Ch-5

Computer Networks
A computer network is a set of nodes like computers and networking devices
that are connected through communication for the purpose of
communication and sharing resources(hardware/software) among the
users.
Advantages of computer network:

• Facilitate communication through email / video conferencing /

instant messaging or any other mode.

• Share hardware devices like a printer or scanner

• Enable file sharing

• Share software or operating programs

• Share information

Disadvantages of computer network:

Lack of robustness, security issue, cost of network

Evolution of Networking
1) ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency NETwork): In 1969, The US govt. formed an agency
named ARPANET to connect computers at various universities and defense agencies. The main objective of
ARPANET was to develop a network that could continue to function efficiently even in the event of a
nuclear attack.
2) Internet (INTERconnection NETwork): The Internet is a worldwide network of computer networks. It is
not owned by anybody. The internet has evolved from ARPANET. The internet is a globally connected
network system that utilizes TCP/IP to transmit information.
Following services are instantly available through internet : Email, Web-enabled audio/video conferencing
services, Online movies and gaming , Data transfer/file-sharing, Instant messaging , Internet forums ,
Social networking , Online shopping ,Financial services
3) Interspace: is a client/server software program that allows multiple users to communicate online with
real –time audio, video and text chat in dynamic 3D environments.
Need of Computer Network
Resource Sharing :- Resource Sharing means to make all programs, data
and peripherals available to anyone on the network irrespective of the
physical location of the resources and the user.

Reliability :- Reliability means to keep the copy of a file on two or more

different machines, so if one of them is unavailable (due to some hardware
crash or any other) them its other copy can be used.

Cost Factor :- Cost factor means it greatly reduces the cost since the
resources can be shared.

Application of Computer
Networks
1. Sharing of data, services and resources

2. Access to remote database

3. Communication facilities

4. Time saving

Elementary Terminology of Networks :-

1. Nodes (Workstations):- The term nodes refer to the computers that
are attached to a network and are seeking to share the resources.
Server:- A computer that facilitates the sharing of data, software and
hardware resources on the network.
MAC Address: A (Media access Control) address is a hardware identification
number that uniquely identifies each device on a network (assigned to a NIC
by the manufacturer).
IP Address: Each computer on internet is identified by a unique number called
IP Address. E.g: 192.168.1.1

Types of Computer Networks

LAN (Local Area Network): A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network
that is limited to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a
geographic area such as a school building, office or a university campus.
It is generally privately owned networks over a distance not more
than 5 Km. e.g. network in a college, school, hospital etc.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): MAN is the networks that cover
a group of nearby corporate offices or a city and might be either private or
public. E.g. Cable TV Network in a city.
WAN (Wide Area Network): These are the networks spread over large
distances, say across countries or even continents through cabling or
satellite uplinks are called WAN. E.g. Internet

PAN (Personal Area Network): A PAN is a network of communicating

devices (Computer, Phone, MP3/MP4 Player, Camera etc.) organized
around an individual person. A PAN can be set up using guided media
(USB cable) or unguided media (Bluetooth, Infrared).
Network Devices
1. Modem:-A modem (modulator/demodulator) is a hardware device
that allows a computer to send and receive information over telephone
lines. When sending a signal, the modem converts (modulates) digital
data to an analog signal and transmit it over a telephone line. Similarly
when an analog signal is received, the modem converts it back
(demodulates) to a digital signal.

2. Hub :- A Hub is an electronic device that connects several computers

together to form a network and redirects the received information to all
the connected nodes in broadcast mode. The computer(s) for which the
information is intended receive(s) this information and accept(s) it. Other
computers on the network simply reject this information.

Example of how a hub works is shown below.

Computer A wants to send a message to computer B. It sends the message
through the Ethernet cable to the hub, then the hub repeats the message
to all of the connected computers.
Types of Hub-

Passive Hub: This type of does not amplify or boost the signal. It
does not manipulate or view the traffic that crosses it.
Active Hub: It amplifies the incoming signal before passing it to the other
ports.

3. Switch :- A switch is a network device which is used to interconnect

computers or devices on a network. It filters and forwards data packets
across a network. The main difference between hub and switch is that
hub replicates what it receives on one port ontoall the other ports while
switch keeps a record of the MAC addresses of the devices attached to it
and forwards data packets onto the ports for which it is addressed across
a network, that’s why switch is intelligent Hub.
 Diagram of A 4-Port Switch

Example of how a switch works is shown below. Using a switch, computer

A sends a message to computer B—the other computers do not see the
message. Those computers can send other messages at the same time without
interfering.
4. Repeater :- A Repeater is a device that is used to amplify and
regenerate a signal which is on its way through a communication channel.
A repeater regenerates the received signal and re-transmitsit to its
destination.

5. Router :- A device that forwards data packets from one network

to another by finding the shortest route, based on an internal routing table
and the address of the destination network in the incoming packet, the
router determines whether to send the packet out (in other network)
or keep it or forward within the own network.
Gateway :- A gateway is a device that connects dissimilar networks
(Networks with different software and hardware configurations

and with different transmission protocol).

