Computer Networks sists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and

CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications.

through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites etc. ample of a computer network is the Internet, which allows millions of users to share information.

Every Network Includes: 1. At least two computers that have something to share. 2. A cable or wireless pathway, called Transmission Media, for computers to signal each other. 3. Rules, called Protocols, so that computers can use the unified principle of data communication.

4. Networking Interface Cards (NIC)

Advantages of Computer Networks Sharing: Networks offer a quick and easy way to share files directly. Sharing: All computers in the network can share resources such as printers, fax machines, modems and scanners. communicate with each other via e-mail, instant messages etc. Networks allow their users to access files from computers throughout the network. to share data and information with the computers that are located geographically large distance apart.

Network Computing Models Centralized Computing (Client-Server Network) A client-server network is where every client is connected to the server. Server or mainframe computer has huge storage and processing capabilities.

Distributed Computing (Peer-to-Peer Network) All devices have same power. It interconnects one or more computers. Centralized backup is not possible. Uses of Computer Network Simultaneous Access

Personal Communication

APPLICATIONS OF NETWOKS -mail

-Commerce

Different Types of Networks Depending upon the geographical area covered by a network, it is classified as: Local Area Network (LAN) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Wide Area Network (WAN) Personal Area Network (PAN) Local Area Network (LAN) LANs can be either wired or wireless. Twisted pair, coax or fibre optic cable can be used in wired LANs. Every LAN uses a protocol a set of rules that governs how packets are configured and transmitted. Nodes in a LAN are linked together with a certain topology. These topologies include: Bus Ring Star

 LANs are capable of very high transmission rates (100s Mb/s to G b/s).Local Area Network (LAN)Advantages of LAN Speed Cost Security E-mail Resource SharingDisadvantages of LAN Expensive To Install Requires Administrative Time File Server May Fail Cables May BreakMetropolitan Area Network (MAN) A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a large computer network that usually spans a city or a large campus. A MAN is optimized for a larger geographical area than a LAN, ranging from several blocks of

buildings to entire cities. A MAN might be owned and operated by a single organization, but it usually will be used by many individuals and organizations. A MAN often acts as a high speed network to allow sharing of regional resources. A MAN typically covers an area of between 5 and 50 km diameter. Examples of MAN: Telephone company network that provides a high speed DSL to customers and cable TV network. WAN covers a large geographic area such as country, continent or even whole of the world. A WAN is two or more LANs connected together. The LANs can be many miles apart. To cover great distances, WANs may transmit data over leased high-speed phone lines or

wireless links such as satellites. Multiple LANs can be connected together using devices such as bridges, routers, or gateways, which enable them to share data. The world's most popular WAN is the Internet. Wide Area Network (WAN)Personal Area Network (PAN) A PAN is a network that is used for communicating among computers and computer devices (including telephones) in close proximity of around a few meters within a room It can be used for communicating between the devices themselves, or for connecting to a larger network such as the internet. PANs can be wired or wireless. A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among computer devices, including telephones and

personal digital assistants, in proximity to an individual's body. The devices may or may not belong to the person in question. The reach of a PAN is typically a few meters

What is a Topology? Network topologies describe the ways in which the elements of a network are mapped. They describe the physical and logical arrangement of the network nodes. The physical topology of a network refers to the configuration of cables, computers, and other peripherals.

Different Types of Topologies Bus Topology Star Topology Ring Topology Mesh Topology Tree Topology Hybrid Topology

Bus Topology All the nodes (file server, workstations, and peripherals) on a bus topology are connected by one single cable. A bus topology consists of a main run of cable with a terminator at each end. All nodes (file server, workstations, and peripherals) are connected to the linear cable. Popular on LANs because they are inexpensive and easy to install. Bus Topology Advantages of Bus Topology It is Cheap, easy to handle and implement. Require less cable It is best suited for small networks. Disadvantages of Bus Topology

 The cable length is limited. This limits the number of stations that can be connected. This network topology can perform well only for a limited number of nodes. In a ring network, every device has exactly two neighbours for communication purposes. All messages travel through a ring in the same direction. A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network. To implement a ring network we use the Token Ring technology A token, or small data packet, is continuously passed around the network. When a device needs to transmit, it reserves the token for the next trip around, then attaches its data packet to it.

Ring Topology Advantage of Ring Topology Very orderly network where every device has access to the token and the opportunity to transmit. Easier to Mange than a Bus Network Good Communication over long distances Handles high volume of traffic Disadvantages of Ring Topology The failure of a single node of the network can cause the entire network to fail. The movement or changes made to network nodes affects the performance of the entire network. Star Topology In a star network, each node (file server, workstations, and peripherals) is

connected to a central device called a hub. The hub takes a signal that comes from any node and passes it along to all the other nodes in the network. Data on a star network passes through the hub, switch, or concentrator before continuing to its destination. The hub, switch, or concentrator manages and controls all functions of the network. The star topology reduces the chance of network failure by connecting all of the systems to a central node. Star Topology Advantages of Star Topology Easy to manage Easy to locate problems (cable/workstations) Easier to expand than a bus or ring topology. Easy to install and wire.

 Easy to detect faults and to remove parts. Disadvantages of Star Topology Requires more cable length than a linear topology. If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled. More expensive because of the cost of the concentrators. Tree Topology A tree topology (hierarchical topology) can be viewed as a collection of star networks arranged in a hierarchy. This tree has individual peripheral nodes which are required to transmit to and receive from one other only and are not required to act as repeaters or regenerators. The tree topology arranges links and nodes into distinct hierarchies in order to allow greater control and easier troubleshooting.

 This is particularly helpful for colleges, universities and schools so that each of the connect to the big network in some way. Tree Topology. Advantages of a Tree Topology Point-to-point wiring for individual segments. Supported by several hardware and software vendors. All the computers have access to the larger and their immediate networks. Disadvantages of a Tree Topology Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of cabling used. If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down. More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies. Mesh Topology In this topology, each node is connected to every other node in the network.

 Implementing the mesh topology is expensive and difficult. In this type of network, each node may send message to destination through multiple paths. While the data is travelling on the Mesh Network it is automatically configured to reach the destination by taking the shortest route which means the least number of hops. Mesh Topology Advantage of Mesh Topology No traffic problem as there are dedicated links. It has multiple links, so if one route is blocked then other routes can be used for data communication. Points to point links make fault identification easy. Disadvantage of Mesh Topology

 There is mesh of wiring which can be difficult to manage. Installation is complex as each node is connected to every node. Cabling cost is high. A combination of any two or more network topologies. A hybrid topology always accrues when two different basic network topologies are connected. It is a mixture of above mentioned topologies. Usually, a central computer is attached with sub-controllers which in turn participate in a variety of topologies. Advantages of a Hybrid Topology It is extremely flexible. It is very reliable. Disadvantages of a Hybrid Topology Expensive

OSI stands for Open System Interconnection because it allows any two different systems to communicate regardless of their architecture. - OSI model has seven layers. - This model provides clear distinction between services, interfaces and protocols

TP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. It is named after these protocols, being part of this model. - TCP/IP has four layers - It does not clearly distinguish between services, interfaces & protocols.

- In this model, Protocols do - TCP and IP protocols fit not well in fit well into the model. the model. - Session & Presentation layers are present in this layer. - There is no session & presentation layer in this model.

-OSI model supports both connection oriented & connectionless in network layer but connection oriented comm. In transport layer.

- TCP/IP supports only connectionless comm. In network layer but supports both in transport layer.