Computer Networks – CBSE Class 12 Board

Exam Notes (Detailed Explanation)

Computer networks play a crucial role in modern communication, enabling data exchange, resource
sharing, and internet access. Below is a detailed chapter-wise breakdown covering all important
concepts needed for CBSE board exams.

1. Introduction to Computer Networks

A computer network is a system of interconnected devices (computers, servers, smartphones, etc.)
that communicate with each other to share data and resources.

🖥 Advantages of Computer Networks:

✅ Resource Sharing – Printers, les, and software can be shared.

✅ Communication – Email, messaging, video calls, and VoIP.
✅ Remote Access – Cloud storage and remote desktop access.
✅ Cost Ef ciency – Reduces hardware and software costs.
✅ Centralized Data Management – Data is stored on central servers for easy access.

2. Types of Computer Networks

Computer networks are categorized based on their size and coverage area.

Network
Full Form Coverage Area Example
Type
PAN Personal Area Network A few meters Bluetooth, Hotspot
Small area (of ce,
LAN Local Area Network Wi-Fi in homes, school networks
school)
Metropolitan Area Cable TV networks, Broadband
MAN City-wide
Network ISPs
WAN Wide Area Network Country/Global The Internet

🔹 Difference between LAN, MAN, and WAN

1. LAN – Limited to a building, high speed (100-1000 Mbps).

2. MAN – Covers a city, slower than LAN.
3. WAN – Covers large areas (internet), slowest due to long distances.
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3. Network Architecture (Peer-to-Peer vs. Client-Server)
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network

• All computers have equal status.

• No central server.
• Suitable for small networks (e.g., home networks).
• Example: File sharing between two laptops.
Client-Server Network

• Centralized server manages data and resources.

• Clients (user devices) send requests to the server.
• Used in large organizations.
• Example: A school’s computer lab with a central server.

4. Network Devices & Their Functions

Device Function
Modem Converts digital signals to analog for internet access.
Directs data between networks and connects to the
Router
internet.
Switch Connects multiple devices in a LAN ef ciently.
Hub Broadcasts data to all connected devices.
Repeate
Boosts signal strength over long distances.
r
Gatewa
Connects different types of networks (e.g., LAN to WAN).
y

5. Network Topologies (Arrangement of Devices in a Network)

🔹 Types of Network Topologies

Topolo
Description Pros Cons
gy
All devices share a single If the cable fails, the network
Bus Cheap, easy to set up.
backbone cable. crashes.
All devices connect to a central Fast, reliable, easy to Hub failure stops the
Star
hub/switch. maintain. network.
Devices form a closed-loop One failure affects the entire
Ring Predictable data ow.
(circle). network.
Each device connects to multiple
Mesh Very reliable. Expensive to set up.
others.
Hybri Combination of two or more
Flexible, scalable. Complex to design.
d topologies.
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 6. Network Protocols (Rules for Communication)
Protocols are sets of rules that de ne how devices communicate over a network.

Protocol Function
Used for accessing websites (HyperText
HTTP/HTTPS
Transfer Protocol).
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Transfers les between computers.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) Sends emails.
POP3/IMAP Retrieves emails from a server.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Fundamental communication protocol of the
Internet Protocol) internet.
Converts domain names (e.g., google.com) into
DNS (Domain Name System)
IP addresses.

7. Internet & Communication Technologies

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)

• Unique identi er for a device on a network.

• IPv4 (32-bit) – Example: 192.168.1.1
• IPv6 (128-bit) – Example: 2001:db8::ff00:42:8329
MAC Address (Media Access Control Address)

• Physical address of a device's network adapter.

• Example: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E.
Cloud Computing

• Remote storage & computing services via the internet.

• Examples: Google Drive, AWS, Microsoft Azure.

8. Network Security (Protecting Data & Devices)

As networks grow, so do security threats. Common cyber threats include:

🔹 Types of Cyber Attacks

Attack Type Description

Phishing Fake emails to steal sensitive information.
Malware (Viruses, Worms, Trojans) Harmful software that damages systems.
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Overloads a server to make it
Service) inaccessible.
Hacking Unauthorized access to data or systems.
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 🔹 Security Measures

✅ Firewall – Blocks unauthorized network traf c.

