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Inroduction to Computer Networking- 2025

A computer network consists of multiple devices connected to facilitate electronic communication, enabling data exchange through wired or wireless media. Key benefits of networking include improved communication, resource sharing, cost reduction, and enhanced security. Different types of networks include Personal Area Networks (PAN), Home Area Networks (HAN), Local Area Networks (LAN), and Wide Area Networks (WAN), each serving distinct purposes and coverage areas.

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33 views

Inroduction to Computer Networking- 2025

A computer network consists of multiple devices connected to facilitate electronic communication, enabling data exchange through wired or wireless media. Key benefits of networking include improved communication, resource sharing, cost reduction, and enhanced security. Different types of networks include Personal Area Networks (PAN), Home Area Networks (HAN), Local Area Networks (LAN), and Wide Area Networks (WAN), each serving distinct purposes and coverage areas.

Uploaded by

Cliff Boogië
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COMPUTER NETWORKING

Introduction to Computer Networks:

A computer network refers to a group of two or more computing devices that are connected by a
communication medium allowing the computers to communicate electronically. A computing
device on a network is usually referred to as a node, being connected to one another, it allows
nodes to exchange data with one another using a connection media between them. The links can
be established either over cable media such as wires or via a wireless media such as Wi-Fi.

Network Benefits,
The main benefits of networks include:

 Communication and collaboration


 File sharing - you can easily share data between different users, or access it remotely if you
keep it on other connected devices.
 Resource sharing - using network-connected peripheral devices like printers, scanners and
copiers, or sharing software between multiple users, saves money.
 Sharing a single internet connection - it is cost-efficient and can help protect your systems
if you properly secure the network.
 Increasing storage capacity - you can access files and multimedia, such as images and
music, which you store remotely on other machines or network-attached storage devices.
 Enhanced security, reduced costs, improved customer service, and real-time monitoring and
control.
 LEISURE- Access to the internet provides access to an almost unlimited amount of entertainment.
Examples include: games, multimedia, books
Roles of computers in a network

Networking computers can also help you improve communication, so that:

 Staff, suppliers and customers can share information and get in touch more easily
 Business can become more efficient - eg networked access to a common database can
avoid the same data being keyed multiple times, saving time and preventing errors
 Staff can deal with queries and deliver a better standard of service as a result of sharing
customer data

Cost benefits of computer networking

Storing information in one centralized database can also help reduce costs and drive efficiency.
For example:

 Staff can deal with more customers in less time since they have shared access to customer
and product databases
 Can centralize network administration, meaning less IT support is required
 Can cut costs through sharing of peripherals and internet access

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 Reduce errors and improve consistency by having all staff work from a single source of
information, hence standard versions of manuals and directories can made available.
 Back up data from a single point on a scheduled basis, ensuring consistency.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF NETWORKS

Components of a network
Basic network components include the following:
1. Nodes: This refers to a device connected to a network which is able to send and receive data.
Examples of nodes include:
 printers
 servers
 workstations (PC’s or laptops)
 Access points.
A network connecting three computers and one printer, along with two more wireless devices,
has a total of six nodes.
2. Network Interface Controller (NIC): Examples of NICs include:
 Wired NIC
 Wireless NIC.
3. Communication media (wired and wireless): This refers to the physical channel through
which data is sent and received.
4. Network Operating System (NOS): A specialized operating system that allows additional
security and settings.

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Types of networks
In this unit we will look at the different types of networks namely, personal, home, local and
wide area network.

Fig Networks Hierarchy


PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (PAN)

A personal area network (or PAN) covers a very small area. This type of network connects
devices within a certain range and if you move outside of that range, the connection can be lost.
For example, connecting your smartphone to a wireless speaker, headphones, or other wireless
device.

HOME AREA NETWORK (HAN)

A home area network (or HAN) is a computer network that covers a larger area like your home.
For example, connecting to a printer from anywhere in your house.

LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)

A local area network (or LAN) covers a larger area like an office or a bigger premises. These
computers can be connected to the network using either a wired or wireless connection media.
Once connected, the computers on the network can share resources, information, transfer files
and communicate with each other via email or web-based instant messaging channels.

The network LANs usually have a limited number of computers connected to them (between 2
and 25). However, there is no absolute limit. Because companies and homes usually create LANs
for their personal use, the networks are configured to prevent outsiders from connecting to the
network using security settings that require configuration for the network.

LANs have different uses, including transferring files and sharing network resources (like
software and hardware). They are also used to play computer games competitively (called a

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LAN party), since the fast network allows the players on the network to play games without
experiencing delays in the game (or lag time).

LAN party – describes a get together of individuals and their computers to play network games
with other individuals

Access control – any system designed to prevent and restrict access to specific users

WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)


 A wide area network covers a very large area – that could include all the people in a suburb,
city or country.
 It is often used to refer to the internet, the world’s largest WAN.
 Unlike a local area network, WANs are not private but are instead organized by
communities or businesses.
 In order to join a WAN (like the internet) one needs to seek permission from a company
that manages the service. For example, to connect to the internet, you need to subscribe
and pay a mobile network provider (MNP) like Safaricom; or an internet service provider
(ISP)
Note:
THE INTERNET AS AN EXAMPLE OF A WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)

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