1.
Introduction to Computer Networks
Definition
👉 A computer network is an interconnection of two or more computers or computing devices,
which are connected together to share data and resources.
These devices are called nodes (e.g., computer, printer, router, switch, server).
Communication happens via wired media (cables, fibre optics) or wireless media (Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, radio waves).
Data in a network is divided into packets, which travel with the sender’s and receiver’s
addresses.
Advantages of Networks:
1. Sharing of data and resources (like printers, storage).
2. Communication through e-mail, video calls, websites.
3. Cost-effective as devices and software can be shared.
---
2. Evolution of Networking
1961 – Concept of ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network).
1969 – ARPANET became functional by connecting UCLA and Stanford Research Institute.
1971 – Ray Tomlinson developed E-mail and introduced the @ symbol.
1974 – The term Internet was coined.
1982 – TCP/IP introduced as standard protocol.
1983 – ARPANET adopted TCP/IP → foundation of Internet.
1990 – Sir Tim Berners-Lee developed HTML and URL, giving birth to the World Wide Web
(WWW).
1997 – First Wi-Fi standard (802.11) introduced.
---
3. Types of Networks
(a) Personal Area Network (PAN)
👉 A Personal Area Network is a network formed by connecting personal devices like mobiles,
laptops, printers within a range of about 10 metres.
Example: Bluetooth between two phones, USB between laptop & mobile.
(b) Local Area Network (LAN)
👉 A Local Area Network is a network that connects computers and devices within a limited
geographical area such as a room, building, or campus.
Range: Up to 1 km.
Speed: High (10 Mbps – 1 Gbps).
Example: School computer lab.
(c) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
👉 A Metropolitan Area Network is an extended form of LAN that covers a larger geographical
area like a city or a town.
Example: Cable TV networks, broadband ISPs.
Range: 30–40 km.
(d) Wide Area Network (WAN)
👉 A Wide Area Network connects computers and other LANs and MANs spread across
different countries or continents.
Internet is the largest WAN.
Used by banks, airlines, MNCs.
---
4. Networking Devices
Modem (MOdulator–DEModulator): Device used to convert digital data to analog signals and
vice versa for communication over telephone lines.
NIC (Network Interface Card): Hardware device used to connect a computer to a network. Each
NIC has a unique MAC address.
RJ-45 Connector: Standard 8-pin connector used with Ethernet cables.
Repeater: Device that regenerates weak signals so that data can travel longer distances.
Hub: Network device that connects multiple computers; it sends incoming data to all devices.
Switch: A central device in LAN that forwards data only to the intended device.
Router: Device that connects a LAN to the Internet and routes data between networks.
Gateway: Entry and exit point of a network; connects two different networks and routes data
packets.
---
5. Networking Topologies
👉 The arrangement of computers and other devices in a network is called network topology.
Types of Topologies:
1. Mesh Topology: Every device connected to every other.
✅ Reliable, secure. ❌ Expensive, complex wiring.
2. Ring Topology: Each device connected in a closed loop; data flows one way.
✅ Simple. ❌ Failure in one device breaks the network.
3. Bus Topology: All devices connected to a single backbone cable.
✅ Cheap. ❌ Backbone failure = total failure.
4. Star Topology: All devices connected to a central hub/switch.
✅ Efficient. ❌ Central device failure = network fails.
5. Tree/Hybrid Topology: Combination of two or more topologies; hierarchical.
✅ Flexible. ❌ Expensive.
---
6. Identifying Nodes
MAC Address (Media Access Control Address):
A 48-bit permanent hardware address assigned to each NIC at manufacturing time.
Written in hexadecimal.
Example: 3A:08:9F:65:AB:CD.
IP Address (Internet Protocol Address):
A logical address used to uniquely identify a device in a network.
IPv4: 32-bit, written as four decimal numbers (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
IPv6: 128-bit, written in hexadecimal groups (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e).
👉 Difference:
MAC = permanent hardware address.
IP = logical, can change.
---
7. Internet, WWW & IoT
Internet: A global network connecting billions of devices.
WWW (World Wide Web): A collection of interlinked webpages accessed through the Internet
using HTML, URL, HTTP/HTTPS. Invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990.
Internet ≠ WWW: Internet is the infrastructure, WWW is a service on Internet.
