What is Computer Network?
A computer network is a collection of interconnected devices that share resources
and information. These devices can include computers, servers, printers, and other
hardware. Networks allow for the efficient exchange of data, enabling various
applications such as email, file sharing, and internet browsing.
Advantages of Computer Networks
1. Resource Sharing – Devices like printers, scanners, and files can be shared
easily among computers.
2. Communication – Users can communicate quickly through email, messaging,
or video calls.
3. Data Sharing – Information and files can be transferred easily between
computers.
4. Centralized Data – Data can be stored and managed on a central server,
making backup and updates easier.
5. Cost Saving – Shared resources reduce the need to buy individual devices for
each computer.
6. Remote Access – Users can access files and systems from different locations.
Disadvantages of Computer Networks
1. Security Risks – Hackers can steal or damage data if the network is not secure.
2. Viruses and Malware – If one computer gets infected, the virus can spread to
others on the network.
3. High Setup Cost – Setting up a network can be expensive (hardware, cables,
technicians).
4. Maintenance – Networks need regular maintenance and troubleshooting by IT
professionals.
5. Data Loss – If the central server fails, all connected computers might lose access
to important data.
6. Slow Speed – If many users access the network at once, it can slow down
performance.
Difference between Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer Network
1. Client
A client is a computer or device that requests data or services.
It sends requests to the server and receives responses.
Example: When you open a website on your browser, your computer is the
client.
2. Server
A server is a powerful computer that provides data, services, or resources to
clients.
It waits for requests from clients and then responds.
Example: A web server stores website data and sends it to clients when they
request it
In the world of network architecture, two fundamental models are widely utilized to
structure data exchange and resource sharing. For the purpose of this discussion, two
types of networks are available; the Client-Server Network and the Peer-to-Peer
Network. All the models have their strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate applications
that make them suitable for use. An understanding of these differences will assist in
choosing suitable approaches for different networking requirements.
What is a Client-Server Network?
This model are broadly used network model. In the Client-Server Network, Clients and
servers are differentiated, and Specific servers and clients are present. In Client-Server
Network, a Centralized server is used to store the data because its management is
centralized. In Client-Server Network, the Server responds to the services which is
requested by the Client.
Client-Server:
Centralized system
One server serves many clients
Example: Facebook, Gmail, YouTube
Server handles all data processing
Clients send requests; server responds
Easier to manage and control
Real-life example:
You open Facebook → Facebook server sends your news feed
What is Peer-to-Peer Network?
This model does not differentiate the clients and the servers, In this each and every node
is itself client and server. In Peer-to-Peer Network, Each and every node can do both
request and respond for the services.
Peer-to-peer networks are often created by collections of 12 or fewer machines.
All of these computers use unique security to keep their data, but they also share
data with every other node.
In peer-to-peer networks, the nodes both consume and produce resources.
Therefore, as the number of nodes grows, so does the peer-to-peer network's
capability for resource sharing. This is distinct from client-server networks where
an increase in nodes causes the server to become overloaded.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P):
Decentralized system
Every device (peer) is both client and server
Example: BitTorrent, Bitcoin, Skype (old)
Data shared directly between users
No central control
Harder to manage, but highly scalable
Real-life example:
You download a movie using torrent → Your computer downloads and also uploads to others
Difference Between Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer Network
Client-Server Network Peer-to-Peer Network
In Client-Server Network, Clients and
In Peer-to-Peer Network, Clients and
server are differentiated, Specific server
server are not differentiated.
and clients are present.
Client-Server Network focuses on While Peer-to-Peer Network focuses on
information sharing. connectivity.
In Client-Server Network, Centralized While in Peer-to-Peer Network, Each
server is used to store the data. peer has its own data.
In Client-Server Network, Server While in Peer-to-Peer Network, Each
respond the services which is request by and every node can do both request and
Client. respond for the services.
Client-Server Network are costlier than While Peer-to-Peer Network are less
Peer-to-Peer Network. costlier than Client-Server Network.
Client-Server Network are more stable While Peer-to-Peer Network are less
than Peer-to-Peer Network. stable if number of peer is increase.
While Peer-to-Peer Network is
Client-Server Network is used for both
generally suited for small networks with
small and large networks.
fewer than 10 computers.
Components of Data Communication System
Data Communication is defined as exchange of data between two devices via some
form of transmission media such as a cable, wire or it can be air or vacuum also. For
occurrence of data communication, communicating devices must be a part of
communication system made up of a combination of hardware or software devices
and programs.
