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Week 6 Lesson - Computer Networks.docx

The document provides an overview of computer networks, defining key terms and concepts, and highlighting the benefits of networking such as resource sharing and improved communication. It categorizes networks based on distance into Local Area Networks (LAN), Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), and Wide Area Networks (WAN), and discusses data communication methods and transmission media. Additionally, it explains the functions of servers, modems, and communication modes, along with review questions for comprehension.

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gibrain.nizamali
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8 views

Week 6 Lesson - Computer Networks.docx

The document provides an overview of computer networks, defining key terms and concepts, and highlighting the benefits of networking such as resource sharing and improved communication. It categorizes networks based on distance into Local Area Networks (LAN), Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), and Wide Area Networks (WAN), and discusses data communication methods and transmission media. Additionally, it explains the functions of servers, modems, and communication modes, along with review questions for comprehension.

Uploaded by

gibrain.nizamali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Topic: Computer Networks

Objectives
●​Define terms and concepts related to computer
networking
●​State the benefits of using computer networks
●​Distinguish between the various types of computer
networks

Introduction
●​Have you ever copied a file from one computer
to another one, using a flash drive?
●​Why did you have to do so?

Content
●​Stand-alone computers – computers that are
not linked up or connected to one another.

●​Networked computers are linked or connected


to one another.

A computer network is a connection or linking up


of two or more computers for the purposes of
sharing resources and communicating.
1.​Sharing of resources, such as
a)​ accessing the same files on a central hard
disk
b)​ sharing a printer and other hardware
devices among users
c)​collaborating

2.​Communication

3.​Improved security

Server – a powerful computer on a network.


File server – handles all the shared files and data
Print server - handles access to a printer.

Data Communications refers to all the methods by


which computers and other devices in a network
communicate with one another.
a.​Directly to each other or through a server
b.​Through cables or wirelessly

Computer networks may be classified according to


the distance they cover. These are:
1.​Local Area Networks (LAN) – a network of
computers that are connected by cables over a
small area, such as an office or classroom.

2.​Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) – larger


than a LAN, it can serve an entire town or city
block. An example is a large university
campus, an airport.

3.​Wide Area Network (WAN) – a computer


network that spans a large geographical area,
such as an entire city, country, region or the
world. Such a network links computers that
are too far apart to be connected via cables.
WANs use satellites and other connections
instead. An example is the Internet.

WANS use 1) telephone lines, 2) satellite links,


and 3) broadband connections

WANs are used by businesses to share


information among their employees and
customers and communicate.
High security measures have to be applied to
protect a WAN, as criminals can hack into the
system.

For research
Find out what kinds of security measures are
applied to Wide Area Networks.

Modem
A device that is used to convert digital signals
at the sending computer to analogue (sound)
signals to be sent over the telephone line.
When those analogue (sound) signals get to
the receiving computer, the modem converts
them into digital signals that can be received
by the receiving computer.

A modem is used in a wide area network.

How a Modem Works


How a MODEM works - Animation
The Difference between a Modem and a Router
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQEFNELb5f4

Review Questions

1.​Why does a network need a file server?


2.​What is the function of a print server?
3.​What is the difference between
downloading and uploading a file on a
network?
4.​Describe how a modem works.

Data Communications
Data Communications refers to all the methods by
which computers and other devices in a network
communicate with one another.
a.​Directly to each other or through a server
b.​Through cables or wirelessly
Transmission Media – The cables and signaling
methods that carry data communications from one
place to another in a network.
Transmission media are divided into two
categories:

1) Wired (using cables)


●​Computer cables
●​Telephone cables

2) Wireless
Uses electromagnetic waves – radio,
microwaves, infrared, light and x-rays

a)​Radio signals

i.​ The most common form of wireless


transmission

ii.​ The main means of communication for cell


phones and in many small LANs

iii.​ Sent around the world by satellites

b)​ Microwave signals


i.​ Uses a shorter wavelength than radio
signals

ii.​ Cannot get around or through objects in its


way

c)​Infrared signals

i.​ Used in remote control for domestic


devices

ii.​ Has a shorter wavelength than radio and


microwave signals

iii.​ Disadvantage: the signal cannot travel far


and needs a clear space to travel.

Possible Questions

How do radio signals differ from microwave


signals?

Wireless
●​Advantage: Convenience
●​Disadvantage: Can be affected by weather
conditions

June 2014 Paper 2 – Question 5

Chapter 4A: The Internet and Communications


Technology

Wireless Networks
Wi-Fi
●​ Wireless technology that can be used to connect to the
Internet
●​ Can be used to create LANs by connecting a router to the
modem.

Bluetooth
●​ Wireless technology used to send data over shorter
distances than Wi-Fi
●​ Is slower than wi-fi
●​ Can be used to send files between devices nearby

Hotspot
A public place where you can access Wi-fi, such as airport,
public library, etc.

Bandwidth
The capacity of a communications channel – i.e, the number
of signals that can be sent through it at any given time. The
largest capacity bandwidth is called broadband.

1.​Radio bandwidth, or analogue (sound) – measures the


frequencies data can travel
a)​Narrow band – signals that occupy a narrow range of
frequencies, usually between 300 to 3400 Hz
b)​Voice band – within parts of the audio range that is
used for speeds 300 Hz to 3500Hz
c)​Broadband – transmission of high-quality of wide
bandwidth for high-speed Internet connection, like
W-Fi.

2.​Digital bandwidth – measures the speed at which data


can travel, in bits per second, namely gigabits.

Communication Modes
Have to do with the direction of data flow
1)​Simplex – affords communication in one direction only.
Examples: a) sending a document to a printer, b) data
coming to your TV from a TV station

2)​Half-duplex – both devices can transmit data, but not at


the same time – Example: walkie-talkie

3)​Duplex (also called full-duplex) – Both devices can


transmit at the same time. Example: a telephone

Point-to-Point Vs Broadcast Communication

Point-to-Point

– when data is sent from one device in a network directly to


another device.
Examples: sending a document from a print server to a printer
on the network.

Broadcast
Data is sent from one device in a network to all of the other
devices in the network.
Example: data being transmitted from a television station
(channel) to all of the other television sets connected to it.

Review Questions

1.​What is the difference between stand-alone


computers and networked computers?
2.​List two (2) benefits of computer networks.
3.​Give two ways in which computers can be
connected in a network.
4.​What is the difference between a file server
and a print server?
5.​Describe how a modem works.
6.​Describe the various types of computer
networks, based on distance they cover.
7.​Differentiate between point-to-point and
broadcast communication.
8.​Give one example of each of the following
types of communication modes:
a.​Simplex
b.​Half-duplex
c.​Duplex (full-duplex)

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