Networks

What is a network?
A computer network is a system that connects two or more computing devices for
transmitting and sharing information.
What are the uses of a network?
An example that could be used could be that of a doctor’s surgery where the following
uses could be applied:
- The receptionist will record appointments and will advise the doctor whenever a patient
is waiting.
- The doctor will use the network to call up details of previous visits from the same patient.
This information could be shared with other doctors who work at the same practice.
- Prescription and charging details can be entered by the doctor and then accessed by the
receptionist.
Purpose of a network:
Modern networks have developed to carry voice, music, video streams, text, and graphics
between different devices such as computer systems, smartphones, tablets, etc.
It can be classified as single purpose and multipurpose network.
Single Purpose
- A laptop can exchange data with a printer.
- Bluetooth connection with the laptop.
Multipurpose
-Employees can send emails to each other and they can access the internet.
Advantages of Network:
• Sharing devices such as printers saves money.
• Software licenses are likely to be cheaper than buying several standalone licences.
• Files can easily be shared between users.
• Network users can communicate by email and instant messenger.
• Security is good - users cannot see other users' files unlike on stand-alone
machines.
• Data is easy to backup as all the data is stored on the file server.
Disadvantages of Network:
• Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive.
• Managing a large network is complicated, requires training and a network manager
usually needs to be employed.
 • If the file server breaks down the files on the file server become inaccessible. Email
might still work if it is on a separate server. The computers can still be used but are
isolated.
• Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer network.
• There is a danger of hacking, particularly with wide area networks. Security
procedures are needed to prevent such abuse, ex. a firewall.
Network Devices:
Hub – Network connection point for devices on a single network. Data arriving at a hub is
copied and send to all the devices on the network.
Switch – Network connection point for devices on a single network. It can identify and
sends the data to the appropriate receiver. Networks connected with a switch are faster
than Hub network.
Router – More sophisticated than hub and switch. Its use is to join multiple networks and
serve as an intermediary between these networks so that data can be exchanged
effectively and efficiently between network devices of those networks. For example, a
router is used to connect a home network to the Internet.
Hub Switch Router

Wired communication:
• A wired network employs wires to link devices to the Internet or another network,
such as laptops or desktop PCs.
• Wired networks use physical cables, such as copper wire, twisted pair, or fiber optic
cables, to transmit data between devices.
• Wired networks are more secure than wireless networks because data is
transmitted over physical cables, which are harder to tamper with to intercept
messages.
• Wired networks offer higher speed, stability, and security, but they also require more
infrastructure, maintenance, and cost than wireless network.
Copper Cable (metal conductors) - It is the most common kind of cabling in computer
networks.
Coaxial cable- It consists of two copper conductors. It was used in computer networks,
as well as to carry TV signals. Low cost of installation.
Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable (UTP) - Very popular in LANs. Easy to install. Prone to
electrical interference. Used in telephone networks. Very secure.
Shielded Twisted Pair Cable - More difficult to install. Reduced interference.
Fiber Optic Cable - Optical fiber carries a beam of light. Very expensive. Offers higher
speed. Extremely secure. Used for data transmission and telephone lines.
 Ethernet Cable Jack Fibre Optic cable Patch Panel

Wireless communication:
• Wireless networks use radio waves or infrared signals to transmit data between
devices, such as laptops, smartphones, or tablets, and wireless access points,
which are connected to a wired network.
• Wireless networks offer mobility, scalability, and ease of installation, but they also
suffer from interference, lower bandwidth than wired networks.
• Wireless networks are less secure than wired networks because they use air as a
medium to send radio waves or infrared waves, which can be intercepted by
unauthorized users.
Cellular Data – Use microwave radio signals for data transmission. Use cellular towers to
transmit data between devices. Radio wave signals offer high bandwidth but lower than
cables. 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G are different generations of cellular networks. For optimum
results no buildings and other structures should be between the transmitter and the
received. Weather conditions affect the performance. Less secure than wired
communication.
Satellites – Use microwave signals.
Bluetooth – Use microwave radio to exchange data. They transmit at very low power
levels.
What is a server?
A server can either be a computer system or a software application that provides a service
to the other computer systems connected to the same network.
For example – a server can provide the ability to the rest of the computers on the network
to store and to share files, taking the role of a file server.
What is a client?
A client can either be a computer system or a software application that requests a service
from a server connected to the same network.
For example – an email client software application can request from an email server
software application to fetch any emails that may have been received. Web browser
software application access website in the web server. Here, web browser is the client and
Web server is the server.
Network Types:
PAN is a personal area network. This is usually two devices
(or a small number) in proximity connected for a specific
purpose, for example connecting a mobile phone to a
television to view images or connecting a laptop to a
printer.

