Notes On Computer Networking
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benjaminalexandercoleNotes On Computer Networking
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benjaminalexandercoleNETWORKING
Principles of Networking.
Mathilda Peter
09.04.2025
12TH GRADE COMMERCIAL
INTRODUCTION
This is an explanation of computer networking,its types,topoloy and advantages and
disadvantages.
Here is the complete, merged set of notes from all four images, focused entirely on the
Networking topic (with the computer virus section removed):
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## NETWORKING
Networking is the process of linking two or more computing devices together for the
purpose of sharing data. A computer network is a system that connects two or more
computers using a communication link.
In a network, remotely located computer stations are connected to a centrally located
sophisticated high speed processor via a communication link (telephone lines,
microwave links, satellites) for the purpose of sharing resources (like printers,
processors, programs and some other information).
## Types of Networking
1. Local Area Network (LAN): Refers to the connection of computers within a limited
geographical area or within the same building or different buildings on the same site.
Several LANs can be connected by the use of bridges and routers.
2. Wide Area Network (WAN): This is a network between a large geographical area. It is
a global connection of computers. They are more sophisticated and use superior
transmission to each other over a very long distance. One of the most widely used WANs
is the Internet, which allows users to connect to other users worldwide.
3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): This is a network used to link users within a
metropolis or city. It connects locations such as office buildings, residential areas,
government buildings, and university campuses.
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## Network Topology
Network Topology is the term used to describe the physical arrangement of computers in
a network.
## 1. Bus Topology
The bus topology has a common cable to which all the nodes on the network are linked.
An example of the system is ETHERNET.
* Advantages:
* Installation is very simple and cheap.
* It is suitable for a temporary network.
* The failure of one node does not affect the rest of the network.
* Troubleshooting is easier compared with ring topology.
## 2. Star Topology
In a star network, many small computers are connected to a central resource, usually
called a host computer or file server.
* Advantages:
* Simple & cheap.
* It is more reliable because if a node or a node cable fails, it does not affect the other
nodes.
* Existence of centralised management helps in monitoring the network.
* Ease of installation and upgrading from a hub to a switch.
* Disadvantages:
* If the server or the link to the server fails, the whole network is bound to fail.
* The additional devices such as hubs or switches increase the overall cost.
* The addition of more nodes depends on the capacity of the central device.
* Reconfiguration, fault isolation and installation of new devices tend to be difficult.
## 3. Ring Topology
It uses one network cable to connect all the work stations in an arrangement that looks
like a ring. Ring networks are less secure because data intended for a particular machine
may have to pass by other machines before it gets to its destination in the network.
* Advantages:
* Equal access to resources by each computer or node.
* The performance of the network is not affected by additional components.
* Installation and reconfiguration is made easy since the addition or deletion of a
device requires moving just two components.
* Disadvantages:
* The hardest of all topologies to troubleshoot because it can be hard to track down
where in the ring the failure has occurred.
* Addition, changing and moving the nodes can affect the network.
* For the nodes to communicate with one another, there is a need for all the nodes to be
switched on.
## 4. Hierarchical Topology
This is a specialized kind of bus topology. The terminals are connected in the same
fashion as the branches of a tree. It is very easy to extend and if one of the branches fails,
it can easily be removed.
* Advantages:
* The failure of one segment does not affect the network.
* Easy to extend.
* Disadvantages:
* It depends heavily on the hub and its failure affects the entire system.
* Maintenance is not easy and the cost is high.
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