Networks

Computer Networks

A network is a group of computer systems linked together so that facilities such as printers, storage,
computer programs… can be shared and user communication facilitated.

A computer or device that is not connected to a network is called a stand-alone.

Data packets
-The main purpose of networking is to share data between computers.

-A file has to be broken up into small chunks of data known as data packets in
order to be transmitted over a network.

-The data is then re-built once it reaches the destination computer. Networking
hardware is required to connect computers and manage how data packets are
communicated. Protocols are used to control how data is transmitted across
networks.
 Why are Networks Used?
Computer networks bring several benefits:
• file sharing - users can share files with other users
• hardware sharing - users can share hardware, such as a printer
• communication - users can communicate via email, chat, or by video
• roaming access - users can sign in to any computer on the network and be able to access their files

On larger networks, such as those used by businesses and schools, there are additional benefits:
– centralized maintenance and updates - network managers can apply software updates across a network,
removing the need for a user to worry about having to do so
– centralized security - anti-virus software and firewalls can be implemented across a network, helping to
protect user files from risks
– user monitoring - network managers can monitor what users do on a network
– levels of access - different users can be given different access rights, and this gives network managers the
ability to generally restrict user .access to certain files, while granting permission to specific users
 Advantages of the Computer
Networks
• Communication – it is easy (and often free) to communicate using email, text
messages, voice calls and video calls.

• Roaming – if information is stored on a network, it means users are not fixed to

one place. They can use computers anywhere in the world to access their
information.

• Sharing information – it is easy to share files and information over a network.

Music and video files, for instance, can be stored on one device and shared across
many computers, so every computer does not need to fill the hard drive with
files.

• Sharing resources – it is easy to share resources such as printers. Twenty

computers in a room could share one printer over a network.
• Sharing software – it is possible to stream software using web applications.
This avoids needing to download and store the whole software file.
Disadvantages of Computer
Networks
Networking computers together also brings several problems:
Cost - additional equipment is needed to allow computers to communicate
Management - larger networks require management by specialist staff
such as a network manager
Spread of malware - viruses and other forms of malware can easily spread
across an improperly secured network
Hacking - once a device is connected to another device, it is possible that
data may be accessed without the device owner's permission
Wired and Wireless Connectivity -
Wired Connectivity
A wired network uses copper cable or fibre optic cable to form the connections between the networked
devices (nodes). Fibre optic cables have a greater bandwidth so transfer speeds are faster.
Computers can be connected through Ethernet cables which connect to the
Ethernet port. Connecting hardware such as a router has Ethernet ports.

Wireless Connectivity
Wireless networks tend to use radio signals as their communication medium but could use other wireless
methods such as infrared light. These signals are limited in a range - usually up to 50 meters - but are subject
to interference. They can also be blocked by walls. However, they are ideal for mobile devices as a device
can connect to a network as long as it is in the range of a wireless access point (WAP).
Computers can make a wireless connection if they have a wireless NIC. A wireless router provides a
connection with the physical network. A computer device needs to be within range of the router to get
access.
The wireless adapter converts the data into a radio signal and the wireless receiver decodes it so that the
computer can understand it.
Different types of Networks
A LAN is a network that is
geographically confined to
one building or site.

Examples include networks

employed by small
businesses, small
organisations , schools,
colleges, universities and in
homes.
• LANs are owned and
maintained by the
organisation.
Local area network hardware
• To connect a computer or device to a network, several hardware components are
required:
– a network interface controller (NIC) or wireless network interface controller
– a transmission medium, either wired or wireless
– a point to connect to, such as a router, hub, switch or wireless access point (WAP)

Different Types of LANs

1) Server-based networks (Client-server): These have a machine which is only used as a
server.
2) Peer-to-peer networks : These do not have any machine which is only used as a
server.
Client Server & Peer-to-Peer Networks
• This type of network separates computers into servers and clients.
• A server is a computer that manages and stores files, or one that provides services to other computers
on the network. They control the network and allow other computers to share and communicate. In
effect, they serve other computers.
• Servers tend to be powerful machines. They need the processing power because many other
computers connect to them.
• A client is a computer that relies on other computers (servers) to provide and manage data. The
computer a person uses on a network is a client.

