COMPUTER NETWORKING
AND ADMINISTRATION I
by
Mr. Tamoh Vitalis
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Introduction
Essential elements needed for effective communication:
• Participants: A sender and a receiver who want to exchange
information.
• Medium: A channel (like speech, writing, or digital signals) to transmit
the message.
• Shared Understanding: A common set of rules or protocols that both
parties agree to follow.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Introduction
Computer Network
• A collection of interconnected devices (nodes) that can communicate and share
resources.
• A computer network is a distributed system consisting of loosely coupled
computers and other devices.
Key Components:
• Devices (computers, printers, scanners, etc.)
• Transmission medium (wires, cables)
Purpose:
• Exchange data (e.g., emails, documents)
• Share resources (e.g., printers, storage)
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Components of a computer network
Nodes: Devices that are connected to the network.
•Examples of nodes include computers, servers, printers, and network devices such as
routers and switches.
Links: The physical or wireless connections that allow nodes to communicate with each
other.
• Examples of links include cables, fiber optic strands, and radio waves.
Protocols: set of rules that govern how data is transmitted over a network.
•Examples of protocols include TCP/IP, HTTP, and FTP.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Importance of networks
Networks Are All About Sharing. Specifically, Networks
Are About Sharing Three Things:
1. Sharing Information: Networks allow users to share information in several ways. E.g.
individual files.
2. Sharing Resources: Certain computer resources such as printers or hard drives; can be set
up so that network users can share them. Sharing these resources can result in significant cost
savings.
3. Sharing Applications: One of the most common reasons for networking in many businesses
is that several users can work together on a single business application.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Importance of networks
Networks Are All About Sharing. Specifically, Networks
Are About Sharing Three Things:
1. Sharing Information: Networks allow users to share information in several ways. E.g.
individual files.
2. Sharing Resources: Certain computer resources such as printers or hard drives; can be set
up so that network users can share them. Sharing these resources can result in significant cost
savings.
3. Sharing Applications: One of the most common reasons for networking in many businesses
is that several users can work together on a single business application.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Networks Goal/Motivation
Resource Sharing:
• Sharing programs, data, and hardware across the network.
• Accessing resources regardless of physical location.
Reliability:
• Increased reliability through redundancy.
• Multiple copies of data for fault tolerance.
Cost Reduction:
• Lower cost-per-performance ratio with smaller computers.
• Efficient resource utilization in LAN environments.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Networks Goal/Motivation
Performance Improvement:
• Scalability through the addition of more processors.
• Avoiding expensive upgrades for increased workload.
Communication:
• Facilitated communication and collaboration among users.
• Real-time updates and information sharing.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Challenges of computer networks
•Security: Networks can be vulnerable to security threats such
as viruses, malware, and hackers.
•Performance: Network performance can be affected by factors
like bandwidth, latency, and jitter ( is the variation in the delay between packets of data
transmitted over a network).
•Reliability: Networks can be unreliable due to factors such as
hardware failures and software bugs.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Types of Computer Networks
Classification of networks based on geographical scope
[Link] Area Network (PAN)
[Link] Area Network (LAN)
[Link] Area Network (CAN)
[Link] Area Network (MAN)
[Link] Area Network (WAN)
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Personal Area Network (PAN)
A personal Area Network is a network arranged within personal
computing devices.
• Short-range network for personal devices.
• Connect devices like smartphones, tablets, and wearables.
• Uses technologies like Bluetooth.
• Offers high-speed, low-cost, and easy maintenance.
• Examples include USB connections between devices.
• Could be wired (USB) or wireless (WiFi, Bluetooth)
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Advantages of PAN
• PAN is relatively flexible and provides high efficiency for short network ranges.
• It needs easy setup and relatively low cost.
• It does not require frequent installations and maintenance
• It is easy and portable.
• Needs fewer technical skills to use.
Disadvantages of PAN
• Low network coverage area/range.
• Limited to relatively low data rates.
• Devices are not compatible with each other.
• Inbuilt WPAN devices are a little bit costly.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Local Area Network (LAN)
Local Area Network is a group of nodes connected in a small area such
as building, office.
• Connects computers within a limited area (e.g., home, office, school).
• Uses technologies like Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
• Offers high-speed, low-cost, and easy maintenance.
• Enables resource sharing and communication within a local network.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Local Area Network (LAN)
• Advantages of a LAN
• Privacy: LAN is a private network, thus no outside regulatory body
controls it.
• High Speed: LAN offers a much higher speed(around 100 mbps).
• Supports different transmission mediums: Ethernet cable (thin cable,
thick cable, and twisted pair), fiber, and wireless transmission.
