INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTER
NETWORKS AND
COMMUNICATION
COMPUTER NETWORKS
Is a collection of computers that are linked
together for the purpose of communication
and resource sharing

A NETWORK
Is a collection of two or more entities that are
arranged in order to exchange data or resource
sharing
SERVER
Is the computer that provide resources to other computers on
a network

NODES or WORKSTATION
Is the individual computer which access shared network
resources from server

Data communication
Refers to the process of transmitting data signal from one
point to another through the network
Modes of data communication
1. Simplex
2. Half duplex
3. Full duplex

Simplex transmission
Refers to communication in only one direction
i.e. Radio broadcast

Half duplex transmission

Refers to communication in both directions but one direction at a time
i.e. Police Radio call

Full duplex transmission

Refers to communication in both directions simultaneously
i.e. Sending and receiving data on a Computer network
A computer communication device
Is a tool that enables two or more computers to “talk” to
each other

Example of computer communication devices

i. Modem
ii. Router
iii. Hub
iv. Ethernet cables
v. Computer, etc

N.B. All these must working together to form a

communication network
 NETWORK DEVICES
1. HUB
Hubs are commonly used to connect segments of a LAN. It connect network of
different schools or an organization to make one complete network

2. SWITCHES
Are devices that filter and forwards packets between one LAN and another.
3. ROUTER
Are device that forwards data packets along network.

4. BRIDGES
Are devices used to connect two separate Ethernet
networks into one extended Ethernet.
5. GATEWAY
Is a device that converts communications from one
protocol to another.

Protocol
Are set of rules that govern the communication process
between computers on a network
6. MODEM
Is a device used for modulating and demodulating the
signal

Modulation
Is the process where by a modem convert digital signal into
analog signal which can be transmitted over telephone lines

Demodulation
Is the process where by a modem convert analog signal into
digital signal at the receiving end
Multiplexing
Is the process of sending multiple data signals over
the same medium

Demultiplexing
Is the process of separating the multiplexed signals
at the receiving end.
7. CABLES
Used to connect different devices on network

Types of cables
1. Coaxial cables
2. Ethernet cables
3. Twisted pair cables
8.CONNECTORS
The part of a cable that plugs into a port to connect one
device to another

Types of connectors
1. RJ-45 connector
2. USB wireless adapter
3. USB connector Type A
4. USB connector Type B, etc
RJ-45 Connector
Is a connector used to connect all twisted pair cables to
your network.
USB wireless adaptor
Simply plug into a USB port for connecting your
computer/laptop to a wireless device.
USB Connector Type A
For connecting USB devices to the PC
(Is the end which connected to the laptop)

USB Connector Type B

Is the end which connect your device i.e. (printer)
TYPES OF NETWORKS
1. Local Area Network (LAN)
2. Personal Area Network (PAN)
3. Metropolitan area network (MAN)
4. Wide Area Network (WAN)

LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)

Is a computer network that cover small geographical area, i.e.
home, school, building, etc
PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (PAN)
Is a computer network organized around an individual person.
(i.e. connection of mobile phone to computer)

METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORKS (MAN)

Is a network that covers a metropolitan area like a town or city. It covers a
radius of 5 to 50km

WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)

Is a network that covers a large geographical area. i.e. Region, Country,
Continent or World
Advantages of using a computer network
1. Sharing devices such as printer, modems, etc
2. Sharing Files between different users
3. Sharing data, storage devices, etc
4. Sharing software licenses
5. Remote communication. i.e. use of wireless
6. Cost effectiveness
Limitations /disadvantage of networking
i. Security issues
ii. High initial installation cost
iii. Moral and cultural effects
iv. Spread of terrorism
v. Drug trafficking
Elements of networking classified into four major categories
1. Data communication media
2. Communication devices
3. Networking software
4. Data signal

Data communication media

Is a path used for carrying data and information from one point to
another

Types of Data communication media

1. Communication using cable (Bounded media)
2. Wireless communication (Unbounded media)
Communication using cable (Bounded media)
Are used to transmit data signals from one point to
another by using cables

Types of Bounded Media

1. Two wire open lines cables
2. Twisted pair cables
3. Coaxial cables
4. Fibre optic cables
Two wire open lines cables
Are made up of two parallel copper wires separated by
a plastic insulator. They are used in
telecommunication network to transmit voice signal

