UNIT-3 : INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER NETWORKS

INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKS

The collection of interconnected computers so that they can share information is called a
computer network.

NEED/ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER NETWORK

1. Resource Sharing:
 Printers, files, software, and internet connections can be shared across devices,
reducing costs.
 Example: One printer can serve many users.
2. Data Sharing:
 Easy and fast file sharing between devices.
3. Cost Efficiency
 Reduces hardware and software costs by enabling sharing.
4. Efficient Communication:
 Internal messaging systems and collaboration tools improve workplace communication
and productivity.
ELEMENTARY TERMINOLOGY OF NETWORKS :

 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. It is of 6 bytes. MAC Address
Example: 3C:5A:B4:7D:23:F1
 IP Address: Each computer on internet is identified by a unique number called IP
Address. IT is of 4 bytes. IP Address Example: 192.168.1.1
TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
 4. 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.

Types of Hub-
o Passive Hub: This type of does not amplify or boost the signal. It does not
manipulate or view the traffic that crosses it.
o 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
onto all 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.
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-transmits it 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.
6. 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 refers to the physical or logical layout of a computer network — how devices (nodes)
are connected and how data flows among them.
 📚 Types of Network Topologies:

1. Bus Topology

Layout: All devices are connected to a single central cable (the bus).

✔️ Advantages:

 Easy to install and cost-effective for small networks.

 Requires less cable than other topologies.

❌ Disadvantages:

 Entire network fails if the main cable is damaged.

 Difficult to troubleshoot.
 Slow performance with heavy traffic.

2. Star Topology

Layout: All devices connect to a central hub or switch.

✔️ Advantages:

 Easy to install and manage.

 Failure in one cable/device doesn't affect the rest.
 Easy to add new devices.

❌ Disadvantages:

 If the central hub fails, the whole network goes down.

 Uses more cable than bus topology.
 More expensive due to the hub/switch.

3. Ring Topology

Layout: Devices are connected in a circular loop; each device connects to two others.

✔️ Advantages:

 Equal access for all devices (no collisions).

 Can perform well under heavy load.

❌ Disadvantages:

 Failure in one device or link affects the whole network.

 Difficult to troubleshoot.
 Adding/removing devices can disrupt the network.
4. Mesh Topology

Layout: Every device is connected to every other device.

✔️ Advantages:

 Very reliable; failure of one link doesn’t affect communication.

 High fault tolerance.
 Supports high traffic.

❌ Disadvantages:

 Very expensive and complex to set up.

 Requires a lot of cabling.
 Difficult to manage for large networks.

5. Tree Topology (Hybrid of star and bus)

Layout: A hierarchy of star networks connected to a bus backbone.

 ✔️ Advantages:

 Scalable and easy to expand.

 Allows for centralized control and segmentation.

❌ Disadvantages:

 Backbone failure can bring down the whole network.

 More cabling and configuration required.

Introduction to Internet

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers that communicate using

standard protocols to share information and resources. It allows users around the world to
send emails, browse websites, stream videos, play online games, and access
countless other services.

Applications of Internet

Following are some of the broad areas or services provided through Internet:
• The World Wide Web (WWW)
• Electronic mail (Email)
• Chat
• Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

The World Wide Web (WWW)

WWW stands for World Wide Web. It is a system of interlinked web pages and
multimedia content, accessed through the Internet using a web browser.
🔑 Key Points:

 The WWW is not the same as the Internet.

👉 The Internet is the network of computers.
👉 The WWW is a service that runs on the Internet.
 It uses HTTP/HTTPS protocols to request and transfer web pages.
 Websites on the WWW are identified by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) — like
http://www.ncert.nic.in/textbook/textbook.htm.

In the above URL, http is the protocol name, it can be https, http, FTP, Telnet, etc. www is
a subdomain. ncert.nic.in is the domain name.

📜 History:

 Invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989.

 First website went live in 1991.

🧩 How WWW Works:

1. You enter a web address (URL) into a browser.

2. The browser sends a request to a web server using HTTP/HTTPS.
3. The server sends back the web page, which is displayed on your screen.

