Computer Network

COMPUTER
NETWORK
A GROUP OF SYSTEM OF INTERCONNECTED COMPUTERS
A COMPUTER NETWORK IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO OR MORE NETWORK
DEVICES, LIKE COMPUTERS, ROUTERS, AND SWITCHES, TO SHARE NETWORK
RESOURCES.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
The establishment of a computer network depends on the requirements of the

communication channel, i.e., the network can be wired or wireless.
Network Devices
Network devices or nodes are computing devices that need to be linked in the network. Some network
devices include:
•Computers, mobiles, and other consumer devices: These are end devices that users directly and
frequently access. For example, an email originates from the mailing application on a laptop or mobile
phone.
•Servers: These are application or storage servers where the main computation and data storage occur. All
requests for specific tasks or data come to the servers.
•Routers: Routing is the process of selecting the network path through which the data packets traverse.
Routers are devices that forward these packets between networks to ultimately reach the destination. They
add efficiency to large networks.
•Switches: Repeaters are to networks what transformers are to electricity grids—they are electronic
devices that receive network signals and clean or strengthen them. Hubs are repeaters with multiple ports
in them. They pass on the data to whichever ports are available. Bridges are smarter hubs that only pass
the data to the destination port. A switch is a multi-port bridge. Multiple data cables can be plugged into
switches to enable communication with multiple network devices.
•Gateways: Gateways are hardware devices that act as ‘gates’ between two distinct networks. They can
be firewalls, routers, or servers.
Links
Links are the transmission media which can be of two types:
•Wired: Examples of wired technologies used in networks include coaxial
cables, phone lines, twisted-pair cabling, and optical fibers. Optical fibers
carry pulses of light to represent data.
•Wireless: Network connections can also be established through radio or
other electromagnetic signals. This kind of transmission is called
‘wireless’. The most common examples of wireless links include
communication satellites, cellular networks, and radio and technology
spread spectrums. Wireless LANs use spectrum technology to establish
connections within a small area.
Communication protocols
A communication protocol is a set of rules followed by all nodes involved in the
information transfer. Some common protocols include the internet protocol suite
(TCP/IP), IEEE 802, Ethernet, wireless LAN, and cellular standards. TCP/IP is a
conceptual model that standardizes communication in a modern network. It suggests
four functional layers of these communication links:
•Network access layer: This layer defines how the data is physically transferred. It
includes how hardware sends data bits through physical wires or fibers.
•Internet layer: This layer is responsible for packaging the data into understandable
packets and allowing it to be sent and received.
•Transport layer: This layer enables devices to maintain a conversation by ensuring
the connection is valid and stable.
•Application layer: This layer defines how high-level applications can access the
network to initiate data transfer.
Most of the modern internet structure is based
Network Defense
While nodes, links, and protocols form the foundation of a network, a
modern network cannot exist without its defenses. Security is critical
when unprecedented amounts of data are generated, moved, and
processed across networks. A few examples of network defense tools
include firewall, intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention
systems (IPS), network access control (NAC), content filters, proxy
servers, anti-DDoS devices, and load balancers.
COMPUTER NETWORK
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 INCREASED SPEED  HIGH COST OF INSTALLATION
 REDUCED COST  REQUIRES TIME FOR
 IMPROVED SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
 CENTRALIZED SOFTWARE  FAILURE OF SERVER
MANAGEMENTS
 CABLE FAULTS
 ELECTRONIC MAIL
 FLEXIBLE ACESS
According to the communication requirements, multiple types of network
connections are available. The most basic type of network classification
depends on the network's geographical coverage.
The Local Area Network (LAN) is designed to connect multiple network
devices and systems within a limited geographical distance. The devices are
connected using multiple protocols for properly and efficiently exchanging
data and services.
Attributes of LAN Network:
•The data transmit speed in the LAN network is relatively higher than the other
network types, MAN and WAN.
•LAN uses private network addresses for network connectivity for data and
service exchange, and it uses cable for network connection, decreasing error
and maintaining data security.
The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network type that covers the
network connection of an entire city or connection of a small area. The area
covered by the network is connected using a wired network, like data cables.
Attributes of MAN Network:
•Network covers an entire town area or a portion of a city.
•Data transmission speed is relatively high due to the installation of optical
cables and wired connections.
The Wide Area Network (WAN) is designed to connect devices over large
distances like states or between countries. The connection is wireless in
most cases and uses radio towers for communication.
The WAN network can be made up of multiple LAN and MAN networks.
Attributes of WAN Network:
•The speed of the WAN data transfer is lower than in comparison to LAN
and MAN networks due to the large distance covered.
•The WAN network uses a satellite medium to transmit data between
multiple locations and network towers.

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COMPUTER

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

The establishment of a computer network depends on the requirements of the

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