CHAPTER-5: NETWORK AND OPEN SOURCE
NETWORK
A network is a system in which two or more computers or devices are connected together to
share data, resources, and information.
NEED FOR NETWORK-
Communication- Networks allow people to communicate easily through email, chat,
video calling, messaging etc.
Resource Sharing-Devices such as printers, scanners, storage drives can be shared by
many computers, reducing cost.
Data and Information Sharing - A network allows computers to exchange files,
documents, and software instantly.
Centralized Management- All data can be stored and managed in one central server,
making handling easier and safer.
Cost Effective- Instead of purchasing separate devices for each computer, a single
shared device is enough → reduces overall cost.
ELEMENTARY TERMINALOGIES OF NETWORK-
Nodes (Workstations):- The term nodes refer to the computers that are attached to a
network and are seeking to share the resources.
Server:- A computer that facilitates the sharing of data, software and hardware
resources on the network.
Network Interface Unit (NIU) or NIC:- An interpreter that helps establish a connection
between the servers and workstations.
MAC Address:-It refers to the physical address assigned by NIC manufacturers. It is a
unique 6-byte address separated by colon where first three bytes refer to
manufacturer id and last three are card no. e.g. 10:B5:03:63:2E:FC
IP Address:- Every machine on a TCP bar IP Network has a unique identifying no.
called an IP Address. e.g.[Link]
Domain Name:-It is a unique name assigned to a website. It has three parts: i) www ii)
Name describing the website’s purpose iii) TLD(Top Level Domain) such
as .com, .net, .in, .edu, .org etc.
DNS(Domain Name Resolution):- It refers to the process of obtaining corresponding IP
Address from a domain name.
EVOLUTION OF NETWORK-
ARPANET - The evolution of networks began with the creation of ARPANET in 1969 by
the U.S. Department of Défense. It was the first computer network to use packet
switching, allowing computers at different locations to communicate. ARPANET later
adopted the TCP/IP protocol, which became the foundation of the modern Internet.
INTERNET - The Internet is a global network of millions of interconnected computers
that share information, data, services, and communication using the TCP/IP protocols.
It is a huge worldwide network that works on the principle of packet switching,
allowing data to travel quickly and reliably between devices. Because it uses standard
TCP/IP communication rules, computers across the world can connect seamlessly,
making the Internet the largest and most powerful communication system in existence
today.
INTERSPACE - Interspace is a communication technology that allows users to share
knowledge and digital information through connected information spaces. It supports
viewing, searching, and exchanging multimedia documents. Interspace is mainly used
in digital libraries, research platforms, and online learning systems. It improves
collaboration by allowing users to access shared resources easily. Thus, Interspace
helps create a more interactive and knowledge-rich environment on the Internet.
SWITCHING TECHNIQUE-
Switching techniques are the methods used in computer networks to transfer data from the
sender to the receiver by choosing an appropriate communication path. They decide how
data will travel, which route it will take, and how efficiently communication will occur. There
are three main switching techniques:
CIRCUIT SWITCHING - Circuit switching is a technique where a dedicated
communication path is established between the sender and receiver before data
transmission begins. This path remains reserved for the entire duration of the
communication.
Features of Circuit Switching-
1. Dedicated Path- A fixed communication path is established between the sender and
receiver before data transmission begins.
2. Guaranteed Bandwidth- The entire bandwidth of the circuit is reserved for the two
communicating devices.
3. Continuous Transmission- Data flows as a continuous stream without breaks once
the circuit is established.
4. No Interruption- No other user can use the same path during communication,
ensuring privacy and reliability.
PACKET SWITCHING – Packet switching divides data into small packets, where each
packet carries a part of the message along with destination information. These
packets travel independently through the network and are reassembled at the
destination.
Features of Packet switching-
1. Data is Divided into Packets- The entire message is broken into small packets, each
carrying part of the data.
2. No Dedicated Path- Packets do not follow any fixed route; each packet may travel
through different paths.
3. Efficient Bandwidth Usage - Since the network is shared by many users, bandwidth
is used more efficiently.
4. Independent Packet Travel- Each packet contains the destination address, allowing
it to move independently through the network.
5. Packets Reassembled at Destination- Even if packets arrive out of order, they are
correctly rearranged at the destination.
MESSAGE SWITCHING - Message switching is a technique where the entire
message is sent from one node to another using the store-and-forward method. Each
intermediary node stores the message temporarily before forwarding it to the next
node.
Features of message switching –
1. Store-and-Forward Technique- Each intermediate node stores the entire message
before forwarding it to the next node.
2. No Dedicated Path Required- Unlike circuit switching, there is no need to establish
a fixed path before sending the message.
3. Entire Message Sent at Once- The message is sent as one complete unit, not
divided into smaller packets.
4. Supports Large Messages- Message switching can handle long messages of any
size, as nodes store and forward them.
5. No Connection Setup Delay- Communication begins immediately without
establishing a connection first.
DATA CHANNEL -
A data channel is the physical path or medium through which data is transmitted from
a sender to a receiver in a communication system. It acts as a bridge that carries the
information in the form of electrical signals, light signals, or electromagnetic waves.
BAUD AND BITS PER SECOND-
Bits per second (bps) is the unit that measures the number of bits transmitted per
second in a communication channel.
Measurement Unit- Bits