UNIT-III-Introduction to Computer Networks

Informatics Practices-XII
What is a Network?
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.
Why do we need networks?
 Resource Sharing: data, hardware and software resources can be shared
irrespective of physical location.
 Reliability: file can have two or more copies on different systems, in case if
one is unavailable we can use the other.
 Reduced costs: sharing of resources, reduces cost.
 Fast communication: exchange information fast.
What are nodes or Work stations?
The different terminals which are attached to the network and share the
resources of the network are called nodes.
When we attach a computer with the network it becomes the workstation of
that network.

What is a server ? What is its types?

To designate a particular node, which is at a well known and fixed address, to
provide a service to the n/w as a whole. The node providing the service is
known as the server. A computer that facilitates the sharing of data, software
and hardware resources on a network, is called server. It can be of two types.
TYPES of N/W:-

Local Area Network (LAN) -Connects computers in a limited geographical area

such as a building or an office. Each computer and device is a node .Total area
is not more than 1 km. Software applications and other resources are stored
on a file server. Data communication is at rate of 100 Mbps. It is owned by a
single organization. Error rate is much lower in LAN.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)- High-speed network that connects LANs

in a metropolitan area. Covers a group of nearly corporate office or a city. Can
support both data and voice.
TYPES of N/W:-
Wide Area Network (WAN)- Connects computers and devices in a large
geographical area. Connected via many types of media. One large network or
two or more interconnected LANs, MANs. Data can be communicated to the
far –flung areas with the help of satellites. It uses packet or message switching
method and uses fibre optical cables. It operates at a speed of less than
1mbps.

Personal Area Network (PAN) -Refers to a small network of communication

capable devices within a range of reach ability of an individual person. Range is
typically upto 10 meters. Ex. Two cell phones through bluetooth forms a PAN.
 LAN
Diameter of not more than few
kilometers.
Data rate<10 mbps.
Complete ownership by single
organization.
Very low error rates.
MAN
Span entire countries.
Data rate < 1mbps
Owned by multiple
organization
Comparatively higher error
rates.
What is Network Interface Unit(NIU) or NIC(Network Interface Card) or
TAP(Terminal Access Point)
A Network Interface Unit(NIU) is an interpreter that helps establish
communication between the server and workstations. It is a device Network
Interface Card (NIC) that is attached to each of the workstations and the
sever to establish the all-important connection with the network. NIC
manufacturer assigns a unique physical address to each NIC card known as
MAC address(Media Access Control) e.g. MM:MM:MM:SS:SS:SS
MODEM(Modulation /Demodulation)-converts data from digital to analog
and vice versa. When we use analog facility for data communication between
two digital devices we require two modems one near each digital devices.

HUB(multi port repeater)- It is a hardware device used to connect several

computers together. They are multi slot concentrators into which a number of
multi-port cards can be plugged to provide additional access as the network
grows in size. Hubs are of two types:
Active Hubs- It amplifies signal as it moves from one device to another.
Passive Hubs- It allows the signal to pass from one computer to another
without any change.
Problems with Hubs
1. Share bandwidth among all attached devices.
2. Cannot filter traffic & causes network traffic jam.
3. Broadcast data means data frames are sent to all connected nodes
Switch(multi port bridge): It is responsible for filtering (i.e. transforming data
in a specific way) and for forwarding packets of message being transmitted,
between LAN segments. It is a device used to segment networks into
different sub networks called subnets. Segmenting the network into smaller
subnets prevents traffic overloading in a network.
Problem with Switch:
A switch cannot stop traffic destined for a different LAN segment from
travelling to other LAN segments.
Adv- It gives dedicated bandwidth and uni-broadcasting
 HUB SWITCH
Repeats the incoming traffic Sends traffic to appropriate
to all connections connections

