Computer Networks and Web

Technologies
Part 1
What is a
Network?
+ A network is the connection between
two or more computers over the
internet.
 + Employees wanting to access company data
Real Life Uses of either can be done in the office area or at
home once an internet connection is

Networks established.
 Purposes of a Network

Email Voicemail Fax Telecommunicating

Video Conferencing GPS Social Media Online Services

Ways data can be transmitted over a
network.

Upload: Sending data from your computer Download: Receiving data to your
to another computer on the network or the computer from another computer on the
Internet. network or the Internet.
 Point-to-point: direct link
between two computers in a
Computer network.
Configurations
to transmit Broadcast: using one computer
data to transmit data and information
to serve the needs of several
terminals or computers
connected to it in a network.
 Travels through microwaves. (High
frequency radio signals that travel through
the atmosphere.)

Used for High Volume (large amount) and

The science Long Distance communication.

behind Data
Transmission
Signals travel in straight lines but are
bounced off satellites to cover more
distance.

E.g. Cell phone network that supports two-

way communication(Telecommunication
service provider like Digicel or Bmobile.)
Types of
Networks
+ LAN: Local Area Network

+ WAN: Wide Area Network

+ MAN: Metropolitan Area Network

LAN (Local Area
Network)
+ Local Area Network is a group of computers connected
to each other in a small area such as building, office.
+ LAN is used for connecting two or more personal
computers through a communication medium such as
twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
+ It is less costly as it is built with inexpensive hardware
such as hubs, network adapters, and ethernet cables.
+ The data is transferred at an extremely faster rate in
Local Area Network.
+ Local Area Network provides higher security.
 + A network that extends over a large geographical
area such as states or countries.
+ Bigger network than the LAN.
+ Not limited to a single location, but it spans over

WAN (Wide Area a large geographical area through a telephone

line, fiber optic cable or satellite links.

Network) + The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the

world.
+ E.g. of WAN (telephone communication)
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A network that covers a larger geographic area by

interconnecting a different LAN to form a larger network.

Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and

private industries.

It has a higher range than Local Area Network(LAN).

Wireless + Bluetooth

Network + Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)

+ Hotspot
Technologies
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is
a wireless Wireless audio streaming
technology
that allows
devices to
Hands-free calling
communicate
over short File sharing
distances. It
enables:
Device control
Location tracking
Wi-Fi (Wireless
Fidelity)
+ Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that allows devices
to connect to the internet or communicate with
each other. It enables:
1. High-speed internet access
2. Wireless file sharing
3. Online gaming
4. Streaming video and music
5. Smart home automation
Hotspot

A hotspot is a feature on a device that enables

it to act as a wireless access point. It enables:
• Sharing of internet connection with other devices
• Providing internet access in areas without Wi-Fi
• Accessing the internet on-the-go
• Tethering of devices without built-in cellular connectivity
• Creating a temporary network for collaboration or
presentation.
Communication Channels

The communication channel is

the method or medium used for
transmitting data. Characteristics Transmission modes or rates
of communications channels determine the number of
include transmission mode, characters that can be
direction of data flow, transmitted in one second.
transmission medium and
transmission speed.
 + Transmission lines and media can also be
classified according to the direction in which
data can flow.

Direction of Data + The direction that data can flow can be

categorised as :
Flow 1. Simplex
2. Half Duplex
3. Full Duplex
Simplex
+ Data in a simplex line can flow in only
one direction, just like traffic in a one-
way street. It is a send-only or receive-
only line. Examples are radio, TV,
computer to printers, public address
systems or any other one directional
transmission.
Half Duplex
+ Data in a half-duplex line can flow in
both directions, but only one way at a
time. In other words, data can be either
sent or received at any given time.
Walkie-talkies are half-duplex.
 + Data in a full-duplex line can be both sent
and received at the same time, like traffic in

Full Duplex a two-way street. Most modem connections

today transmit full duplex. This increases
efficiency, as data flows on the same pair of
wires in both directions simultaneously
 + To choose which channel to use, you should
first decide how much information you want
Direction of Data to transfer at any given time, how important it
is to have a fast or slow transmission rate, as

Flow well as whether you want a full-duplex, half-

duplex or simplex channel.
 + Data can be transmitted through various

Transmission
types of cabled (wired) or wireless media.
+ Wireless media transmits data through the

