Computer Networks
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Saurabh GComputer Networks
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Saurabh GCOMPUTER NETWORKS
A computer network is any set of computers or devices connected to each other with the ability
to exchange data.
Definition:
Computer network means an interconnected collection of autonomous computers.
Being interconnected means the ability to exchange data via
transmission media (either via cable or wireless). Autonomous
means self-governing. If computer A can forcibly
start/stop/control computer B, then computer A and B are not
autonomous.
Classification on the Basis of Functional
Relationships(Network Architecture)
Computer networks may be classified according to the
functional relationships which exist among the elements
of the network:
Active Networking
Client-server
Peer-to-peer(workgroup) architecture.
Classification on the Basis of
Connection Method.
Computer networks can be classified
according to the hardware and software
technology that is used to interconnect the
individual devices in the network, such as:
Optical Fiber.
Ethernet.
Wireless LAN
Computer networks may be classified
according to the Network Topology upon
which the network is based
Bus Topology.
Ring Topology.
Star topology.
Extended Star
Topology.
Mesh Topology.
Classification on the basis of
Scale.
Personal Area Networks(PAN)
Local Area Networks(LAN)
Wide Area Network(WAN)
Metropolitan Area Network(MAN)
Campus Area Network (CAN)
Personal Area Network
(PAN) :
A computer network used for communication among computer
devices close to one person.
Examples of devices that are used in a PAN are Printers, Fax
Machines, Telephones, PDAs and Scanners.
Metropolitan Area
Network(MAN)
A MAN consists of a group of LANs, which may be spread across
an area of the size of a city.
- It would normally consist of a number of buildings each with a central
hub that connects to the MAN network.
Campus Area
Network(CAN)
CAN is a computer network made up of an interconnection of
local area networks (LANs) within a limited geographical area. It
can be considered one form of a metropolitan area network,
specific to an academic setting.
In the case of a university campus-based campus area network,
the network is likely to link a variety of campus buildings including;
academic departments, the university library and student
residence halls.
LOCAL AREA NETWORK
Local area networks (LANs) are computer networks ranging in size from a few computers in a
single office to hundreds or even thousands of devices spread across several buildings.
They function to link computers together and provide shared access to printers, file servers,
and other services.
LANs in turn may be plugged into larger networks, such as larger LANs
or wide area networks (WANs), connecting many computers within an
organization to each other and/or to the Internet.
Advantages of
LAN
Resource sharing capability allows storage space and network
peripherals, such as printers, to be shared by workstations, reducing
hardware requirement, expenses and improving productivity.
Standard PC hardware is used for network workstations and servers,
which provide a great deal of design flexibility, easy maintenance and cost
efficiency.
Common applications are network aware, which significantly help in user
transition time when relocating to different network environments. Additionally,
network licensing is substantially less expensive than that of stand-alone
licensing.
Through file sharing, users can easily transfer files to one another, in order to
improve productivity. Shared file access allows multi-user access to user
applications.
Advantages of LAN
With centralized data storage, LANs offer the ability to place shared data
on a single server within a central location. This reduces the cost incurred
by loss of any data during system failure.
LANs offer centralized security, which allows control over access to the
network and its resources. Depending on an organization's requirements,
this functionality is customizable to help protect sensitive data from loss,
destruction, theft, or unauthorized disclosure.
Communication to other users is also provided through a messaging
system. It is the basis for implementing sophisticated systems
WIDE AREA NETWORKS
A wide area network (WAN) is a telecommunications
network, usually used for connecting computers, that spans
a wide geographical area. WANs can by used to connect
cities, states, or even countries.
WANs are often used by larger corporations or
organizations to facilitate the exchange of data, and in a
wide variety of industries, corporations with facilities at
multiple locations have embraced WANs. Increasingly,
however, even small businesses are utilizing WANs as a way
of increasing their communications capabilities.
Wide Area networks.
WANs are either point-to-point, involving a direct connection between two
sites, or operate across packet-switched networks, in which data is transmitted
in packets over shared circuits.
Point-to-point WAN service may involve either analog dial-up lines, in which a
modem is used to connect the computer to the telephone line, or dedicated leased
digital telephone lines, also known as "private lines." Analog lines are suitable for
batch data transmissions, such as non-urgent order entry and point-of-sale
transactions. Dedicated digital phone lines permit uninterrupted, secure data
transmission at fixed costs.
