Networks

Network is simply an interconnected system of things or people

A social network is a social structure made of individuals (or organizations)

called "nodes," which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of
interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, financial exchange, work, beliefs,
knowledge or prestige.

A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of

computers and/or electronic
devices interconnected by
communication channels that
facilitate communication and allow
sharing of resources and
information among interconnected
devices.

a computer network is a collection

of two or more computers and/or
electronic devices linked for the
purposes of sharing information
and resources.Each computer or
electronic device connected to a
network is called a NODE, and if
not connected it is called a
STANDALONE.

Examples of Network: 1. Mobile Networks 2. Facebook

Advantages of Network:

Using a computer connected to a network allows us to...

1. Easily share files and data.

2. Share resources such as printers and Internet connections.
3. Communicate with other network users (e-mail, instant messaging,
video- conferencing, etc.) .
4. Store data centrally (using a file server) for ease of access and back-up.
5. Keep all of our settings centrally so we can use any workstation

In particular, if we use a computer connected to The Internet, we can...

1. Make use of on-line services such as shopping (e-commerce) or banking.

2. Get access to a huge range of information for research.
3. Access different forms of entertainment (games, video, etc.)
4. Join on-line communities (e.g. MySpace, Facebook, etc.)

Mrs. Nermeen Labib – Y9 1

Disadvantages of Network:

Using a computer connected to a network means that...

1. The computer is vulnerable to hackers.
2. If the network breaks, many tasks become very difficult.
3. A virus can more easily attack your computer.
In particular, if we use a computer connected to The Internet...
1. We have to be careful about revealing personal information
2. We have to be careful to avoid suspect websites that might contain
malware
3. We have to be aware that information found on the Internet is not
always accurate or reliable.
A network consists of:

1. Nodes: Any device connected to a network.

Example: Computer, Printer or Scanner.
2. Transmission Media: How the devices of the network are connected, i.e. it is
the path to pass information along. Example: Cables (Wires) or Wifi-Signals
(Wireless).
3. Network Hardware: Devices used to create a network. Example: Cable, Hub,
Switch, Router, Modem.

Node:

The node could be any shared resource among the network like a printer or a
scanner, where it is something tangible shared between users.

On the other hand, computers connected to the network that are interactive
are referred to as nodes too, however these computers are classified in to 2
types or 2 categories:

1. Client. 2. Server.

Clients

Client computers, or workstations, are the normal computers that people use
to get their work done.

Servers

Servers are special, powerful computers that provide ‘services’ to the client
computers on the network.

These services might include:

• Providing a central, common file storage area

• Sharing hardware such as printers.
• Controlling who can or can’t have access the network.
• Sharing Internet connections

In a small network one server might provide all of these services, but in a
larger network there might be many servers sharing the work.

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Transmission Media:

How the devices of the network are connected, i.e. it is the path to pass
information along. Example: Cables (Wires) or Wi-Fi-
Signals (Wireless).

To communicate, there must be a way for our

communication to be built, in other words there must be
a path for the information sent to travel on.

For example: To travel from Cairo to Alexandria, you take Cairo Alex Road as
your path to reach Alexandria.

Therefore, to send information from Computer A to Computer B, the cable or

the Wi-Fi Signal connecting them is the path to reach Computer B.

Advantages of Cables over Wi-Fi Signals:

1. Can carry much more data per second.

2. More secured (less open to hacking).

Advantages of Wi-Fi Signals over Cables:

Ø it is wireless, so no need to run long cables.

Network Hardware:

1. Network Cable

Ø To connect different devices to make a network, you need cables.

Cables are still used in most networks, rather than using only wireless,
because they can carry much more data per second, and are more
secure (less open to hacking).

Ø The most common type of network cable in use today looks like the one
shown above, with plastic plugs on the ends that snap into sockets on
the network devices.
Ø Inside the cable are several copper wires as shown below.

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2. Hub

Ø A hub is a device that connects

a number of computers to make
a LAN, it has cables plugged into
it from each computer.

3. Switch

Ø A switch, like a hub, is a device that connects a number of computers

to make a LAN, it has cables plugged into it from each computer.

HUB & SWITCH both have the same definition and work
for the same purpose, so the question is what is the
difference between them?

Ø A hub is a ‘dumb’ device: if it receives a

message, it sends it to every computer on the network. This means that
hub-based networks are not very secure - everyone can listen in to
communications.
Ø A switch is a more ‘intelligent’ device than a hub: if it receives a
message, it checks who it is addressed to, and only sends it to that
specific computer. Because of this, networks that use switches are
more secure than those that use hubs, but also a little more expensive.

