Computer Networks

A Computer network is a set of computers connected together for the purpose of sharing
resources.

Computer network is a telecommunication channel through which we can share our data. It is
also called data network.

A network must be able to meet certain criteria, these are mentioned below:

1. Performance
2. Reliability
3. Scalability

Performance

It can be measured in following ways:

 Transit time: It is the time taken to travel a message from one device to another.
 Response time: It is defined as the time elapsed between enquiry and response.

Other ways to measure performance are:

1. Efficiency of software
2. Number of users
3. Capability of connected hardware

Reliability

It decides the frequency at which network failure take place. More the failures are, less is the
network's reliability.

Security

It refers to the protection of data from the unauthorised user or access. While travelling through
network, data passes many layers of network, and data can be traced if attempted. Hence security
is also a very important characteristic for Networks.

Data Communication

The exchange of data between two devices through a transmission medium is Data
Communication.

Components of Data Communication

1. Message: It is the information to be delivered.
2. Sender: Sender is the person who is sending the message.
3. Receiver: Receiver is the person to him the message is to be delivered.
4. Medium: It is the medium through which message is to be sent for example modem.
 5. Protocol: These are some set of rules which govern data communication.

Transmission Modes in Computer Networks

Transmission mode means transferring of data between two devices.

SIMPLEX Mode

In this type of transmission mode data can be sent only through one direction i.e. communication
is unidirectional.

HALF DUPLEX Mode

In half duplex system we can send data in both directions but it is done one at a time that is when
the sender is sending the data then at that time we can’t send the sender our message.

FULL DUPLEX Mode

In full duplex system we can send data in both directions as it is bidirectional. Data can be sent in
both directions simultaneously.

Different Types of Computer Networks

A computer network is an interconnection of various computer systems located at different

places. In a computer network, two or more computers are linked together with a medium and
data communication devices for the purpose of communicating data and sharing resources.

The computer that provides resources to other computers on a network is known as a server. In

the network the individual computers, which access shared network resources, are known as
workstations or nodes.

Computer Networks may be classified on the basis of the geographical area in two broad
categories.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Wide Area Network (WAN)

1. Local Area Network

Networks used to interconnect computers in a single room, rooms within a building or buildings
on one site are called Local Area Network (LAN). LAN links computers, i.e. software and
hardware, in the same area for the purpose of sharing information. Usually LAN links computers
within a limited geographical area because they must be connected by a cable, which is quite
expensive. People working in LAN get more capabilities in data processing, work processing and
other information exchange compared to stand-alone computers. Because of this information
exchange most of the business and government organisations are using LAN.
 
Major Characteristics of LAN
 Every computer has the potential to communicate with any other computers of the
network. 
 High degree of interconnection between computers.
 Easy physical connection of computers in a network. 
 Inexpensive medium of data transmission. 
 High data transmission rate
Advantages of LAN are as follows:
 The reliability of network is high because the failure of one computer in the network does
not affect the functioning for other computers. 
  Addition of new computer to the network is easy. 
  High rate of data transmission is possible. 
  Peripheral devices like magnetic disk and printer can be shared by other computers.
  
Disadvantages of LAN:
 If the communication line fails, the entire network system breaks down.
Use of LAN
 Followings are the major areas where LAN is normally used 
  File transfers and Access 
  Word and text processing 
  Electronic message handling 
  Remote database access 
  Personal computing 
  Digital voice transmission and storage

2. Metropolitan area network

Metropolitan area network or shortened by MAN. A network in a city with high speed data transfer,
which connects various locations such as campuses, offices, government, and so on. MAN network is a
combination of several LANs. The MAN range of between 10 to 50 miles, this MAN is a network that
tepaMetropolitan area network or shortened by MAN. A network in a city with high speed data transfer,
which connects various locations such as campuses, offices, government, and so on. MAN network is a
combination of several LANs. The MAN range of between 10 to 50 km, MAN this is the right network to
establish a network between offices in the city between the factories / establishments and headquarters
that are within his reach.
Advantages of MAN
The biggest advantage of MANs is the bandwidth (potential speed) of the connecting links.

