks.
 Suggest the most suitable place (i.e. block) to house the server of organisation with a suitable reason.
 Suggest the placement of the following devices with justification
 Repeater
 Hub/Switch
 The organization is planning to link its front office situated in the city in a hilly region where cable
connection is not feasible, suggest an economic way to connect it with reasonably high speed?
2. Ravya Industries has set up its new center at Kaka Nagar for its office and web based activities.
The company compound has 4 buildings as shown in the diagram below:

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Center to center distances between various buildings is as follows:
Harsh Building to Raj Building 50 m
Raz Building to Fazz Building 60 m
Fazz Building to Jazz Building 25 m
Jazz Building to Harsh Building 170 m
Harsh Building to Fazz Building 125 m
Raj Building to Jazz Building 90 m
Number of Computers in each of the buildings is follows:
Harsh Building 15
Raj Building 150
Fazz Building 15
Jazz Bulding 25
e1) Suggest a cable layout of connections between the buildings.
e2) Suggest the most suitable place (i.e. building) to house the server of this organisation with a suitable
reason.
e3) Suggest the placement of the following devices with justification:
(i) Internet Connecting Device/Modem
(ii) Switch
e4) The organisation is planning to link its sale counter situated in various parts of the same city, which
type of network out of LAN, MAN or WAN will be formed? Justify your answer.

3. “China Middleton Fashion” is planning to expand their network in India, starting with two cities in
India to provide infrastructure for distribution of their product. The company has planned to set up
their main office units in Chennai at three locations and have named their offices as “Production Unit”,
“Finance Unit” and “Media Unit”. The company has its corporate unit in New Delhi.
A rough layout of the same is as follows:

Approximate distances between these Units is as follows:

From To Distance
Production Unit Finance Unit 70 Mtr
Production Unit Media Unit 15 KM
Production Unit Corporate Unit 2112 KM
Finance Unit Media Unit 15 KM
In continuation of the above, the company experts have planned to install the following number of
computers in each of their office units:

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 Production Unit 150
Finance Unit 35
Media Unit 10
Corporate Unit 30
i) Suggest the kind of network required (out of LAN,MAN,WAN) for connecting each of the following
office units:
• Production Unit and Media Unit
• Production Unit and Finance Unit
ii) Which one of the following devices will you suggest for connecting all the computers within each of
their office units?
• Switch/Hub
• Modem
• Telephone
iii) Which of the following communication media, will you suggest to be procured by the company for
connecting their local offices in Chennai for very effective (High Speed) communication?
• Ethernet cable
• Optical fiber
• Telephone cable
(iv) Suggest a cable/wiring layout for connecting the company’s local office units located in Chennai.
Also, suggest an effective method/technology for connecting the company’s office unit located in Delhi.

Answers: 4 Marks (Communication and Network Concepts)

1. (e1) (Any of the following option)
Layout Option 1

Layout Option 2

(e2) The most suitable place / block to house the server of this organisation would be Block C, as this
block contains the maximum number of computers, thus decreasing the cabling cost for most of the
computers as well as increasing the efficiency of the maximum computers in the network.
(e3) (i) For Layout 1, since the cabling distance between Blocks A and C, and that between B and C are
quite large, so a repeater each, would ideally be needed along their path to avoid loss of signals during the
course of data flow in these routes. For layout 2, since the distance between Blocks A and C is large so a

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repeater would ideally be placed in between this path.
(ii) In both the layouts, a hub/switch each would be needed in all the blocks, to interconnect the group of
cables from the different computers in each block.
(e4) The most economic way to connect it with a reasonable high speed would be to use radio wave
transmission, as they are easy to install, can travel long distances, and penetrate buildings easily, so they
are widely used for communication, both indoors and outdoors. Radio waves also have the advantage of
being omni directional, which is they can travel in all the directions from the source, so that the transmitter
and receiver do not have to be carefully aligned physically.