4. Router

• A
router
is a

network device that

connects two or more
networks.
• A common use of a router
is to join a home or business
network (LAN) to the Internet (WAN).
• The router will typically have the Internet cable plugged into it, as well
as a cable, or cables to computers on the LAN.
• Alternatively, the LAN connection might be wireless (Wi-Fi), making the
device a wireless router. (A wireless router is actually a router and
wireless switch combined).

5. Modem

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 Ø Before the days of broadband Internet connections, most computers
connected to the Internet through telephone lines (dial-up connections).
Ø Why?
Ø The reason telephone lines were used is that almost every building in
the world is already joined to every other via the telephone system.
Ø Using the telephone system for connecting computers meant that
people didn’t have to install new wires to their houses and offices just
for computer use.
Ø The problem with using telephone lines is that they are designed to
carry voices, which are analogue signals. They are not designed for
digital data.
Ø Therefore,The solution was to use a special device to join the digital
computer to the analogue telephone line. This device is known as a
modem.

Ø A modem contains a DAC and an ADC.

Ø The DAC in the modem is required so that the digital computer can send
data down the analogue telephone line.
Ø It converts digital data into analogue which is exactly what the
telephone line is designed to carry.
Ø The ADC in the modem is required so that the analogue signals (noises)
that arrive through the telephone line can be converted back into
digital data.
Ø So basically, the modem was the only device that enabled computers to
get connected to the Internet.

Types of Networks:

1. Local Area Network (LAN)

A Local Area Network is a network

confined to one building or site. Often a
LAN is a private network belonging to an
organization or business. Because LANs
are geographically small, they usually use
cables.

2. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

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A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a LAN that
uses radio signals (WiFi) to connect
computers instead of cables.

At the center of the WLAN is a wireless

switch or router - a small box with one
or two antennas sticking out the back -
used for sending and receiving data to
the computers. (Most laptops have a
wireless antenna built into the case.)

It is much more convenient to use

wireless connections instead of running long wires all over a building.

However, WLANs are more difficult to make secure since other people can
also try to connect to the wireless network. So, it is very important to have a
good, hard-to-guess password for the WLAN connections.

Typically, the range of a wireless connection is about 50 m, but it depends

how many walls, etc. are in the way.

3. Wide Area Network (WAN)

Wide Area Network is a network that

extends over a large area. A WAN is often
created by joining several smaller networks
as LANs & WLANs.

Because WANs are often geographically

spread over large areas and links between
computers are over long distances, they
often use quite exotic connections
technologies: optical fiber (glass) cables,
satellite radio links, microwave radio links,
etc.

The Internet is an example of a global WAN .In fact it is the world’s largest
WAN.

LAN Network Topologies

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 1- Ring networks
• Every computer in the network is connected in a
ring, including the server.
• Data is transmitted around the ring and each
computer takes data relevant to it.
• Allows each computer to send and receive data
since they all have a unique identification/
address.

Advantages :

• Work well under heavy loading.

• Possible to create very large networks using this topology

Disadvantages

• If fault in wiring between two computers then whole network

will fail.
• Adding a new device or computer to the network can be difficult
since it has to be placed between two existing devices.

2- Bus networks

• Each computer or device is connected to a

common central line.
• Data travels along central line until it
reaches the computer or device that requires
it.
• The ends of the line have terminators to
prevent signal bounce, which would cause data interference.

Advantages

• Easy to add a new computer or device to the network.

• f one device or computer fails, does not affect the rest of the
network.
• Doesn’t need a hub or a switch and also requires less cabling -
saves on costs.

Disadvantages

• Difficult to isolate any fault on the network .

• f central line has a fault then whole network fails.
• Becoming an increasingly outdated topology for network design.
• Performance worsens noticeably as more and more
devices/computers are added.

3- Star networks

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 • Each computer or device connected via central hub or switch.
• Data sent to the hub which then sends out data along every
cable to every computer or device.

Advantages

• If one computer or device fails, then the rest of the network is

unaffected.
• Problems on the network are easy to identify and work can fixed
without affecting rest of the network.
• Easy to expand the network.

Disadvantages

• if the central hub breaks down, the whole network crashes.

4- Tree network

• A tree network has a central line connecting together a series of

star networks.
• The server is also connected to this central line.
• Because of its flexibility, and the fact that it
has the advantages of both bus and star
networks, this topology is becoming
increasingly popular.
• The advantages and disadvantages are the same
as for bus and star networks.