Network

What is a Network?
• A network consists of two or more
computers that are linked in order
to share resources (such as printers
and CD-ROMs), 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.
Key Parts of a Network:
• Nodes: These are the individual devices connected to
the network, like your computer or phone.
• Links: These are the physical connections between
nodes, like cables or wireless signals.

• Protocols: These are sets of rules that define how

devices communicate with each other.
Networks Benefits
For Individuals:
• Communication: Stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues
through email, instant messaging, video calls, and social media.
• Information Access: Access a vast world of knowledge and entertainment
through the internet, online libraries, streaming services, and more.
• Remote Work: Work from anywhere with an internet connection,
increasing flexibility and work-life balance.
• Entertainment: Enjoy streaming movies, music, and games, play online
multiplayer games, and access a wide variety of online content.
• Shopping and Services: Purchase goods and services online, manage
finances, and access online banking.
For Businesses:
• Collaboration and Communication: Teams can easily work together
on projects, share files, and communicate effectively.
• Increased Efficiency: Automate tasks, share resources, and streamline
workflows.
• Reduced Costs: Share printers, servers, and other resources, lowering
operational expenses.
• Global Reach: Connect with customers, suppliers, and partners
worldwide.
• Data Security: Implement strong security measures to protect
sensitive data.
For Society:
(Education/Healthcare/Government Economic
Growth)
• Education: Provide access to online learning resources, connect
students and educators, and facilitate distance learning.
• Healthcare: Enable telehealth services, share medical records, and
improve patient care.
• Government: Provide online services, improve communication with
citizens, and facilitate e-government initiatives.
• Economic Growth: Promote innovation, business growth, and job
creation through technological advancements.
Types of Networks
Types of Networks:
LAN (Local Area
Network): Connects
devices within a
small area, like a
home or office.
Example: Home Wi-Fi
network!
Types of Networks:
MAN (Metropolitan Area
Network): Connects
devices within a city or
town, like a university
campus network.
Types of Networks:
WAN (Wide Area
Network): Connects
devices over a large
geographical area, like
the internet.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
Feature LAN MAN WAN
Size Small Medium Large
Geography Home, office, school City, town Country, world
Speed Fast Moderate Slower
Cost Low Moderate High
Security High Moderate Lower
Home Wi-Fi, office City-wide network, Internet, corporate
Examples
network university network network
Internet
• The internet is a global network of interconnected
computer networks that allows billions of people
around the world to communicate and share
information.
• Think of it as a vast, interconnected web where
computers can talk to each other.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxcc6ycZ73M
Network Topologies
Network Topologies
Network Topology is the layout or structure of a network.

Categories of topologies
• Wired
• Wireless
 Wired Network Topologies
Here are some common types:

Bus Topology
• All devices are connected to
a single cable, like a bus.
• Simple but less reliable, as a
break in the cable disrupts
the entire network.
Network Topologies
Star Topology
• All devices are
connected to a central
hub or switch.
• More reliable than bus,
but the hub/switch is a
single point of failure.
Ring Topology
• Devices are connected in
a closed loop.
• Reliable and efficient, but
adding or removing
devices can disrupt the
network.
Mesh Topology
• Devices are connected
to multiple other
devices.
• Very robust and fault-
tolerant, but complex to
set up.
Network Devices
Network devices
• These are essential components that enable
communication and data transfer within a
network.
• They act as intermediaries, connecting different
devices and facilitating the flow of information.
Network Devices
• Hubs are simple devices
that connect multiple
devices on a network, but
they broadcast data to all
connected devices,
regardless of the
destination.
• They are less efficient than
switches and are rarely
used in modern networks.
Network Devices
• Ethernet Switches connect
devices within a local network,
like computers and printers,
creating a hub for data
transmission.
• They learn the MAC addresses of
connected devices and forward
data only to the intended
recipient, reducing network
traffic and improving
performance.
Router
• Routers connect different
networks, like your home
network to the internet.
• They analyze data packets
and determine the best
path for them to travel,
ensuring efficient data
transfer.
What a Router Does
• Your router essentially shares your Internet
connection among multiple devices.
• A typical router is now a wireless router, and it creates
and hosts a Wi-Fi network multiple devices can
connect to. It likely has multiple Ethernet ports, too,
allowing you to connect multiple devices
• The router then connects to the Internet through the
modem and the router itself receives a single public IP
address on the Internet. Servers on the Internet
communicate with your router, and the router routes
that traffic to the appropriate devices on your home
network.
• But, with just a router, you can’t actually connect to
the Internet. The router must be plugged into the
Internet via an Ethernet cable. You need a modem to
do so.
Modem
• Modem is a contraction of
the terms modulator and
demodulator.
• Modems perform a simple
function: They translate
digital signals from a
computer into analog
signals that can travel
across conventional
phone lines.
What a Modem Does
• Your modem communicates with your Internet
service provider’s network. If it’s a cable modem,
it plugs into your cable provider’s infrastructure
via a coaxial cable. If it’s a DSL modem, it plugs
into your telephone line.
• The modem communicates with your Internet
service provider, and you’ll need the correct type of
modem that will work with your ISP’s infrastructure.
• The modem plugs into whatever type of
infrastructure you have — cable, telephone,
satellite, or fiber — and gives you a standard
Ethernet cable output that you can plug into
any router (or a single computer) and get an
Internet connection.
Combined Router and Modem
• Some Internet service providers offer a modem and
router in a single box. That box has the electronics
and software in it to provide both functions, acting as
a modem that communicates with your ISP and
functioning as a router to create a home Wi-Fi
network.
Network Protocols
Network Protocols
Protocols are like the language that devices use to communicate. Some
important protocols include:
• TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): The
foundation of the internet, handling communication between devices.
• HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): Used for transferring web pages
and other content.
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Used for transferring files between
computers.
• SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): Used for sending emails.
How Networks Work:
• Data Packets: Information is broken down into small
packets.
• Transmission: Packets are sent across the network
using cables or wireless signals.
• Routing: Packets are directed to their destination by
routers.
• Reassembly: Packets are reassembled at the
destination to form the original information.
Network Security
• Firewalls: Act as barriers to prevent unauthorized
access to a network.
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Monitor network
traffic for suspicious activity.
• Antivirus Software: Protects devices against malicious
software.
• Encryption: Scrambles data to make it unreadable to
unauthorized users.
Hands-on activity
• Sending an email via an Outlook account