Network Topologies
Topology means the way by which a network is formed.

1. Bus Topology
Bus Topology :-Bus topology is a topology for a Local Area Network

(LAN) in which all the nodes are connected to a single cable. The starting
and ending point of cable is called terminator.

ADVANTAGES

 It is easy to install.

 It requires less cable length and hence it is cost effective.

 Failure of a node does not affect the network.

DISADVANTAGES

 In case of cable or terminator fault, the entire network breaks

down.

 Not suitable for large number of computers.

 At a time only one node can transmit data.

 The STAR Topology: -

A STAR topology is based on a central node which acts as a hub. In

star topology each node is directly connected to a Hub/Switch .

Advantages:
 Easy to troubleshoot
 A single node failure does not affect the entire network.
 Fault detection and removal of faulty parts is easier.
 In case a workstation fails, the network is not affected.

Disadvantages:-
 Difficult to expand.
 Longer cable is required.
  The cost of the hub and the longer cables makes it expensive
over others.
 In case hub fails, the entire network stop working.

TREE Topology
Tree topology is a combination of bus and star topologies. It is used to
combine multiple star topology networks. All the stars are connected
together like a bus.

Features of Tree Topology

 Ideal if workstations are located in groups.

 Used in Wide Area Network.

Advantages of Tree Topology

 Extension of bus and star topologies.

 Expansion of nodes is possible and easy.
 Easily managed and maintained.
  Error detection is easily done

Disadvantages of Tree Topology

 Heavily cabled.
 Costly.
 If more nodes are added maintenance is difficult.
 Central hub fails, network fails.

Mesh Topology :-

Mesh topology is a group of nodes which are all connected to each

other and many types of connections are possible in a mesh topology.
Advantage of Mesh Topology

 The arrangement of the network nodes is such that it is possible

to transmit data from one node to many other nodes at the
same time.
 Fault is diagnosed easily.

Disadvantage of Mesh Topology

 Installation and configuration is difficult.

 Cabling cost is more.
 Bulk wiring is required.

Introduction to Internet
The Internet is a massive network of networks, a networking
infrastructure. It connects millions of computers together globally,
forming a network in which any computer can communicate with
another computer as long as they are both connected to the
Internet. The World Wide Web, or simply Webis a way or medium
of accessing information over the Internet. It is an information
sharing model that is built on top of the Internet.
” The Internet emerged in the United States in the 1970s but did
not become visible to the general public until the early 1990s. By
2020, approximately 4.5 billion people, or more than half of the
world’s population, were estimated to have access to the
Internet”.

The Internet provides a capability so powerful and general that it can

be used for almost any purpose that depends on information, and it
is accessible by every individual who connects to one of its
associated networks.

URL :- URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. A URL is nothing

more than the address of a given unique resource on the Web or
address of a website. The URL is an address that matches users to a
specific resource online, such as webpage.

Example- http://www.python4csip.com
WWW : The World Wide WEB (WWW), commonly known as the ‘Web’.
It is an information system where all the web resources are
identified by Uniform Resource Locator (URL). Tim Berners- Lee
invented the WWW in 1989. He wrote the first web browser in
1990.

The World Wide WEB (WWW) or ‘Web’ is a collection of

WebPages found over the internet. Web browser uses the internet
to access the ‘Web’.

Application of Internet

Web 2.0 :

The term web 2.0 is used to refer to a new generation of websites

that are supposed to let people to publish and share information
online. It aims to encourage the sharing of information and views,
creativity that can be consume by the other users. E.g:Youtube

The Main characteristics of web 2.0 are:

 Makes web more interactive through online social media web-

based forums, communities, social networking sites.

 It is a website design and development world which aim to

encourage sharing of information and views, creativity and user
interactivity between the users.

 Video sharing possible in the websites

Web 3.0: It refers to the 3rd Generation of web where user will
interact by using artificial intelligence and with 3-D portals. Web 3.0
supports semantic web which improves web technologies to create,
connect and share content through the intelligent search and the
analysis based on the meaning of the words, instead of on the
keywords and numbers.

e-mail: email (or e-mail) is defined as the transmission of messages

over communications networks. Typically the messages are notes
entered from keyboard and sent over internet using computer or
mobile.

Chat : Chat may refer to any kind of communication over the Internet
that offers a real-time transmission of text messages from sender
to receiver. Chat messages are generally short in order to enable
other participants to respond quickly.

Voip :- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that

allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet
connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. VoIP
services convert your voice into a digital signal that travels
over the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal
is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the
destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a
computer. Examples of Voip:-Whatsapp, Skype, Google Chat etc.
Advantage of Voip:

 Save a lot of money.

 More than two people can communicate or speak.

 Supports great audio transfer.

 Provide conferencing facility.

 More than voice (can transfer text, image, video along with
voice).

Disadvantages of Voip:

 Reliable Internet connection required.

 No location tracking for emergency calls.

