Introduction to Computer Networks
A computer network is a collection of
interconnected computers and other
devices which are able to communicate with
each other and share hardware
and software resources.
Are there any advantages of networked
computers over stand alone computers?
Yes, there are many. A few of these
advantages are:
Resource Sharing
Cost saving
Collaborative user interaction
Time saving
Increased storage
Types of Networks
••••
A computer network may span any amount
of geographical area. It can be on a table, in
a room, in a building, in a city, in a country,
across continents or around the world. On
the basis of area covered computer
networks are classified as:
PAN - Personal Area Network
LAN - Local Area Network
MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
WAN -Wide Area Network
PAN:-A PAN is a network of Communicating
devices (Computer,Phone, MP3/MP4 Player,
Camera etc.) in the proximity of an individual.
It can cover an area of a few meters radius.
When you have to transfer songs from one cell
phone to another, you set up a PAN of two
phones. When files are transferred from a PC
to an MP3 player, a PAN is set up between the
two. There can also be multiple devices in
PAN. A PAN can be set up using guided media
(USB cable) or unguided media (Bluetooth,
Infrared).
LAN :-
A LAN is a network of computing/Communicating
devices in a room, building, or campus.
It can cover an area of a few meters to a few
kilometers radius. A networked office building,
school, or home usually contains a single LAN,
span a group of nearby buildings.
though sometimes one building can contain a few
small LANs (Like some schools have independent
LANs in each computer lab.). Occasionally a LAN
can span a group of nearby buildings.
MAN:-
A MAN is a network of
computing/communicating
devices within a city. It can cover an area
of a few kilometers to a few hundred
kilometers radius. A network of schools,
or banks, or Government offices etc.,
within a city, are examples of MANs.
WAN :
A WAN is a network of
computing/communicating devices
crossing the limits of a city, country, or
continent. It can cover an area of over
hundreds of kilometer radius. A network of
ATMs, BANKs, National Government
Offices, International Organizations'
Offices etc., spread over a country,
continent, or covering many
continents are examples of WANs.
Network Devices
Modem:-A modem (modulator–demodulator)
is a network hardware device that modulates
one or more carrier wave signals to encode
digital information for transmission and
demodulates signals to decode the
transmitted information.
Hub:-A Hub is an electronic device that
connects several nodes to form a network and
redirects the received information to all the
connected nodes in broadcast mode.
Switch:-A Switch is an intelligent device that
connects several nodes to form a network
and redirects the received information only to
the intended node(s)
Repeater:-A Repeater is a device that is used
to regenerate a signal which is on its way
through a communication channel. A
repeater regenerates the received signal
and re-transmits it to its destination.
Router:-The main purpose of a router is to
connect multiple networks and forward packets
destined either for its own networks or other
networks. A router is considered a layer-3 device
because its primary forwarding decision is based
on the information in the layer-3 IP packet,
specifically the destination IP address.
Gateway:- A Gateway is a device, which is
used to connect different types of networks
and perform the necessary translation so
that the connected networks can
communicate properly.
Network Topologies:
Physical arrangement of computers in a
network is called network topology.
Bus Topology:-In bus topology all the nodes
are connected to a main cable called
backbone. If any node has to send some
information to any other node, it sends the
signal to the backbone. The signal travels
through the entire length of the backbone
and is received by the node for which it is
intended.
Characteristics of Bus topology:
Advantages-
It is easy to install.
It requires less cable length and hence it is
cost effective.
Failure of a node does not affect the
network.
Disadvantages-
In case of cable (backbone) or terminator
fault, the entire network breaks down.
Fault diagnosis is difficult.
At a time only one node can transmit data.
Star Topology:
In star topology each node is directly
connected to a hub/switch. If any
node has to send some information to any
other node, it sends the signal to the
hub/switch. This signal is then broadcast
(in case of a hub) to all the nodes but is
accepted by the intended node(s). In the
case of a switch the signal is sent only to
the intended node(s).
Characteristics of Star topology:
Advantages-
It is more efficient topology as compared to bus
topology.
It is easy to install
It is easy to diagnose the fault in Star topology.
It is easy to expand depending on the specifications of
central hub/switch
Disadvantages-
Failure of hub/switch leads to failure of entire network
It requires more cable length as compared to bus topology.
Tree Topology:
Tree topology is a combination of bus and
star topologies. It is used to
combine multiple star topology networks.