LAN is a local area network. This is multiple devices connected over a small geographical
area (usually defined as a single building or under a mile). The hardware (infrastructure)
is owned by the network owner, so it does not use external cabling or the internet.
Examples include a home network of devices, or a school on a single site.
LAN Wired connection LAN Wired and Wireless

WAN is a wide area network. This is multiple devices

connected over a large geographical area (usually
defined as multiple buildings). Some of the hardware is
not owned by the specific individual or company but may
instead be provided by a utility company.
Examples include a multi-campus university, local
government, or a nationwide store.

Speed of data transmission across a network:

Bandwidth – Amount of data that can be transmitted within a certain amount of time.
Measured in bps (bits per second), kbps (Kilobits per second), Mbps (Megabits per
second) and Gbps (Gigabits per second).
Transmission Distance – how far data can be sent using the transmission method.
Interference – It is caused when something interrupts the transmission of a signal. This
could be a physical obstruction such as walls or other radio waves.
Factors that affect speed of data transmission:
• Bandwidth of the network
• Data transfer rate of storage devices
 • Interferences.

Errors in data transmission may occur due to various factors, including:

• Interference from other electrical devices
• Objects in the way
• A fault in the transmission media, such as damaged cable, power loss.
Network Topologies:
Network Topology is the schematic description of a network arrangement, connecting
various nodes (devices means sender and receiver) through lines of connection.
Bus Topology - Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network
device is connected to single cable. When it has exactly two endpoints, then it is called
Linear Bus topology.

Features Advantages Disadvantages

-It transmits data only in one - It is cost effective. - Cables fails then whole
direction. -Cable required is least network fails.
compared to another - If network traffic is heavy
-Every device is connected network topology. or nodes are more the
to a single cable. -Used in small networks. performance of the network
-It is easy to understand. decreases.
-Easy to expand joining two - Cable has a limited length.
cables together. - It is slower than the ring
topology.

Ring Topology - It forms a ring as each

computer is connected to another
computer, with the last one connected to
the first. Exactly two neighbours for each
device.
 Features Advantages Disadvantages
-The transmission is - Transmitting network is not - Adding or deleting the
unidirectional, but it can be affected by high traffic computers disturbs the
made bidirectional - Cheap to install and network activity.
- Data is transferred in a expand - Failure of one computer
sequential manner that is bit disturbs the whole network.
by bit. Data transmitted, has
to pass through each node
of the network, till the
destination node.

Star Topology - All the computers are connected to a single

hub through a cable. This hub is the central node, and all other
nodes are connected to the central node.

Features Advantages Disadvantages

- Every node has its own - Fast performance with few - Cost of installation is high.
dedicated connection to the nodes and low network - Expensive to use.
hub. traffic. - If the hub fails then the
- Can be used with twisted - Hub can be upgraded whole network is stopped
pair, Optical Fibre or coaxial easily. because all the nodes
cable. - Easy to identify failure depend on the hub.
computer. - Performance is based on
- Easy to setup and modify. the hub that is it depends on
- Only that node is affected its capacity
which has failed, rest of the
nodes can work smoothly.

Tree Topology - It has a root node,

and all other nodes are connected to it
forming a hierarchy. It is also called
hierarchical topology. It should at least
have three levels to the hierarchy.

Features Advantages Disadvantages

- Ideal if workstations are - Extension of bus and star - Heavily cabled.
located in groups. topologies. - Costly.
- Used in Wide Area - Expansion of nodes is - If more nodes are added
Network. possible and easy. maintenance is difficult.
- Easily managed and - Central hub fails, network
maintained. fails.
- Error detection is easily
done.
Mesh Topology – In mesh topology each device is
connected to every other device on the network
through a dedicated point-to-point link. When we say
dedicated, it means that the link only carries data for
the two connected devices only.

Features Advantages Disadvantages

- Fully connected. - Each connection can - Installation and
- Robust. carry its own data load. configuration are difficult.
- Not flexible. - It is robust. - Cabling cost is more.
- Fault is diagnosed easily. - Bulk wiring is required.
- Provides security and
privacy.

Hybrid Topology - It is two

different types of topologies
which is a mixture of two or more
topologies. For example, if in an
office in one department ring
topology is used and, in another
star, topology is used,
connecting these topologies will
result in Hybrid Topology (ring
topology and star topology).

Features Advantages Disadvantages

- It is a combination of two - Reliable as Error detecting - Complex in design.
or topologies and troubleshooting is easy. - Costly.
- Inherits the advantages - Effective.
and disadvantages of the - Scalable as size can be
topologies included increased easily.
- Flexible.