2. (e1) Any one layout

Layout option1
Layout option 2

(e2) The most suitable place / block to house the server of this organisation would be Raj Building, as this
block contains the maximum number of computers, thus decreasing the cabling cost for most of the
computers as well as increasing the efficiency of the maximum computers in the network.
(e3)(i) Raj Building
(ii) In both the layouts, a hub/switch each would be needed in all the buildings, to interconnect the group
of cables from the different computers in each block e4) MAN, because MAN (Metropolitan Area
Networks) are the networks that link computer facilities within a city.
3. (i)(a) Production Unit and Media Unit :MAN
(b)Production Unit and Finance Unit:LAN
(ii) Switch/Hub
(iii) Optical fiber
(iv) Optical Fiber/Star Topology Wireless/Satellite Link/Leased Line

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 1 and 2 Marks Questions
Q(1) What do you mean by a computer network?
Ans:- Computer network is an interconnection of autonomous computers connected together using
transmission media.
Q(2) What is the need for networking the computers?
Ans:- 1. Sharing of Information, 2. Reliability, 3. Reduces cost
4. Time saving
Q(3) What is the full form of ARPANET?
Ans:- Advanced Research Projects Agency Network
Q(4) What are various data transmission modes?
Ans:- There are three modes of data transmission
 Simplex
 Half-duplex
 Full-duplex
Q(5) What is the difference between Simplex and half duplex transmission?
Ans:- In simples transmission mode, the data can be transferred in only one direction where as in half
duplex transmission mode, the data can be transmitted in both directions but one at a time.
Q(6) What do you mean by MODEM?
Ans:- MODEM stands for MODulatorDEModuator. It is a device that can convert an analog signal into
digital signal and vice versa.
Q(7) Define the terms Bandwidth.
Ans:- Bandwidth is the range of frequencies that is available for the transmission of data. Wider the
bandwidth of a communication channel, the more data it can transmit in a given period of time.
Q(8) What are various types of transmission media?
Ans:- There are two broad categories of transmission media
 Guided media
 Unguided Media
Q(9) Explain in brief the advantages and disadvantages of Twisted pair Cable.
Ans:- Advantages
 Inexpensive
 Often available in existing phone system
 Well tested and east to get
Disadvantages
 Susceptible to noise (sound, energy etc.)
 Not as durable as coaxial cable
 Does not support high speed
Q(10) What do you mean by communication protocol?
Ans:- A protocol is a set of rules to enable computers to connect with one another and to exchange
information with minimum possible error.

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Q(11) List various functions of Communication protocol.
Ans:- Data sequencing, Data Formatting, Flow control, Error Control,Connection Establishment and
termination,Data Security
Q(12) List commonly used protocols.
Ans:- HTTP, TCT/IP, FTP, SLIP, PPP, SMTP, POP, ICMP
Q(13) What are the main functions of TCP
Ans:- The TCP does the following activities
 It breaks the data into packets that the network
 Verifies that all the packets arrived at the destination
 Reassembles the data
Q(14) What do you mean by network topology?
Ans:- Topology is how the nodes/computers are interconnected together.
Q(15) List various types of Networks.
Ans:- LAN, MAN, WAN
Q(16) Give names of various networking topologies in LAN.
Ans:- 1.Star Topology, 2.Ring topology, 3.Bus topology 4.Mesh Topology
Q(17) Write two advantages and two disadvantages of STAR topology.
Ans:- Advantages of STAR topology
 It is easy to modify and add new computers to a star network without disturbing the rest of the
network.
 Troubleshooting a star topology network is easy
Disadvantages
 All the nodes are dependent on the central system. Hub. Failure of hub result in shutting down
of whole of the system
 Long cable length is required
Q(18) What is NFS?
Ans:- NFS stands for Network File System. NFS is a protocol that allows a set of computers to access
each others files.

HIGHER ORDER THINKING QUESTIONS

Q.1 What is protocol? How many types of protocols are there?

Ans. When computers communicate each other, there needs to be a common set of rules and
instructions that each computer follows. A specific set of communication rules is called a protocol. Some
protocol: PPP, HTTP, SLIP, FTP, TCP/IP

Q.2 What is the difference between Networking and Remote Networking?

