COMPUTER NETWORKS

Network:
 A connection of computers for them to share data and resources like a printer.
Data communication:
 The process of transferring data through networked computers
Information Superhighway (ISH):
 A global network of computers for moving huge amounts of information via satellite
and cable connection. Information found on ISH includes home shopping,
entertainment, news, software downloads and help, online banking, stock market
dealing, jobs, (vacancies), university placements, etc.
Information Technology (IT):
 The use of computers in information handling and communication.
Information Age:
 A period beginning in the last quarter of the 20th century when information became
easily accessible through publications and through the manipulation of information by
computers and computer networks.
Broadband:
 a communications network that provides for high quality and high speed voice, data
and video transmission usually over wireless networks or over high bandwidth media
like fiber optics and satellites.
Global Village:
 the use of the internet to access information from any part of the world.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT):
 The use of computers as a tool for information communication, for instance through e-
mails, cell phones, etc. For companies that invest in ICT:
Advantages of Networking
 Expensive peripherals like printers and scanners can be shared between users.
 Messages can be sent easily and faster between users whether on WAN or LAN.
 Avoids duplication of information as users can access the same file on the network.
 Network software can be purchased cheaply than buying individual packages for each
computer.
 It is possible to access data or programs from any terminal or workstation.
 Data and programs can be stored centrally making it easier to maintain and backup.
  Users can be easily prevented from accessing files not intended for them.
 Allows sharing of files, software and data held in computers.
 Allows emails to be send between users.
Disadvantages of Networking
 Sophisticated equipment is needed, which may be expensive to buy.
 Security of data can be a problem due to hacking.
 Wiring can be expensive both to buy and to install; wiring can be sunk on the ground
to avoid trailing cables.
 If a server breaks down, the whole network becomes unusable.
 Networks need experienced network managers, who will be highly paid to keep the
network running.

TYPES OF NETWORKS

Computer networks are grouped into Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks
(WAN) and these are described below.

1. LOCAL AREA NETWORKS (LAN)

 This is the connection of computers over a very small geographical area, like in a single
room. Other LANs can link different departments (e.g. Sales, Accounts, Warehousing,
Despatch, etc) within an organisation‘s complex. However, if an organisation uses
internet service within its restricted private Local Area Network, such a network is
called an Intranet (private network).

NB: Intranet is a private organisation‘s network that uses internet technologies for the benefits
of such an organisation.

Extranet: an extension of the intranet giving authorized outsiders controlled access to the
intranet.

2. WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)

 Refers to the connection of computers over a large geographical area, often over 1 km,
e.g. covering the whole district or province. Internet is also part of WAN. WANs can
also be wireless.Hardware Requirements for a WAN
i. Modem (Modulator Demodulator):- a device that converts analogue data to
digital form and vice versa, often for internet connection using a telephone line.
 ii. Communication link: Acts as a transmission media for data, e.g. telephone line,
satellite transmission, etc.
iii. Network cards for each computer:- a device that identifies computers to the
network, where network cables are plugged on the computer

3. PERSONAL AREA NETWORK

 A personal area network (PAN) connects electronic devices close to the user, such as a
wireless mouse, a keyboard, and a computer.
 PAN network connections can either be wired or wireless. Wired connection methods
include USB and FireWire; wireless connection methods include Bluetooth (the most
common), WiFi, IrDA, and Zigbee.
 While devices within a PAN can exchange data with each other, PANs typically do not
include a router and thus do not connect to the Internet directly. A device within a PAN,
however, can be connected to a local area network (LAN) that then connects to the
Internet. For instance, a desktop computer, a wireless mouse, and wireless headphones
can all be connected to each other, but only the computer can connect directly to the
Internet.
4. WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK
  A wireless local-area network (WLAN) is a group of connected computers or
other devices that form a network based on radio transmissions rather than wired
connections. A Wi-Fi network is a type of WLAN; anyone connected to Wi-Fi
while reading this webpage is using a WLAN.

NETWORK TOPOLOGY (CONFIGURATION)

 This refers to the shape of the network. The common network topologies are:

1. Ring Network:

Computers are connected together to form a circle and uses a token when transferring data.
Information travels in one direction only. Information moves around the ring in sequence from
its source to its destination.

The diagram below illustrates the physical configuration of a ring network:

Advantages of Ring Network

  If one computer breaks down, others will remain working as they have their
own processors and storage facilities.
 Data processing is faster as each computer processes its own processor.
 Has very high data transfer rates.
 Uses a token to avoid data collision or loss

Disadvantages of Ring Network

 If one computer breaks down, the whole network is disrupted.

 Its requirements are expensive, that is buying several computers with processors and
storage facilities.
 It is difficult to link the computers together.
 Difficult to add another computer without disrupting the networking.
 One may not send data when another node (computer) is still sending its own data.

2. Star Network:

Computers form a star shape with host computer at the centre, as shown below:
Advantages of Star Network

 If one terminal breaks down, the network is not affected.

 If one terminal breaks down, others will remain working.
 It is cheap in terms of requirements since only the host computer can have a processor
and storage facility.
 It is very easy to install.
 Management of data is easier as this is done centrally.
 It is very fast to process data.
 Easier to add new workstation without disrupting the network.
 No problem of collision of data since each terminal has its own cable to the host
computer.
 Gives consistent performance even when the network is heavily utilised.
 More secure than other network topologies

Disadvantages of a Star Network

 If the host computer breaks down, the whole network will be affected.
 If the host computer is down, all the terminals will not work as they depend on the host
for processing and storage.
 It requires a lot of cabling, which might be expensive.

3. Mesh Network

A network in which each computer serves as a relay point for directly sending information to
any other computer on the network. No central device oversees a mesh network, and no set
route is used to pass data back and forth between computers. Thus, if any one computer is
damaged or temporarily unavailable, information is dynamically rerouted to other computers—
a process known as self-healing
Advantages of Mesh Network

 If one computer breaks down, others will remain functional.

 If one computer breaks down, the network is not disturbed.
 Computers have their own storage and processing capabilities.

Disadvantages of Mesh Network

 Expensive to buy computers with their storage and processing facilities.

 Too much cabling is involved, which may be expensive.

4. Bus Network:

Computers are connected together through one main cable and all computers all signals
transmitted by any computer connected to the network.
(a) Bus: the dedicated and main cable that connects all workstations and other computer devices
like printers.

(b) Nodes: these are connection points for workstations and the bus.

(c) Terminator: devices that prevent data in the bus from bouncing back, causing noise and
prevents data from getting lost.

Advantages of Bus network

 If one workstation breaks down, others will remain functional.

 If one workstation breaks down, the network remains working.
 All computers have processing and storage capabilities.
 It is cheap to install due to less cabling.
 Easy to add workstation without disrupting the network.

Disadvantages of Bus Network

 Computers cannot send data at the same time or while there is data being transferred in
the bus.
 Can cause collision of data during transmission.
 It is slow in transferring data.
 Its requirements are expensive, that is computers with their own processors and storage
facilities.
 The system will be down if the main cable (bus) is disrupted at any point.
 Less secure
 PLEASE CHECK FOR THE SECOND SET

BY MLAMBO JNR EVANS LEE/GLADIE/FAIE