CSIT118 · IT Applications in Business
CSIT118 · IT APPLICATIONS IN BUSINESS
Module II: Computer Networks & Internet
Technology — Class Notes
How devices connect, how data finds its way, and how the internet actually works behind the scenes.
1. What is a Computer Network — and Why Do We Need One?
A computer network is a connected system of computers and devices that share hardware, software, and
data. Networks are the reason electronic communication — email, file sharing, video calls, and cloud access
— is possible at all. In business, networks underpin collaboration, transactions, and customer service, and
increasingly converge with telephone and other communication systems into a single digital infrastructure.
– Without networks, every computer would be an isolated island — no shared files, no internet, no
collaboration tools.
– Businesses of every size depend on networks daily, from a small office LAN to a multinational’s global WAN.
DISCUSS
Name three networks you personally used before arriving in class today.
2. Core Components of a Network
– NIC (Network Interface Card): connects a device to a network, either wired or wireless — every device
needs one to get online.
– Hub: broadcasts incoming data to all connected devices. It is simple and low-cost, but does not filter or
direct traffic.
– Switch: reads the destination address of data and forwards it only to the correct port — far more efficient
than a hub.
– Router: directs traffic between different networks, assigns IP addresses, and adds a layer of security at the
network boundary.
– Modem: converts digital signals to analog (and back) so that data can travel over phone or cable lines.
– Bridge / Repeater: a bridge joins two network segments together; a repeater boosts a signal that is
weakening over distance.
3. Types of Networks — By Geography
– PAN (Personal Area Network): covers just a few metres — e.g. Bluetooth between your phone and wireless
earbuds.
– LAN (Local Area Network): covers one building or campus — e.g. an office or school network.
– MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): spans a city, linking multiple LANs together — e.g. a city-wide public
Wi-Fi system.
– WAN (Wide Area Network): spans countries or continents — the internet itself is the largest WAN in
existence.
4. Network Topologies
Topology refers to the physical or logical layout of how devices are connected. Each layout has trade-offs
between cost, reliability, and ease of management.
– Star topology: all devices connect to one central hub or switch. Easy to manage and one device failing does
not crash the whole network — but if the central hub fails, everything goes down.
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CSIT118 · IT Applications in Business
– Bus topology: all devices share a single central cable. Cheap and simple to set up, but a break anywhere in
the cable disrupts the entire network.
– Ring topology: devices are connected in a loop, and data passes from one device to the next in order.
– Mesh topology: every device connects to every other device directly. Highly reliable because there is no
single point of failure, but expensive to wire and maintain.
5. Client-Server Architecture
Most business applications are built on a client-server model.
– Clients: the devices that request a service or data — your laptop, phone, or web browser.
– Servers: centralised systems that store, manage, and respond to those requests — e.g. the server behind
your banking app.
– Peer-to-peer (alternative model): devices share resources directly with each other, without relying on a
central server.
6. The Internet — History, Concept & Common Myths
The internet is a global network of networks — no single company or government owns it. It grew out of
ARPANET, a US research project from the 1960s–70s that connected computers for the first time over long
distances.
– Myth: "The internet and the Web are the same thing.": In reality, the World Wide Web is just one service
(built on HTTP) that runs on top of the internet — email and file transfer are other, separate services.
– Myth: "The internet is free.": Infrastructure, hosting, bandwidth, and access all carry real costs, paid for by
ISPs, businesses, and ultimately, users.
DISCUSS
What’s one internet myth you believed until recently?
7. Internet vs. Intranet vs. Extranet
– Internet: a public, global network open to anyone with access — used for browsing, email, and e-commerce.
– Intranet: a private network within one organisation, restricted to employees — used for internal
communication and HR portals.
– Extranet: a controlled extension of an intranet, shared with select outside partners — used for supplier or
client collaboration.
8. Domain Name Service (DNS) and IP Addressing
DNS is the system that translates human-friendly web addresses (like [Link]) into the numeric IP
addresses computers actually use to find each other.
– Your browser and operating system check their local cache first — this is the fastest path if the site has
already been visited.
– If the address is not cached, a resolver queries servers in order: the Root server → the TLD server (.com, .in,
etc.) → the Authoritative server for that domain.
– The Authoritative server returns the exact IP address, and only then does your browser load the page.
– Without DNS, we would have to memorise numeric IP addresses for every website we wanted to visit.
9. Internet Protocols and Services — The TCP/IP Model
Data travelling across the internet follows a standard set of rules organised into four layers.
– Network Access Layer: the physical layer — cables, NICs, and drivers that carry raw signals.
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CSIT118 · IT Applications in Business
– Internet Layer: routes data packets between networks and manages IP addressing.
– Transport Layer: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ensures data arrives complete, in the correct order,
and acknowledged by the receiver.
– Application Layer: what users actually interact with — protocols like HTTP (web), SMTP (email), and FTP (file
transfer).
10. Internet Censorship and Privacy Issues
As businesses and governments rely more heavily on the internet, two competing concerns come into
tension.
– Censorship is often justified on grounds of national security or public morality, but it can also limit free
expression and access to diverse viewpoints.
– Privacy protections let individuals express themselves and transact without fear of surveillance or misuse of
their data.
– Businesses must balance the value of data collection (for personalisation, analytics) against maintaining user
trust and complying with data protection laws.
DEBATE
Where should the line sit between safety/security and free access to information online?
Key Terms to Remember
– LAN / MAN / WAN — networks classified by geographic scope.
– Router vs Switch — a router connects different networks; a switch directs traffic within one network.
– Intranet vs Extranet — intranet is internal-only; extranet is shared with select outside partners.
– DNS — translates domain names into IP addresses.
– TCP/IP — the four-layer model that governs how data travels across the internet.
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