GROUP B MEMBERS

1. KALULU CHRISTIAN VU-BIT-2109-1359

2. NANSUBUGA VICTORIA VU-BIT-2109-0351

3. SERA EUNICE VU-BIT2109-0730

4. ONORIA ARNOLD KEIN VU-BIT-2109-0358

5. EMMANUEL DENIS TABAN VU-BIT-2109-1394

6. KITALE DAVID WANDABWA VU-BIT-2109-1034

7. MARGARET NJOROGE VU-BIT-2109-0920

8. KHAMILLAH AALIYAH MOHAMMED VU-BIT-2109-1175

9. CHRISTIAN EMMA SSEKINTU VU-BIT VU-BIT-2109-0940

10. SEWAVA MARVIN KAYONDO VU-BIT 2109-1038

11. MAZE MASENGO ELISEE VU-BIT-2109-0048

12. TSHILANDA TSHIKULUMBA NORBERTINE VU-BIT-2109-0519

13. AMON MARRIETTA VU-BIT-2109-1186

14. NAKAYI SARAH MARY VU-BIT-2109-0884

15. MUTABAZI MUBARAK VU-BIT-2109-0626

B. Write short notes on the following:

a. LAN

b. WAN

c. MAN

d. Guided transmission media

 LAN

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a computer network that connects devices within a limited

geographic area, such as a home, office, or building. It is used to facilitate communication and

data exchange between devices, such as computers, printers, scanners and modems in a small

physical area. It is connected by either wired or wireless technology.

LANs were developed in the 1960s for use by colleges, universities, and research facilities (such

as NASA), primarily to connect computers to other computers. It wasn't until the development of

Ethernet technology (1973, at Xerox PARC), its commercialization (1980), and its

standardization (1983) that LANs started to be used widely.

LAN uses a network operating system to provide two-way communications at bit rates in the

range of 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps.

A LAN comprises cables, access points, switches, routers, and other components that enable

devices to connect to internal servers, web servers, and other LANs via wide area networks.

The rise of virtualization has also fueled the development of virtual LANs, which enable network

administrators to logically group network nodes and partition their networks without a need for

major infrastructure changes.

For example, in an office with multiple departments, such as accounting, IT support, and

administration, each department's computers could be logically connected to the same switch but

segmented to behave as if they are separate.

Each host in a LAN has an identifier, an address that uniquely defines the host in the LAN. The

scope of LAN is small, typically a building or cluster of buildings. LAN is usually owned by

same organization. Data rates of LAN are typically greater than WAN.
Here below is how the LAN network looks like.

TYPES OF LAN

1. Client or Server LANs

 Peer-to-peer LANs

o Client or Server LANs. Now when one decides to deal with this type of local

area network, he or she basically deals with several devices connected to the

central server so meaning the central server manages file storage, device access,

network traffic and application devices. And besides that, when dealing with the

connections to the server it can easily be connected with cables or wireless

connections.

o Peer- to -Peer LANs. With this kind of local network, it does not have a central

server and cannot handle heavy workloads. The devices share resources and data

through wireless connections through a switch or router.

ADVANTAGES OF LAN

 High speed: LANs typically provide faster data transfer speeds than wide area networks

(WANs) or the internet, which makes them suitable for applications that require high

bandwidth.
  Low cost: LANs can be set up using inexpensive hardware, such as Ethernet cables and

switches, which makes them an affordable option for connecting devices within a small

area.

 Security: LANs can be configured to provide a secure network environment, as they

allow administrators to control access to network resources and monitor network activity.

 Ease of use: LANs are easy to set up and maintain, and they allow users to share

resources, such as printers and files, without requiring complex configurations.

Disadvantages of LANs

 Limited geographic scope: LANs are only suitable for connecting devices within a

small area, such as a single building or campus. They are not designed to connect devices

that are located in different geographic locations.

 Dependence on hardware: LANs rely on physical hardware, such as cables and

switches, to connect devices. If this hardware fails, the entire network may be disrupted.

