Unit 2: Computer Networks – Notes
1. Evolution of Networking
Introduction to Computer Networks:
A computer network is a group of interconnected computers that
communicate and share resources (data, files, printers, internet).
Purpose: Resource sharing, communication, and data transfer.
Evolution of Networking:
1. ARPANET (1969):
o Developed by U.S. Department of Defense (DARPA).
o First network to implement packet switching.
o Connected four universities.
o Considered the beginning of the Internet.
2. NSFNET (1986):
o Developed by National Science Foundation.
o Replaced ARPANET.
o Backbone for early Internet growth in academic institutions.
3. INTERNET:
o A global network of interconnected networks.
o Offers services like WWW, email, file transfer, remote login.
o Based on TCP/IP protocols.
2. Data Communication Terminologies
Communication Concept:
Data communication refers to the exchange of data between devices through
a transmission medium.
Components of Data Communication:
1. Sender – Originates the message.
2. Receiver – Destination of the message.
3. Message – Actual data (text, image, video).
4. Communication Media – Channel (wired/wireless) through which data travels.
5. Protocols – Rules governing data communication (e.g., TCP/IP).
Measuring Communication Capacity:
Bandwidth: Max data that can be transferred in a unit time (measured in bps,
Mbps).
Data Transfer Rate: Actual speed at which data is transmitted.
IP Address:
A unique identifier for each device on a network.
IPv4 (e.g., 192.168.1.1), IPv6 (newer version).
Switching Techniques:
1. Circuit Switching – Dedicated path (e.g., Telephone calls).
2. Packet Switching – Data broken into packets, sent independently (used in
Internet).
3. Message Switching – Whole message is sent and stored before forwarding.
3. Transmission Media
Wired Communication:
1. Twisted Pair Cable:
o Two insulated copper wires twisted together.
o Cheap, used in LAN.
o Types: UTP, STP.
2. Co-axial Cable:
o Central conductor + insulation + shield.
o Used for cable TV and broadband.
3. Fiber-optic Cable:
o Transmits data as light.
o High speed, high bandwidth, expensive.
Wireless Communication:
1. Radio Waves:
o Used in AM/FM, mobile phones, Wi-Fi.
o Long-range communication.
2. Microwaves:
o Used in satellite and TV transmission.
o Line of sight communication.
3. Infrared Waves:
o Used in remote controls.
o Short-range communication.
4. Network Devices
Device Function
Modem Modulates and demodulates analog/digital signals.
Ethernet Card NIC used to connect to LAN.
RJ45 Connector used in Ethernet cables.
Repeater Regenerates weak signals to extend distance.
Hub Broadcasts data to all devices. No intelligence.
Switch Sends data only to the intended recipient.
Router Connects different networks; routes data.
Gateway Connects dissimilar networks (e.g., LAN to WAN).
Wi-Fi Card Enables wireless communication on a device.
5. Network Topologies and Types
Network Types:
1. PAN (Personal Area Network) – Small range (e.g., Bluetooth).
2. LAN (Local Area Network) – Small area (e.g., school, office).
3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) – City-wide coverage.
4. WAN (Wide Area Network) – Country or globe (e.g., Internet).
Network Topologies:
1. Bus Topology:
o Single backbone cable.
o Cost-effective, difficult to troubleshoot.
2. Star Topology:
o All devices connected to a central hub/switch.
o Easy to manage.
3. Tree Topology:
o Combination of star and bus.
o Hierarchical.
6. Network Protocols
Protocol Function
HTTP Transfers web pages.
HTTPS Secure HTTP.
FTP Transfers files.
SMTP Sends emails.
POP3 Receives emails.
TCP/IP Basic protocol for Internet.
PPP Point-to-Point Protocol for direct connection.
TELNET Remote login.
VoIP Voice communication over IP (e.g., Skype).
7. Introduction to Web Services
Term Description
WWW (World Wide Web) Collection of interlinked web pages.
