1 Computer Networks At a Glance a = Evolution of the Internet = Network Devices = Computer Networks = Network Operating Systems ™ Classification of Networks Evolution of the Internet | ~ The foundation of the Internet was laid in the 1960s, in the United States of America. In 1969, the first network, ARPAnet (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), was created by the US Department of Defense, to connect the computers of the US Defense and US universities like UCLA and Stanford. > In 1972, e-mail was introduced by Ray Tomlinson, a scientist at Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1973, the ARPAnet went global _ when the University College of _ London joined in. © - ARPAnet was further joined cS. by the NSFnet and linked to other ate networks to allow commercial ental activities. network ultimatelysification of Networks, Computer networks can be classified into different categories baseq ny following: 1, the area they are covering 2. the architecture of the network 3. the topology, i.e., the shape or pattern of the arrangement of odes iy network 4. the medium used to transfer data In this chapter, we will study these classifications. Networks Based on the Area Covered Based on the area it covers, a network can be a LAN, MAN or WAN. Local Area Network (LAN) LAN isa local network covering sg a small geographic area such as ahome, office or building. LANs a are mostly based on Ethernet technology. The network in your bank or school lab is an example of LAN. Coaxial cables are usually used to connect the computers in a LAN. Fibre- AN comecrs eal optic cables also allow very fast and effective communication, but they are more expensive. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) MAN is a local metro area network that connects two or more geographical area cf] MAN: connecting metropolitat area networksnetworks within a town, city or metropolitan area. The network of ATMs in your city or the networked offices of an organisation ina city are examples of MAN. "I Do You Know? The individual machines in a network are known as nodes or workstations. Wide Area Network (WAN) emt 4 WAN is a wide area network that covers large geographical areas across countries or | _Toronto, Data Office even continents and uses transmission facilities provided by telephone companies and New York Office Internet Service —_ Providers g (ISPs). Banks with e-banking, : the networked offices of multinational companies and the Internet are examples of WAN. London, UK Office WAN: connecting wide geographical areas across countries Networks Based on the Architecture The architecture ofa network defines how the computer's hardware and software are organised and structured. Networks can be classified as Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) architectures. Client-Server Network In a client-server network, there is a centralised powerful J computer called the server which i Client does all the processing. All ie ie ce 3 Network Lene n ; in the network, client-server network» You Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network a = ee Ina Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network, there is aoe Bi S } Satine Instead, there isa direct as ae ee a \ ; : " ecture is better ip ; sees dis inexpensive to set upand maintain. %. networks and is inexp z ; Networks Based on the Network Topology peer-to-peer ar angement of computers ina network. Computernetyog, tian as arrangement of the nodes in a network, may be classified according to the i i s or tree. ‘There are various topologies such as star, ring, bus, mesh Star Topology In star topology, all the computers are connected by cables to a central device, the server. The server controls all the functions of the network. Computers communicate via the server. This topology is easy to install but if the server fails, the network is disabled. The server uses a device, such as a switch or hub, to connect all the computers in the network. Nodes Ring Topology In ring topology, all the computers and other are connected to each other in a closed ci 1 no central server machine. Instead, each connected to two other machines. This easy to install, but a failure in any cable or no ring topology disrupt the entire network. Bus Topology In bus topology, a single cable, called the backbone or bus, carries all the data. All the computers, printers and other peripherals being shared are connected to the bus. This topology is normally used for small networks. The amount of cabling required is less but the entire network is dependent on the bus backbone.Mesh Topology B i E In mesh topology, every node on the network is connected to all the other nodes of the network which makes the network very stable. However, oO the amount of cabling required is very large. mesh topology B__€ Tree Topology 1 E 7 p Tree topology combines the characteristics of bus and star networks. Groups of star-topology By JS. BA | Jc networks are formed which are then connected BO toa bus-backbone cable. This network is more Bie difficult to set up. tree topology Networks Based on the Transmission Media Transmission media means the way data is LANG) In homesenan | transferred from one node to another on a network. | offices may use Wi-Fi The computers in a network can be linked by cables. | to transmit data over The three types of cables used to network computers | networks. are twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables and fibre-optic cables. For longer distances, where cabling is not practically possible, radio ‘waves, microwaves or satellites are used to transmit data. coaxial cable satellite | communications tower twisted-pair cable fibre-optic cable7 Router Network Devices i Network Interface Cards [NIC] To join a network, a computer must have a Network Interface Card or NIC. The NIC joins the computer to the network, letting it communicate with the other computers on the network. Bridges, hubs, switches and routers are network devices that Perr Vag functions such as joining the smaller LANs to create the larger NS OF ui the transmitted data to the correct node on the network, PAN _—— ir f Wi-Fi routers are devices thay Personal Area Network (PAN) is the smallest r let you access the Intemet o¢ type of network which connects a person with | , computer network without computing devices such as personal computers, wires. smartphones and tablets. ~ Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) is a PAN using wireley network technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Infrared. ; Bluetooth Bluetooth is a wireless technology which lets electronic devices communica with each other within short ranges. Bluetooth devices use radio waves to communicate. You can use Bluetooth to transfer documents, music and pictures between mobile phones, laptops, personal computers, digital cameras, etc. Most recent computing devices come with built-in Bluetooth. Wi-Fi Wi-Fi technology lets electronic devices communica wirelessly within LANs. Personal computers, video game consoles, smartphones, tablets, digital came or even smart TVs can connect to a network or th Internet via a wireless network access point calle a hotspot. A hotspot has a range of about 20 metresA Wi-Fi system must be protected by passwords and other security systems Infrared Infrared light is usually used in TV remotes. It could also be used in printers, wireless keyboards and mice. Ree ea cu To operate a network, you need to install a special network operating system. Some popular ones are Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Unix and Linux. Keeping the network protected, secure and free from viruses is very important. Firewalls, anti-virus software and passwords are used for this. A firewall is a network security system which prevents unauthorised access to or froma private network. Windows Server 2008 Linux How Mobile Devices Connect to the Internet A mobile device hasa SIM card which it uses to connect tothe Internet using a high-speed 3G or 4G connection. The Subscriber Identify Module (SIM) card isa portable memory chip used mostly in cellphones.hnology by p tec! oration, is the nw ed over the ij nt r rt yer 4G, short for Fourth Ge icant whieh devices can transfer data ac gre Internet wirelessly If there is Wi-Fi in your home could easily connect to the Internet, or surroundings, you AST Th Sy ® Computer network is an inter-connected network for communicating and sharing data and resources, ® Computer networks can be classified on the basis of the area they cover, the: of the network, the topology and medium of transmission of data. & LAN isa network covering a smalll geographic area such as a home, office or building ® MAN isa network that connects two or more large-area networks together within adi ® WAN isa data communications network that covers a relatively wide or broad areaand uses transmission facilities provided by telephone companies and Internet: providers. An example is the Internet. ® Client-Server networks havea centralised computer called the server whileall machines are called clients or nodes or workstations. & Ina Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network, there is no server machine; instead, there 8? connection between the nodes. © Topology is the arrangement of computers ina network, Star, ri mesh ot : computers . Star, ring, bus, topologies are named on the basis of arrangement of the nodes in a computer neve ® A server uses a device called a hub to connect all the computers in the network: © Three types of cables used in networks are twisted-pair cables, coaxial cablesamd © Other ways pe transfer data where cabling is not practically possible are radi® ee ee oe oeG Mdentify the topology: » asingle cable carries all the data - all devices connected ina closed circle - combination of characteristics of bus and star networks - all computers connected by cable to the server - every node in the network connected to all other nodes in the network low can the following be connected? + areputed bank with its headquarters in New Delhi to its branches in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai - Kaveri to her laptop, smartphone and tablet - your smart TV, smartphone, laptop and tablet wirelessly . computers of an organisation spread across three floors of a building 5. two offices in Ahmedabad Sow poune wn Find out the type of topology used in your computer lab. Draw a map showing the placement of the computers in the lab, the server and hub, if there is one. Ask your teacher to explain the type of technology, the cabling and the software used in the network. wap acriviryib4 s the Internet to get information about the history of computer n between Wi-fi, Bluetooth and Infrared as Goonlineand gather some information on