UNIT 2

COMPUTER NETWORKS
Concept Map:

Network: A group of two or more similar things or people interconnected with each other is called
network. Examples are social network and mobile network
Computer Network: A Computer network is an interconnection among two or more computers
or computing devices. The advantages of computer networks are:
• Resource Sharing
• Collaborative Interaction
• Cost Saving
• Increased storage
• Time Saving
EVOLUTION OF NETWORK:
(I)ARPANET (Advanced Research Project Agency Network)
• It came into existence in 1960s
• A project for interconnecting, US department of defense with academic and research
organization across different places for scientific collaboration.
(II)NSFNET (National Science Foundation Networks)
• It came into existence in 1986
• It was the first large-scale implementation of Internet technologies in a complex
environment of many independently operated networks
(III) INTRANET
• It is a local or restricted communication system
• It is managed by a person or organization.
• Intranet users can avail services from internet but Internet user cannot access intranet
directly
(IV) INTERNET
• It came into existence in 1960s
• It is known as Network of Networks
• A global computer network providing variety of information and communication facilities
consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.
DATA COMMUNICATION TERMINOLOGIES
DATA: Data means information in digital form such as text, audio, video which is stored processed
and exchanged between digital devices like computer, mobile phones or laptop. Computers
process the raw data into meaningful information. Information is processed data.
COMMUNICATION: The exchange of information between two or more networked or
interconnected devices is called communication
COMPONENTS OF DATA COMMUNICATION
a) SENDER: Sender is a device which is capable of sending data over a communication network.
In data communication Sender is also called Source.
b) RECEIVER: Receiver is a device which is capable of receiving data over a communication
network. In data communication Receiver is also called Destination.
c) MESSAGE: message is the information being exchanged between a sender and a receiver over
a communication network.
d) COMMUNICATION MEDIUM: Communication medium is the path or channel through which
the information is moved from the sender to the receiver. A communication medium can be either
wired/guided or wireless/unguided.
e) PROTOCOLS: The set of standard rules which are followed in data communication are known as
Data Communication Protocols. All the communicating devices like sender receiver and other
connected devices in the network should follow these protocols.
Why Protocols are needed?
The communicating devices may be in different geographical areas. The speed of these devices
may be different. Also, the data transfer rates of different networks may be different. These
complexities make it necessary to have a common set of rules to ensure the secure communication
of data. Some commonly used Protocols in data communication are:
• Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
• Internet Protocol (IP)
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP)
• Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
MEASURING CAPACITY OF COMMUNICATION MEDIA
Capacity of a communication channel means the maximum quantity of signals that a
communication channel can carry. The capacity of a communication medium is measured by its
bandwidth and data transfer rate.
BANDWIDTH: Bandwidth is the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies a
transmission media can carry. The unit of bandwidth is Hertz.
DATA TRANSFER RATES: Data transfer rate is the number of bits transmitted through a channel
per unit of time. Data transfer rate is measured in bits per second (bps). It is also measured in
Kilobits per second (Kbps), Megabits per second (Mbps) or Gigabits per second (Gbps).
IP ADDRESS: IP address or Internet Protocol address is a unique numeric address assigned to
every device connected to a network. It uniquely identifies every node connected to a local
network or internet. Example IP address: [Link]

SWITCHING TECHNIQUES
In large networks, there may be more than one paths for transmitting data from sender to
receiver. The process of selecting a path of data out of the available paths is called switching. There
are two popular switching techniques – circuit switching and packet switching.
1. Circuit Switching : In circuit switching, whenever a source end node wants to send a message
to the destination end node a physical link is first established between the source and the
destination. Then only the data transmission takes place. Example: telephone network
2. Packet Switching : In the packet switching technique, the whole message is split into small
packets. Now, these packets are transmitted one by one from sender to the receiver through the
intermediary switches in the network. The packets will take shortest path as possible.

NETWORK DEVICES
Modem: Stands for "modulator-demodulator.", converts digital data from a computer into analog
signals for transmission over telephone lines or cable systems. Also it converts incoming analog
signals back into digital data for the computer. Used to connect to the internet via ISP (Internet
Service Provider).
Ethernet Card: Also known as a network interface card (NIC)., enables a computer to connect to
an Ethernet network using Ethernet cables, Essential for wired network connections. Provides a
physical interface for networking using an RJ45 connector
RJ45 Connector: Registered Jack 45 connector, used to connect Ethernet cables to devices such
as computers, switches, and routers, Ensures a secure and reliable physical connection. Repeater:
Amplifies and retransmits signals in a network, extends the range of network signals, especially
in large or congested environments. Used to combat signal loss over long distances.
Hub: A basic networking device that connects multiple devices in a network, Broadcasts data to
all connected devices, causing network congestion and inefficiency, which can lead to collisions.
Switch: Intelligent device that connects devices in a network, Forwards data only to the device
that needs it, improving network performance and efficiency by reducing collisions.
Router: Manages traffic between different networks, such as your home network and the internet,
performs functions like assigning IP addresses, directing data, and providing security.
Gateway: Acts as an entry and exit point for data traveling between different networks or
protocols (e.g., LAN to WAN), translates data between different formats or protocols to ensure
smooth communication.
Wi-Fi Card: A wireless network adapter that allows a computer to connect to Wi-Fi networks.
Commonly found in laptops and mobile devices for wireless internet access

COMPUTER NETWORK TYPES

A computer network can be categorized by their size, complexity and geographical spread. A
computer network is mainly of four types:
• LAN (Local Area Network)
• PAN (Personal Area Network)
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
PAN (Personal Area Network): Personal Area Network is a network of information technology
devices (laptop, mobile phones, media player and play stations) arranged within the range of an
individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters / covers an area of 30 feet.
LAN (Local Area Network): Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other
in a small area such as a building, office through a communication medium such as twisted pair,
coaxial cable, etc to share resources.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a
larger geographic area that is spread over an area as big as a city by interconnecting different LAN
to form a larger network through a telephone exchange line.
WAN (Wide Area Network): A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large
geographical area such as states or countries through a telephone line, fiber optic cable or satellite
links. The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.

NETWORKING TOPOLOGIES
Bus
It uses a single cable, called a trunk or segment, along which all the computers of the network
are connected

Star
All computers are connected using cable segments to a central component called a switch. The
signals from the transmitting computer go through the switch to all the others.
Tree
Tree Topology is a topology which is having a tree structure in which all the computers are
connected like the branches which are connected with the tree.