The computer Network
Definition and concept
A computer network is a group of computers and other devices (e.g., printers, scanners) connected through a
communication link, enabling them to interact, share data, and resources.
- It allows data exchange and resource sharing, using standard protocols to ensure devices work together.
- Networks can be:
- Small or large
- Temporary or permanent
- Wired or wireless
- The largest network in the world is the Internet.
Benefits and Purpose: The primary function of a network is to share information and resources swiftly and
efficiently. Without being connected to the network, computers can't access shared resources.
Key components
Main/Powerful Computer (File Server or Main Server)
- Acts as a controller for the other computers.
- Known as a file server, it stores data and manages communication between networked computers.
- Heart of the network - almost all communication and resource sharing goes through it.
- Runs on operating systems like UNIX, ideal for linking and transferring resources.
Illustration: Standalone vs Networked Computers
- Standalone Computer: Cannot share information with other computers.
- Networked Computers: Can share data, programs, and communicate easily.
Advantages of Networking Computers in an Organization
1. Sharing of Resources (computers, staff, and data)
2. Local Control without losing central management
3. Efficient Distribution of work and processing load
4. Improved Communication among users and systems
Detailed Look at the File Server
- A file server:
- Stores and manages shared data.
- Has a large RAM, huge storage, fast processor, and network interface card.
- File servers store and manage applications and data files for shared use.
- They support functions like sending programs, storing emails, and receiving files.
- Organizations often store a single master copy of data on the server.
- Access Types:
a. Read Only Access: Users can read but not modify data, protecting it from changes.
b. Read/Write Access: Users can read and modify data. Access levels can vary, including supervisor
rights for full control.
Network Components and Servers
- Client Computers or Workstations: Computers connected to a network using a Network Interface
Card (NIC).
- Mail Server: Manages email communication and must run continuously.
- Print Server: Manages printing tasks from networked computers.
Network Terminologies
- Resources: Includes hardware (printers, scanners) and software (files, programs), managed by
theoperating system.
- Nodes: Points where devices connect to the network.
- Stand-Alone Computer: Not connected to a network; cannot share or access shared resources.
Networking Overview
- Networking enables sharing and communication between connected computers.
- Improves data exchange and business efficiency.
- Transfers data directly between computers without human intermediaries.
Definition: Networking is the engineering discipline that deals with the communication and exchange
of information between computer systems or devices.
5. Ways to Network Computers
a. Network Interface Card (NIC): Connects multiple computers; handles data transmission.
b. Dial-Up Networking: Uses a modem; slower, used in home connections.
c. Direct Cable Connection: Uses serial or parallel cables; faster than modem but limited to
twocomputers and cable length.
Summary of Types of Computer Networks:
Computer networks are classified based on their size, data transfer speed, and reach. Below are the
types described:
1. Personal Area Network (PAN): Connects a single person's devices within a range of about 6-9
meters.
2. Local Area Network (LAN): A collection of computers in a single location connected by
cables;limited to around 100 meters, typically used in schools and offices.
3. Campus Area Network (CAN): Links multiple LANs within a limited geographical area like
auniversity or industrial complex; often uses bridging and routing.
4. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): Connects LANs within a city or metropolitan area,
coveringmore ground than CAN; uses routers, switches, and hubs.
5. Wide Area Network (WAN): Interconnects computers across broad areas (regional/national).
WANs can use satellite, microwave, and fiber optics; the Internet is a global WAN.
6. Storage Area Network (SAN): Connects servers to data storage devices using technology like
Fiber Channel.
7. System Area Network (SAN): Connects high-performance computers in a cluster.
8. Server Area Network (SAN): Specialized for linking servers.
9. Small Area Network (SAN): Covers a very limited area, smaller than a LAN.
10. Controller Area Network (CAN): Used in embedded systems, especially vehicles.
11. Cluster Area Network (CAN): Links computers in a high-performance cluster.
12. Inter-Enterprise Network (IEN): Connects two or more companies to share resources
usingtechnologies like EDI.
Functions of Computer Networks:
A) Sharing of Hardware Resources: Networked computers can share resources like printers
andservers.
