A computer network is a collection of 2 or more computers and electronic devices
which are connected to exchange data
Advantages of WIFI
• Reduced cost of cabling/Safer – won’t trip over wires
• Easier to connect other devices to the network
• Makes the computer portable as long as it’s within range of the wireless
access point
Disadvantages of WiFi
• Limited area of network
• Strength of signal is weaker
• Possible slow data transfer speeds
• Easier to hack into/less secure
• Physical obstacles can interfere with signal/can cause disconnection
Advantages of bluetooth
• Connecting wireless devices such as mouse, phone, headset to a computer
which are close in proximity.
• Transferring files between devices.
• Printing Wirelessly from a Tablet or Mobile Phone.
Disadvantages of bluetooth
• Very slow data transfer speeds
• Short distance of coverage/limited signal strength
• Greater risk of interception of data/less secure
• Supports a limited number of devices in a network
.
Wi-Fi
What is Wi-Fi?
# Wi-Fi allows
computers/devices
to connect to each
other wirelessly, without
using cables or wires.
The computers communicate with each other
by using signals that are broadcast
using radio waves.
# In order to use Wi-Fi, you
need to have access to
the internet and a router.
Areas where computers/devices can access the
internet using Wi-Fi are known as hotspots.
# Routers are commonly used
to provide a hotspot for
other computers to connect
to the internet.
The router will be connected to the internet
through an ISP (Internet Service Provider) and
will transmit a wireless signal that wireless
devices nearby can tap into.
This allows multiple devices to share the same
internet connection.
# Routers can only broadcast
the wireless signal over
a limited distance. If a
device is out of range, it will
not be able to tap into the
Network devices and terms
[Link] interface card
It allows the device to connect to the network by converting binary to
electrical [Link] computers have NIC inserted in the motherboard.
They contain a Media access code(MAC) , which is unique to each
computer.
[Link] Address
All computers and devices connected to the internet are assigned a
unique [Link] number determines the devices
[Link] on the same network share the first few numbers,
the last few numbers determine the device.
3. data Packets
Data sent from the sender to the receiver is split into smaller units or
packets. The sent data hops through the router and goes to the
receivers IP address.
Data Packets contain the following information:
• Header to identify Data Packet.
• Sender and Receivers IP address.
• Number of data packets making up the whole message.
HUBS
It is a hardware device which allows all computers to connect together
to form a [Link] computers plug in their network cables in the
[Link] is old technology and a non intelligent [Link] manage
the data sent to it. It sends data to all computers in the network , thus
resulting in a lot of unwanted traffic, slow speed and reducing the
security of the network.
SWITCHES
It is a smarter and intelligent version of [Link] manages data
[Link] has a look up table where the MAC address of all the
computers are stored. It matches the MAC address of the sender and
the receiver and sends the data there. It does not cause traffic nor does
it slow the speed.
BRIDGE
It is used to connect or bridge several LANs so they can connect
/communicate with each other together.
Eg:a cabled and a wireless network
ROUTER
They enable a data to be routed(sent) between types of network.
LAN to WAN connection
They can read the data and decide where to send it
They find the fastest route to send the data
They make the data of asuitable format depending upon the network
they send it to
They have a routing table which has the IP addresses of the devices.
Routing table has got all the different routes to the other networks.
Routers send packets of data to the different computers.
MODEM(modulator demodulator)
They convert analogue data of the telephone lines to the digital data of
the computer and vice versa.
There are 2 main types of network environment
● Internet
● Intranet
INTERNET
It is the world’s largest [Link] is a huge collection of computers and
networks joined together.
Uses of internet
● Emails
● Ecommerce
● Online games
● Social media
● Online banking
● Surfing web pages
● VOIP
● Video conferencing
● Sharing of files
One needs 3 things to access the internet
1. Device
2. Router or modem(mobile phones don’t need)they have data
packs
3. ISP(internet service provider,like Airtel,jio)
Features
It is a network of networks
It is public
It is global
Higher risk of hacking and malware
INTRANET(internal Restricted Access Network)
It is like a private internet.
It is restricted to a building or an organization
Like the internet one can browse pages ,send emails and share files
But one needs a login Id and password
It can be policed and restricted.
It is safer than the internet
The data available here is more authentic than the internet.