HTML Markup language to design web pages.
XML Used to store and transport data.
Domain Name Human-readable address (e.g., google.com).
URL Uniform Resource Locator – full web address.
Website A collection of web pages.
Web Browser Software to access web pages (e.g., Chrome).
Web Server Computer that hosts websites.
Web Hosting Service that provides storage for websites on the Internet.
Sample Board Questions with Solutions – Unit 2:
Computer Networks
1 Mark Questions
Q1. What is the full form of ARPANET?
Ans: Advanced Research Projects Agency Network.
Q2. Define bandwidth.
Ans: Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a
communication channel in a given amount of time, usually measured in bits per
second (bps).
Q3. Write any two examples of wired transmission media.
Ans: Twisted pair cable, Co-axial cable.
Q4. Name the device that regenerates weak signals in a network.
Ans: Repeater.
Q5. Which network topology has a central hub/switch?
Ans: Star topology.
🔹 2 Marks Questions
Q6. Differentiate between HTTP and HTTPS.
Ans:
HTTP HTTPS
HyperText Transfer Protocol HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure
Unsecured data transmission Secured using encryption (SSL/TLS)
Q7. What are the functions of a Router and a Switch in a network?
Ans:
Router: Connects different networks and routes data between them.
Switch: Connects multiple devices within a LAN and sends data only to the
intended recipient.
Q8. What is the role of IP address in networking?
Ans:
An IP address uniquely identifies each device on a network and is used to route data
to the correct destination.
Q9. Write any two advantages of fiber-optic cable.
Ans:
1. High data transmission speed.
2. Immune to electromagnetic interference.
3 Marks Questions
Q10. Explain the components of data communication.
Ans:
The five components of data communication are:
1. Sender – The device that sends the message.
2. Receiver – The device that receives the message.
3. Message – The data to be communicated.
4. Communication media – The channel (wired/wireless).
5. Protocol – Rules that govern data transmission.
Q11. Compare LAN, MAN, and WAN.
Ans:
Feature LAN MAN WAN
Coverage Small (office/home) City-wide Large (country/world)
Speed High Moderate Slower
Cost Low Medium High
Q12. Explain packet switching with an example.
Ans:
In packet switching, data is broken into packets and sent individually over the
network. Each packet may take a different path. For example, in an email sent over
the Internet, packets reach the destination and are reassembled.
🔹 5 Marks Questions
Q13. Describe different types of transmission media.
Ans:
Wired Media:
1. Twisted Pair Cable – Two wires twisted, used in LANs.
2. Co-axial Cable – Single copper conductor with insulation; used in cable TV.
3. Fiber-optic Cable – Uses light signals; high speed and security.
Wireless Media:
1. Radio Waves – Used in Wi-Fi, AM/FM.
2. Microwaves – Line-of-sight, used in satellite.
3. Infrared Waves – Short-range, used in remote controls.
Q14. Explain any five network devices with their functions.
Ans:
1. Modem – Converts digital signals to analog and vice versa.
2. Switch – Connects devices in a network and forwards data to specific devices.
3. Router – Connects different networks and manages traffic.
4. Repeater – Boosts weak signals.
5. Gateway – Connects different types of networks.
Q15. Write a short note on the following protocols: HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP3, and
TCP/IP.
Ans:
HTTP – Transfers web pages.
FTP – Transfers files between client and server.
SMTP – Sends emails.
POP3 – Retrieves emails.
TCP/IP – Basic suite for Internet communication.
Q16. What is WWW? Explain the terms: URL, Domain name, Web browser, and Web
server.
Ans:
WWW (World Wide Web): A system of interlinked hypertext documents
accessible through the Internet.
URL: Uniform Resource Locator – complete address of a web page.
Domain Name: Human-readable web address (e.g., cbse.gov.in).
Web Browser: Application to access websites (e.g., Chrome).
Web Server: A server that hosts web pages and delivers them to clients.