All the stars are connected together like a
[Link] bus-star hybrid approach supports
future expandability of the network .
Characteristics of Tree topology:
It offers easy way of network expansion
Even if one network (star) fails, the other
networks remain connected and
working.
Mesh Topology:
In mesh topology each device is connected to
every other device on the network through a
dedicated point-to-point link. When we say
dedicated it means that the link only carries data
for the two connected devices only.
Advantages of Mesh topology-
1. No data traffic issues as there is a dedicated link
between two devices which means the link is only
available for those two devices.
2. Mesh topology is reliable and robust as failure of one
link doesn’t affect other links and the communication
between other devices on the network.
Disadvantages of Mesh topology-
1. Amount of wires required to connected each
system is tedious and headache.
2. Since each device needs to be connected
with other devices, number of I/O ports
required must be huge.
Introduction to Internet:-
Internet is a global communication system
that links together thousands of individual
networks. It allows exchange of information
between two or more computers on a
network. Thus internet helps in transfer of
messages through mail, chat, video & audio
conference, etc. It has become mandatory
for day-to-day activities: bills payment,
online shopping and surfing, tutoring,
working, communicating with peers, etc.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a
unique identifier used to locate a resource
on the internet. It is also referred to as a
web address. URLs consist of multiple
parts -- including a protocol and domain
name -- that tell a web browser how and
where to retrieve a resource. Domain
names are used in URLs to identify
particular Web servers. For example, in the
URL [Link]
the domain name is [Link].
*WWW-World Wide Web .The World Wide Web
(WWW) is a network of online content that is
formatted in HTML and accessed via HTTP.
*Web- a set of related web pages located under a
single domain name.
*email-messages distributed by electronic means
from one computer user to one or more recipients
via a network.
* Chat-exchange messages online in real time
with one or more simultaneous users of a
computer network.
*VOIP- Voice over Internet Protocol
Website: Related webpages from a single
web domain is termed as a website. A
website has multiple webpages providing
information about a particular entity.
Web page: Web page is an electronic
document designed using HTML. It displays
information in textual or graphical form. It
may also contain downloadable data files,
audio files or video files. Traversal from one
webpage to another web page is possible
through hyperlinks. A web page can be
classified into two types:
Dynamic web page: An
Static web page: A
interactive web page is a
web page which
dynamic webpage. A
displays same
dynamic web page uses
kind of information
scripting languages to
whenever a user visits
display changing content
it is known as a static
on the web
web page. A static web
page. Such a page
page
generally has .php, .asp
generally has .htm or
or .jsp as
.html as extension
extension
Web Server: A Web server is a computer or a
group of computers that stores web pages
on the internet. It works on client/server
model. It delivers the requested web page to
web browser. Web servers use special
programs such as Apache or IIS to deliver
web pages over the http protocol. Each
server has a unique IP address and domain
name. In order to access a webpage, the user
writes the URL of the site on the address bar
of the browser.
Web hosting: Web hosting is the process of
uploading/saving the web content on a
web server to make it available on WWW. In
case an individual or a company wants to
make its website available on the internet, it
should be hosted on a web server.
Web browser: Web browser is software
program to navigate the web pages on the
internet. A bowser interprets the coding
language of the web page and displays it in
graphic form. Internet works on client –
server model. A web browser is a client which
requests the information from the web
server. The web server sends the information
back to the client. Some of the web browsers
are: Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox etc.
What is add ones in browser?
Add-ons are tools which integrate into your
browser. They're similar to regular apps or
programs, but only run when the browser
runs. Add-ons can allow the viewing of
certain types of Web content, such as
Microsoft's Silver light or Adobe Flash Player,
necessary for Netflix movies and YouTube
videos, respectively.
How do browser plugins work?
A plugin is a piece of software that acts as
an add-on to a web browser and gives the
browser additional functionality. Plugins
can allow a web browser to display
additional content it was not originally
designed to display.
Cookies: When the user browses a website, the
web server sends a small text file to the web
browser known as a cookie. Generally a cookie
contains the name of the website from which it
has come from and a unique ID tag. Some cookies
are stored on your hard drive until you delete
them or they reach their expiry date. These may
be used to remember your preferences when
you use the website. While, some cookies last
only until the browser is closed are not stored on
your hard drive. They are usually used to track the
pages that you visit so that information can be
customized for you for that visit.