Media
air. (satellite, microwave and infrared )
+ Cabled media include twisted pair, coaxial
and fibre optic cables
Cabled Media
Twisted Pair
+ Twisted pair cables are a type of wiring used to
transmit data. They consist of two insulated wires
twisted together. Usage examples include:
1. Ethernet cables for internet connectivity
2. Telephone lines for voice communication
3. Audio cables for speakers
4. Security systems for video surveillance
5. Industrial control systems for data transmission.
Cabled Media
Coaxial Cables
+ Coaxial cables are a type of cable that consist
of a central conductor, surrounded by an
insulating layer, a conductive shield, and an
outer cover. They are used to transmit high-
frequency electrical signals with low signal loss
and interference, in various applications such
as:
1. Cable television distribution systems
2. Security camera installations
3. Audio and video connections in
professional settings
4. Measurement and test equipment for signal
transmission
Cabled Media
Fibre Optic Cables
+ Fiber optic cable is a type of cable that
uses glass or plastic fibers to transmit
data as light. Usage examples include:
1. High-speed internet access
2. Large Telephone networks
3. Medical imaging equipment
4. Military and aerospace
communication systems
+ Faster than Twisted Pair and Coaxial
Cables
Wireless Media
What is Infrared?
+ Infrared wireless media refers to a type
of wireless communication technology
that uses infrared light to transmit data
between devices, such as a remote
control and a television.
+ Infrared light is a type of electromagnetic
radiation that is not visible to the human
eye but can be detected by certain
electronic devices. Infrared
communication works by encoding data
onto infrared light waves, which are then
transmitted from one device to another.
Wireless Media
What is Infrared?
+ For example, when you press a button on your TV
remote, it sends a signal to your TV using infrared
light. The TV receives the signal and interprets it as
a command to change the channel or adjust the
volume.
+ Infrared communication has some limitations, such
as the fact that it requires a clear line of sight
between the devices and can be affected by bright
sunlight or other sources of infrared radiation.
However, it can be a useful and convenient way to
wirelessly control devices over short distances.
Wireless Media
What is Satellite?
+ Satellites are man-made objects that orbit around the
Earth, used for various purposes such as
communication, navigation, Earth observation, and
scientific research. Satellite communication refers to
the use of satellites to send and receive information
between devices on the ground or in the air.
+ Satellites communicate with devices on Earth using
radio waves, which are a type of electromagnetic
radiation that can travel through the vacuum of space.
The satellite receives a signal from a ground station
and then transmits it back to another ground station or
to another satellite.
Wireless Media
What is Satellite?
+ To send a signal to a satellite, you need a device that
can transmit a signal with enough power to reach the
satellite. This is typically done using a satellite dish,
which focuses a narrow beam of radio waves towards
the satellite. The satellite then receives the signal,
amplifies it, and sends it back down to Earth using a
wider beam that can be received by many devices at
once.
+ Satellite communication has many advantages,
including the ability to transmit data over long
distances, to remote or inaccessible areas, and
without the need for physical infrastructure such as
cables or towers. It is used for many applications,
such as broadcasting television and radio signals,
providing internet connectivity, tracking weather
patterns, and monitoring the Earth's environment.
Wireless Media
What is Microwave?
+ Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation
with wavelengths ranging from approximately one
millimeter to one meter. Microwave communication
refers to the use of microwaves to transmit
information between devices.
+ Microwave communication typically works by
transmitting a signal from a sender to a receiver using
a microwave antenna. The signal is encoded with
information, such as voice or data, and sent through
the air as a series of electromagnetic waves. The
receiver antenna then captures the waves and
decodes the information that was encoded on them.
Wireless Media
What is Microwave?

Microwave communication has several One limitation of microwave

advantages, including the ability to communication is that it requires a
transmit large amounts of data over clear line of sight between the sender
long distances with high speed and and the receiver, meaning that
accuracy. It is commonly used in obstacles such as buildings or trees
telecommunications, such as cellular can block the signal. To overcome this,
networks and satellite communication, microwave towers are often placed on
as well as in radar systems for high points or connected by relay
navigation, weather forecasting, and stations, allowing the signal to be
military applications. relayed over longer distances.
Network Devices
Switch
+ A switch simply expands the number of devices that
can be connected to a router.
+ A network switch is a device that allows different
devices, like computers or printers, to connect and
communicate with each other on the same network.
+ acts as a traffic controller, forwarding data to the right
destination device.
+ It has multiple ports for devices to connect to.
+ It allows for efficient communication between devices.
+ It is commonly used in schools, offices, and homes to
share resources and data.
Network Devices
Routers
+ A router is the ‘traffic cop’ of a network. It directs data from
the modem and sends it to the different devices that are
connected to it
+ A router is a device that connects different networks together,
like your home network and the internet.
+ It uses IP addresses to send and receive data between
networks.
+ It can prioritize important data to ensure it's transmitted
quickly, like streaming videos or online gaming.
+ It has security features like a firewall and VPN to protect your
network from external threats.
+ It's commonly used in homes, offices, and by internet service
providers to connect different devices and networks together.
Network Devices
Hubs
+ If you have a network in school, it is likely that the
computers are connected by cable to a central device
called a hub. It links computer and other devices such
as printers together
+ One or more hubs (if there are many computers on the
network) are then connected to a file server.
+ A file server is a high-performance computer containing
large capacity hard disk drives that are available to all
network users.
 + A modem (modulator/demodulator) is
provided by your ISP, who provides you with
access to the Internet
+ A modem is a device that helps a computer
or other device connect to the internet.

Network Devices + It converts digital data from the computer

into signals that can travel over a phone or

Modems
cable line to reach the internet.
+ Modems are often provided by internet
service providers and can be rented or
purchased by customers.
+ They are commonly used in homes, offices,
and other places to connect devices to the
internet.
Network Devices
Network Interface
Card/ Adapter (NIC)
+ a network interface card (NIC) or
network adapter, which is usually
already installed in your computer ◆
software on your computer or mobile
device (such as a web browser and
email package)