INTRODUCTION TO
NETWORK
DEVICES
COMPUTER NETWORKS:
• Computer networks connect multiple devices like
computers, printers, and phones to share data and
resources such as files and internet access.
• A computer network is a
group of two or more
computers and devices
connected together to share
resources, data, and
communication.
• They use wired or wireless
communication methods, along with protocols like
TCP/IP, to send and receive information.
• Networks improve efficiency and collaboration by
enabling fast communication and centralized data
management.
Key Features:
• Connected Devices: Includes computers, servers,
printers, mobile phones, routers, etc.
• Communication: Devices exchange data using
wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi) connections.
• Resource Sharing: Allows users to share files,
internet, printers, and applications.
Routers:
A router is a device that connects
multiple networks and directs data
between them, most commonly
between your home or office network
and the internet.
Switches:
A switch is a device used in a network
to connect multiple computers or
devices so they can communicate and
share data with each other.
Hubs:
A hub is a basic networking
device that connects multiple
computers or devices in a local
area network (LAN).
Modems:
A modem (short for modulator-
demodulator) is a device that connects
your network to the internet.
TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS:
➢ LAN (Local Area Network):
Connects computers
within a small area like a
home, office, or school;
offers high speed and low
cost.
➢ MAN (Metropolitan Area Network):
A Metropolitan Area
Network (MAN) is a large
network that connects
multiple Local Area
Networks (LANs) within a
city or a large campus.
➢ WAN (Wide Area Network):
A Wide Area Network
(WAN) covers large
geographic areas like cities
or countries; the Internet is
the largest example of a
WAN.
APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER
NETWORKS:
• File and Resource Sharing: Allows users to share
files, printers, and other hardware across connected
devices.
• Communication: Enables email, instant messaging,
video conferencing, and VoIP (Voice over IP).
• Internet Access and Web Servers: Provides
connectivity to the internet, enabling web browsing,
cloud services, and online platforms.
• Remote Access and Work: Supports accessing
systems, files, or applications remotely through VPNs
or remote desktops.
• E-Commerce and Online Banking: Facilitates secure
online shopping, transactions, and banking services.
• Education and E-Learning: Enables online classes,
virtual labs, digital libraries, and collaboration tools
for learning.
NETWORK TOPOLOGY:
• Network topology is the arrangement of various
devices (nodes) and communication links in a
computer network that defines how they are physically
or logically connected and how data flows between
them.
• It determines the structure of the network, influencing
its performance, reliability and scalability.
Types of Network Topologies:
• Bus Topology – All devices
share a single communication
line or cable.
• Ring Topology – Devices are
connected in a circular path
where data travels around the
ring.
• Star Topology – All devices
connect to a central hub or
switch.
• Mesh Topology – Every device is connected directly
to every other device.
• Tree Topology – A hierarchical structure combining
multiple star networks on a backbone.
• Hybrid Topology – A combination of two or more
different network topologies.
NETWORK LAYER:
• The network layer is the third layer of the OSI model
responsible for routing data between different
networks using IP addresses.
• It determines the best path for data to travel and
ensures it reaches the correct destination.
• It uses IP addresses to identify devices and
determines the best path for data to reach its
destination.
• This layer handles packet forwarding, routing, and
logical addressing. It also breaks large data packets
into smaller fragments when needed and ensures
proper delivery even across multiple networks.
• Key protocols include IP, ICMP, and routing
protocols like OSPF and BGP.