Peer-to-Peer networks
In a peer-to-peer network, all computers have equal status - no computer has control over the network.
There are no servers or clients. Instead, each computer is known as a peer.
Peers store their own files, which can be accessed by other peers on the network. Therefore, a peer is
both a client and a server.
• Peer-to-peer networks are best suited to smaller organisations that have fewer computers, or where
fewer computers need access to the same data.
 Servers
A server is a powerful computer which servers different facilities within a network of terminals or
workstations.
A server stores data to be used by other computers on a network. It could be a
specialized machine or it can be a normal PC running server software. The server
stores data and responds to requests for data or files such as web pages.
Types of servers
1.Web servers- Web servers host websites and generally handle requests for static
information such as HTML pages or images. They are used to manage the website on
the server and often include FTP software, which can easily host and share large files.
The Apache web server is a popular type of open source web server software.
2.Application servers- Many websites are classed as web applications which contain
programming and scripts which are more complex than a static HTML page. The
application server is generally used to organise and run the web application. A client
sends requests to the web server which sends requests to the application server.
 Servers
3.Print servers- These make it easy for various devices to connect to a printer.
This removes the need for devices to install the printer driver software or
connect to the printer using cables.
4.Mail server- These store email messages. Your browser makes request to
mail servers to retrieve the messages.
Network attached storage (NAS)
This is a server dedicated to storing and sharing files. It is useful for storing
large files, such as music and video, but it is not used for storing websites.
 WAN(Wide Area Network)- Internet is largest WAN

• A wide area network (WAN) is a network that is spread over a wide

geographical area. It can cover more than one site, or be spread across a
country, or even the world.
• Organisations that have more than one office or branch, such as banks,
tend to use a WAN. The WAN allows the head office to communicate and
share data with the sub- offices and branches. Communication is through
national telephone infrastructures or via wireless transmission.
While each office or branch has its own LAN, they areconnected together
using the WAN.
 PAN ( Personal Area Network)
A personal area network (PAN) is a network that is spread over a very
small area. It often covers no more than a few metres and is used to
connect personal devices such as a smartphone and wireless headphones
or a laptop.
• Setting up a PAN using a smartphone is also known as creating a
‘hotspot’ and makes use of limited Wi-Fi or bluetooth to connect devices.
Network Hard ware
• Computers need networking hardware in order to connect to each
other. Routers, hubs, switches and bridges are all pieces of networking
equipment that can perform slightly different tasks. A router can often
incorporate hubs, switches and wireless access within the same hardware.
• Routers
• A router can form a LAN by connecting devices within a building. It also makes it possible to
connect different networks together. Homes and businesses use a router to connect to the
internet. A router can often incorporate a modem within the hardware.
• Modems
A modem enables a computer to connect to the internet over a telephone line. A modem
converts digital signals from a computer to analogue signals that are then sent down the
telephone line. A modem on the other end converts the analogue signal back to a digital
signal which another computer can understand.
Hubs, bridges and switches allow multiple devices to connect to the router
and they transfer data to all devices on a network. A router is a more complex
device that usually includes the capability of hubs, bridges and switches.
• Hubs- A hub broadcasts data to all devices on a network. This can use a lot
of bandwidth as it results in unnecessary data being sent - not all
computers might need to receive the data. A hub would be useful to link up
a few games consoles for a local multiplayer game using a wired LAN.
Switches- A switch performs a similar role to a hub and a bridge but is more powerful. It stores
the MAC addresses of devices on a network and filters data packets to see which devices have
asked for them. This makes a switch more efficient when demand is high. If, for example, a game
involved lots of data being passed between machines, then a switch could reduce the amount
of latency.
Wireless access points(WAPs) are required to connect to a network wirelessly. WAPs are usually
built into the broadband router.
 Device Addresses
Data packets include the addresses of the devices they are going to and coming from. Computers
need a network interface card to connect to a network. All devices on a network have a MAC
address.
MAC address
Every piece of hardware on a network has a unique MAC address. This is embedded in the
hardware when the product is made in the factory, and the user cannot change it. On a computer,
the MAC address is a unique code built into a NIC. A MAC address is made up of 48 bits of data,
usually written as 12 hexadecimal characters.
Network interface card (NIC)
NICs enable desktop and laptop computers to connect to a network. NICs are small circuit boards
that connect to the motherboard. Smartphones also use a GSM chip to connect to the telephone
network. Games consoles contain a NIC card so users can access the internet, download games
and play online.
 Network Data Speeds
Network data speeds are measured in bits per second. These numbers arehuge so
they are measured in millions of bits per second- Mbps - and billions of bits per
second - Gbps:
– 1 Mbps = 1,000,000 bits per second
– 1 Gbps = 1,000,000,000 bits per second
Network data speeds