Ans. The main difference between Networking and Remote Networking, is the network which we use
in offices or other places locally such LAN or INTERNET and remote networking is one which we use
TERMINAL Services to communicate with the remote users such WAN.

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 Q.3 What is point-to-point protocol?
Ans. A communication protocol used to connect computer to remote networking services include
Internet Service Providers. In networking, the Point-to-Point protocol is commonly used to establish a
direct connection between two nodes. Its primary use has been to connect computers using a phone line.
Q.4 How gateway is different from router?
Ans. A gateway operates at the upper levels of the OSI model and translates information between two
completely different network architectures. Routers allow different networks to communicate with each
other. They forward packets from one network to another based on network layer information. A gateway
can interpret and translate the different protocols that are used on two distinct networks. Unlike routers
that successfully connect networks with protocols that are similar, a gateway perform an application layer
conversion of information from one protocol stack to another.
Q.5 What is the role of network administrator?
Ans. Basic tasks for which a network administrator may be responsible:
 Setting up and configuring network hardware and software.
 Installing and configuring network media and connections.
 Connecting user nodes and peripherals of all kinds to the network.
 Adding users to and removing users from the network.
 Managing user account.
 Ensuring the security of the network.
 Provide training to the users to utilize the network’s resources.
Q.6 What is the difference between baseband and broadband transmission?
Ans. Baseband is a bi-directional transmission while broadband is a unidirectional transmission.
No Frequency division multiplexing possible in base band but possible in broadband.
SNo Baseband Broadband
1 Entire bandwidth of the cable is consumed broadband transmission, signals are sent on
by a signal multiple frequencies, allowing multiple
signals to be sent simultaneously.
2 Digital signals Analog signals
3 bi-directional transmission unidirectional transmission
4 No Frequency division multiplexing possible Frequency division multiplexing possible
5 Uses for short distance Uses for long distance

Q.7 What are the difference between domain and workgroup?

Ans.
SNo Domain Workgroup
1. One or more computers are servers All Computers are peers.
2. If you have a user account on the domain, you Each computer has a set of accounts.
can logon to any computer on the domain.
3. There can be 100+ computers Typically not more then 20-30 computers
4. The computers can be on different local All computers must be on the same local
network netork.

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Q.8 What is the differences between POP3 and IMAP Mail Server?
Ans. IMAP is a standard protocol for accessing e-mail from a local server. A simpler e-mail protocol is
Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3), which download mail to the computer and does not maintain the mail on
the server. IMAP, e-mails are stored on the server, while in POP3, the messages are transferred to the
client’s computer when they are read.

Q.9 Name different layer of the ISO OSI Model.

Ans. International Standard Orrganisation – Open Systems Interconnection has seven layers;
Physical Layer,Data Link Layer,Network Layer,Transport Layer,Session Layer,Presentation Layer
Application Layer

Q.10 What is client server architecture?

Ans. To designated a particular node which is well known and fixed address, to provide a service to the
network as a whole. The node providing the service is known as the server and the nodes that use that
services are called clients of that server. This type of network is called Client-Server Architecture.

Q.11 What is FDM? Give example.

Ans. FDM-Frequency Division Multiplexing is used in analog transmission. It is often used in short
distance. It is code transparent and any terminal of the same speed can use the same sub-channel after the
sub-channel is established. The best example if FDM is the way we receive various stations in a radio.

Q.12 Describe the following in brief:

i) MOSAIC ii) USENET iii) WAIS
Ans. i) MOSAIC: is the program for cruising the internet. The National centre wrote this program for
Super Computer application at the university of Illinois. It has a simple window interface, which creates
useful hypertext links that automatically perform some of the menu bar and button functions.
ii) USENET: is the way to meet people and share information. Usenet newsgroup is a special group set up
by people who want to share common interests ranging from current topic to cultural heritages.
iii) WAIS: is a WIDE AREA INFORMATION SERVER.

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