BASIC CONCEPTS
OF NETWORK
INDEX
Definition & applications of computer network
Components of computer network
Network benefits
Disadvantages of computer network
Classification by their geographical area
Network classification by their component
role
Types of servers
DEFINTION & APPLICATIONS
DEFINTION:
A computer network is defined as the interconnection of
two or more computers. It is done to enable the
computers to communicate and share available
resources.
APPLICATIONS:
i. Sharing of resources such as printers
ii. Sharing of expensive software's and database
iii. Communication from one computer to another computer
iv. Exchange of data and information among users via network
v. Sharing of information over geographically wide areas.
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
NETWORK
Two or more computers
Cables as links between the computers
A network interfacing card(NIC) on each
computer
Switches
Software called operating system(OS)
NETWORK BENEFITS
The network provided to the users can be
divided into two categories:
i. Sharing
ii. Connectivity
SHARING RESOURCES
Types of resources are:
1. Hardware: A network allows users to share
many hardware devices such as printers ,
modems, fax machines, CD ROM, players, etc.
2. Software: sharing software resources reduces
the cost of software installation, saves space
on hard disk.
OTHER BENEFITS OF COMPUTER NETWORK
o Increased speed
o Reduced cost
o Improved security
o Centralized software managements
o Electronic mail
o Flexible access
DISDAVATAGES OF
NETWORKS
o High cost of installation
o Requires time for administration
o Failure of server
o Cable faults
CLASSIFICATION OF AREA BY THEIR
GEOGRAPHY
NETWORK
LAN MAN WAN
LOCAL AREA NETWORK(LAN)
LAN is a network which is designed to operate over
a small physical area such as an office, factory or a
group of buildings.
LAN’s are easy to design and troubleshoot
Exchange of information and sharing of resources
becomes easy because of LAN.
In LAN all machines are connected to a single cable.
Different types of topologies such as star, tree, bus,
ring, etc Can be used
It is usually a privately owned network.
LOCAL AREA NETWORK
WIDE AREA NETWORK(WAN)
When network spans over a large distance or when the
computers to be connected to each other are at widely
separated locations a local area network cannot be
used. A wide area network(WAN) is installed.
The communication between different users of WAN is
established using leased telephone lines, satellite links
and similar channels.
It is cheaper and more efficient to use the phone
network for the link.
Most WAN networks are used to transfer large blocks of
data between its users.
WIDE AREA NETWORK(WAN)
METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK(MAN)
It is in between LAN & WAN technology that
covers the entire city.
It uses similar technology as LAN.
It can be a single network such as cable TV
network, or a measure of connecting a number
of LAN’s o a large network so that resources
can be shared LAN to LAN as well as device
to device.
METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK(MAN)
TYPES OF SERVERS
SERVERS
Application Message Database
File server Print server
server sever server
TYPES OF SERVERS
File server: These servers provide the services for storing, retrieving
and moving the data. A user can read, write, exchange and manage
the files with the help of file servers.
Printer server: The printer server is used for controlling and managing
printing on the network. It also offers the fax service to the network
users.
Application server: The expensive software and additional computing
power can be shared by the computers in a network with he help of
application servers.
Message server: It is used to co-ordinate the interaction between
users, documents and applications. The data can be used in the for of
audio, video, binary, text or graphics.
Database server: It is a type of application server. It allows the uses to
access the centralised strong database.
NETWORK CLASSIFICATION BY
THEIR COMPONENT ROLE
LOCAL AREA NETWORK
PEER TO PEER NETWORK CLIENT SERVER NETWORK
PEER TO PEER NETWORK
In peer to peer network each computer is responsible for making its
own resources available to other computers on the network.
Each computer is responsible for setting up and maintaining its own
security for these resources.
Also each computer is responsible for accessing the required
network resources from peer to peer relationships.
Peer to peer network is useful for a small network containing less
than 10 computers on a single LAN .
In peer to peer network each computer can function as both client
and server.
Peer to peer networks do not have a central control system. There
are no servers in peer networks.
Peer networks are amplified into home group.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF PEER
TO PEER NETWORK
Advantages:
Use less expensive Disadvantages:
computer hardware Not very secure
Easy to administer No central point of
No NOS required storage or file archiving
More built in redundancy Additional load on
Easy setup & low cost computer because of
resource sharing
Hard to maintain
version control
CLIENT/SERVER NETWORK
In client-server network relationships, certain computers act as
server and other act as clients. A server is simply a computer, that
available the network resources and provides service to other
computers when they request it. A client is the computer running a
program that requests the service from a server.
Local area network(LAN) is based on client server network
relationship.
A client-server network is one n which all available network
resources such as files, directories, applications and shared
devices, are centrally managed and hosted and then are
accessed by client.
Client serve network are defined by the presence of servers on a
network that provide security and administration of the network.
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF CLIENT-
SERVER NETWORK
Advantages:
Very secure Disadvantages:
Better performance requires professional
Centralized backup
administration
More hardware-
very reliable
intensive
More software
intensive
Expensive dedicated
software
Intranet
This is a network that is not available to the world
outside of the Intranet
An intranet is a network based on TCP/IP protocols
(an internet) belonging to an organization, usually a
corporation, accessible only by the organization's
members, employees, or others with authorization.
Microsoft SharePoint is the dominant software used
for creating intranets. Estimates indicate that around
50% of all intranets are developed using
SharePoint;[18] however, there are many alternatives
EXTRANET
An extranet is a private network that uses
Internet technology and the public
telecommunication system to securely share
part of a business's informatio with other
companies.
An extranet requires security and privacy
Uses of Computer Networks
Business Applications
Resource sharing:- Computer Network is used in Resource sharing.
The Same Device in a network can be accessed by the different
computer which is connected to the same network like the printer,
fax, scanner, etc.
Information sharing:- Information sharing is the exchange of data
between various organizations, people, and technologies. Different
information and data can be shared like the file, videos, etc.
Communication medium:- Computer Network is widely used in
communication like chatting, video chatting, emails ,etc.
E-commerce:- Computer Network is also used in E-commerce where
users can pay bills, transfer cash, buy good, etc using the computer.
Home Applications
Access to remote information:- Computer
Network facilitates users to access information
that is distant away by staying at home
remotely.
Person-to-person communication:- Users can
use Computer Network in their home to
communicate with other peoples by telephone,
video chat, etc.
Interactive entertainment:- Computer Network
is used in multiplayer gaming. It is also used in
social networking sites like facebook, twitter,
etc to connect people.
Mobile Users
Computer Network is used in the mobile device
like telephone, Smartphone, tablets, etc for
communication, the internet, file sharing, etc.
