CHAPTER 9: COMPUTER NETWORKING

Computer network:
A computer network is a collection of computers and any other hardware
interconnected by the communication channels that allow sharing of resources
and information.

Advantages:
1) Can share resources such as
Printers or scanners.
2) Can share data and access
File from any machine.
3) Save cost.
Disadvantages:
1) Expensive setup.
2) Unsecured communications.
3) Rapid spread of computer viruses.

The Internet:
I. The internet is a network of interlinked computer networking worldwide.
II. It is a super network.
III. It connects many small networks together.
How internet functions?

I. Firstly, The File that is to be sent to another computer is divided into smaller
parts known as Packets.
II. Each packets is given a sequential number e.g., 1, 2, 3, , .
III. Then the packets are sent to address of the destination computer.
IV. The destination computer receives the packets randomly.
V. Then the packets are arranged in there sequential order and the destination
computer get the data/information.
The Inter-space:

I. Inter space are the client/server software program that allow multiple users
to communicate each other by real time audio, video and text chatting in
dynamic 3D environment.
II. It provides most advanced form of communication.
III. Used for interconnecting spaces to manipulate information.
Components of computer network:
I. Host & Nodes:
A node or host is a device that is connected to computer network and
shares resources of network.
II. Servers:
A server is a computer that facilitates networking tasks like resource
sharing, data sharing and communication among hosts.
Two types:
 Non-dedicated: Not completely dedicated toward cause of serving.
 Dedicated: Completely dedicated toward cause of serving.
III. Clients:
 A client computer is the host computer that request for network
services from server.
 A server computer serves the request to client computer.
IV. Network Interface Unit:
 A network interface unit is a hardware component that connect
computer to the computer network.
 Every computer connected to computer network must have NI Unit.
 Each NI Unit attached to computer has its unique number known as
Node Address.
 Also known as Terminal Access point and Network Interface Unit.
V. Communication channels:
Host in a network interact with other hosts and server(s) by communication
channels or communication medium.
A. Wired communication channels:
a) Twisted Pair Cable:
 Most popular networking cable.
 Consist of four insulated wire twisted around each other.
 Twisting is done to reduce crosstalk and electro-magnetic
interference(EMI).
 An RJ-45 (Registered Jack) is used to connect this cable to
computer.
 Two Types: UTP: Unshielded Twisted Pair
STP: Shielded Twisted Pair

Advantages: Disadvantages:
Low cost, Low weight & Flexible cable. Suitable only for shorter range
(100 metre).
Inexpensive and Easy to install Low band width offers speed upto
and Maintain. 100 Mbps.
 b) Coaxial Cable:
 Have high electronic properties.
 Suitable for high speed communication.
 Widely used for television signals.
 Used for building security systems.
 Two Types: i) Thicknet: strength length up to 500 m &
bandwidth of 10 Mbps.
ii) Thinnet: strength length up to 185 m & band
width of 10 Mbps.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
Offers high bandwidth for longer Less flexible and expensive as
distance(185-500) m. compared to TPC
Suitable for broadband television Not compatible with cables like UTP
communication (Cable TV). and STP

c) Optical Fibre Cable:

 Transmit light (Photons) instead of electricity.
 Signals are modulated and transmitted in form of light pulses from
LED and LASER Beam.
 Two Types of Optical Fibre:
1. Single node: Maximum segment length up to 2 km and
bandwidth up to 100 Mbps.
2. Multi node: Maximum segment length up to 100 km and
bandwidth up to 2 Gbps.
 Optical Fibre has following parts:
1. Core: Glass or plastic cover through which lights travels.
2. Cladding: Covering of core that reflects light back to core.
3. Buffer coating: Protect cable for damage and moisture.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
Free from Electro-magnetic interference. Most expensive and quite fragile
(breakable).
Offers secure and high speed data Installation process is quite
Transmission. complicated.
 FACTORS: TWISTED PAIR COAXIAL OPTICAL FIBRE

Data transfer 10Mbps - 10Gbps 100 Mbps > 100Gbps

rate
Distance range 100 m 185-500 m > 10 Km

EMI EMI susceptibility More Less Nil

Cost Less More than TPC Very Expensive

B. Wireless communication channels:

When hosts and server(s) are connected to each other through
unguided media like Radio waves or satellite link are called wireless
communication channels.
a) Radio-waves:
 Use radio frequency range of 3 KHz to 3 GHz.
 Uses continuous sine waves to transmit signals.
 Transmitter receive signals & encode it into sine waves to transmit
signals.
 Receiver receive radio wave & decode sine wave into real message.
 Can travel longer distance & can penetrate building also.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
Covers larger span of area. Insecure communication.
Provide ease of communication over Permission from concerned authorities
difficult terrains. are required.

b) Microwaves:
 Transmit signals without use of cables.
 Transmitted signals travel in straight line.
 Frequency range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz.
 The sending and receiving antennas have to be aligned with each
other.

Advantages:
Cheap source of communication.
Provide ease of communication over
difficult terrains.
Disadvantages:
Cost of installing towers are relatively
high.
Wave propagation is affected by
Weather conditions.
 c) Satellite link:
 Used for longer distance wireless communication.
 Uses microwaves frequency bandwidth of 1.6 GHz to 20 GHz.
 Work as Trans-Receiver antenna in space,which receives
regenerate and transmit signals.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
Covers larger geographical area. Slower than Microwaves transmission.
Offers secured and high quality Requires legal communication.
transmission.

d) Infrared waves:
 Uses infrared light to send Data/Information.
 Transmit data in air and spread throughout the room .
 Frequency bandwidth of 300 GHz to 400 THz up to 5 m.
 At a time only two devices can communicate.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
Line of sight transmission. Do not cross any solid objects.
No government licence is required. Performance drop with longer distance..

e) Bluetooth:
 Line of sight between two devices is not required.
 It can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously.
 Data transfer rate is slow (up to 1 Mbps).
 Bluetooth is used to establish PAN.
 Uses 2.4 GHz up to 10 m.

Types of Network:
1. Local Area Network (LAN):

 Communication devices are interconnected within geographical

area, such as building or campus.
 Transfer data at high speed up to 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
 Key purpose is to serve its user for resource sharing
 Hardware and software resources are shared.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
Resource sharing. High setup cost.
Easy and cheap communication. Data security threat.
 2. Wide Area Network (WAN):

 Spread across countries.

 It is group of LANs that are interconnected with each other to from a
big WAN.
 Facilitate fast and efficient information and data.
 The largest WAN in existence is INTERNET.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
Long distance network can connect to Need good firewall to restrict unwanted
one network. access.
Message can be send to wide range Data security is a major issue.
of Nodes.