- They facilitate communication, streamline business operations, and support data sharing
andstorage.
LANs are popular due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. WANs, especially the Internet, provide
global connectivity. CANs, MANs, and SANs serve specialized functions based on scale and purpose.
B).Sharing of Software Resources
Software can be shared over a network instead of installing it on each computer. This saves cost
and effort and makes it easier for many users to access the same applications at the same time.
C) Preservation of Information
A network allows information to be backed up at a central point, preventing loss due to accidents on
individual computers. It is more reliable than backing up each computer separately.
D) Protection of Information
Networks provide extra security for sensitive company data by using user accounts and passwords.
This protects information from unauthorized access and tampering.
E) E-Mail
E-mail is one of the biggest benefits of networking. It lets users instantly send messages and
attachments (documents, audio, video, graphics). E-mail is faster and cheaper than regular mail or
couriers.
F) Teleconferencing/Videoconferencing
Networking enables people in different locations to hold meetings by sharing text, audio, or live
video.
Participants can discuss ideas in real time and share visuals or diagrams through special software.
G) Telecommuting
Telecommuting allows employees to work from home using a computer and modem to connect to
the office network. This saves travel time and expenses while keeping the worker connected to the
company's systems and information.
Additional: Components of Computer Network
Network Media/Hardware:
Definition: The physical materials (like cables or wireless signals) that connect computers and carry
data.
Examples: Twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, wireless links.
Copper: The most common medium; good at carrying signals but loses energy over long distances
and needs more power.
Twisted-Pair Cable: Made of two insulated wires; widely used for data transmission.
Summary: Fundamentals of Computer Science - Networking
B) Sharing of Software Resources
Software can be shared over a network instead of installing it on each computer. This saves cost
and effort and makes it easier for many users to access the same applications at the same time.
C) Preservation of Information
A network allows information to be backed up at a central point, preventing loss due to accidents on
individual computers. It is more reliable than backing up each computer separately.
D) Protection of Information
Networks provide extra security for sensitive company data by using user accounts and passwords.
This protects information from unauthorized access and tampering.
E) E-Mail
E-mail is one of the biggest benefits of networking. It lets users instantly send messages and
attachments (documents, audio, video, graphics). E-mail is faster and cheaper than regular mail or
couriers.
F) Teleconferencing/Videoconferencing
Networking enables people in different locations to hold meetings by sharing text, audio, or live
video.
Participants can discuss ideas in real time and share visuals or diagrams through special software.
G) Telecommuting
Telecommuting allows employees to work from home using a computer and modem to connect to
the office network. This saves travel time and expenses while keeping the worker connected to the
company's systems and information.
Components of Computer Network
Network Media/Hardware:
Network software
Network media
Definition: The physical materials (like cables or wireless signals) that connect computers and carry
data.
Examples: Twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, wireless links.
Copper: The most common medium; good at carrying signals but loses energy over long distances
and needs more power.
Twisted-Pair Cable: Made of two insulated wires; widely used for data transmission
- Twisted-pair wire is widely used for indoor telephone wiring and is often called telephone wire.
- It is inexpensive and was historically favored for data communications.
- Modern twisted-pair wires are built to higher specifications for network use.
- Bandwidth is determined by the range between highest and lowest frequencies - higher
bandwidthmeans more data.
- Supports transmission speeds up to 1 Gbps, with even faster speeds expected.
Figure 1.6: Coaxial Cable
- Coaxial cable (coax) consists of a central wire conductor surrounded by a wire mesh
shield,separated by insulation.
- Common in cable TV systems.
- Supports transmission speeds up to 10 Mbps.
- Can carry more data than older twisted-pair wiring but is more expensive.
-
-
Became less popular when twisted-pair technology improved.
Thick coax is an older standard and is rarely used in new networks.
Figure 1.7: Fibre Optic Cable
- Fibre-optic cable uses light photons to transmit data.
- Immune to electrical and radio interference.
- A strand carries light pulses along its length, bending around corners.
- Light travels much faster than electrical signals; supports speeds over a billion bits per second.
- Single-mode fibre-optic cables can transmit signals over hundreds of miles without signal loss.