IoT (Internet of Things): Network of smart devices (TV, AC, fridge, cars) connected to Internet.
---
8. Domain Name System (DNS)
👉 Domain Name System (DNS) is a system that converts easy-to-remember domain names
into IP addresses of servers.
Example: ncert.nic.in → 164.100.60.233.
DNS hierarchy: Root servers → TLD servers (.com, .org, .in) → Local DNS servers.
Process is called Domain Name Resolution.
Questions
Computer Networks – Question Bank (Class 12)
---
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Which of the following is the largest network?
a) LAN
b) MAN
c) WAN
✅
d) PAN
Answer: c) WAN
2. Which device converts digital signals into analog and vice versa?
a) Switch
b) Router
c) Modem
✅
d) Gateway
Answer: c) Modem
3. Which topology has a single point of failure at the central device?
a) Ring
b) Mesh
c) Star
✅
d) Bus
Answer: c) Star
4. Which addressing system is permanent and assigned at manufacturing time?
a) IP Address
b) MAC Address
c) Domain Name
✅
d) Port Number
Answer: b) MAC Address
5. WWW was invented by:
a) Ray Tomlinson
b) Tim Berners-Lee
c) Vinton Cerf
✅
d) Charles Babbage
Answer: b) Tim Berners-Lee
---
B. Fill in the Blanks
1. The process of converting domain name into IP address is called Domain Name Resolution.
2. A NIC (Network Interface Card) has a unique MAC address.
3. TCP/IP is the standard communication protocol of the Internet.
4. In Bus Topology, all devices are connected to a single backbone cable.
5. The first e-mail was developed by Ray Tomlinson in 1971.
---
C. Very Short Questions (1 mark)
👉
1. Define PAN.
A Personal Area Network (PAN) connects personal devices like laptops, mobiles, printers
within about 10 metres.
👉
2. Give an example of MAN.
Cable TV network, Broadband ISP in a city.
👉
3. Write one difference between Hub and Switch.
Hub sends data to all devices, Switch sends data only to the intended device.
👉
4. Expand the term DNS.
DNS = Domain Name System.
👉
5. What is a repeater used for?
A repeater regenerates weak signals in a network.
---
D. Short Answer Questions (2–3 marks)
👉
1. Write two advantages and disadvantages of WAN.
👉
Advantages: Connects across countries, supports MNCs.
Disadvantages: Costly, less secure, slower than LAN.
👉
2. Differentiate between IPv4 and IPv6.
👉
IPv4: 32-bit, written as 4 decimal numbers (e.g., 192.168.0.1).
IPv6: 128-bit, written in hexadecimal (e.g., 2001:0db8::8a2e).
👉
3. Write the difference between Internet and WWW.
👉
Internet = global network infrastructure.
WWW = service on Internet, collection of web pages.
👉
4. State two uses of IoT.
Smart homes (TV, AC, lights), connected cars, health monitoring devices.
---
E. Long Answer Questions (4–5 marks)
👉
1. Explain different types of network topologies with diagrams.
(Mesh, Ring, Bus, Star, Tree) → diagrams + advantages & disadvantages.
👉
2. What are the different types of computer networks? Explain with examples.
PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN.
👉
3. Explain the functions of Router, Switch and Gateway.
👉
Router: connects LAN ↔ Internet, routes data packets.
👉
Switch: forwards data to intended device only.
Gateway: entry/exit point between networks, connects dissimilar networks.
👉
4. What is DNS? Explain its hierarchy with an example.
Converts domain names into IP addresses. Hierarchy: Root → TLD → Local DNS. Example:
cbse.nic.in → 164.100.60.233.
---
F. Differentiate Questions
1. LAN vs WAN
| LAN | WAN |
|-----|-----|
| Covers small area (room/building). | Covers countries/continents. |
| High speed (up to 1 Gbps). | Slower than LAN. |
| Low cost, secure. | Expensive, less secure. |
2. Hub vs Switch
| Hub | Switch |
|-----|--------|
| Broadcasts data to all devices. | Sends data only to the intended device. |
| Less efficient, collisions possible. | More efficient, reduces collisions. |
3. MAC Address vs IP Address
| MAC Address | IP Address |
|-------------|------------|
| Permanent hardware address. | Logical address, can change. |
| 48-bit, hexadecimal. | IPv4 (32-bit) / IPv6 (128-bit). |
