Chapter 4

Introduction to Computer Networks and the

Internet

What is Computer Network?

A computer network, or simply a network, is a collection of Computers
and other hardware interconnected by communication channels that
allow sharing of resources and information.

The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone

lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

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 Basic components of a Computer Network
The following are the basic components of network.
1. Server:
Powerful computers that provides services to the other computers on the
network.
2. Client:
Computer that uses the services that a server provides.
Media:
A physical connection between the devices on a network.
Resources:
Any thing available to a client on the network is considered a resource.
Printers, data, fax devices and other network devices and information
are resources.

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Basic components of a Computer Network
Protocols:
These are written rules used for communications. They are the languages
that computers use to talk to each other on a network
Advantages and Disadvantages of Networking
Advantages:
Computer networks have highly benefited various fields of educational
sectors, business world and many organizations.
Sharing of peripheral devices:
Each computer that is connected to the network can share the same
peripheral devices, such as a printer.
Sharing of Programs and data
Sharing of single Internet connection

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Advantages and Disadvantages of Networking
Advantages:
Better Communication:
Communication is one of the biggest advantages provided by the
computer networks.
information can be transferred within fraction of a second over long
distances. Example E-Mail
Security of information:
Data or information could be backed-up or duplicated on a network
storage device, shared by others.
Saves Cost
Building up links thorough the computer networks immediately transfers
files and messages to the other people which reduced transportation and
communication expense.

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Advantages and Disadvantages of Networking
Disadvantages:
Rapid Spread of Computer Viruses
When computers are connected by a network, the virus can spread itself
electronically, at computer speeds affecting badly the network
performance and the performance of the computers.
Difficult to secure information.
Confidential documents (files) can be accessed without the knowledge
and permission of the owner.

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Types of Networks
Based on the size/scope, the Computer Networks are
classified into:
LAN (Local Area Network)
A LAN connects network devices over a relatively short
distance. Such as office building, school, or home and
occasionally a LAN will span a group of nearby buildings.
LAN connection is a high-speed connection.
Most connections are either Ethernet (10Mbps) or Fast Ethernet
(100Mbps), and a few locations have Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps)
connections.
LANs typically use half-duplex communications.
Example

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Types of Networks

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A MAN is a larger network that usually spans several buildings in the
same city or town.
Also used to mean the interconnection of several LANs by bridging them
together

MANs have the requirements of using telecommunication media such as

voice channels or data channels.

Examples of Organizations that use MANs are; Universities and Colleges,

grocery chains, and Banks

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Types of Networks

WAN (Wide Area Network)

WAN is a geographically-dispersed collection of LANs.
A network device called a Router connects LANs to a WAN.

A WAN differs from a LAN in several important ways.

Most WANs (like the Internet) are not owned by any one organization but
rather exist under collective or distributed ownership and management.
WANs tend to use technology like ATM, Frame Relay and X.25 for
connectivity over the longer distances.
The Internet is an example of a worldwide public WAN.

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Types of Networks
Other types of networks include;

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN )

refer to LANs that are based on Wi-Fi wireless network technology.
Campus Area Network
A network spanning multiple LANs but smaller than a MAN, such as on a
university or local business campus.

Storage Area Network

connects servers to data storage devices through a technology like Fiber
Channel.
System Area Network
links high-performance computers with high-speed connections in a
cluster configuration. Also known as Cluster Area Network.

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Types of Networks
Based on the relationship among the computers, we can
categorize computer networks as:

peer-to-peer networks
Essentially, every computer on a peer-to-peer network can function as
both a server and a client;

Peer-to-peer networks are characterized by the following:

Security is not centralized; each computer is responsible to check
access rights for its resources.
Network is not scalable; it is good only for a few number of computers
(mostly 10).
No specialized operating system is required;
Each user is responsible for local backup

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Types of Networks
Client/Server Networks
On a client/server network, every computer has a distinct role: that of
either a client or a server.
A server is designed to share its resources among the client computers
on the network.
A dedicated server computer often has faster processors, more
memory, and more storage space than a client.
A client system is a standard PC that uses resources available on Server.
A client computer typically communicates only with servers, not with
other clients.

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Types of Networks
Client/Server Networks
Client/server network is characterized by the following:
It has centralized with tighter security.
All user accounts are stored in the same database on the server.

The network is highly scalable;

you can have tens of thousands of workstations in the network.

Specialized networking operating systems are required

Backup is centralized

Accessibility : From various platforms in the network, server can be

accessed remotely.

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Types of Networks
Disadvantages of client/ server
1) Congestion in Network :
Too many requests from the clients may lead to congestion. Overload can
lead to breaking-down of servers.

2) Client-Server architecture is not as robust as a P2P and if the server

fails, the whole network goes down.

3) Cost : It is very expensive to install and manage this type of computing.

4) You need professional IT people to maintain the servers and other

technical details of network.

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Network topologies describe the ways in which the elements of a
network are mapped.

They describe the physical and logical arrangement of the network nodes.