Point-to-point WAN service providers include both local telephone companies and
long distance carriers. Packet-switched network services are typically chosen by
organizations which have low volumes of data or numerous sites, for which multiple
dedicated lines would be too expensive.
Importance and
Advantages of Wide Area
Networks
Two great advantages of WAN are allowing secure and fast
data transmission between the different nodes in the
network. The data transmission is also reliable and
inexpensive.
Big organizations and companies, which have several
branches all over the world, are the ones who greatly
benefit from WANs, as WANs enable them to easily
communicate with their partners or employees around the
globe. WAN have had a great impact on e-business, which
has became so popular in this Internet age.
Business
Applications
Of
Computer
Networks
MARKETING
APPLICATIONS
Order Entry System
The primary objectives of an order processing system
are to :
Provide accurate and timely recording of customer’s
orders.
Initiate production of an order.
Initiate the shipping of orders.
Maintain a record of back-ordered items.
Produce sales analysis reports.
The Documents are normally issued in
Quadruplicate:
Quadruplicate
A copy goes to the warehouse for shipping.
A copy is sent with the goods.
A copy is kept for record.
A copy goes to accounts to authorize computerized
invoicing
A copy serves as a customer acknowledgement .
Point-of-Sale and Stock
Management
The system offers a wide range of benefits:
Stock levels can be kept to a minimum.
Stores can gain better control over demand
projections.
When combined with electronic funds transfer(EFT) ,
these systems can help stores give better service to
customers. Out-of-stock situations can occur less often,
and customer loss is minimized.
Fast-Food Distributor Depends on Networks
For Swift Services.
Reservation Systems
Reservation Systems are important applications because
up to the minute information needs to be provided to
customer almost instantaneously from a single central
database.
•Telemarketing.
The Telephone allows salespeople to initiate contacts,
offer products and services , or follow up on sales costs
without incurring travel costs or travel time.
It also lets salespeople reach many more customers in a
given time period than they could through other means.
•Teleshopping.
TV has become an important component in teleshopping.
Customers can order directly from products displayed or
advertised by using a toll-free number.
FINANCIAL
APPLICATIONS
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
EFT covers a wide range of transaction services ,
including:
Banking Services.
Funds transfer between accounts at the same bank or at different
banks.
Stockbrokerage activities.
Retail ATM services.
Business Transactions involving funds transfer between accounts ,
short term investments , and overdraft limit arrangements.
The potential advantages of EFT includes:
Immediate or overnight transfer of funds from the
customer’s bank account to the good or service
provider’s bank account , thereby improving
company’s cash flow.
Online credit authorization, hence reducing bad-
debt problems.
A reduced need for customers to carry cash .
Foreign exchange and Investment
Services.
FINANCIAL SERVICES INCLUDE :
Interest rate for local , onshore , and offshore time
deposits.
Mortgage investment rates.
Business investment rates and services.
Foreign exchange rates and cross-rates.
Stock market information.
Online business news.
Statistical information, financial analysis , and market
trends.
MANUFACTURING
APPLICATIONS
Just-in-Time Systems.
With Just-in-Time inventory systems a firm shares
production information with suppliers by means of a network
, enabling the suppliers to deliver materials just as needed.
Rapid Access to Up-to-Date Organizational
Information.
Other Applications
include:
Teleconferencing
Electronic Diaries and Calendaring.
Electronic Messaging.
News Services, Bulletin Boards , and Public
Databases.
SOCIAL ISSUES
The widespread use of computer networks introduces several social
, ethical and political problems.
A popular feature of many networks are newsgroups or
bulletin boards where people can exchange messages with
like-minded individuals. As long as subjects are restricted to
technical topics or hobbies like gardening not too many
problems will arise .
The trouble comes when news groups are set
up on topics that people actually care about ,
like politics , religions , gender etc. Views posted to
such groups may be deeply offensive to some people
Another important aspect is employee rights versus employee rights. Many
employers have claimed the right to read and possibly sensor employee
messages , including messages sent from a home terminal after work.
Not ALL employees agree with this.
Computer networks offer the potential for sending anonymous messages.
Computer networks allow ordinary citizens to distribute their views in
….This newly found
different ways and to different audiences
freedom brings a lots of unsolved social , political
and ethical issues.
“In all large corporations, there is a
pervasive fear that someone, somewhere
is having fun with a computer on company
time. Networks help alleviate that fear.”
John C. Dvorak
Thank You!!!