• Inexpensive and Simple: A LAN usually has low cost, installation,
expansion and maintenance and LAN installation is relatively easy to
use, good scalability.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Local Area Network (LAN)
Disadvantages of LAN
• The initial setup costs of installing Local Area Networks are high.
• Communication devices like ethernet cables, switches, hubs, routers,
and cables are costly.
• LAN administrator can see and check personal data files of other
users.
• LANs are restricted in size and cover only a limited geographical area.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Campus Area Network (CAN)
• Larger than a LAN but smaller than a MAN.
• Covers multiple buildings within a campus.
• Uses Ethernet technology for high-speed
communication.
• Offers moderate cost and maintenance.
• Enables resource sharing and
communication across multiple buildings.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Campus Area Network (CAN)
Advantages
High Speed: Leveraging LAN technology for fast data transfer within the
campus.
Enhanced Security: Network administrators can implement robust security
measures, including firewalls, to protect the network.
Cost-Effective: Lower maintenance costs compared to larger networks.
Flexibility: Wireless options can reduce infrastructure costs.
Improved Communication: Facilitates efficient communication and
collaboration across different departments and buildings.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a larger geographic
area by interconnecting a different LAN to form a larger network.
• Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and private
industries.
• Covers a city or metropolitan area.
• Uses technologies like FDDI, CDDI, and ATM.
• Offers moderate speed but higher cost and maintenance compared to
LANs.
• Enables communication and resource sharing within a city or town.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Advantages
• MAN offers high-speed connectivity ranging from 10-100 Mbps.
• The security level in MAN is high compared to WAN.
• Full-Duplex Communication; Simultaneous data transmission in both
directions.
• High-Speed Connectivity; Provides high-speed internet access to
multiple users.
• Centralized Management; Enables efficient network management and
security.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Disadvantages
• The architecture of MAN is quite complicated hence, it is hard to design
and maintain.
• This network is expensive because it requires a high cost to set up fiber
optics.
• It provides less fault tolerance.
• The Data transfer rate in MAN is low when compared to LANs.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large geographical
area such as states or countries.
• WAN is quite a bigger network than a LAN.
• WAN is not limited to a single location, but it spans a large geographical
area through a telephone line, fibre optic cable or satellite links.
• The internet is one of the biggest WANs in the world.
• WAN is widely used in the fields of Business, government, and
education.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Advantages:
• Global Reach: Connects devices across vast geographical distances.
• Centralized Data: Enables centralized data storage and management.
• Real-Time Updates: Facilitates timely access to updated information and
software.
• Efficient Communication: Supports various communication methods (email,
messaging, video conferencing).
• Resource Sharing: Allows sharing of hardware, software, and data resources.
• Global Business: Enables global business operations and remote work.
• High Bandwidth: Can offer high-speed data transfer, especially with leased lines.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Advantages:
• Global Reach: Connects devices across vast geographical distances.
• Centralized Data: Enables centralized data storage and management.
• Real-Time Updates: Facilitates timely access to updated information and
software.
• Efficient Communication: Supports various communication methods (email,
messaging, video conferencing).
• Resource Sharing: Allows sharing of hardware, software, and data resources.
• Global Business: Enables global business operations and remote work.
• High Bandwidth: Can offer high-speed data transfer, especially with leased lines.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Disadvantages:
• Security Risks: Vulnerable to security threats like hacking and data breaches.
• High Setup Costs: Requires significant investment in hardware and
infrastructure.
• Complex Maintenance: More complex to manage and troubleshoot
compared to smaller networks.
• Performance Issues: Can suffer from latency and performance degradation,
especially over long distances.
• Dependency on Internet Connectivity: Relies on reliable internet
connectivity, which can be subject to outages.
NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Disadvantages:
• Security Risks: Vulnerable to security threats like hacking and data breaches.
• High Setup Costs: Requires significant investment in hardware and
infrastructure.
• Complex Maintenance: More complex to manage and troubleshoot
compared to smaller networks.
• Performance Issues: Can suffer from latency and performance degradation,
especially over long distances.
• Dependency on Internet Connectivity: Relies on reliable internet
connectivity, which can be subject to outages.
Internet, Intranet, and Extranet
Internet
A global network of computers that allows information and
communication to be exchanged.
Characteristics:
Publicly accessible
Unlimited users
Diverse content
Examples: Google, YouTube, Amazon
Internet, Intranet, and Extranet
Intranet
A private network within an organization that uses Internet protocols.
Key Characteristics:
Restricted access
Secure
Internal use only
Examples: Employee portals, internal databases, shared calendars
Internet, Intranet, and Extranet
Extranet
A semi-private network that extends an organization's intranet to
authorized external users.
Characteristics:
Controlled access
Secure
Shared information with specific partners
Examples: Supplier portals, customer portals, partner collaboration
platforms