The physical topology of a network refers to the configuration of

cables, computers, and other peripherals

The logical topology of a network refers to the method used to pass

information between devices on the network.

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies
Bus Topology
A linear bus topology consists of a main run of cable with a terminator at
each end.
All nodes(file server, workstations, and peripherals) are connected to
the linear cable Example

Terminato
r
Terminato

Nodes
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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies

Bus Topology
Advantages of a Linear Bus Topology
➢Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus.

➢Requires less cable length than a star topology.

➢Failure of a single node does not terminate the network.

➢Ifa cable that connect the nodes with the backbone fails, the
network does not fail.

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies

Bus Topology
Disadvantages of a Linear Bus Topology

➢Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main

cable (backbone).

➢Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone

cable.

➢Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts

down.

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies

Star Topology
A star topology is designed with each node connected directly
to a central network concentrator, typically hub.
Data on a star network passes through the hub or
concentrator before continuing to its destination.
The hub or concentrator manages and controls all functions of
the network. Example
Concentrator
It also acts as a repeater for the data flow. Hub

Nodes

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies

Star Topology
Advantages of a Star Topology
➢Easy to install and wire.

➢No disruptions to the network when connecting or

removing devices.

➢Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

➢Easily scalable, i.e., you can add a node easily.

➢Failureof a single computer/cable does not affect the rest of

the network.
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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies

Star Topology
Disadvantages of a Star Topology
➢Requires more cable length than a linear topology.

➢If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.

➢More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of the
concentrators and extra cost of the hub.

➢Broadcasting creates unnecessary network traffic.

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies
Ring Topology
A Ring topology is the one in which all computers and other
communication devices are connected in a continuous loop.
Electronic messages are passed around the ring in one direction, with
each node serving as the repeater, until they reach the right destination.
Example

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies

Ring Topology
Advantages of a Ring Topology
➢There is less signal attenuation because each computer in the network is
used as a repeater.
➢More than one computer can send data at a time.

Disadvantages of a Ring Topology

➢Difficult to setup

➢If any computer/cable in the ring fails, the whole network goes down.

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies

Mesh Topology
Each computer is directly connected to every other computer.

A mesh topology can become quite complex as wiring and connections

increase rapidly with the increase of computers to connect.
For n computers, n(n-1)/2 cables are required.
Example

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies

Mesh Topology
Advantages of Mesh topology

➢Data can be transmitted from different devices simultaneously.

➢ Even if one of the components fails there is always an alternative

present. So data transfer doesn’t get affected.

➢Expansion and modification in topology can be done without disrupting

other nodes.

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 Chapter 4
Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Network Topologies
Main Types of Physical Topologies

Mesh Topology
Disadvantages of Mesh topology
➢ There are high chances of redundancy in many of the network
connections.

➢Overall cost of this network is too high as compared to other network

topologies

➢Set-up and maintenance of this topology is very difficult. Even

administration of the network is tough.

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Transmission Modes
There are three ways for transmitting data from one point to another
1.Simplex:
In simplex mode the communication can take place only in one direction.
The receiver receives the signal from the transmitting device.
This mode of flow of information is Unidirectional.
Example: Radio, T.V..

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Half-duplex:
In half-duplex mode the communication channel is used in both directions,
but only in one direction at a time.
Thus a half-duplex line can alternately send and receive data.
Example is the wireless communication.

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Full-duplex:
In full duplex the communication channel is used in both directions at
the same time.
Use of full-duplex line improves the efficiency as the line turn-around time
required in half-duplex arrangement is eliminated.
Example of this mode of transmission is the telephone line.

➢Example

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Transmission Medias
Through which data is transformed from one place to another is called
transmission or communication media.
There are two categories of transmission media used in computer
communications.
Bounded/Guided Media
Bounded media are the physical links through which signals are
confined to narrow path.
Bounded media are made up of a external conductor (Usually Copper)
bounded by jacket material
Three common types of bounded media are used of the data transmission.
These are
Coaxial Cable
Twisted Pairs Cable
Fiber Optics Cable

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Unbounded/Unguided Media
The unguided media is the wireless media.
It simply transports electromagnetic waves without using any physical
conductor.
Unguided media employ an antenna for transmitting through air,
vacuum, or water.
Three common types of unguided media are;
(i) Radio wave
(ii) Microwave
(iii) Infrared

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Introduction to Computer Networks and the Internet
Protocol
These are written rules used for communications.
Communications thus between computers on a network is done through
protocol suits.

A protocol suit consists of a layered architecture where each layer depicts

some functionality which can be carried out by a protocol.

The most widely used and most widely available protocol suite is TCP/IP
protocol suite.

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TCP/IP Protocol
TCP/IP is a large collection of different communication protocols based
upon the two original protocols TCP and IP.
TCP(Transmission Control Protocol)
IP (Internet Protocol)
TCP/IP is normally considered to be a 4 layer system.
Application layer
Transport Layer
TCP
UDP
Network Layer
Data Link Layer

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Thank you

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