4.

Data Communications &

Networking
4.2 Types of Networks
 Computer Network
• A network consists of two or more
computers that are linked in order to
share resources, exchange files, or allow
electronic communications.
• The computers on a network may be linked
through cables, telephone lines, radio
waves, satellites, or infrared light beams
 Why do Businesses use Networks?

• Networks are used to link equipment such

as microcomputers, midrange
computers, mainframes, work stations,
servers, and printers.
 Need of Computer Network:
1. File sharing
2. Resource sharing
3. Communication and collaboration
4. Remote access
5. Data protection
 1. File/ Data Sharing:
• The data can be easily sharable in a
network so other user can access it at any
time. For example, a user working in a
team wants to share some data with the
other team members
 2. Resource Sharing
• Resource sharing is also an important benefit of a
computer network. For example, if there are four people in
a family, each having their own computer, they will
require four modems (for the Internet connection) and four
printers, if they want to use the resources at the same
time.
• A computer network, on the other hand, provides a
cheaper alternative by the provision of resource sharing. In
this way, all the four computers can be interconnected,
using a network, and just one modem and printer can
efficiently provide the services to all four members.
• Other resources shared in a computer network are Printer,
Scanner, Information, Network Bandwidth, Internet
Services, Database, etc.)
 3. Communication Medium
• A computer network can provide a powerful
communication medium among people
spread widely at different physical locations.
• It acts as a powerful communication
medium when it comes to sharing
information and resources.
• Broadcasting mail, notifications, memos etc
within an organization
4. Centralized Software Management

• One of the greatest benefits of installing a

network is the fact that all of the software
can be loaded on one computer (the file
server).
• This eliminates that need to spend time and
energy installing updates and tracking files
on independent computers throughout the
building.
 5. Data Security and Management

• In a business environment, a network allows the

administrators to manage the company's critical data
much better. Instead of having this data spread over
dozens or even hundreds of small computers in a
haphazard fashion as their users create it, data can be
centralized on shared servers.
• This makes it easy for everyone to find the data, makes it
possible for the administrators to ensure that the data is
regularly backed up, and also allows for the
implementation of security measures to control who can
read or change various pieces of critical information.
 6. Speed
• Sharing and transferring files within Networks
are very fast. Networks provide a very rapid
method for sharing and transferring files. The
sharing of data with the other users in a
stand-alone environment requires physical
transfer of data. This can be done by copying
the data on a flash disk or taking a printout.
This requires more time and is inconvenient as
compared to sharing the data over a network.
 Key issues in Computer Networks

• A network must be able to meet a certain

number of criteria. The most important of these
are performance, reliability, and security. 
• Performance Throughput Delay Reliability Data
transmitted are identical to data received.
• Reliability Measured by the frequency of failure
The time it takes a link to recover from a failure
• Security: Security Protecting data from
unauthorized access
 Types Of Network:
• Local Area Network
• Wide Area Network
• Metropolitan Area Network
 Local Area Network:
• A local area network (LAN) is a group of
computers and associated devices that share a
common communications line or wireless
link.
• Typically, connected devices share the resources
of a server within a small geographic area such
as a classroom, school, or single building.
• A local area network may serve as few as two or
three users or as many as thousands of users.
 Advantages of LAN
• The reliability of network is high because the
failure of one computer in the network does not
effect the functioning for other computers.
• Addition of new computers to network is easy.
• High rate of data transmission is possible.
• Peripheral devices like magnetic disk and printer
can be shared by other computers.
 Advantages of LAN
• Easy to manage since all the computers can be controlled
from a central point. The administrator of the network
can easily monitor all the activities that are taking place
in other computers with much ease.
• LANs allow people in an organization to share peripheral
devices such as printers and scanners. This cuts down on
the cost of buying new devices for each computer.
• Because of the high speed, sharing of the resources in a
LAN can take place easily without any bottlenecks. Files
and data can be transferred from one computer in the
network to another in the shortest time possible.
 Disadvantages of LAN

• The main disadvantage of LAN is limited

coverage. The network covers a small
geographical area.
• A problem in the server computer will
render all the other computers useless.
 Wide Area Network:
• The WAN is a communications network that makes
use of existing technology to connect local computer
networks into a larger working network that may
cover both national and international locations.
• It is classified as a wide area network because of the
extensive distances over which WANs communicate,
they use long-distance telecommunications networks
for their connections, which increases the costs of the
network. The Internet is just a giant WAN.
 Advantages of WAN
• WAN is not limited by geographical factors.
It can cover all the corners of the world.
• WAN network exposes your computer to a
larger network. You will be connected to
millions of other computers and even more
networks
 Disadvantage of WAN
• The speeds of WAN can be very slow and
this can be a major source of frustration.
• The cost of setting up WAN especially in
remote areas can be extremely high.
 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN):

• A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a

network that interconnects users with
computer resources in a GEOGRAPHIC AREA
or region larger than that covered by even a
large local area network but smaller than the
area covered by a wide area network (WAN).
• It is also used to mean the interconnection of
several local area networks by bridging them
with backbone lines
 Advantages of MAN

• MAN experiences comparatively high

speeds and this facilitates faster sharing of
resources such as files within a city.
• Covers a comparatively larger area more
than LAN.
 Disadvantages of MAN

• One main disadvantage of the MAN is the

high cost. The cost of technology that
should be deployed for this network is
extremely high.
Differentiate between the three types
of Computer Networks
Network Topologies
 Network Topologies
•  A network topology is the arrangement of a
network, including its nodes (computers) and
connecting lines. 
• A Network topology – maps of how the physical or
logical paths of network devices connect.
• The four major topologies are star, ring, and bus.
– Star topology
– Bus topology
– Ring topology
– Mesh topology
 1. Star Topology
• Star Topology – Most common Ethernet network topology
where each device connects to a central hub or switch.
• In star topology a number of workstations (or nodes) are
directly linked to a central node
• Any communication between stations on a star LAN must
pass through the central node. There is bi-directional
communication between various nodes. The central node
controls all the activities of the nodes.
• Star topology A configuration that centers around one
node to which all others are connected and through which
all messages are sent
Star Topology
 2. Ring Topology
• Network that connects all nodes in a closed loop
on which messages travel in one direction
• In ring topology each station is attached nearby
stations on a point to point basis so that the entire
system is in the form of a ring. In this topology
data is transmitted in one direction only.
• Thus the data packets circulate along the ring in
either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
• Used in Token Ring networks.
Ring Topology
 3. Bus Topology
• Network wherein all devices connect to a single cable.
If the cable fails, the network is down.
• In bus topology all workstations are connected to a
single communication line called bus. In this type of
network topology there is no central node as in star
topology. Transmission from any station travels the
length of the bus in both directions and can be
received by all workstations.
Bus Topology
 4. Mesh Topology
• Mesh Topology – Network where all devices connect to each
other by cabling to provide link redundancy for maximum fault
tolerance. Most likely in WANs.
• A mesh topology network offers superior redundancy and reliability.
In a mesh topology, each computer is connected to every other
computer by separate cabling.
• This configuration provides redundant paths throughout the network
so that if one cable fails, another will take over the traffic.
• While ease of troubleshooting and increased reliability is definite
pluses, these networks are expensive to install because they use a lot
of cabling.
• Often, a mesh topology will be used in conjunction with other
topologies to form a hybrid topology.