It can either send or receive It can do both at the same

data time

Shares bandwidth Each connection gets

dedicated bandwidth

Inexpensive choice Expensive than hubs

REPEATER:- When a signal travels a long distance, it tends to lose
strength. So, repeater strengthens or amplifies and then retransmits a
signal being transmitted on a n/w. Repeater are of two types. It is
used for distance greater than 70 m or 100 mts.
1. AMPLIFIER:- simply amplifies the signals as well as the concurrent noise
and transmits again on the cable.
2. A SIGNAL REPEATER:-not only amplifies signal ,but also regenerates a
signal by filtering out any interference or distortion before the signal is
amplified and retransmitted.
ROUTER:-is a device that not only can be used to link or connect a
smaller individual n/ws but it can handle different protocols.
Routers maintain a routing table which determines the most
efficient route for a data packet to travel. It does not broadcast data
frames and keeps the traffic moving even in the case of a link failure.
It filters traffic on the basis of IP address(logical address) & route
the network traffic only to the segment where it is destined.

GATEWAY-is a device that connects dissimilar n/ws (e.g. to link Mac

n/w and a PC n/w).It establishes an intelligent connection between a
LAN and external n/ws with completely different structure.
TOPOLOGY
Physical arrangement of devices connected to the network. It is the
pattern of interconnection of nodes in a n/w is called the topology
There are no. of factors which should be considered before choosing
the topology(cost, flexibility and reliabilty.)
STAR TOPOLOGY:- It consists of central node to which all other nodes are
connected by a single path.
ADVANTAGES-
1.Failure of a single connection typically involves disconnecting one node from
an otherwise fully functional n/w because of one device per connection.
2.Centralized control/problem diagnosis. Ease in disconnecting the failing
nodes.
3.Any given connection involves only the central node so access protocols are
simple.
4. Ease of service.
DISADVANTAGES:-
1.Long cable length as each node is directly connected to the center.
2.Difficult to expand as addition involves a connection all the way to central
node.
3.Central node dependency, if central node fails entire n/w is down.
Bus Topology It consists of single length of transmission medium onto which the various nodes are
attached. The transmission from any station travels the length of the bus, in both directions, and can be
received by all other stations. The bus has terminators at either ends which absorb the signal, removing
it from bus.
ADVANTAGES--
1.Short cable length & simple wiring layout.
2.Resilient architecture(has an inherent simplicity that make it very reliable)
3.Easy to extend.
4. If a device fails, network continues to function
5.Transmits in both directions
DISADVANTAGES-
1.Fault diagnosis is difficult
2.Fault isolation is difficult
3.Nodes must be intelligent. It ha to be decided who can use the n/w at any given time
4.Reconfiguration is necessary when backbone is extended using repeaters.
5. If the backbone cable fails, the entire network effectively becomes unusable
Mesh Topology - Involve the concept of Routes. Unlike each of the previous
topologies, messages sent on a mesh network can take any of several possible
paths from source to destination.
GraphTopology – Nodes are connected together in arbitrary fashion.
Fully Connected – Each Node is connected to every other node.
A tree topology is a special type of structure where many connected elements
are arranged like the branches of a tree. ... Because any two nodes can have
only one mutual connection, tree topologies create a natural parent and child
hierarchy. Tree topology in computer networking
Internet Intranet
It cannot be owned by single It is privately owned
company or individual
It is a world wide network of It is the generic term for a
computer networks around collection of private computer
the globe networks within an
organization
It uses a set of protocols called It also uses the same set of
TCP/IP protocols as Internet.
UNIFORM RESOURCE LOCATER(URL):-The technique used to address
documents on the Web is called URL. It provides an addressing scheme which
allow the browser to request about any document or web page.A URL normally
takes the form
<protocol>://<web server name>/<directory name>/<filename>
For example :-http:www.microsoft.com/IE/index.htm
Difference between URL and Domain Name
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the complete address of a document on
the web, whereas a domain name specifies the location of document's web
server. A domain name is a component of the URL used to access web sites.
For example the web address http://www.example.net/index.html is a URL.
In this URL www.example.net is the domain name.
WEB 2.0
Is a combination of the technology (like AJAX) allowing the customers to
actually interact with the information. Web 2.0 is starting to mean the
situation where amateur writers and developers are able to create
applications and Web sites that get more credibility than traditional news
sources and software vendors
VOIP- (Voice Over Internet Protocol) Delivery of voice communication &
multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol networks.
E-mail(Electronic mail):- Advantages-(1).cost effective (2).instantaneous(very
fast). ?(3). Offers non-intrusive medium (4).convenient to use (5).usability.
Limitations- (1).security and privacy of E-mail-Hackers can get access to your
mail box. (2). Impersonal medium-difficult to express emotions
E-mail Address-E-mail address is made up of two parts:-the user name and
the host name(fullu qualified Domain Name of the server or host on which
user has an account).Two parts are separated by “@” symbol.No two persons
can have same user name.
CHAT(text-phone) - Online textual talk, in real time, is called chatting.. It uses
a specialised s/w that allows the user to type some comment in on window
and receive some replies in another from someone who is accessing the
same s/w.Web sites that enable you to converse with other web users are
called CHAT .These sites are referred to as Chat rooms.
WEB SITE:- A web site is a collection of web pages belonging to a particular
person or organization.

