Computer Networks BC0048

SET-I A-1. File Sharing: The major advantage of a computer network is that is allows file sharing and remote file access. A person sitting at one workstation of a network can easily see the files present on the other workstation, provided he is authorized to do so. It saves the time which is wasted in copying a file from one system to another, by using a storage device. In addition to that, many people can access or update the information stored in a database, making it up-to-date and accurate. Resource Sharing: Resource sharing is also an important benefit of a computer network. For example, if there are four people in a family, each having their own computer, they will require four modems (for the Internet connection) and four printers, if they want to use the resources at the same time. A computer network, on the other hand, provides a cheaper alternative by the provision of resource sharing. In this way, all the four computers can be interconnected, using a network, and just one modem and printer can efficiently provide the services to all four members. The facility of shared folders can also be availed by family members. Increased Storage Capacity: As there is more than one computer on a network which can easily share files, the issue of storage capacity gets resolved to a great extent. A standalone computer might fall short of storage memory, but when many computers are on a network, memory

of different computers can be used in such case. One can also design a storage server on the network in order to have a huge storage capacity. Increased Cost Efficiency: There are many software available in the market which are costly and take time for installation. Computer networks resolve this issue as the software can be stored or installed on a system or a server and can be used by the different workstations. A-2. LAN- LAN or local area networks are privately owned networks within a same building or a campus up to a few kilometers in size. Most of LANs use Bus or a Ring topology for a connection. They are used to connect personal computers and workstations in company offices and factories to share resources and exchange information. Traditional LANs run at speeds of 10 mbps to 100 mbps, have low delay (microseconds and nanoseconds) and make very few errors. Newer LANs operate at 10Gbps. Various topologies are possible for broadcast LANs. WAN- A Wide Area Network or WAN spans a large geographical area often a continent or a country. WAN contains a collection of machines called as hosts. These hosts are on LANs and are connected by a subnet or also called communication subnet. The hosts are owned by costumers or are personal computers. The communication subnets are owned by a telephone company or internet service provider. The subnet carries the messages from hosts to hosts, just as a telephone system carries words from speaker to listener. Each host is connected to LAN on which a router is present. Sometimes a host may be connected directly to a router. The collection of communication lines and routers is called a communication subnet. In most WANs, the network contains many transmission lines each connecting a pair of

routers. A packet is sent from one router to another via one or more intermediate routers. The packet is received at each intermediate router in its entirety. That is store the packet in full until the required output line is free, and then forwards it. A subnet that works according to this principle is called store and forward or packet switched subnet. Not all WANs are packet switched. A second possibility for a WAN is a satellite system. Satellite networks are inherently broadcast networks.

MAN- A Metropolitan Area Network, referred to a MAN covers a city. The best known example is cable television network available in many cities. Earlier these were used for TV reception only but with changes a two way internet service could be provided. Cable television is not the only MAN. Recent developments in high speed wireless internet access also resulted in MAN. A-3. Physical Layer Data Link Network Layer Transport Layer Session Layer Presentation Layer Application Layer

NETWORK LAYER- In this layer, procedural and functional means for the transfer of variable length data sequences from the source to destination are provided. The process of data transfer takes place through different networks. The function of routing, fragmentation, reassembly and reporting delivery errors is carried out in this layer. A-4. Simplex refers to communications in only one direction from transmitter to receiver. There is no acknowledgement of reception from the receiver, so errors cannot be conveyed to the transmitter. Duplex can be sub-divided into two categories half-duplex and full duplex. Half duplex refers to two way communication but in only one direction at a time, whereas full duplex refers to simultaneous two way transmission. For example, a TV broadcast is a simplex system, transfer of inventory data from warehouse to an accounting office is a half duplex system, and video conferencing represents a full duplex application. Full duplex provides maximum function and performance. A-5. Transmission lines suffers from three major problems a. Attenuation distortion b. Delay distortion c. Noise a. Attenuation distortion: it is the loss of energy as the signal propagates outward. The amount of energy depends on the frequency. If the attenuation is too much, the receiver may not be able to detect the signal at all, or the signal mat fall below the noise level. For reliable communication, the attenuation and delay over the range of frequencies of transmission should be constant.

b. Delay distortion: the second transmission impairment is delay distortion. Communication lines have distributed inductance and capacitance, which distort the amplitude of signals and also delay the signals at different frequencies by different amounts. It is caused by the fact that different Fourier components travel at different speed. It is due to velocity of propagation that varies with frequency. Thus, various frequency components of a signal arrive at the receiver at different times. c. Noise: Noise is a third impairment. It can be define as unwanted energy from sources other than the transmitter. Thermal noise is caused by the random motion of the electrons in a wire and is unavoidable. Source of Noise: Thermal: Agitates the electrons in conductors, and is a function of the temperature. It is often referred to as white noise, because it affects uniformly the different frequencies. Intermediation: Results from interference of different frequencies sharing the same medium. It is caused by a component malfunction or a signal with excessive strength is used. Cross talk: Similarly cross talk is a noise where foreign signal enters the path of the transmitted signal. That is, cross talk is caused due to the inductive coupling between two wires that are close to each other. Impulse: These are noise owing to irregular disturbances, such as lightning, flawed communication elements. It is a primary source of error in digital data.

A-6. Advantages of Star Topology 1) As compared to Bus topology it gives far much better performance, signals dont necessarily get transmitted to all the workstations. A sent signal reaches the intended destination after passing through no more than 3-4 devices and 2-3 links. Performance of the network is dependent on the capacity of central hub. 2) Easy to connect new nodes or devices. In star topology new nodes can be added easily without affecting rest of the network. Similarly components can also be removed easily. 3) Centralized management. It helps in monitoring the network. 4) Failure of one node or link doesnt affect the rest of network. At the same time it is easy to detect the failure and troubleshoot it.

Disadvantages of Star Topology 1) Too much dependency on central device has its own drawbacks. If it fails whole network goes down. 2) The use of hub, a router or a switch as central device increases the overall cost of the network. 3) Performance and as well number of nodes which can be added in such topology is depended on capacity of central device.