Website :- a website is a group of web pages, containing

text, images and all types of multi-media files.
Difference between Website and Webpage :-
Website Webpage
1. A collection of web pages which A document which can be
are grouped together and displayed in a web browser such
usually connected together in as Firefox, Google Chrome,
various ways, Often called a Opera, Microsoft Internet
"web site" or Explorer etc.
simply a "site."
2. Has content about various Has content about single entity.
entity.
3. More development time is Less development time is
required. required.
4. Website address does not Webpage address depends on
depend on Webpage address. Website address.
Difference between Static and Dynamic webpage :-

Static Webpage Dynamic Webpage

The static web pages display the In the dynamic Web pages, the
same content each time when page content changes according
someone visits it. to the user.
It takes less time to load over Dynamic web pages take more
internet. time while loading.
No Database used. A database is used in at the
server end in a dynamic web
page.
Changes rarely. Changes frequently.

Web Server :- A web server is a computer that stores web server

software and a website's component files (e.g. HTML documents,
images, CSS style sheets, and JavaScript files).

When client sends request for a web page, the web server search for
the requested page if requested page is found then it will send it to
client with an HTTP response. If the requested web page is not found,
web server will the send an HTTP response :Error 404 Not found.
 The basic objective of the web server is to store,process

and deliver web pages to the users using Hypertext Transfer Protocol

(HTTP). Apart from HTTP, a web server also supports SMTP (Simple Mail

transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) protocol for e-mailing,

for file transfer and storage.

Web Hosting :- Web hosting is an online service that enables you

to publish your website or web application on the internet. When you
sign up for a hosting service, you basically rent some space on a
server on which you can store all the files and data necessary for your
website to work properly.

A server is a physical computer that runs without any interruption

so that your website is available all the time for anyone who wants
to see it.
Types of Web Hosting:

One server acts as

One can use the space
multiple servers for
allotted to him to host
multiple websites.
websites for other third
party users.

Web Browser :- A web browser, or simply "browser," is an application

used to access and view websites. Common web browsers include
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and
Apple Safari.

Plug-ins:- a plug-in (or plugin, add-in, add-on) is a software component

that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program. When a
program supports plug-ins, it enables customization. Plug-ins are
commonly used in Internet browsers but also can be utilized in
numerous other types of applications.
Add-ons( in terms of H/W): An Add-on is either a hardware unit
that can be added to a computer to increase the capabilities or
a program unit that enhances primary program. Some
manufacturers and software developers use the term add-on.

Examples of add-ons for a computer include card

for sound, graphic acceleration, modem capability and memory.
Software add- ons are common for games, word- processing and
accounting programs.

Cookies :- cookies are small files which are stored on a user’s

computer and contains information like which Web pages visited
in the past, logging details Password etc. They are designed to
hold a modest amount of data specific to a particular client and
website and can be accessed by the web server or the client
computer.

Cookies are stored in Hard-drive and are referenced by

web browser.

Components of a good website

❖ Easy navigation
❖ Secured contents
❖ Proper layout
❖ Proper links
❖ Effective color scheme
 ❖ Fast load time
❖ Mobile friendly
❖ Font that suits website
❖ Good quality images with less size
❖ Consistency of design among all pages.

Things we need in order to build a website

• Domain name (our custom web address, www.OurWebSiteName.com)

• Website hosting (service that hosts our website)

• Website designing tools / languages –tools (Firefox Developer, Photoshop,

PanicCoda, dreamweaver, Fireworks etc.),languages(html,asp,php,jsp,.net etc)

Two of the most common methods for designing websites that work
well both on desktop and mobile are responsive design and adaptive design. In
responsive design, content moves dynamically depending on screen size; in
adaptive design, the website content is fixed in layout sizes that match common
screen sizes.

WEBSITE STRUCTURE
Proper structuring of a website and breaking them into sub sections on the
basis of file type and subject matter is very important. Website structure
refers to the framework in which the information or content of a website
employs for both usability and presentation.
Working of a website
When a user requests the Web page, the browser employed by the user
requested the server through DNS server and by fetching and interpreting the
requested files, displays it on users screen. DNS server converts the domain
name to the corresponding IP address (unique address) – this process
is known as DNS resolution.

Features of a Web Server –

 Secure
 Fast in speed means high bandwidth
 Able to mitigate bandwidth congestion
 Maximum uptime-means always response
 Support most of server site scripting languages
  Easy user interface
 Virtual hosting

Functions of a Web Server –

 Stores and secures website data
 Provides web database access
 Serve the end user requests
 Bandwidth controlling to regulate network traffic
 Virtual hosting
 Server side web scripting

Web Server examples –

• IIS –Internet information services by Microsoft
• NGINX- 2002 by igor sysoev, Used for large web sites with too much
traffic
• Apache Tomcat- initiated by sun microsystem in 1999 transferred to
apache software foundation
• Lighthttpd -2003, Uses a very low memory, CPU and disk space, for
small web hosting projects.