CHAPTER 02

COMPUTER NETWORK
Q. What is network?
Ans. A network is a group of two or more interconnected
devices (like computers, phones, printers) that can
communicate, share resources (files, internet, printer).
Q. What is LAN?
Ans. A LAN, or Local Area Network, is a network that connects
devices within a small, limited area like a home, office, or
campus, enabling them to communicate and share resources
like printers and files.
Q. Define topology?
Ans. The physical layout of network is called topology.
Q. Describe network topologies in details?
Ans. Main Types of Network Topologies
 Star Topology:
All devices connect to a central device (hub/switch). Easy to
manage but failure of the central hub brings down the
network.
 Bus Topology:
All nodes connect to one main cable (bus). Simple and cheap
but performance degrades with more traffic, and a break in the
bus disrupts all communication.
 Ring Topology:
Devices form a closed loop. Data travels in one direction, but a
single break can disrupt the whole ring (unless it's a dual ring).
 Mesh Topology:
Every node connects to multiple (or all) other nodes, offering
high redundancy and multiple data paths. Can be complex and
expensive.
 Tree Topology:
A hierarchical structure, combining star and bus, with a root
node and branches. Good for large networks but complex to
manage.
 Hybrid Topology:
Combines two or more topologies (e.g., Star-Bus) to leverage
benefits of each.
OR
Types of Topologies
1. Star Topology: All nodes connect to a central hub/switch.
 Pros: Easy to add/remove nodes, reliable (one node
failure doesn't affect others), high performance.
  Cons: Expensive (more cabling), hub failure takes
down the whole network.
2. Bus Topology: All devices share one main cable (the bus).
 Pros: Cheap, simple, good for small networks.
 Cons: Low security (all see data), slow with high traffic,
single cable break fails the whole network.
3. Ring Topology: Devices form a closed loop; data travels in
one direction.
 Pros: No central server needed, good for heavy loads,
easy fault identification.
 Cons: Single node/cable failure breaks the ring,
adding nodes requires downtime.
4. Mesh Topology: Every device connects to many (or all)
other devices.
 Pros: Extremely fault-tolerant (multiple paths),
excellent performance/redundancy.
 Cons: Very expensive, complex to install.
5. Tree (Hierarchical) Topology: Combines star and bus
topologies, forming a hierarchy.
 Pros: Scalable, good for large networks, easy to
manage segments.
 Cons: Main cable failure affects segments, complex.
 6. Hybrid Topology: Combines two or more different
topologies.
 Pros: Highly flexible, leverages strengths of multiple
types, high scalability/performance.
 Cons: Complex design, high cost, difficult
management.
Q. Define LAN Models?
Ans. Models (Architectures) of LANs:
LANs are typically organized into one of two primary
architectural models, which define how devices interact with
each other:
 Client/Server Model:
o This is common in large offices or enterprise
environments.
o One or more dedicated computers act as
central servers, providing services, resources, and
centralized management (e.g., file servers, print
servers).
o Other devices, known as clients, connect to the server
to access these resources.
o This model offers robust data management, scalability,
and centralized security control.
 Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Model:
 o This model is suitable for small networks, such as
home or small business networks.
o There are no dedicated servers; every device (peer)
can act as both a client and a server, sharing
resources directly with other devices on the network.
o It is simpler and less expensive to set up but offers
less centralized control and management compared
to the client/server model.
Q. Explain components of LAN?
Ans. Core Hardware Components:
 End Devices (Hosts):
Computers, laptops, servers, printers, phones, IoT devices that
use the network.
 Network Interface Card (NIC):
Hardware in each device allowing physical connection (wired or
wireless) to the network.
 Networking Media (Cabling/Wireless):
Physical pathways like Ethernet (Cat5/6) cables or Wi-Fi radio
waves for data transmission.
 Switches:
Traffic directors that send data only to the intended device
using MAC addresses, improving efficiency.
 Routers:
Connect the LAN to other networks (like the internet), directing
traffic between them.
 Wireless Access Points (WAPs):
Allow devices to connect wirelessly via Wi-Fi.
 Hubs (Legacy):
Older devices that broadcast data to all ports; largely replaced
by switches.
Q. Define WAN?
Ans. A WAN, or Wide Area Network, is a computer network that
spans a large geographical area, connecting multiple smaller
networks like Local Area Networks (LANs) together over long
distances.
Q. Define email?
Ans. Email (electronic mail) is a digital system for sending and
receiving messages, files, images, and other data over computer
networks
Advantages:
 Fast delivery: Emails are delivered almost instantly, far
faster than traditional postal mail.
 24/7 accessibility: Messages can be sent and received at
any time of day or night.