This means that resources (such as databases and files) shared on the network can be accessed
extremely quickly.

Some installations allow multiple users to share the same high-speed Internet connection,
thereby sharing the cost of the service and securing a better quality of service through collective
bargaining and economies of scale.

Disadvantages of MAN
The key disadvantage of MANs is the cost of the cutting-edge technology employed. Also, this
equipment generally has to be installed for the first time, as the copper traditionally used for the
phone network is generally considered to be too slow to be annexed for this purpose.

The cost is what inhibits the geographical reach of MANs, which is also another drawback.

 3. Wide Area Network

The term Wide Area Network (WAN) is used to describe a computer network spanning a
regional, national or global area. For example, for a large company the head quarters might be at
Delhi and  regional branches at Bombay, Madras, Bangalore and Calcutta. Here regional centers
are connected to head quarters through WAN. The distance between computers connected to
WAN is larger. Therefore the transmission medium used is normally telephone lines,
microwaves and satellite links.
 
Characteristics of WAN:
1. Communication Facility: For a big company spanning over different parts of the country
the employees can save long distance phone calls and it overcomes the time lag in
overseas communications. Computer conferencing is another use of WAN where users
communicate with each other through their computer system.
 
2. Remote Data Entry: Remote data entry is possible in WAN. It means sitting at any location
you can enter data, update data and query other information of any computer attached to
the WAN but located in other cities. For example, suppose you are sitting at Madras and want
to see some data of a computer located at Delhi, you can do it through WAN.
 
3. Centralised Information: In modern computerised environment you will find that
big organisations go for centralised data storage. This means if the organisation is spread
over many cities, they keep their important business data in a single place. As the data
are generated at different sites, WAN permits collection of this data from different sites and
save at a single site.
 
In modern computerised environment you will find that big organisations go for centralised data
storage. This means if the organisation is spread over many cities, they keep their important
business data in a single place. As the data are generated at different sites, WAN permits
collection of this data from different sites and save at a single site.
Examples of WAN are as follows:
Ethernet: Ethernet developed by Xerox Corporation is a famous example of WAN. This
network uses coaxial cables for data transmission. Special integrated circuit chips called
controllers are used to connect equipment to the cable.
Arpanet: The Arpanet is another example of WAN. It was developed at Advanced
Research Projects Agency of U. S. Department. This Network connects more than 40 universities
and institutions throughout USA and Europe.
Network Topology

Types of Network Topology

Network Topology is the schematic description of a network arrangement, connecting various
nodes(sender and receiver) through lines of connection.

BUS Topology
Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is connected to
single cable.

RING Topology
It is called ring topology because it forms a ring as each computer is connected to another
computer, with the last one connected to the first.

STAR Topology
In this type of topology all the computers are connected to a single hub through a cable.

MESH Topology
It is a point-to-point connection to other nodes or devices. All the network nodes are connected
to each other. Mesh has n(n-2)/2 physical channels to link n devices.
There are two techniques to transmit data over the Mesh topology, they are :
1. Routing
2. Flooding
Routing
In routing, the nodes have a routing logic, as per the network requirements.

Flooding
In flooding, the same data is transmitted to all the network nodes, hence no routing logic is
required.

TREE Topology
It has a root node and all other nodes are connected to it forming a hierarchy

HYBRID Topology
It is two different types of topologies which is a mixture of two or more topologies

What is a Client? A computer which is seeking any resource from another computer is a Client
Computer.

What is a Server? If a computer has a resource which is served to another computer, it is a

Server computer.

File Server: File servers are used to store the user documents and files centrally.

Print Server: Print Server, which redirects print jobs from client computers to specific printers.

Mail Server: Mail Servers are used to transmit emails using email protocols.
Application Server: Common computer applications or programs which are required by
different network users can be run in a central server, which enables multiple network users to
access common network applications from the network.

Database Server: Database Server allows authorized network clients to create, view, modify
and/or delete an organization's data, stored in a common database.

Directory Servers: Directory Servers allows the central administration and management of
network users and network resources.