Informatics Practices

CLASS XII
Code No. 065
2020-2021

Distribution of Marks

Practical Marks Distribution

 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER NETWORKS
Topics:
 Definition and Advantages of networking
 Elementary Terminology of Networks
 Structure of a Network
 Types of Network(Based
(Based on Geographical Spread)
 Network Devices
 Topology
 Internet
 Website & Web Browser

A. Def:
A computer network is a collection of interconnected computers and other
devices which are able to communicate with each other and share hardware
and software resources.
B. ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER NETWORK

a. Resource Sharing:

With the help of networking, it is very simple to share all formats of

digital data and peripheral devices among users,programs/applications
connected to the network (irrespective of their geographic location).

b. Improved Communication:

A computer network enables fast and secure communication

between users.

c. Central Storage of Data:

Files can be stored on a central node (the file server) that can be
shared and made available to each and every user in an organization.

d. Reliability:

Reliability implies backing up of information. Due to some reason

equipment crash, and so on, the information gets undermined or
inaccessible on one PC, another duplicate of similar information is
accessible on another workstation for future use, which prompts
smooth working and further handling without interruption.

e. Increases Cost Efficiency

With computer networking, you can use a lot of software products

available on the market which can just be stored or installed in your
system or server, and can then be used by various workstations.

C. ELEMENTARY TERMINOLOGY OF NETWORKS

a. Nodes : The term nodes refers to the computers that are attached to
a network and are seeking to share resources.

b. Server: A computer that facilitates the sharing of data, software and

hardware resources on the network.
 c. Network Interface Card(NIC): It is a circuit board installed in a
computer
omputer that provides a dedicated network connection to the
computer. It is also called network interface controller,
controller network
adapter or LAN adapter.
adapter

d. IP Address: An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique 4 digit

hexadecimal number assigned to each node on a network. IP address
settings of a node can be changed by the user

An IP address is a group of four bytes (or 32 bits) each of which can be a

number from 0 to 255. A typical IP address looks like this:
59.177.134.72

D. STRUCTURE OF A NETWORK
A network comprises several components along with their functionalities
that contribute its smooth functioning.
a. Sender: A device or a computer that send the data.
b. Receiver: A device or computer that receives data
c. Message: It is the information to be communicated. It may be text,
image, audio or video.
d. Transmission Medium: It is a physical path through which the data
flows from the sender to receiver. It can wired or wireless medium.
e. Protocol: A set of rules that governs the data transmission.
tra It
represents the communication method which are to be followed by
the sending and receiving devices.
 E. TYPES OF NETWORKS
A computer network may span any amount of geographical area. It can be
on a table, in a room, in a building, in a city, in a country, across continents
or around the world. On the basis of area covered computer networks are
classified as:

1. Personal Area Network(PAN)

Network
2. Local Area Network(LAN)
Network
3. Metropolitan Area Network
Network(MAN)
4. Wide Area Network
Network(WAN)

Personal Area Network (PAN):

 A PAN is a network of Communicating devices (Computer, Phone,

MP3/MP4 Player, Camera etc.) in the proximity of an individual. It can
cover an area of a few meters radius.

 When you have to transfer songs from one cell phone to another, you set
up a PAN of two phones. When files are transferred from a PC to an MP3
player, a PAN is set up between the two. There can also be multiple
devices in PAN. A PAN can be set up using guided media (USB cable) or
unguided media (Bluetooth, Infrared).

 PAN belongs to a single

gle person or user.
Local Area Network(LAN):

 A LAN is a network of computing/Communicating devices in a room,

building, or campus.
 It can cover an area of a few meters to a few kilometers radius.
Occasionally a LAN can span a group of nearby buildings.
 A networked office building, school, or home usually contains a single LAN,
though sometimes one building can contain a few small LANs (Like some
schools have independent LANs in each computer
comput lab.)
 A LAN is owned, controlled, and managed by a single person or
organization.
 A LAN can be set up using wired media (UTP cables, Co
Co-axial
axial cables etc.) or
wireless media (Infrared, radio waves). If a LAN is setup using unguided
media, it is known as WLAN (wireless LAN).

Metropolitan Area Network(MAN):

 A MAN is a network of computing/communicating devices within a city.

 It can cover an area of a few kilometers to a few hundred kilometres
radius.
 A network of schools, or banks, or Government offices etc., within a city,
are examples of MANs.
 A MAN is usually formed by interconnecting a number of LANs and
individual computers.
 All types of communication media (guided and unguided) are used to set
up a MAN.
  A MAN is typically owned and operated by a si
single
ngle entity such as a
government body or a large corporation.
 A good example of a MAN is the interconnected offices of a state
government.

Wide Area Network(WAN):

 A WAN is a network of computing/communicating devices crossing the limits of a

city, country, or continent.
 It can cover an area of over hundreds of kilometer radius.
 WANs usually contain a number of interconnected individual computers, LANs,
MANs, and maybe other WANs.
 All types of communication media (guided and unguided) are used to set up a
WAN.
 A network of ATMs, BANKs, National Government Offices, International
Organizations' Offices etc., spread over a country, continent, or covering many
continents are examples of WANs.
 The best known example of a WAN is the internet.