 Global reach: You can send an email to anyone in the
world as long as they have an internet connection and an
email address.
 Mobile access: Email is accessible from various devices,
including smartphones, tablets etc.
Disadvantages:
 Misinterpretation: Without tone, body language, or voice,
messages can be easily misunderstood, causing confusion
or conflict.
 Lack of Personal Touch: It's impersonal and struggles to
convey emotion, making it poor for sensitive or complex
discussions.
 No Immediate Feedback: It's not a real-time tool, so
responses aren't always immediate.
Q. Describe features of an internet browser?
Ans. An internet browser (or web browser) is a software
application that let you find, access, and view information
(like webpages, images, videos) on the World Wide Web by
connecting to web servers and displaying content like text,
links, and media for users.
Core Features
 Address Bar (URL Bar): Where users type website
addresses (URLs) or search queries to navigate.
 Navigation Buttons: Back, Forward, and Refresh buttons
for moving between pages and reloading content.
 Tabs: Allow multiple webpages to be opened in a single
browser window.
 Bookmarks/Favorites: Save frequently visited websites for
quick access.
 History: Tracks visited websites for later review.
 Download Manager: Organizes and manages downloaded
files.
 Rendering Engine: Interprets code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
to display web pages with text, images, and videos.
 Extensions/Add-ons: Plugins that add new functionalities,
like ad blockers or focus tools.
 Developer Tools: Built-in tools for web developers to
inspect and debug code.
 Privacy Settings: Controls for cookies, tracking, and private
browsing modes (Incognito/Private).
 Password Manager: Securely stores login credentials.
 Customization: Themes, homepage settings, and
personalized experiences.
 HTTPS/SSL Support: Encrypts data between the browser
and website.
 Malware/Phishing Protection: Warnings about malicious
sites.
 Cache: Stores data locally for faster page loading on repeat
visits.
Q. Define cybercrime?
Ans. Cybercrime is illegal activity that either targets or uses a
computer, network, or networked device to commit a crime,
such as fraud, identity theft, or trafficking
Q. Define cyberbullying?
Ans. Cyberbullying is the use of digital technology to
repeatedly and intentionally harass, threaten, or humiliate
someone. This can include sending hurtful messages, posting
embarrassing photos or videos, spreading lies, or
impersonating someone online.
Q. Define malware and its types?
Ans. Malware, a contraction of malicious software, is any
program or code intentionally designed to disrupt, damage,
or gain unauthorized access to a computer system, network,
or data.
Common Types of Malware
Malware is an umbrella term that covers various types of
online threats:
 Viruses A virus is malicious code that attaches itself to a
legitimate program or file and requires human action (like
 opening the infected file) to execute and spread to other
systems.
 Worms Unlike viruses, worms are standalone programs
that can self-replicate and spread automatically across
networks by exploiting security vulnerabilities.
 Trojan Horses A Trojan (or Trojan horse) is malware that
disguises itself as legitimate or useful software to trick
users into downloading and running it.
 Ransomware This type of malware encrypts a victim's files
or locks them out of their device, then demands a ransom
payment.
 Spyware Spyware secretly monitors a user's computer
activity and gathers sensitive information, such as login
credentials, financial details.
 Adware Adware is software that displays unwanted and
often intrusive advertisements, such as pop-ups or
banners, on the user's screen.
Q. Describe antivivirus?
Ans. Antivirus software is a program that prevents, detects, and
removes malicious software (malware) like viruses, worms, and
trojans, acting as a digital security guard for your device by
scanning files, monitoring activity, and blocking threats, with
examples including Norton, McAfee, and built-in Microsoft
Defender. It works by comparing files to known threat
databases (signatures) and analyzing behavior for suspicious
patterns, keeping your data safe from corruption, theft, and
system slowdowns.
How it works
 Signature-Based Detection: Checks files against a vast
database of known malware patterns (signatures).
 Heuristic & Behavioral Analysis: Detects new, unknown
threats by looking for suspicious actions or code
characteristics typical of malware.
 Real-time Protection: Runs in the background to scan
downloads, email attachments, and USB drives as they
interact with your system.
Examples of Antivirus Software
 Norton Antivirus/Norton 360: Offers comprehensive
protection, firewalls, and password management.
 McAfee Total Protection: Provides security for multiple
devices, including VPN and identity theft protection.
 Microsoft Defender: Built-in protection for Windows users,
offering solid baseline security.
 Bitdefender: Known for strong overall protection and
effectiveness against various threats.
 AVG/Avast: Popular free options that provide essential
antivirus features.
END OF CHAPTER………………..
PREPARED BY MISS RAHIMEEN QADIR.