🖥️ Common Web Browsers:

 Google Chrome
 Mozilla Firefox
 Microsoft Edge
 Safari

Email (Electronic Mail) is a method of exchanging digital messages over the Internet. It
allows people to send and receive text, files, images, and other attachments quickly,
anywhere in the world. Email address has two parts username@domainname.
 EMAIL

🔑 Functions of Email:

1. Sending Messages:
o Send written messages to individuals or groups instantly.
2. Receiving Messages:
o Get emails from others in your inbox.
3. Forwarding:
o Pass received emails to someone else.
4. Replying:
o Respond directly to received messages.
5. Storing Messages:
o Emails are automatically saved and organized (Inbox, Sent, Drafts, etc.).
6. Attachment Handling:
o Attach and send files like documents, photos, and videos.

Difference Between CC and BCC

CC (Carbon Copy) BCC (Blind Carbon Copy)

To send a copy of the email to other

To send a hidden copy to other recipients.
recipients (visible to all).

All recipients can see who else received the

Recipients cannot see who else got the BCC.
email.

When you want everyone to be aware of When you want to keep recipients private
others who received the email. (e.g., sending to many people).

Informing your boss and colleague about a Sending a newsletter to many clients without
task. showing their emails to each other.

CHAT

The chat feature on the Internet allows people to communicate instantly by sending text
messages in real-time over the network. It lets users have live conversations using computers,
smartphones, or other devices connected to the Internet.
🔑 Key Points:

 Real-time communication: Messages are sent and received instantly.

 One-to-one or group chats: You can chat privately with one person or in groups.
 Text, emojis, images, and files: Modern chat apps support more than just text.
 Used in: Social media, messaging apps, customer support, gaming, etc.

📱 Popular Internet Chat Applications:

 WhatsApp
 Facebook Messenger
 Telegram
 Slack
 Discord

VoIP

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a technology that allows you to make voice
calls using the Internet instead of traditional telephone lines.

🔍 How Does VoIP Work?

1. Voice Conversion: Your voice is converted from analog signals (sound waves) into
digital data packets.
2. Data Transmission: These data packets travel over the Internet or any IP-based
network.
3. Reception and Conversion: At the receiver’s end, the digital data packets are
converted back into sound so the person can hear your voice.
4. Communication: The process happens in real-time, allowing smooth conversations.

🧩 Basic Components of VoIP:

 Microphone and Speaker/Headset: To capture and play audio.

 VoIP Software or Phone: Apps like Skype, Zoom, or dedicated VoIP phones.
 Internet Connection: To send and receive voice data packets.
 VoIP Server: Manages the call setup and routing.
 DIFFERENCES

1. Webpage vs Website
Webpage Website

A collection of related web pages grouped

A single document or page on the web.
under a single domain.

Contains specific content (text, images, Contains multiple webpages, files, and
videos). resources.

Has a main URL/domain name that leads to

Unique URL for each webpage.
multiple pages.

2. Web Server vs Web Browser

Web Server Web Browser

A computer/server that stores and delivers A software application used to access and
web pages. view websites.

Responds to requests and sends web pages Sends requests to servers and displays
to clients. received content.

Apache, Nginx, Microsoft IIS. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari.

Hosts websites and serves content. Allows users to interact with websites.

3. Static Website vs Dynamic Website

Static Website Dynamic Website

Fixed, doesn’t change unless manually Changes content dynamically based on user
updated. interaction or backend logic.

Server-side scripting like PHP, ASP.NET,

HTML, CSS, JavaScript only.
Python.

Limited or no interaction. Supports user interaction (forms, login, etc.).

Simple to develop and host. Requires backend and database integration.

Usually faster as pages are pre-built. May be slower due to server processing.
 🍪 Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your computer by websites you visit. They are used to
remember information about you, such as:

 Login details (so you don’t have to log in every time)

 Items in a shopping cart
 Language or theme preferences
 Tracking browsing behavior (for ads or analytics)

🔹 Example: When you visit a site and it "remembers" your name or preferences — that's often
because of cookies.

🔌 Plug-in

A plug-in is a small software component that adds a specific feature or function to an existing
program — especially, to support multimedia content that the main program can't handle on its
own.

 Used to play videos, animations, or run special file formats.

 Often used in browsers or media players.

🔹 Example: Adobe Flash Player (now outdated), Java plug-in for running applets.

🧩 Add-on

An add-on (also called an extension) is a piece of software that adds extra features or
customization to a program, especially web browsers.

 Can block ads, check grammar, manage passwords, and more.

 Users install them to enhance functionality.

🔹 Example: AdBlock, Grammarly, or Dark Mode add-ons in Google Chrome.