COMPUTER

NETWORK
Session 5
Computer Network
•It is comprised of at least
two, connected, by wire or
wireless, computers that
can exchange data.
Typical Computer Network
Reasons:
• Exchange of data between users
that have network access,
• Access to shared devices, such
as network printers, network
disks, etc.,
• Enables user communication
and socializing, etc.
Basic Terminologies
• Node- Any device attached to the
network capable of communicating with
other network devices.
• Client- A device or application that uses
the services provided by a server.
• Server- Any computer that makes
access to files, printing, communications,
and other services available to users of
the network
Types of Computer Network
Peer-to-peer
• All computers are clients and servers
at the same time.
Types of Computer Network
Client-Server
Advantages (P2P)
• It is easy to install and so is the configuration
of computers on this network.
• All the resources and contents are shared by
all the peers.
• P2P is more reliable as central dependency is
eliminated.
• There is no need for full-time System
Administrator.
• The over-all cost of building and maintaining
this type of network is comparatively very less.
 Disadvantages (P2P)
• In this network, the whole system is
decentralized thus it is difficult to administer.
• Security in this system is very less. Viruses,
spywares, trojans, malwares can be easily
transmitted over this P-2-P architecture.
• Data recovery or backup is very difficult.
• Lot of movies, music and other copyrighted
files are transferred using this type of file
transfer.
Advantages (C-S)
• Centralization
• Proper Management
• Back-up and Recovery possible
• Up gradation and Scalability in Client-server set-up
• Accessibility
• Security
• Servers can play different roles for different clients.
• As new information is uploaded in database , each
workstation need not have its own storage
capacities increased.
Disadvantages (C-S)
• Congestion in Network
• Client-Server architecture is not as
robust as a P2P and if the server fails,
the whole network goes down.
• Cost
• You need professional IT people to
maintain the servers and other technical
details of network.
Internet Protocol (IP) Address
•A numerical identification (logical
address) that is assigned to devices
participating in a computer network
utilizing the Internet Protocol for
communication between its nodes.
•Ex: 192.168.100.1
• "A name indicates what we seek. An
address indicates where it is. A route
indicates how to get there."
• A device used to extend a network so
that additional workstations can be
attached.
Network interface cards
• A piece of computer hardware designed
to allow computers to communicate over
a computer network.
Repeaters
• An electronic device that
receives a signal and
retransmits it at a higher power
level, or to the other side of an
obstruction, so that the signal
can cover longer distances
without degradation.
Routers
•A networking device that forwards
packets between networks using
information in protocol headers and
forwarding tables to determine the best
next router for each packet.
Switches
• A computer networking device that
links network segments or network
devices.
 Classifications of Computer Network
• Personal Area Network (PAN)- a computer
network that will be useful in communicating
computerizes devices such as telephones
and PDAs. Mostly, the PAN is communicated
through wireless network technologies
Classifications of Computer Network
• Local Area Network (LAN)- a computer
network covering a small geographic area,
like a home, office, or group of buildings.
Classifications of Computer Network

• Wide Area Network (WAN) - a group of

computers and network devices connected
across large physical areas such as states
or countries.
Classifications of Computer Network

• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) -a

network that interconnect users with
computer resources in a geographic
area or region larger than that covered
by a local area network (LAN) but
smaller than the area covered by wide
area network (WAN)
Topology
• Bus Topology-use a common backbone
to connect all devices.
Topology
• Star Topology-A star network features a
central connection point called a "hub
node" that may be a network hub, switch or
router.
Topology
• Ring Topology-In a ring network, every
device has exactly two neighbours for
communication purposes.
Topology
• Mesh Topology-involve the concept of
routes. Unlike each of the previous
topologies, messages sent on a mesh
network can take any of several possible
paths from source to destination.
Topology
• Tree Topology - Tree topologies integrate
multiple star topologies together onto a
bus. In its simplest form, only hub devices
connect directly to the tree bus and each
hub functions as the root of a tree of
devices.
Internet
• It is a network of networks that
consists of millions of private, public,
academic, business, and government
networks, of local to global scope, that
are linked by a broad array of
electronic, wireless and optical
networking technologies.
• Largest WAN.
Intranet and Extranet
• Intranet is a private network of an
organization to which only
authorized employees have
access (login and password).
• Extranet is part of Intranet, to
which independent collaborators
have access.
 Ways to connect to the Internet:
• Dial-up Internet access method uses a
modem (56k) and a telephone line.
• Broadband is characterized by a high-
speed data transfer, permanent access
to the Internet, and thus the risk of
unauthorized access to the network or
your personal computer.
Connection methods
• Satellite-commonly used in parts of
the world where there is no proper
infrastructure and there is no other
way of accessing the Internet
• Wireless (Wi-Fi) - data is transferred
between computers by using radio
frequencies (2,4 GHz) and the
corresponding antennae
Connection methods
• Cable-connecting to the
Internet through television
cable network using a cable
modem.
• Mobile-connecting by using a
mobile network.