Computer network is a group of two or more computers and devices connected
together so they can share data, resources, and information with each other. In other
word, A Set of nodes connected via communication links.
Nodes: Any device in a network that can send, receive, store or create data. For e.g.
Computer, Scanner, mobile etc.
Link: Medium through which data travels.
TYPES OF NETWORKS
1. Personal Area Network (PAN)
□ A network formed by connecting a few personal devices such as mobile phones,
laptops, computers, printers, etc.
□ It is used for personal use by a single person.
□ Range: Up to 10 meters.
□ Examples: Mobile hotspot, Bluetooth connection, USB connection.
2. LAN (Local Area Network)
Ø It interconnects computers and devices (nodes) within a limited area such as a
home, school, office, or building.
Ø Range: Up to about 1 km.
Ø Speed: Usually 10 Mbps to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps).
Ø Media used: Ethernet cables and Wi-Fi.
Ø It is more secure because only authorised users and devices can access the
network.
3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
○ It connects two or more LANs within a city or large town using networking
devices.
○ Range: About 30—40 km (can vary).
○ It is used to provide network services across a metropolitan area.
○ Examples: Cable TV network, city-wide broadband internet services etc..
4. WAN (Wide Area Network)
It connects computers and networks over a very large geographical area such as
cities, countries, or continents.
It is formed by connecting many LANs and MANs together.
Internet is the largest WAN in the world.
Speed: Slower than LAN and MAN.
Cost: Expensive to set up and maintain.
Errors & Security: More chances of errors and security risks compared to LAN.
TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
1. MODEM
→ Modem stands for MOdulator—DEModulator.
→ It is a device that converts digital signals into analog
signals and analog signals into digital signals.
→ At the sender's end, the modem works as a modulator and converts digital data
into analog signals for transmission.
→ At the receiver's end, the modem works as a demodulator and converts analog
signals into digital data so that the computer can understand it.
→ Modems are mainly used to connect computers to the Internet through telephone
or cable lines.
2. HUB
→ A Hub is a network device used to connect multiple computers or devices in a
network using cables.
→ It works at the physical layer of the network.
→ When a hub receives data from one device, it broadcasts (sends) the data to all
other connected devices.
→ If two devices send data at the same time, a collision occurs and data may be lost.
Because of this, hubs are slow and less efficient and are mostly replaced by
switches.
3. SWITCH
→ A Switch is a central networking device used in a Local Area Network (LAN) to
connect multiple computers and devices.
→ Like a hub, it connects many devices, but it sends data only to the intended
(selected) device, not to all devices.
→ It uses MAC addresses to identify the correct destination device.
→ It can forward multiple data packets at the same time, so it is faster than a hub.
→ It reduces network traffic and collisions, and gives better performance. Therefore,
switches are more efficient and secure than hubs.
4. REPEATER
→ Data is transmitted through cables in the form of signals, and these signals become
weak after a certain distance.
→ A Repeater is a network device that receives weak signals, regenerates
(strengthens) them, and sends them again.
→ It helps to increase the distance over which data can be transmitted in a network.
→ Repeater works at the physical layer of the network.
→ It does not understand data, it only boosts the signal.
5. GATEWAY
→ A Gateway is a network device that acts as a gate (entry and exit point) between an
organisation internal network and the outside world (Internet or another network).
→ All data entering or leaving the network must pass through the gateway.
→ It can connect two different types of networks that use different protocols.
→ It also helps in routing and managing traffic between networks.
→ Gateway provides security and control over data flow.
6. ROUTER
→ A Router is a network device that receives data, analyzes it, and forwards it to the
correct network or destination.
→ It connects two or more different networks, such as a home network and the
Internet.
→ Compared to a hub or switch, a router is more intelligent because it uses IP
addresses to decide the best path for data.
→ A router can be wired or wireless (Wi-Fi).
→ Nowadays, home Wi-Fi routers also work as a router + modem + switch, and
connect broadband from the ISP (Internet Service Provider) to our devices.
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
Topology means the arrangement or layout of computers and other devices in a network.
It shows how devices are connected to each other, either physically or logically.
Different topologies are used depending on cost, size, speed, and reliability of the
network.
1. Mesh Topology: In Mesh topology, all the nodes are connected to every other node
individually. Each node is capable to send and receive information to and from another
node. Generally, Mesh topology does not implement any central Server/Switch/Hub.
Advantages of Mesh Topology
○ It provides high security and privacy.
○ It can manage high amount of traffic easily.
○ Scalable Network as there is no central
Server/Hub/Switch/Router. Each node can act as router.
○ New node can be added easily without interrupting network
communication.
Disadvantages of Mesh Topology
○ Very costly due to a large number of connections required.
○ Difficult Installation and Maintenance due to its complexity.
○ Complex network as each node is connected to every other node and hence needed
many connections.
○ Consumes more power as each node is treated as router and a result it is active for
all time.
2. Bus Topology: All computers and network devices are connected to a single central
cable (called backbone). Data transmission is bi-directional.
○ It is a multi-point connection (many devices share one cable).
Advantages of Bus (linear) Topology
→ It is cheap and simple to install and design
→ less caballing is required as compared to other
topologies.
→ Best suited for small network (LAN).
→ easily expandable.
Disadvantages of Bus (linear) Topology
○ Not suitable for large network.
○ If cable (backbone) is failed, entire network goes down.
○ though its design is simple, it is difficult to diagnose the fault.
○ It is less secure and data loss is high.
3. Star Topology: Each communicating device is connected to a central node, such as a
hub or switch.
Advantages of Star Topology
→ It is efficient, reliable, and fast
→ It is less expensive.
→ Easy to install, manage, and expand.
→ Easy to add new node
→ Easy troubleshooting
Disadvantages of Star Topology
→ If central device (hub/switch) fails, entire network goes down.
→ Performance of entire network depends upon central device.
→ Needs long cable to connect each node to central device.
4. Tree Topology: It is a combination of two or more basic topologies (like bus & star).
Each branch can have one or more nodes or basic topologies.
Data flows in a hierarchical manner (parent-child structure).
Advantages of Tree Topology
→ It is most suitable for large networks.
→ It provide highly secured network.
→ Failure of any node does not affect network communication.
→ It is Flexible network because new node can be added easily
without interrupting whole network.
Disadvantages of Tree Topology
→ It is complex in design and management.
→ It is costly to install and maintain.
→ It depends upon central cable (backbone), which if fails may stop working of
entire network
→ Higher level node failure may affect next level node performance.
5. Ring Topology: In ring topology, each node is connected to two other devices, one
each on either side. The nodes connected with each other thus form a ring.
The link in a ring topology is unidirectional. Thus, data can be transmitted in one
direction only (clockwise or counter clockwise).
Advantages:
→ Data travels in one direction → less chance of data collision
→ Equal access for all computers (no device gets priority)
→ Performs better than bus topology under heavy traffic
→ No need for a central server or hub
Disadvantages:
→ If one cable or node fails, whole network can stop
→ Adding or removing a device breaks the network temporarily
→ Troubleshooting is difficult
→ Data has to pass through each node which can be slower
.