Unit 2: Networking (RQF)

LESSON [02]

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What is a Computer Network?

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 What is a Computer Network?
A Computer Network is simply two or more computers that are
linked together.

➢Note: A single computer system with its peripherals such as printers,

scanners etc. is not considered as a network.

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 Computer Network
A Computer Network is a collection of autonomous computing devices that are
interconnected in various ways in order to exchange information by common
conventions (called protocols) over a shared communication medium.

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 In Computer Networking,
➢ The generic term node or host refers to any device on a network
➢ Data transfer rate
▪ The speed with which data is moved from one place on a network to another
➢ Data transfer rate is a key issue in computer networks

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 Why Computer Networking?
The greatest advancement in technology and communication over the past 20 years has been
the development and advancement of the Computer Network.
From e-mailing a friend to on-line bill paying to downloading data off the Internet to e-
commerce, networking has made our world much smaller and changed the way we
communicate forever.

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 Uses of Computer Networks
❖Accessing databases, transferring, processing and retrieval of data can be done on-line
❖Online credit card checking, e-commerce and Electronic Fund Transfer are possible.
❖Easily administered
❖Provides an efficient means of communication such as e-mail, Voice mail and Video
conferencing.
❖Users can be easily added or removed.
❖Tasks of distributed nature can be processed by distributed computer systems by
exchanging data.
❖Provides a way to share data, programs, peripherals, computing power and
information.
❖Provides data security (Comparing to other communication devices)
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Benefits of a Network
Information sharing: Authorized users can use other computers on the network to access and share
information & data. This could include special group projects, databases, etc.
Reduce cost by resource sharing: One device connected to a network, such as a printer or scanner, can
be shared by many users.
Instead of purchasing and installing a software program on each computer, it can be installed on the
server. All of the users can then access the program from a single location.
Using network-connected peripheral devices like printers, scanners and copiers, or sharing software
between multiple users, saves money
Connectivity sharing Eg: Internet, NAS/SAN storages
Collaborative environment: Users can work together on group projects by combining the power and
capabilities of diverse equipment.

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 Benefits of a Network
Improved Efficiency & better services: Staff can deal with more customers in less time, since they have
shared access to customer and product databases.

Reduce Errors And Improve Consistency: By having all staff work from a single source of information. This
way, you can make standard versions of manuals and directories available to them, and back up data from
a single point on a scheduled basis, ensuring consistency.

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Risks of Network Computing
The security of a computer network is challenged everyday by:

▪ Equipment malfunctions
▪ System failures
➢Note: equipment malfunctions and system failures may be caused by
natural disasters such as floods, storms or fires and electrical disturbances.
▪ Computer hackers
▪ Virus attacks

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When making a network what we should need to consider?
1. Performance
2. Reliability
3. Scalability

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Performance
Network performance is primarily measured from an end-user perspective (i.e. quality of network
services delivered to the user). Broadly, network performance is measured by reviewing the
statistics and metrics from the following network components:
▪Network bandwidth or capacity - Available for data transfer
▪Network throughput - Amount of data successfully transferred over the network in a given time
▪Network delay, latency and jittering - Any network issue causing packet transfer to be slower than
usual
▪Data loss and network errors - Packets dropped or lost in transmission and delivery

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Reliability
Reliability is an attribute of any computer-related component (software, or hardware, or a
network, for example) that consistently performs according to its specifications.
In theory, a reliable product is totally free of technical errors; in practice, however, vendors
frequently express a product's reliability quotient as a percentage. Evolutionary products (those
that have evolved through numerous versions over a significant period of time) are usually
considered to become increasingly reliable, since it is assumed that bug s have been eliminated
in earlier releases

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Scalability
Scalability is an attribute that describes the ability of a process, network, software or organization
to grow and manage increased demand.
Scalability is often a sign of stability and competitiveness, as it means the network, system,
software or organization is ready to handle the influx of demand, increased productivity, trends,
changing needs and even presence or introduction of new competitors
Examples:
•A basic anti-virus program can become premium and be used by enterprises through
downloading certain add-ons or paying for subscription. Because more resources may be added
to it, it is considered scalable.
•More computers and servers can be added to a network in order to increase throughput or
intensify security.

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Duplex
A duplex communication system is a point-to-point system composed of two or more connected parties or
devices that can communicate with one another in both directions.
Full-duplex system
Both parties can communicate with each other simultaneously.
An example of a full-duplex device is a telephone; the parties at both ends of a call can speak and be heard
by the other party simultaneously. In computer network, SWITCH

Half-duplex system
Both parties can communicate with each other, but not simultaneously; the communication is one
direction at a time. An example of a half-duplex device is a walkie-talkie two-way radio that has a "push-to-
talk" button;
In a computer network, HUB

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