Computer networks

Contents
Introduction to Computer Networks ............................................................................................................... 2
Advantages of using networked computers: ............................................................................................... 2
Disadvantages of using networked computers: .......................................................................................... 2
Types of Communication Networks ................................................................................................................ 2
Local Area Network (LAN) ................................................................................................................................. 3
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) ................................................................................................................... 3
Wide Area Network (WAN) ................................................................................................................................. 4
Types of Network Topology .............................................................................................................................. 4
BUS Topology ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
RING Topology...................................................................................................................................................... 5
STAR Topology..................................................................................................................................................... 6
MESH Topology .................................................................................................................................................... 7
TREE Topology ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
HYBRID Topology ................................................................................................................................................ 9
Network Devices: ............................................................................................................................................... 10
Introduction to Computer Networks
Modern world scenario is ever changing. Data Communication and network have changed the way
business and other daily affair works. Now, they highly rely on computer networks and internetwork.
A set of devices often mentioned as nodes connected by media link is called a Network.
A node can be a device which is capable of sending or receiving data generated by other nodes on the
network like a computer, printer etc. These links connecting the devices are called Communication
channels.
Computer network is a telecommunication channel using which we can share data with other
computers or devices, connected to the same network. It is also called Data Network. The best
example of computer network is Internet.

Advantages of using networked computers:

• Fewer printers are needed
• Fewer scanners are needed
• Can access work from any computer
• Data can be shared between computers/data can be accessed by one computer from another
more easily
• Software can be shared/updated more easily
• All computers can access the internet /through one connection

Disadvantages of using networked computers:

• Greater risk of hackers
• Greater risk of viruses
• The significant cost of extra equipment
• When the network is down, cannot use network computers/can still use standalones
• Print queues can be long

Types of Communication Networks

Local Area Network (LAN)
It is also called LAN and designed for small physical areas such as an office, group of buildings or a
factory. LANs are used widely as it is easy to design and to troubleshoot. Personal computers and
workstations are connected to each other through LANs. We can use different types of topologies
through LAN, these are Star, Ring, Bus, Tree etc.
LAN can be a simple network like connecting two computers, to share files and network among each
other while it can also be as complex as interconnecting an entire building.
LAN networks are also widely used to share resources like printers, shared hard-drive etc.

Applications of LAN

 One of the computer in a network can become a server serving all the remaining computers called
clients. Software can be stored on the server and it can be used by the remaining clients.
 Connecting Locally all the workstations in a building to let them communicate with each other
locally without any internet access.
 Sharing common resources like printers etc. are some common applications of LAN.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

It is basically a bigger version of LAN. It is also called MAN and uses the similar technology as LAN. It
is designed to extend over the entire city. It can be means to connecting a number of LANs into a
larger network or it can be a single cable. It is mainly hold and operated by single private company or a
public company.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
It is also called WAN. WAN can be private or it can be public leased network. It is used for the network
that covers large distance such as cover states of a country. It is not easy to design and maintain.
Communication medium used by WAN are PSTN or Satellite links. WAN operates on low data rates.

Types of Network Topology

Network Topology is the schematic description of a network arrangement, connecting various nodes
(sender and receiver) through lines of connection.

BUS Topology
Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is connected to single
cable. When it has exactly two endpoints, then it is called Linear Bus topology.
Features of Bus Topology

1. It transmits data only in one direction.

2. Every device is connected to a single cable

Advantages of Bus Topology

1. It is cost effective.
2. Cable required is least compared to other network topology.
3. Used in small networks.
4. It is easy to understand.
5. Easy to expand joining two cables together.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

1. Cables fails then whole network fails.

2. If network traffic is heavy or nodes are more the performance of the network decreases.
3. Cable has a limited length.
4. It is slower than the ring topology.

RING Topology
It is called ring topology because it forms a ring as each computer is connected to another computer,
with the last one connected to the first. Exactly two neighbours for each device.
Features of Ring Topology

1. A number of repeaters are used for Ring topology with large number of nodes, because if someone
wants to send some data to the last node in the ring topology with 100 nodes, then the data will
have to pass through 99 nodes to reach the 100th node. Hence to prevent data loss repeaters are
used in the network.
2. The transmission is unidirectional, but it can be made bidirectional by having 2 connections
between each Network Node, it is called Dual Ring Topology.
3. In Dual Ring Topology, two ring networks are formed, and data flow is in opposite direction in them.
Also, if one ring fails, the second ring can act as a backup, to keep the network up.
4. Data is transferred in a sequential manner that is bit by bit. Data transmitted, has to pass through
each node of the network, till the destination node.