Twisted pair cables

Are made up of two solid copper wires winding
around each other in a double helix manner.
The winding of the wires is meant to reduce the
development of an electromagnetic field around the
two wires as they transmit data. The cables are mostly
used to transmit both voice and data signals
The two common types of twisted pair cables are
1. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
2. Shielded twisted pair (STP)

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)

Do not have a shielded that prevents electric noise
from the environment. It is not suitable to the
environment that is electrically “noisy”

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

Is similar to UTP except that braided shield is wrapped
around the wires to protect them from noise
Coaxial cables
It resembles the cable that is used to connect Television
antenna to a Television set.

Types of coaxial cable

1. Thinnet i.e. It has one dielectric installator
2. Thicknet i.e. It has two dielectric installators
Fibre optic cables
This is the latest types of bounded transmission media to
be developed instead of transmitting data signals using
electronic signals, the fibre optic cable utilizes light to
transmit data from one point to another on the network.

Types Fibre optic cables

1. Single mode fibre
2. Multimode fibre

The single Mode fibre

The light in the cable can take only one path through it

A multimode Fibre
It allow several rays to be fed in the cable at an angle
Wireless communication (Unbounded media)
Are used to transmit data from one point to another
without using physical connections

Examples of wireless transmission media

1. Microwaves
2. Satellite
3. Radio waves
4. Infrared transmission
Microwave transmission
Microwave frequency range from about 4GHZ to 40GHZ on
the electromagnetic spectrum.

Satellite communication
A satellite is a microwave relay station. The microwave earth
stations have parabolic dishes with an antenna fixed on
them, in order to focus a narrow beam towards the satellite
in space

Radio communication
Radio waves travel just like surface water waves. This means
they start from a central point and spreads outwards in all
directions.
Bluetooth technology
Is a world wide and short range radio technology that
enables people to use handheld communication
devices such as mobile phones to access the internet.
A network of Bluetooth enabled devices is called a
wireless personal area network (WPAN)

Infrared transmission
Infrared waves fall just below the visible light on the
electromagnetic spectrum. It cannot penetrate
obstacles like walls so transceivers must be in the same
room
NETWORK TOPOLOGY
Is the arrangement of the various/different elements of computer
network

Classification of network topology

1. Logical topology
2. Physical topology

Logical topology (Signal topology)

It deals with the way data passes from one device to another on the
network. i.e. Ethernet and token ring

Physical topology
Refers to the physical arrangement of components on the
network. i.e. Star, Bus, Ring, Mesh and Tree Topology
Types of Physical topology
1. Bus topology
2. Ring topology
3. Star topology
4. Tree topology
5. Mesh topology
Bus topology
Each devices (computer) is connected to a single cable/central hub

Advantages
i. It is easy to set up, handle and implement
ii. It is best-suited for small networks
iii. It is cheap

Disadvantages
i. The cable length is limited
ii. Suitable for networks with low traffic
iii. It is heavily dependent on the central bus
Ring topology
All devices connected in a circular format to make a complete network

Advantages
i. A central server is not requested for the management of this topology
ii. The data transmission is high speed
iii. It is better at handling load than bus topology

Disadvantages
i. The failure of a single node can cause network to fail
ii. Changes made to a single network nodes affect the entire network performance
iii. Data sent from one node to another has to pass through all the intermediate nodes
Star topology
All nodes (computers) are connected to a central devices. i.e. Hub or
Switch

Advantages
i. It is simple to operate
ii. When one device is disconnected the remain devices will continue
to operate well
iii. Adding/removing network nodes is easy and can be done without
affecting the entire network

Disadvantages
i. Networks operation depends on the functioning of the central hub
ii. The setup cost is quite high
Mesh topology
A host(nodes) is connected to two or more nodes. (each connector should have an
equal wired going to the next node). It is called dimentional point (one
computer must be connected to many other devices connected to your
network)

Advantages
i. Network nodes transmit data from one node to other nodes at the same
time
ii. The failure of a single node does not cause the entire network to fail
iii. It can handle heavy traffic

Disadvantages
i. Its complexity
ii. A lot of cabling is required
Tree topology
It looks like extended star topology and it also has bus topology properties. (it has tree
structure in nature)

