Computer Networks

Networks
A computer network is a set of two or more
computers connected together in order to share
information and other resources.
Basically networks are of two types: wired
network and wireless network.
some example of computer networks are:
computer network can be use in an office.
Different people in the office can access common
information. If all users computer are connected
through a network, they can share their files and
exchange mail.
Types of computer networks
Computer networks are categorized
according to
How they are organized physically.
The way they are used
The distance over which they are operate
Three main types of computer networks are:
LAN (Local Area Network)
Man(Metropolitan Network)
WAN (Wide Area Network)
 LAN (Local Area Network)
LAN stand for local area network. It is a
most common type of network . It
cover a small area.
LAN is often used to share resource
such as printer, Hard disk etc.
LAN are capable of transmitting data at
very fast rate.
LAN transmission speeds are 10 Mbps
to 1000 Mbps.
 Example
In computer Lab, there are 40
computers connected through LAN.
The students can share software, file
and data in the Lab.
 WAN (Wide Area Network)
WAN stand for wide area network. This type
of a network covers a large area. It connect
computers and other devices in different
cities and countries
WAN can reach the parts of the world that is
not possible with LANs. WAN is not as fast
as LAN
The transmission rate of WAN is from 56
Kbps to 50 Mbps.
The largest WAN in existence is the internet.
 Example
A bank with many branches in the
country can connect its branches
through WAN. The customer can use
his account from any branch.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

MAN stands for Metropolitan Area

Network. This type of network cover
an area of a city.
MAN is larger than LAN but smaller
than WAN
It is usually use to connect two or
more LANs in a city or town.
 Example
Telephone companies, cable
television operator and other
organizations provide users with
connections to MAN.
 Wireless Networks
Wireless network is a network set up
by using radio signal frequency to
communicate among computers and
other network devices. It is also
called wifi network or WLAN.
A wireless network adopter or
wireless router/ access point is used
to setup wireless network.
 Categories of wireless
networks
Different categories of wireless
network are as follows:
Fix wireless system
Mobile wireless system
 Network topologies
A network can be configured or arranged in
different ways. The physical layout or
arrangement of connected devices in a
network is called topology.
Different network topologies are as follows:
Bus topology
Ring topology
Star topology
Tree topology
Mesh topology
 Bus Topology
Bus topology is a simplest type of
network. It supports a small number
of computers. In Bus topology, all
computers or network nodes are
connected to a common
communication medium. This
medium is often a central wire called
bus. The terminator are used at the
end of a bus to absorb signals.
 Working of Bus Topology
The sending computer send the data
and destination address through bus.
The data and address move from one
computer to the other in network.
Each computer check the address. If
it matches with the address of a
computer, the computer keeps the
data otherwise data moves to the
next computer.
Advantages:
If one node fail it does not effect the
entire network
Small length of cable requires
Less expansive
Easy to extend a bus
Disadvantage:
Difficult to troubleshoot
It supports small number of computers
Number of computer increases, network
speed will slow down
 Star Topology
All computer in star topology are
connected with central device called
hub. Star topology is mostly used in
client server networks.
 Working of star topology
The sending computer send the data
to hub. The hub sends data to
receiving computer. Each computer
in star network communicates with a
central hub.
Advantages:
Easy to maintain and modify network.
Adding or removing computers can be
done without disturbing a network.
Easy to troubleshoot.
Single computer failure does not bring
down the whole network.
Disadvantages:
Central hub fail, the entire network break
down
Requires a large length of cable to connect
computer.
 Ring Topology
In this topology, each computer is
connected to the next computer with
the last one connected to the first.
Thus, a ring of computer is formed.
 Working or ring topology
Every computer is connected to the
next computer in a ring. Each
computer receives message from a
previous computer and transmits it
to the next computer. The message
flows in one direction. The message
is passed around the ring until it
reaches the correct destination
computer.
Advantages:
Less expensive than star topology.
Every computer has equal access to
the network.
Disadvantages:
Failure of one computer in the ring
can affect the whole network.
Difficult to troubleshoot.
Adding or removing computers affect
the whole network.
 Tree topology
A tree topology combines the
characteristics of bus and star
topologies. It consists of different
groups of computers attached in star
topology . The groups are then
connected to a bus backbone cable.
Tree topology is used for expansion
of an existing network.
Advantages:
Provides point to point wiring for
individual segments.
Supported by several hardware and
software vendors.
Disadvantages:
Overall length of each segment is
limited.
If backbone line breaks, entire
segment break down.
More difficult to configure.
 Mesh Topology
In a mesh topology, every device in
the network is physically connected
to other device in the network. A
message can be sent on different
possible paths from source to
destination.
Mesh topology provides improved
performance and reliability. It is
mostly used in wide area network.
Advantages:
Use of dedicated link guarantees that
each connection can carry its own
data load. It eliminates traffic
problem.
Easy to troubleshoot.
Disadvantages:
Full mesh network can be very
expensive.
Difficult to install and reconfigure.
 Data Transmission Modes
The way in which data is transmitted
from one place to another is called
data transmission mode.
There are three type of data
transmission modes known as
Simplex Mode
Half duplex Mode
Full duplex Mode
 Simplex Mode
Data can flow in one direction. It
cannot be moved in both directions.
It operates in a manner to a one way
street.
 Example
An example is a traditional television
broadcast. The sig.nal is sent from
the transmitter to TV antenna . There
is no return signal.
 Half Duplex Mode
Data can flow in both direction but
not at the same time. It is
transmitted one way at one time. A
device with half duplex mode can
send or receive data but not at the
same time.
 Example
Internet surfing is an example of half
duplex communication . The user
issues a required for a web page. The
web page is downloaded and
displayed before issuing another
request.
 Full Duplex Mode
Data can travel in both directions at
a time. Full duplex is a faster way of
data transmission as compared to
half and simplex. Time is not wasted
in changing the direction of data
flow.
 Example
A telephone is a full duplex device
both person can talk at the same
time.