Data Communication System Components : There are mainly five components of a
data communication system:
1. Message
2. Sender
3. Receiver
4. Transmission Medium
5. Set of rules (Protocol)
All above mentioned elements are described below:
Figure - Components of Data Communication System
1. Message : This is most useful asset of a data communication system. The message
simply refers to data or piece of information which is to be communicated. A
message could be in any form, it may be in form of a text file, an audio file, a
video file, etc.
2. Sender : To transfer message from source to destination, someone must be there
who will play role of a source. Sender plays part of a source in data
communication system. It is simple a device that sends data message. The device
could be in form of a computer, mobile, telephone, laptop, video camera, or a
workstation, etc.
3. Receiver : It is destination where finally message sent by source has arrived. It is a
device that receives message. Same as sender, receiver can also be in form of a
computer, telephone mobile, workstation, etc.
4. Transmission Medium : In entire process of data communication, there must be
something which could act as a bridge between sender and receiver, Transmission
medium plays that part. It is physical path by which data or message travels from
sender to receiver. Transmission medium could be guided (with wires) or unguided
(without wires), for example, twisted pair cable, fiber optic cable, radio waves,
microwaves, etc.
5. Set of rules (Protocol) : To govern data communications, various sets of rules had
been already designed by the designers of the communication systems, which
represent a kind of agreement between communicating devices. These are defined
as protocol. In simple terms, the protocol is a set of rules that govern data
communication. If two different devices are connected but there is no protocol
among them, there would not be any kind of communication between those two
devices. Thus the protocol is necessary for data communication to take place.
A typical example of a data communication system is sending an e-mail. The user
which send email act as sender, message is data which user wants to send, receiver is
one whom user wants to send message, there are many protocols involved in this
entire process, one of them is Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), both sender and
receiver must have an internet connection which uses a wireless medium to send and
receive email.
Common Protocols Used in Communication
1. HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
o Used for: Accessing websites on the internet
o Example: When you open a website in your browser.
2. HTTPS (HTTP Secure)
o Used for: Securely accessing websites (with encryption)
o Example: Online banking or shopping websites.
3. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
o Used for: Uploading or downloading files between computers
o Example: Sending a large file to a server.
4. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol)
o Used for: Sending data over the internet in small packets
oExample: All internet activities rely on TCP/IP.
5. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
o Used for: Sending emails
o Example: When you click “Send” on an email.
Basic Terminologies of Computer Networks
Network: A network is a collection of computers and devices that are connected
together to enable communication and data exchange.
Nodes: Nodes are devices that are connected to a network. These can include
computers, Servers, Printers, Routers, Switches, and other devices.
Protocol: A protocol is a set of rules and standards that govern how data is
transmitted over a network. Examples of protocols include TCP/IP, HTTP,
and FTP.
Topology: Network topology refers to the physical and logical arrangement of
nodes on a network. The common network topologies include bus, star, ring,
mesh, and tree.
Service Provider Networks: These types of Networks give permission to take
Network Capacity and Functionality on lease from the Provider. Service Provider
Networks include Wireless Communications, Data Carriers, etc.
IP Address: An IP address is a unique numerical identifier that is assigned to
every device on a network. IP addresses are used to identify devices and enable
communication between them.
DNS: The Domain Name System (DNS) is a protocol that is used to translate
human-readable domain names (such as [Link]) into IP addresses that
computers can understand.
Firewall: A firewall is a security technology(it can be a device or software) that
is used to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic. Firewalls
acts like a digital gatekeeper used to protect networks from unauthorized access
and other security threats like hackers,viruses,suspicious apps or unknown
websites
Type Device? Protection Scope Example
Hardware Firewall ✅ Yes (physical device) Whole network Cisco, Fortinet
Software Firewall ❌ No (software only) Single device Windows Firewall
How Does a Computer Network Work?
Basics building blocks of a Computer network are Nodes and Links. A Network Node
can be illustrated as Equipment for Data Communication like a Modem, Router, etc.,
or Equipment of a Data Terminal like connecting two computers or more. Link in
Computer Networks can be defined as wires or cables or free space of wireless
networks.
The working of Computer Networks can be simply defined as rules or protocols which
help in sending and receiving data via the links which allow Computer networks to
communicate. Each device has an IP Address, that helps in identifying a device.