Advantages
i. Falling of one segment does not affect the rest of the network
ii. Fault identification is easy
iii. The network can be expanded by the addition of secondary nodes

Disadvantages
i. Maintenance is not easy and costs are high
ii. As multiple segments are connected to a central bus, its failure affects the entire
network
iii. Number of nodes that can be added depends on the central bus and on the cable
 Question
Multiple choice questions

1. What is a local area network (LAN)?

A. Network within a building or site
B. Network across a region ,country or world [ A ]
C. Network that contains servers across the world
D. Network between mobile devices within a few meters

2. Which of the following is not a type of a computer network?

A. Local Area Network (LAN)
B. Personal Area Network (PAN) [C]
C. Remote Area Network (RAN)
D. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
3. A Tanzania communication company wishes to connect two sites
in different parts of the country together. It is decided to use the
telephone system. What device should be connected to the file
servers on each site?
A. Router
B. Modem [ A]
C. Hub
D. UTP Cable

4. Kitera communication company is expending rapidly many new

people are being employed and in addition the employees keep
changing offices. The company wants to set up an Ethernet
network. What physical topology would they use?
A. Bus
B. Star [ B]
C. Ring
D. Mesh
5. Star topology is based on a central device that can be
A. Hub
B. Switch [D ]
C. Only A
D. Both A and B

6. In which network topology do all nodes have

independent connection to all other nodes?
A. Bus
B. Mesh [B ]
C. Ring
D. Star
7. What is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?
A. A large group of connected computers in the same room
B. A network of connected computers in a single office, building
or group of building at same site [C ]
C. A group of smaller network (or LAN) connected together
across a wide geographical area
D. A network of devices within a few meters

8. Which network topologies can you use with Ethernet networks?

A. Bus
B. Mesh [ D ]
C. Ring
D. Star
9. RJ-11 is a connector used to connect:-
A. Mobile phones
B. Computers [ C]
C. Telephone lines
D. TV sets

10. RJ-45 is a connector used to connect:-

A. Mobile phones
B. Computers [ B ]
C. Telephone lines
D. TV sets
 TRUE/FALSE

1. In a star topology, when a single connection fails, it

doesn’t affect the communication ability of other
computer. ……..TRUE

2. The star topology uses a central networking device

called a multi-station access unit (MSAU)….FALSE

3. The mesh topology is extremely fault tolerant, but

expensive to implement…..TRUE
4. A LAN becomes a WAN when you expand the network
configuration beyond your own premises and must
lease data communication lines from a public carrier.
…….TRUE

5. The benefit of a bus topology is that its simple and in

expensive to set up. …..TRUE

6. UTP is the cheapest cabling choice……TRUE

7. Today fiber-optic cable is the media of choice for
backbone networks. ..…TRUE

8. A computer is one of the backup devices…...TRUE

9. RJ-45 is used to connect telephone line. ..…FALSE

10. In tree topology a node is connected to two or more

nodes……FALSE
 FILL THE BLANKS
1. A ……………..(LAN)……is confined to a limited
geographical area
2. What does the acronym LAN stand for? …..(Local
Area Network)……
3. A network that spans a nation or a world is called
a……….(WAN)
4. All hosts in ……Star……topology are connected to a
central device.
5. List five network topologies
i. …………....Bus
ii. ……………..Star
iii. ……………..Ring
iv. ……………..Tree
v. …………….Mesh
 DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1. Give the types of computer networks
2. Discuss five common network devices and their
functions
3. Discuss the types of network topologies
4. Communication devices in network
5. Draw diagram of star topology and explain when
central device are removed what will happen
6. Assume six devices are arranged in a mesh topology.
How many cables are needed?
7. Draw a hybrid topology with a star backbone and
three ring networks
8. Draw diagram of WAN network and explain how it
relate with LAN network
9. Give five advantages of a computer networks
10. You have two computers connected by an Ethernet hub at
home. Is this a LAN, WAN or MAN? Explain your reason

11. For each of the following four networks, discuss the

consequences if a connection fails
a. Five devices arranged in a mesh topology
b. Five devices arranged in a star topology (not counting the
hub)
c. Five devices arranged in a bus topology
d. Five devices arranged in a ring topology

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