To calculate how long it would take to transmit a file. Use the formula:

Time(seconds) = size of file (in bits) / network speed (in bits)

Network Topologies
Any device connected to a network is referred to as a node. All nodes
are connected to the network either by cables or wirelessly.
• A network's topology is the arrangement, or pattern, in which all
nodes on a network are connected together.
The major network topologies are:
bus
ring
star
mesh
 Bus Topology
• In a bus network all the nodes are joined to one cable - the bus.
At each end of the cable, a terminator is fitted to stop signals
reflecting back down the bus.
Advantages
• it is easy to install extra network devices
• it is cheap to install as it doesn't require much cable

Disadvantages
• if the main cable fails or gets damaged, the whole network will fail
• as more nodes are connected, the performance of the network will
become slower because of data collisions
• every node on the network receives all of the data sent on the
network - this is a security risk
 Ring Topology
In a ring topology network each node is connected to two other devices. A
ring for the signals to travel around is formed. Each packet of data on
the network travels in one direction and each node receives each packet in turn
until the destination node receives it.
Advantages
• it is easy to install extra network devices
• adding additional nodes doesn’t have an impact on the performance of the
network

Disadvantages
• if the main cable fails or gets damaged, the whole network will fail
• every node on the network receives all of the data sent on the network - this is
a security risk
• it is more expensive than a bus network as more cable is needed to join the
final and first nodes
 Star Topology
In a star topology all nodes indirectly connect to each other through one or more switches or hubs. A hub
broadcasts a message across the whole network, whereas a switch sends the message to the intended
recipient only. The switch or hub acts as a central point through which all communications are passed. Star
topologies are used in many networks, large and small.

Advantages
• Each node is separately connected. Therefore, the failure of one node or its link,
also known as transmission media, does not affect any other nodes.
• New nodes can be added to the network simply by connecting them to the switch.
• Star networks tend to have higher performance, since a message is passed on only
to its intended recipient.

Disadvantages
• the whole network fails if the switch fails, since no node can communicate
• a wired star topology requires a lot of cable - in a large network this can be
expensive
continued
• Star topologies tend to be found in large organisations,
such as educational establishments and businesses,
where high performance is a must.
• They are also found in home networks, especially those
that are wireless. In this case, a router with
a wireless access point (WAP) provides the central
connection for all nodes
Mesh Topology
In a mesh topology there is no central connection point.
Instead, each node is connected to at least one other node and
usually to more than one. Each node is capable of sending
messages to and receiving messages from other nodes. The
nodes act as relays, passing on a message towards its final
destination.

There are two types of mesh topology:

fully connected mesh topology
In a fully connected mesh, each node is directly connected to
every other node. This enables a message to be sent along
many individual routes.

partial mesh topology

Continued
Wired mesh networks tend to be uncommon, mainly because
connecting all nodes to all other nodes is expensive and impractical.
However, wireless mesh networks are increasingly being used since it is
far simpler and cheaper to connect using radio signals.
Dis/Advantages of Mesh Topology
The advantages of a mesh topology are:
messages can be received more quickly if the route to the intended recipient is short
messages should always get through as they have many possible routes they can travel along
 multiple connections mean - in theory - that no node should be isolated
 multiple connections mean each node can transmit to and receive from more than one node at the
same time
 new nodes can be added without interruption or interfering with other nodes

The disadvantages of a mesh topology are:

 fully connected mesh networks can be impractical to set up because of the high number of
connections needed
 many connections require a lot of maintenance