Advantages of Ring Topology

1. Transmitting network is not affected by high traffic or by adding more nodes, as only the nodes
having tokens can transmit data.
2. Cheap to install and expand

Disadvantages of Ring Topology

1. Troubleshooting is difficult in ring topology.

2. Adding or deleting the computers disturbs the network activity.
3. Failure of one computer disturbs the whole network.

STAR Topology
In this type of topology all the computers are connected to a single hub through a cable. This hub is
the central node and all others nodes are connected to the central node.
Features of Star Topology

1. Every node has its own dedicated connection to the hub.

2. Hub acts as a repeater for data flow.
3. Can be used with twisted pair, Optical Fibre or coaxial cable.

Advantages of Star Topology

1. Fast performance with few nodes and low network traffic.

2. Hub can be upgraded easily.
3. Easy to troubleshoot.
4. Easy to setup and modify.
5. Only that node is affected which has failed, rest of the nodes can work smoothly.

Disadvantages of Star Topology

1. Cost of installation is high.

2. Expensive to use.
3. If the hub fails, then the whole network is stopped because all the nodes depend on the hub.
4. Performance is based on the hub that is it depends on its capacity

MESH Topology
It is a point-to-point connection to other nodes or devices. All the network nodes are connected to each
other. Mesh has n(n-1)/2 physical channels to link n devices.
There are two techniques to transmit data over the Mesh topology, they are:

1. Routing
2. Flooding

Routing
In routing, the nodes have a routing logic, as per the network requirements. Like routing logic to direct
the data to reach the destination using the shortest distance. Or, routing logic which has information
about the broken links, and it avoids those node etc. We can even have routing logic, to re-configure
the failed nodes.
Flooding
In flooding, the same data is transmitted to all the network nodes, hence no routing logic is required.
The network is robust, and the its very unlikely to lose the data. But it leads to unwanted load over the
network.
Types of Mesh Topology

1. Partial Mesh Topology: In this topology some of the systems are connected in the same fashion
as mesh topology but some devices are only connected to two or three devices.
2. Full Mesh Topology: Each and every nodes or devices are connected to each other.

Features of Mesh Topology

1. Fully connected.
2. Robust.
3. Not flexible.

Advantages of Mesh Topology

1. Each connection can carry its own data load.

2. It is robust.
3. Fault is diagnosed easily.
4. Provides security and privacy.

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

1. Installation and configuration is difficult.

2. Cabling cost is more.
3. Bulk wiring is required.

TREE Topology
It has a root node and all other nodes are connected to it forming a hierarchy. It is also called
hierarchical topology. It should at least have three levels to the hierarchy.
Features of Tree Topology

1. Ideal if workstations are located in groups.

2. Used in Wide Area Network.

Advantages of Tree Topology

1. Extension of bus and star topologies.

2. Expansion of nodes is possible and easy.
3. Easily managed and maintained.
4. Error detection is easily done.

Disadvantages of Tree Topology

1. Heavily cabled.
2. Costly.
3. If more nodes are added maintenance is difficult.
4. Central hub fails, network fails.

HYBRID Topology
It is two different types of topologies which is a mixture of two or more topologies. For example, if in an
office in one department ring topology is used and in another star topology is used, connecting these
topologies will result in Hybrid Topology (ring topology and star topology).
Features of Hybrid Topology

1. It is a combination of two or topologies

2. Inherits the advantages and disadvantages of the topologies included

Advantages of Hybrid Topology

1. Reliable as Error detecting and troubleshooting is easy.

2. Effective.
3. Scalable as size can be increased easily.
4. Flexible.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology

1. Complex in design.
2. Costly.

Network Devices:
Hubs: Hubs allow computers and devices to plug into their ports in order to connect to each
other and share files, data and resources. Hubs are 'non-intelligent' devices and they don't
manage any of the data that flows through them. The hub simply sends the data onto every
computer/device on the network.

Switch: Switches are similar to hubs in that they connect computers/devices to form a LAN.
However, switches are 'intelligent' devices and can direct data to specific computers/devices.

Router: A router could be used to connect a LAN (local area network) to a WAN (wide area
network). They are most commonly used to connect computers and devices to the internet
(WAN).