- Transmission speeds now approach 100 Gbps.
- Multi-mode fibre-optic cables allow light to travel several miles without degradation.
Page 22: Wireless Links (The Use of Air)
- Wireless technologies (e.g., infrared) eliminate cabling needs between devices.
- Infrared is line-of-sight: photons transmit data through air but can't pass through walls.
- Suitable for temporary setups or mobile devices (laptops, printers).
- Infrared speeds range from 0.3 Mbps to 4 Mbps, much slower than copper or fibre-optic networks.
- Local area networks typically run at 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
- Infrared's lower speed and line-of-sight limitation reduce its practicality in offices.wiireless
Wireless communication uses radio or infrared signals to transmit data. It offers flexibility in network
layouts.
Common uses include:
1. Office LANs: Radio signals transmit data between nodes.
2. Laptops: Equipped with cellular modems for remote office access.
3. Corporate WANs: Microwave links connect LANs across a city (requires line-of-sight).
4. WANs: Satellites and microwaves transmit data over long distances.
Network Hardware
Hardware components (e.g., NICs, bridges, hubs, switches, routers) are essential for interconnecting
network nodes. They often connect via cables or wireless links.
- Network Interface Card (NIC): Controls the flow of data in/out of a computer. Required for
allnetwork types, wired or wireless.
- Network Interface Card (NIC)
- Allows a computer to communicate over a network.
- Provides access to media, uses MAC addresses for identification.
- Interfaces with OS to send/receive data packets.
Ethernet
- Most common network technology.
- Uses twisted-pair or fiber-optic cables in a star topology.
- Detects collisions with Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD).
- Early implementations:
- 10Base-5 and 10Base-2 (coaxial cables).
- 10Base-T (star topology, more popular now).
Page 25: Token Ring, Repeaters, Hubs
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Token Ring
- Developed by IBM.
Uses an electronic token to control access to the network.
Nodes wait for the token before transmitting data.
- Reduces data collisions but requires costly hardware.
- Operates at 4 or 16 Mbps; newer versions support up to 100 Mbps.
Repeaters
- Amplify signals in a LAN to extend distance.
- Needed for Ethernet cables over 100 meters.
Hubs
- Create small-scale networks by linking multiple computers.
- Forward incoming packets to all connected ports.
Summary of Pages 23-25 from "Fundamentals of Computer Science - Networking, Programming,
Spreadsheet, and Database Management"
Page 23: Wireless Communication & Network Hardware
Wireless Communication in Networks
Wireless communication uses radio or infrared signals to transmit data. It offers flexibility in network
layouts.
Common uses include:
1. Office LANs: Radio signals transmit data between nodes.
2. Laptops: Equipped with cellular modems for remote office access.
3. Corporate WANs: Microwave links connect LANs across a city (requires line-of-sight).
4. WANs: Satellites and microwaves transmit data over long distances.
Network Hardware
Hardware components (e.g., NICs, bridges, hubs, switches, routers) are essential for interconnecting
network nodes. They often connect via cables or wireless links.
- Network Interface Card (NIC): Controls the flow of data in/out of a computer. Required for
allnetwork types, wired or wireless.
Page 24: NIC, Ethernet Technology
Network Interface Card (NIC)
- Allows a computer to communicate over a network.
- Provides access to media, uses MAC addresses for identification.
- Interfaces with OS to send/receive data packets.
Ethernet
- Most common network technology.
- Uses twisted-pair or fiber-optic cables in a star topology.
- Detects collisions with Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD).
- Early implementations:
- 10Base-5 and 10Base-2 (coaxial cables).
- 10Base-T (star topology, more popular now).
-
-
Page 25: Token Ring, Repeaters, Hubs
Token Ring
Developed by IBM.
Uses an electronic token to control access to the network.
- Nodes wait for the token before transmitting data.
- Reduces data collisions but requires costly hardware.
- Operates at 4 or 16 Mbps; newer versions support up to 100 Mbps.
Repeaters
- Amplify signals in a LAN to extend distance.
- Needed for Ethernet cables over 100 meters.
Hubs
- Create small-scale networks by linking multiple computers.
- Forward incoming packets to all connected ports.
