NETWORK TYPES

• LAN
• WAN
• WLAN
LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)

A network of interconnected computers and devices within a relatively small

geographic area, such as a home, office, or campus. LANs are commonly used to
facilitate data sharing, communication, and resource sharing among devices in a
confined area.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF A LAN

Advantages:
• Sharing resources
• Easy communication
• A network administrator to monitor and all aspects of the network

Disadvantages:
• Easier spread of viruses throughout the network
• Printer queues
• Slower access to external networks, such as the internet
• Increased security risk
• Network breaks down if the main server does, in most cases.
WIDE AREA NETWORKS (WAN)

A network that extends over a broad geographical area, often a country, a continent, or even globally.
WANs are designed to connect devices and networks that are physically separated by long distances. For
example, a network of ATMs. WANs usually make use of public communications networks like telephone
lines and the internet but it’s more expensive and less secure. To tackle these obstacles, they can use
dedicated or leased communication lines (Cheaper & more secure).
END SYSTEMS AND INTERMEDIATE
SYSTEMS IN A WAN
A typical wan consists of end systems and intermediate systems.
• An end system, also known as an end device, is a device at
the edge of the network. It is typically the source or
destination of data transmitted over the network. (personal
computers, laptops, smartphones, servers, tablets, printers,
and IoT devices.)
• Intermediate systems, also known as network devices or
routers, are responsible for forwarding data from one part of
the network to another. (routers, switches, gateways)
WIRELESS LAN (WLAN)

A type of local area network (LAN) that uses wireless communication to connect
devices within a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, campus, or
public hotspot using radio or infrared signals. WLANs provide network
connectivity and Internet access without the need for physical wired
connections.
ACCESS POINT (AP) / WIRELESS NODE

WLANs are connected to the bigger wired network using devices known as access points or wireless nodes
at fixed locations. Because of the limited range, most commercial LANs (campus, airport) require multiple
APs for uninterrupted wireless communication. End-users access WLANs through wireless LAN adapters
(built-in/plug-in).
AP TECHNOLOGIES

• Spread Spectrum Technology: Wideband radio frequency with a range of 30-50m.

• Infrared: Very short range; 1-2m. Easily blocked.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF WLAN

Advantages:
• All computers can access the same resources & services from anywhere within the range of the Aps
• Safety improvement and increased flexibility because there’s no cabling
• Easily add new computers and devices using a WLAN adapter and costs are reduced since extra cabling isn’t
needed.

Disadvantages:
• Higher risk of security since anyone with a WLAN adapter can access the network if they can pick up a
signal. Therefore, complex data encryption techniques are needed.
• Interference problems that can affect the signal.
• Slower data transfer rate.
NETWORKING DEVICES
MODEM
Short for "modulator-demodulator," is a communication device that plays a crucial role in computer
networking and telecommunications. It allows digital devices like computers to connect to the internet or
communicate with other devices over analog communication lines.
Modems perform two primary functions:
• Modulation: When digital data (consisting of 0s and 1s) is transmitted over an analog medium, such as a
telephone line or cable, it needs to be converted into analog signals to travel through that medium
effectively. This process is called modulation. Modems modulate the digital data into analog signals that
can be transmitted over the communication medium.
• Demodulation: When analog signals are received at the destination, they must be converted back into
digital data so that the computer or receiving device can understand and process it. This process is
called demodulation. Modems also demodulate the analog signals, turning them back into digital data.
DIGITAL VS ANALOG SIGNALS

• Digital signals use discrete values, while analog signals use continuous values.
• Digital signals are highly accurate and immune to minor signal degradation. Analog signals are
susceptible to signal degradation and noise.
• Digital data is suitable for storage and processing by digital devices. Analog data requires conversion for
use in digital systems.
• Digital signals can withstand noise and interference more effectively than analog signals.
• Digital signals are well-suited for long-distance and high-speed data transmission. Analog signals may
require amplification and suffer quality degradation over long distances.
DIGITAL SIGNALS

Highly accurate and less susceptible to interference and noise

because they have distinct and well-defined voltage levels to
represent each bit.
ANALOG SIGNALS

Analog signals are susceptible to interference and noise. Even

slight disruptions can alter the signal's quality, making them less
accurate for long-distance or high-quality data transmission.
TYPES OF MODEMS

• Dial-Up Modems: Maximum transmission speed of 60 kilobits/second, which is very slow by today’s
standards. You can’t use the internet and engage in phone calls at the same time because it uses the
same standard telephone line for internet traffic.
• ADSL Modems (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) : Maximum transmission speed of 100 Mbits/second
(12.5 Mbytes/second) using fiber-optic cables and 20 Mbits/second using copper cables. Asymmetric
means that the modem is faster at downloading data than it is at uploading it. You can use the internet
and engage in calls at the same time because it uses different frequencies to transmit internet signals
and normal telephone traffic, which results in no interference.
• Cable Modems: Cable modems provide high-speed internet access as well as receiving television signals
over cable television networks.
MODULATION & DEMODULATION
Modems modulate the digital data into analog signals and vice versa so they can be transmitted over the communication medium and
processed & stored by digital device.
HUBS

A basic networking device that connects multiple devices in a local area network
(LAN). Its primary function is to receive data from one device and broadcast it to
all other devices connected to the hub. Hubs are considered one of the simplest
network devices and operate at the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI (Open
Systems Interconnection) model. Broadcasting makes the hub insecure &
inefficient.
SWITCHES

a fundamental networking device used to connect devices in a local area

network (LAN). It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) and provides a more
intelligent and efficient way of handling network traffic compared to older
devices like hubs. It checks the data packet received and works out the
destination address(es) and sends the data to the appropriate computer(s) only.
Which makes it more secure and efficient.
HOW DOES THE SWITCH KNOW?

Each device on a network has a media access control address, AKA MAC address that uniquely identifies it.
Data packets sent to switches have a MAC address identifying the source of the data and additional
addresses identifying each device that should receive the data.
BRIDGE

A device or software component that connects and filters traffic between two or more network segments.
The primary purpose of a bridge is to divide a large network into smaller, more efficient segments and
control the flow of data between these segments.
ROUTER

A critical device in computer networking that connects different networks together and directs data traffic
between them. It operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection)
model. Routers are essential for routing data across networks, such as the internet, and for directing data
within local area networks (LANs). Routers find the appropriate network using the IP address since all the
device on the same LAN have the same part of the IP address. It sends the data packet to the appropriate
switch and the switch delivers the data packet to the appropriate device using the MAC 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.
BROADBAND ROUTER

Often referred to as a home router or wireless router, is a networking device designed for use in homes
and small businesses. It combines the functionality of a traditional router with additional features,
including a built-in firewall, network switch, and wireless access point. Broadband routers are commonly
used to share a single internet connection among multiple devices in a local area network (LAN).
GATEWAY

A device or software component that connects two or more networks, serving as a translator or
intermediary between them. Its primary purpose is to enable communication between networks that use
different communication protocols or technologies.
NETWORK INTERFACE CARD (NIC)

Also commonly referred to as a network adapter or network card, is a hardware component that connects
a computer or other device to a network. It serves as the interface between the computer and the network
medium, enabling data to be transmitted to and received from the network. It frequently contains the MAC
address generated at the manufacturing stage.
NETWORK CABLES

Advantages of cables over Wi-Fi:

• Faster data transfer rates
• Can be more secure than wireless networks
TYPES OF CABLES

• Copper Cables
• Fiber-Optic Cables

Fiber-Optic cables offer higher data transfer rates and better security.