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Computer Science

Notes: Computer Networks Part 1 Grade: 12th

Computer Networks

Evolution of Networking

A computer network is a system of two or more computers that are

connected together to share resources. The first computer networks were
developed in the 1960s and 1970s by the United States Department of
Defense. These early networks were used to connect computers together
so that they could share information and resources.

The first computer network was called the ARPANET. The ARPANET was
developed by the United States Department of Defense in the late 1960s.
The ARPANET was a packet-switched network, which means that data
was broken up into small pieces called packets and then sent over the
network. The packets were then reassembled at the destination computer.

The ARPANET was a success and led to the development of other

computer networks. In the 1980s, the National Science Foundation (NSF)
developed the NSFNET. The NSFNET was a high-speed network that
connected universities and research institutions across the United States.

The NSFNET was a major success and led to the development of the
Internet. The Internet is a global network of computer networks. The
Internet connects billions of computers around the world.

Data Communication Terminologies

Data communication is the process of sending and receiving data between

two or more computers. Data communication can be done over wired or
wireless media.

The following are some of the terminologies used in data communication:

● Concept of communication: Communication is the process of

exchanging information between two or more parties. In data
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communication, the parties are computers.

● Components of data communication: The components of data
communication are:
○ Sender: The sender is the computer that sends the data.
○ Receiver: The receiver is the computer that receives the data.
○ Message: The message is the data that is being sent or
received.
○ Communication media: The communication media is the
physical medium that carries the data.
○ Protocol: A protocol is a set of rules that govern how the data
is sent and received.
● Measuring capacity of communication media: The capacity of a
communication media is measured in terms of bandwidth and data
transfer rate.
○ Bandwidth: Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that
can be sent or received over a communication media in a
given period of time.
○ Data transfer rate: Data transfer rate is the actual amount of
data that is sent or received over a communication media in a
given period of time.
● IP address: An IP address is a unique identifier for a computer on a
network. IP addresses are used to route data to the correct computer
on a network.
● Switching techniques: There are two main switching techniques:
circuit switching and packet switching.
○ Circuit switching: Circuit switching is a dedicated connection
between two computers. Circuit switching is used for real-time
applications, such as voice and video.
○ Packet switching: Packet switching is a connectionless
connection between two computers. Packet switching is used
for non-real-time applications, such as email and file transfer.

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Transmission Media
Transmission media is the physical medium that carries the data between
two or more computers. There are two main types of transmission media:
wired and wireless.

Wired transmission media: Wired transmission media use a physical

conductor to carry the data. The most common types of wired transmission
media are:

● Twisted pair cable: Twisted pair cable is a type of cable that consists
of two insulated copper wires twisted together. Twisted pair cable is
the most common type of wired transmission media.
● Coaxial cable: Coaxial cable is a type of cable that consists of a
single copper core surrounded by a layer of insulation and then a
layer of shielding. Coaxial cable is used for high-speed data
transmission.
● Fiber-optic cable: Fiber-optic cable is a type of cable that consists of
a thin strand of glass or plastic surrounded by a layer of insulation
and then a layer of shielding. Fiber-optic cable is used for
high-speed data transmission over long distances.

Wireless transmission media: Wireless transmission media do not use a

physical conductor to carry the data. The most common types of wireless
transmission media are:

● Radio waves: Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation

that can travel through the air. Radio waves are used for wireless
networks, such as Wi-Fi and cellular networks.
● Microwaves: Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation that
can travel through the air. Microwaves are used for point-to-point
connections, such as microwave links.
● Infrared waves: Infrared waves are a type of electromagnetic
radiation that can travel through the air. Infrared waves are used for
remote controls and other devices that do not require a line-of-sight
connection.

Check Computer Networks Part 2 for full notes

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