Routers
- Routers are intelligent devices used in LANs and packet-switched networks.
- Examine each data packet, determine the best route, and forward it.
- Use headers and forwarding tables; operate at the network layer (OSI model).
- Traditionally hardware-based; software routers are increasingly common.
Network Switch vs. Router
- Both are essential but serve different purposes.
- Switch: Connects devices within a network; enables efficient communication.
- Router: Connects networks; acts as a dispatcher selecting data paths.
- Routers link LANs to the Internet and enable shared access.
-
Bridge
- Connects two adjacent LANs via a cabled link.
- Determines whether a message remains in the current network or is forwarded.
Switches
- More intelligent than hubs; only forward messages to intended recipients.
- Can operate on one or more OSI layers.
- Used for efficient internal communication and network monitoring.
- Some switches mirror data for analysis/security purposes.
Gateway
- Connects dissimilar networks (e.g., LAN to WAN).
Detailed Summary: Networking Components (Pages 26-28)
- Contains a processor and memory for protocol and bandwidth conversion.
- Enables communication between different systems/services.
Network Software
- Controls hardware used in networking.
- Two main types: Network Operating System (NOS) and Application Software.
Network Operating System (NOS)
- Manages rules (protocols) for communication between computers.
- Handles sending/receiving of data packets.
- Ensures logical connections and minimizes data collisions.
Network Operating Systems (NOS) Summary
Definition:
- A Network Operating System (NOS) manages resources on a network, allowing multiplecomputers
to communicate and share resources.
- Unlike standalone OS like DOS or Windows (for individual PCs), NOS supports networking
functionalities.
Popular Network Operating Systems:
1. Novel NetWare:
- Popular for installations with many clients.
- Supports Ethernet, Token Ring, UNIX, Mac, PC platforms.
2. Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0:
- Windows 9x-style GUI.
- Ideal for small to medium businesses.
- Compatible with Windows 3.11, 95, 98.
3. Microsoft Windows 2000:
- Editions: Professional, Server, Advanced Server, Data Center.
- Built on Windows NT with Active Directory and GUI.
- Scalable for small to enterprise networks.
4. Banyan VINES:
- Used in large infrastructures (e.g., U.S. Marine Corps).
- Allows user synchronization across the same network.
5. AppleShare:
- For Apple Macintosh users.
- Enables resource sharing like printers and storage.
6. Linux:
- Open-source, cost-effective.
- Used by small businesses and home users.
- Supports networking, printing, file sharing.
Types of Network Architectures:
1. Peer-to-Peer (User-to-User) Network:
- All computers have equal status.
- Shares files/resources directly without a server.
- Best for small LANs.
- Example OS: Windows XP.
Advantages:
- Less Initial Expense: No need for a dedicated server.
- Setup: Easy reconfiguration for P2P.
Disadvantages:
- Decentralized: No central file/app storage.
- Security: Less secure than client/server networks.
2. Server-Based Network:
Involve multiple nodes and a central server (file server, network server, or application server). - The
server stores shared files/programs and responds to requests from nodes.
Client/Server Network:
- Hierarchical model where the server handles storage/processing and clients request services.
- Common in LANs, WANs, and the Internet.
- Example: Database systems with clients accessing a DBMS server.
Benefits:
- Efficient workload distribution.
- Fast data access.
- Centralized services and management.
Client/Server Network Operating Systems:
- Enable centralized control and security.
- Examples: Novell NetWare, Windows 2000, UNIX.
Advantages:
- Accessibility: Remote access and cross-platform.
- Interoperability: Client/server compatibility.
- Flexibility: Easy tech integration.
- Scalability: Independent upgrades.
- Centralized control over resources and security.
Disadvantages:
- Expense: High initial server cost.
- Maintenance: Skilled staff required.
- Dependence: Server failure disrupts the network.
Application Software:
- Includes programs like DBMS, word processors, and spreadsheets.
- Enables all workstations to access and share networked applications and data.
Routing Traffic on the Internet:
- Computers connect through smaller networks via gateways.
- Internet is a network of networks with thousands of servers.
- Routers, gateways, and bridges handle data routing and transfers.
