NETWORKS

➢ Network:
A network is defined as a group of two or more computer systems linked
together.

Computers connected together to create a network fall into two

categories: servers and clients (workstations).

Clients
Client computers, or workstations, are the normal computers that people sit at to get
their work done.

Servers
Servers are special, powerful computers that provide ‘services’ to the client computers
on the network.

➢ Internet:
The Internet is a global wide area network that connects computer systems across the world.

➢ Intranet:
An intranet is a private network that can only be accessed by authorized users.

Different types of networks

➢ There are many types of computer networks, including the following:

o Local-area networks (LANs): The computers are geographically close together (that is,
in the same building).

o Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs): This is a network which is larger than a LAN but
smaller than a WAN. It typically spans a town or city.

o Wide Area Networks (WANs): WANs are used where computers or networks are
situated a long distance from each other geographically (e.g., in a different country).

o Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs): WLANs are similar to LANs but there are no
wires or cables. In other words, they provide wireless network communications over
short distances using radio or infrared signals instead of cables.

NOTE:
A typical LAN will consist of a number of computers and devices that are connected to
hubs or switches. One of the hubs or switches will usually be connected to a router and a
modem to allow the LAN to connect to the internet, in doing so it then becomes part of a
WAN.

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Network devices

o Modem: Modem means ‘modulator demodulator’. It is a device that converts a

computer’s digital signal into an analogue signal for transmission over an existing
telephone line.

o Hubs: Hubs are hardware devices that can have a number of devices or computers
connected to them. They are often used to connect together a number of devices to
form a LAN. Its main task is to take any data packet received at one of its ports and
broadcast it to every computer in the network.

o Switch: They are similar to hubs but are much more efficient in the way that they
distribute data packets. Unlike hub, the switch checks the data packet received and
works out its destination address and sends the data to the appropriate computer only.

o Bridge: Bridges are devices that connect one LAN to another LAN that uses the same
protocol. They are often used to connect together different parts of a LAN so that they
can function as a single LAN.

o Router: It is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer

networks. Routers perform the traffic directing functions on the Internet.

o How the router works?

A router would typically have an internet cable plugged into it and several cables
connecting to computers and other devices on the LAN.
Routers inspect the data packets sent to it from any computer on any of the networks
connected to it. Since every computer on the same network has the same part of an
internet protocol address, the router is able to send the data packet to the appropriate
switch and it will then be delivered using the MAC destination address. If the MAC
address doesn’t match any device on the network, it passes on to another switch on the
same network until the appropriate device is found.

o Data Packet: A set of bits which represent data is carried in the packet according to
which protocol is used.
Packets of data usually contain the following information:
1. Header – To identify the data packets.
2. The sender’s IP address.
3. The receiver’s IP address.
4. Length of the data packets. (How many data packets make up the whole message).
5. Identification number – To enable packets to be sequenced if they have been
fragmented during transmission.

o Gateway: A gateway is a network point or node that acts as an entrance to another

network. If a network node needs to communicate outside its network, it needs to use a
gateway.

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o Internet Protocol (IP): Each device on the internet is given a unique address known
as its IP address. Usually written in the form: 109.107.156.1
An IP address gives the location of a device on the Internet.

o Media Access Control: MAC address is a unique number that identifies a device
connected to the internet.

▪ Digital Divide: Those people who have the necessary IT skills and/or money to
purchase and use computer equipment will benefit from the new technology; whereas
those who are not able to access the new technology, either through lack of money,
skills or simply because they don’t live in a country with the necessary infrastructure,
are left behind leading to Digital divide or social divide.

▪ Authentication: Authentication is used to verify that data comes from a secure and
trusted source. It works with encryption to strengthen internet security.

▪ Viruses: Virus is a program code or malicious software that can copy itself with the
intention of deleting or corrupting files on a computer. Viruses often cause the
computer to malfunction.

▪ Antivirus: It is software used to prevent, detect and remove malicious software.

Avoiding viruses when accessing the Internet

1. One way to help prevent virus attacks when accessing websites on the internet is to
avoid unknown or suspicious-looking websites.
2. Look for security indicators such as https or the padlock symbol.
3. When accessing a new website, e.g., from an advert in an email, copy & paste the URL
into the address bar at the top of the page rather than just clicking on the link in the
email. This can help to avoid links to bogus/fake websites.

Network Communication:

Internet café: An Internet café (also known as a cybercafé) is a café or a store that
provides Internet access to the public. The fee for using a computer is generally charged as a
time-based rate.

Tethering: If you have a smartphone, you can use it as a modem for the laptop. This process is
called tethering.

• Faxes:
1. Physical fax: A dedicated machine connected to a telephone line; it requires the
number of the recipient to be dialled before the document is copied and then sent
electronically.

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2. Electronic faxing: It requires a network, such as the internet, for the facsimile to be
sent.

• E-mail: E-mail (electronic mail) is the exchange of computer-stored messages by

telecommunication. Emails are useful when sending attachments such as documents,
videos, audios & so on.

• Video Conferencing: It is a communication method that uses both video and sound. It is
a substitute for face-to-face conferences between a number of people, who may be in a
different part of the country or live overseas. The basic hardware includes: webcams,
monitors, microphones & speakers.

• Audio Conferencing: It refers to the meetings held between people using audio
equipment. The equipment used can be the telephone, a computer with built in
microphones & speakers.

• Web conferencing: Web conferencing is a live meeting that can have many different
purposes such as training, collaborating or marketing, or it could just be a meeting via
the internet. It is interactive because you can use multimedia tools such as
presentations, video, file sharing, white board with annotation tools, can also be used.

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