L1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER NETWORK L2: DIFFERENT TYPES OF NETWORKS

Computer Network Local Area Network (LAN)

-defined as the interconnection of two or more computers. -used for communicating among computer devices, usually
-group of devices connected with each other through a within an office building or home.
transmission mediums such as wires, cables etc. -it enables sharing of resources such as files or hardware devices
-The purpose of having computer network is to send and that maybe needed by multiple users.
receive data stores in other devices over the network. -has lower cost compared to MAN’s or WAN’s
Nodes
Advantages of LAN Disadvantages of LAN
-is a connection point that can receive, create, store or send data
-Speed -Expensive to install
Along distributed network routes.
-Cost -Requires administrative time
5 Basic Components of computer network
-Security -File server may fail
Message- the data or information which needs to be transferred
-E-mail -Wire may break
from one device to another device over a computer network.
-Resource sharing
Sender-is the device that has the data and needs to send the
data to another device connected to the network.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Receiver-is the device which Is expecting the data from other
-a large computer network that usually spans a city or a large
device on the network.
campus.
Transmission media-use to transfer data from one device to
-optimized for a large graphical area
another device through wires, cables, radio waves etc.
-often acts as high-speed network to allow sharing of regional
Protocol–is a set of rules that are agreed by both sender and
resources.
receiver, without a protocol two devices can be connected to
Ex: Telephone company that provides high speed DSL
each other but they cannot communicate.
Networks are used to:
Wide Area Network (WAN)
-Sharing of resources such as printersSharing of expensive
-multiple LANs can be connected together using devices such as
software’s and database.
bridges, routers or gateways, which enable them to share data.
-Communication from one computer to another computer.
-The world’s popular WAN is the Internet.
-Exchange of data and information among users via network.
-Sharing of information over geographically wide area.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Components of Computer Network:
-a network that is used for communicating among computers
-Two or more computers
And computer devices.
-Cables as linked between the computers
-A network interfacing card (NIC) on each other. The main -PANs can be wired or wireless.
purpose of NIC is to format the data, send the data and receive
the data at the receiving node. Campus Area Network ( CAN)
-Switches -is an interconnection of local area networks within a limited
-Software called Operating System (OS) geographical space, such as campus schools or military base.
Network Benefits:
Sharing Resources
Types of resources are:
1. Hardware: A network allows users to share many hardware
devices such as printers, modems, fax machine, CD ROM,
players, etc.
2. Software: sharing software resources reduces the cost of
software installation, saves space on hard disk.
Other Benefits: increased speedReduces costImproves
securityCentralized software managementsElectronic
mailFlexible access.
Disadvantages of Computer Networks:
High cost of installationRequires times for
administrationFailure of serverCable faults