Computer Network
| March 2024 SSEJ | After School
what a computer network ?
Network is a connection of two
or more computers that are
linked together in order to
share resources.
such as: printers, files and disks or allow
electronic communications.
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Fundamental Elements of Network
Networks are consists of four basic elements: hardware, network
software, protocols and connection medium.
Hardware: The backbone of any network that runs it.
Network Software: It helps to manage connected end devices and services the
network provides.
Protocols: The set of rules to facilitate electronic communication across
connected device.
Connection Medium: Transmission medium which can be wired or
wireless, caries message between end devices.
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Networking
To make a communication and interconnection between
devices on a computer network, networking hardware, also
known as network equipment or computer networking devices,
which are electronic devices, are required.
These are end devices, intermediate devices, connection media
and communication protocol.
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End devices
Also called hosts, used to send or receive data over the
network.
The sending device is called a sender and the receiving one is
a receiver.
Examples: Computers(such as desktops, laptops, file servers and
web servers etc.), Network printers, Security cameras, Mobile
handheld devices
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Intermediate Devices
Network Interface Card (NIC): computer
hardware component that connects a
computer to a computer network.
Repeater: as the name indicates,
repeat and boost the signal.
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Cont.… Intermediate Devices
Switch: A device that interconnects various devices such as
computers, printers and servers.
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Cont.… Intermediate Devices
Router: A device that connects
different types of network and
more intelligence than switch.
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Cont.… Intermediate Devices
Wireless Access Points: that
connects various types of
wireless communication devices
with wireless networks.
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Connection Media
Connection media used in networks are wired (guided) and
wireless (unguided) media.
Wired medium: It is a cable that connects end
devices.
Wireless Medium: It is used to communicate
information through the air, water or vacuum,
e.g. radio Waves, micro waves, infrared waves
and satellite communications.
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Communication Protocol
Protocol is a common set of rules to manage communication
(packet transmission) through a network.
It is software that instructs network devices on how to connect to
the network and how to interact with one another.
Example: “IP” is one of the important communication protocols and used
for addressing network devices and forwarding data from one network to
another.
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To be continuous……..
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