Unit 2: Computer Networks (Class 12 –
CBSE)
1. Introduction to Computer Networks
What is a Computer Network?
A Computer Network is a group of two or more computers/devices
that are interconnected using communication media so that they
can share data, information, hardware, and software resources.
Full forms used:
PC – Personal Computer
LAN – Local Area Network
WAN – Wide Area Network
Example:
Computers connected in a school lab
Mobile phone connected to Wi-Fi
Internet
Advantages of Computer Networks
1. Resource Sharing – Printers, scanners, files can be shared
2. Communication – Email, video calls, messaging
3. Cost Reduction – One printer/server for many users
4. Data Management – Centralized storage and backup
2. Evolution of Networking
ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) – 1969
Developed by US Department of Defense
First computer network in the world
Used Packet Switching Technique
Main purpose: military and research communication
NSFNET (National Science Foundation Network) – 1985
Developed by National Science Foundation (USA)
Connected universities and supercomputers
Became the backbone of the modern Internet
INTERNET (Interconnected Network)
A global network connecting millions of private and public
networks
Uses TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet
Protocol)
Provides services like Email, WWW, FTP
3. Data Communication
Concept of Data Communication
Data Communication is the exchange of data between two
devices through a transmission medium following a set of rules
called protocols.
Components of Data Communication
Component Explanation
Device that sends data
Sender
(Computer, Mobile)
Device that receives
Receiver
data
Data/information being
Message
transmitted
Transmissio Path used to transfer
n Media data
Set of rules for
Protocol
communication
Measuring Capacity of Communication Media
Bandwidth
Maximum amount of data that can be transmitted per
second
Measured in bps (bits per second)
Units:
Kbps – Kilobits per second
Mbps – Megabits per second
Gbps – Gigabits per second
Data Transfer Rate
Actual speed at which data is transmitted
Always less than or equal to bandwidth
IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)
A unique numerical identifier assigned to each device on a
network
Used to identify sender and receiver
Example: [Link]
Types:
IPv4 – 32-bit address
IPv6 – 128-bit address
-----|------------|
| Sender | Device that sends data |
| Receiver | Device that receives data |
| Message | Information being sent |
| Media | Path for data transfer |
| Protocol | Rules for communication |
Measuring Capacity of Communication Media
Bandwidth
Maximum data that can be transmitted per second
Measured in bps, Kbps, Mbps, Gbps
Data Transfer Rate
Actual speed of data transfer
IP Address
Unique numerical address of a device on a network
Example: [Link]
Two types: IPv4 and IPv6
4. Switching Techniques
Circuit Switching
Dedicated path established
Example: Telephone network
Slow setup but reliable
Packet Switching
Data divided into packets
No dedicated path
Example: Internet
Faster and efficient
5. Transmission Media
Wired Communication Media
Twisted Pair Cable
Two insulated copper wires twisted
Cheap and easy to install
Used in LANs
Co-axial Cable
Central copper conductor
Better noise resistance
Used in cable TV
Fiber Optic Cable
Uses light signals
Very high speed
Expensive but secure
Wireless Communication Media
Radio Waves
Long distance communication
Used in radio and TV
Microwaves
Line-of-sight transmission
Used in satellite communication
Infrared Waves
Short range
Used in TV remotes
6. Network Devices
Device Function
Modem Converts digital to
Device Function
analog signals
Etherne Connects computer
t Card to LAN
Connector for
RJ45
Ethernet cable
Repeate Boosts weak
r signals
Broadcasts data to
Hub
all devices
Sends data to
Switch
specific device
Connects different
Router
networks
Gatewa Connects dissimilar
y networks
Wi-Fi Enables wireless
Card connection
7. Network Types
Netw Area
Full Form
ork Covered
Personal Area Few
PAN
Network meters
Local Area
LAN Building
Network
Metropolitan
MAN City
Area Network
Wide Area Country/
WAN
Network world
8. Network Topologies
Bus Topology
Single central cable
Cheap but failure-prone
Star Topology
All nodes connected to hub/switch
Easy to manage
Tree Topology
Combination of star and bus
Used in organizations
9. Network Protocols
Prot
Use
ocol
HTT Transfers web
P pages
HTT
Secure HTTP
PS
FTP File transfer
SMT
Sending emails
P
POP
Receiving emails
3
TCP/ Internet
IP communication
Direct connection
PPP
over phone lines
TELN
Remote login
ET
Voice calls over
VoIP
Internet
10. Web Services -> WWW (World Wide Web)
Collection of interlinked web pages
HTML
Language for creating web pages
Uses tags like <html>, <body>
XML
Used for storing and transporting data
Domain Name
Human-readable website name
Example: [Link]
URL
Complete address of a web page
Example: [Link]
Website
Collection of related web pages
Web Browser
Software to access websites
Example: Chrome, Firefox
Web Server
Stores and delivers web pages
Web Hosting
Service that stores website on a server