 Limited scalability: It can be difficult to expand a LAN beyond a certain size, as it may

require the addition of more hardware and the reconfiguration of network settings.

 Security vulnerabilities: While LANs can provide a secure network environment, they

are not immune to security threats, such as viruses and malware. It is important to keep

the network and its devices up to date with the latest security patches and to implement

appropriate security measures.

Wide Area Network(WAN)

Is a large computer network that spans a large geographic area, , such as a city, country, or even

the entire globe. It is used to connect devices, such as computers and servers, that are located in

different locations. It uses public networks like a telephone system or microwave broadcast for

connection facilities. It can also utilize wireless networking technologies like radio waves and

satellites.

TYPES OF WAN

There are majorly two distinct examples of WANs today:

Point-to-point WAN: is a type of network that connects two devices or locations directly over a

dedicated physical connection. It is typically used to connect two sites that are geographically

distant from each other, such as two offices in different cities or countries.

Switched WAN. Switched Wide Area Networks (WANs) are networks that use switches to

connect devices over long distances. There are two main types of switched WANs: circuit-

switched and packet-switched.

 Circuit-switched WANs: use dedicated physical connections between devices to

transmit data. When two devices want to communicate with each other, a circuit is

established between them and all data transmitted over the circuit is exclusive to that

connection. Examples of circuit-switched WANs include traditional telephone networks.

 Packet-switched WANs: transmit data in packets over a shared network, allowing

multiple devices to share the same connection. When a device wants to transmit data, it

sends it in the form of packets, which are transmitted over the network to the destination

device. Examples of packet-switched WANs include the Internet, ATM

 Here below is how the WAN network looks like.

Some key characteristics of a WAN include:

 Large geographic area: A WAN typically spans a large geographic area, such as a city,

country, or even the entire globe.

 Long-distance connection: A WAN typically uses long-distance communication

technologies such as leased lines or satellite links to connect devices.

 Shared resources: Devices on a WAN can share resources such as printers, files, and

internet access.

 Centralized management: A WAN is typically centrally managed, which means that a

single administrator can control and manage the network.

There are several benefits to using a WAN, including the ability to connect devices located in

different locations and the ability to share resources and information across a large geographic

area. It is a common choice for large businesses and organizations that need to connect a large

number of devices across multiple locations.

ADVATANGES OF WAN

 Long distance connectivity: WANs allow devices to connect over long distances,

allowing organizations to connect multiple locations and employees.

 Increased productivity: WANs allow employees to access resources and communicate

with each other more efficiently, increasing productivity.

  Cost-effective: WANs can be more cost-effective than other types of networks, as they

allow multiple devices to share the same connection.

 Flexibility: WANs can be easily expanded and modified to meet changing needs.

Disadvantages of a WAN

 Complexity: WANs can be complex to set up and maintain, as they often involve

multiple technologies and locations.

 Security risks: WANs transmit data over a shared network, which can make them

vulnerable to security risks such as hacking and data theft.

 Dependency on service provider: WANs often rely on third-party service providers,

which can make them vulnerable to disruptions or outages.

 Slower speeds: WANs may have slower data transfer speeds compared to other types of

networks.

MAN

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a computer network that interconnects users with

computer resources in a geographic region of the size of a metropolitan area. It is typically larger

in scope than a Local Area Network (LAN) but smaller than a Wide Area Network (WAN). The

term MAN is applied to the interconnection of local area networks (LANs) in a city into a single

larger network which may then also offer efficient connection to a wide area network.

It connects a number of computers, workstations and other nodes in a larger geographical area,

such as a city or university campus. They make use of high-speed technologies like fiber-optic

cabling for higher speeds and greater distances.

The following are the features of a MAN;

 High-speed connection: A MAN typically uses high-speed technologies such as fiber

optic cables or broadband wireless to connect devices.

 Shared resources: Devices on a MAN can share resources such as printers, files, and

internet access.

 Centralized management: A MAN is typically centrally managed, which means that a

single administrator can control and manage the network.