WEB PAGE:-A Web Page is single unit of information, often called a document
that is available via the worldwideWeb(WWW).A web page is an HTML
document that is stored on a web server and that has a URL so that it can be
accessed via a web. It is a document that uses HTTP.

Web Server:-It is the job of web server to accept connections from web
browsers all over the internet and when requested ,send them the HTML
documents that are available from the server.

WEB HOSTING- It is a means of hosting web server application on a computer

system through which electronic content on the internet is readily available to
any web browser client.
Static Web pages:
Static Web pages are very simple. It is written in languages such as
HTML, JavaScript, CSS, etc. For static web pages when a server
receives a request for a web page, then the server sends the
response to the client without doing any additional process. And these
web pages are seen through a web browser. In static web pages,
Pages will remain the same until someone changes it manually.

Dynamic Web Pages:

Dynamic Web Pages are written in languages such as CGI, AJAX, ASP, ASP.NET,
etc. In dynamic web pages, the Content of pages is different for different
visitors. It takes more time to load than the static web page. Dynamic web
pages are used where the information is changed frequently, for example,
stock prices, weather information, etc.
SL.NO Static Web Page Dynamic Web Page
In static web pages, Pages will In dynamic web pages, Content of
remain same until someone pages are different for different
1. changes it manually. visitors.
Static Web Pages are simple in Dynamic web pages are
2. terms of complexity. complicated.
In static web pages, Information In dynamic web page, Information
3. are change rarely. are change frequently.
Static Web Page takes less time
for loading than dynamic web Dynamic web page takes more time
4. page. for loading.
In Static Web Pages, database is In dynamic web pages, database is
5. not used. used.
SL.NO Static Web Page Dynamic Web Page
Static web pages are written in Dynamic web pages are written in
languages such as: HTML, languages such as: CGI, AJAX, ASP,
6. JavaScript, CSS, etc. ASP.NET, etc.
Dynamic web pages contains
Static web pages does not contain application program for different
7. any application program . services.
Dynamic web pages require
Static web pages require less comparatively more work and cost in
8. work and cost in designing them. designing them.
WEB BROWSER:-is a client application that requests,recieves and
display HTML pages. It is a software program that your computer runs
to communicate with web servers on the internet, which enables it to
download and display the web-pages that you request. The most
popular browsers are –1.INTERNET EXPLORER 2.Netscape
Navigator 3. NCSA MOSAIC

What are the 5 most popular web browser?

A look into the market share trends of the 5 most popular desktop web
browsers; Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google
Chrome, Apple's Safari, and Opera
What are browser settings-
Every Internet browser has settings you can change, including privacy
options, security settings, search engine preferences, autofill and
autocomplete behavior, and more.

How do you get to your browser settings?

Change your Search browser settings
On your Android phone or tablet, go to google.com.
At the top left, tap Menu. Settings.
Choose your search settings.
At the bottom, click Save.
What are browser add-ons and plug-ins-
Browser extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons are generally similar; they
are software components that add features to an existing computer
program. This can be part of a stand-alone app or part of an internet
browser.

For example, you can use them to view media content on a web page,
receive news and mail, download files, block undesired pop-up
windows, and so on

COOKIES- They are messages that a web server transmits to a web

browser so that the web server can keep track of the user’s activity on
a specific web site.