 There are several benefits to using a MAN, including faster data transfer speeds and the

ability to share resources and information within a metropolitan area. It is a common

choice for businesses and organizations that need to connect a large number of devices

within a metropolitan area.

 The network coverage of MAN is more massive than LAN but smaller than WAN.

 It is bounded in large geographical areas such as a town, city.

 The data transmission speed is moderate.

 Its ownership can be public or private parties.

 The network ranges from 5 to 60km.

 Here below is how the MAN network looks like.

Advantages of MAN

Large coverage area: MANs cover a larger area than LANs (Local Area Networks), allowing

organizations to connect multiple locations within a city or town.

High speed: MANs typically offer high-speed connectivity, allowing for fast data transfer and

communication between devices.

Increased productivity: MANs allow employees to access resources and communicate with each

other more efficiently, increasing productivity.

Cost-effective: MANs can be more cost-effective than other types of networks, as they allow

multiple devices to share the same connection.

Disadvantages of MAN

 Complexity: MANs can be complex to set up and maintain, as they often involve

multiple technologies and locations.

 Security risks: MANs transmit data over a shared network, which can make them

vulnerable to security risks such as hacking and data theft.

 Dependency on service provider: MANs often rely on third-party service providers,

which can make them vulnerable to disruptions or outages.

 Limited coverage: MANs are limited to a specific geographic area, so they may not be

suitable for organizations with locations outside of the metropolitan area.

Guided transmission media

Guided transmission media are physical pathways that guide electrical signals from one device to

another.

Examples include twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables, and optical fibers.

Twisted Pair Cable : In this type of transmission media, two insulated conductors of a single

circuit are twisted together to improve electromagnetic compatibility. These are the most widely

used transmission medium cables. These are packed together in protective sheaths. They reduce

electromagnetic radiation from pairs and crosstalk between the neighboring pair. Overall, it

improves the rejection of external electromagnetic interference.

Advantages

 Its frequency ranges between 0 to 3.5 kHz.

 Typical attenuation of Twisted Pair Cable is 0.2 dB/Km @ 1kHz.

 The typical delay is 50 µs/km.

 Repeater spacing is 2km.

Disadvantages

 It cannot carry a signal over long distances without repeaters.

 It is not suitable for broadband applications because of its low bandwidth capacity.

 It comes with poor security and is easily tappable.

Optical fibers

These contain multiple optical fibers and are very often used for long-distance communications.

Compared to other materials, these cables can carry huge amounts of data and run for miles
without using signal repeaters. Due to lesser requirements, they have less maintenance costs and

it improves the reliability of the communication system.

Coaxial cable

These guided transmission media contain an insulation layer that transmits information in

baseband mode and broadband mode. Coaxial cables are made two parallel conductors that are

separately insulated. Such cables carry high frequency electrical signals without any big loss.

The dimension of cable and connectors are controlled to give them constant conductor spacing

for efficient functioning as a transmission line.

Advantages of Guided transmission media

 High speed: Guided transmission media can offer high-speed connectivity,

allowing for fast data transfer.

 Security: Guided transmission media is less susceptible to interference and signal

loss, making it more secure than unguided transmission media (such as wireless).
  Reliability: Guided transmission media is generally more reliable than unguided

transmission media, as it is not affected by external factors such as weather or

physical obstacles.

 Ease of installation: Guided transmission media is relatively easy to install and

maintain, as it does not require the use of antennas or other specialized

equipment.

Disadvantages of Guided transmission media

 Limited flexibility: Guided transmission media is less flexible than unguided

transmission media, as it requires the use of physical cables or wires.

 Limited range: Guided transmission media is limited to the length of the physical

conduit, so it may not be suitable for connecting devices over long distances.

 Vulnerability to damage: Guided transmission media is vulnerable to physical

damage, such as cuts or breaks in the cables or wires.

 Cost: Guided transmission media can be more expensive to install and maintain

than unguided transmission media.

NB; the difference between optical fiber cable and twisted pair cable is that optical fiber cable

is made of thin glass fibers and use light to transmit data and they have a larger band width

while twisted pair cable are made of copper wires and uses electricity to transmit data.