✅ Antivirus Software – Detects and removes malware.
✅ Encryption – Converts data into unreadable format for security (e.g., SSL/TLS).
✅ Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Adds an extra layer of security.

9. Key Differences: Important for CBSE Exams

Feature LAN MAN WAN
Full Metropolitan Area Wide Area
Local Area Network
Form Network Network
Small (Of ce,
Coverage City Country/Global
School)
Speed Fastest Medium Slowest
Example Home Wi-Fi Cable TV Networks The Internet

10. Important CBSE Board Exam Questions

🔹 Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks)

1. What is a computer network? List two advantages.

2. Differentiate between LAN, MAN, and WAN.
3. What is a MAC address? How is it different from an IP address?
4. De ne topology. Explain any two types.
5. What is the difference between TCP/IP and HTTP?
🔹 Long Answer Questions (4-5 marks)

1. Explain network devices with their functions.

2. Describe network topologies with diagrams.
3. What are network security threats and how can they be prevented?
4. Explain Cloud Computing and its advantages.

📌 Summary (For Quick Revision)

✔ Computer Network – A system for data sharing & communication.

✔ Types of Networks – LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN.
✔ Network Topologies – Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, Hybrid.
✔ Network Devices – Modem, Router, Switch, Hub, Repeater, Gateway.
✔ Protocols – TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, DNS, SMTP, POP3.
✔ Security Measures – Firewall, Antivirus, Encryption, 2FA.
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🌐 1. Evolution of Networking

• Computer Network: A collection of interconnected devices that communicate and share

resources.

• Evolution of Networking:

◦ ARPANET (1969): The rst network, developed by the US Department of Defense.

It used packet switching and laid the foundation for the Internet.
Advanced research project agency network .

◦ NSFNET (1985): A project by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that

expanded ARPANET into a larger network. National science foundation network

◦ INTERNET (1990s-Present): The global network connecting millions of private,

public, and government networks.

🔥 2. Data Communication Terminologies

• Communication: The process of exchanging data between devices.

• Components of Data Communication:

◦ Sender: Device sending the message (computer, phone).

◦ Receiver: Device receiving the message.

◦ Message: The data being transferred.

◦ Communication Media: The physical path through which data travels.

◦ Protocols: Rules governing communication (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP).

• Measuring Communication Capacity:

◦ Bandwidth: Maximum data capacity of a communication medium (measured in bits

per second – bps). 1 khz = 1000 hz

◦ Data Transfer Rate: The actual speed of data transmission.

• IP Address: A unique identi er assigned to each device on a network (e.g.,

192.168.1.1).

• Switching Techniques:

◦ Circuit Switching: A dedicated path is established before communication begins

(e.g., telephone networks).

◦ Packet Switching: Data is broken into packets and sent independently (used in the
Internet).
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📡 3. Transmission Media

• Wired Communication Media:

◦ Twisted Pair Cable: Two insulated copper wires twisted together. Used in LANs.

◦ Co-axial Cable: Central conductor with an insulating layer and shield. Used for
cable TV.

◦ Fiber-optic Cable: Uses light signals for high-speed data transfer. Used in long-
distance communication.

• Wireless Media:

◦ Radio Waves: Used in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Low frequency, suitable for short-
range.

◦ Microwaves: Used in satellite communication. Medium frequency, covers long

distances.

◦ Infrared Waves: Used in TV remotes. High frequency, short-range communication.

🔌 4. Network Devices

• Modem: Converts digital signals to analog and vice versa.

• Ethernet Card: Network interface card (NIC) for wired connections.

• RJ45 Connector: Standard connector for Ethernet cables.

• Repeater: Boosts signals over long distances.

• Hub: Broadcasts data to all devices in a network.

• Switch: Forwards data to speci c devices.

• Router: Connects multiple networks and directs data packets.

• Gateway: Connects different networks using different protocols.

• Wi-Fi Card: Wireless network adapter for connecting to Wi-Fi.

🔗 5. Network Topologies and Types

• Types of Networks:

◦ PAN (Personal Area Network): Small range (e.g., Bluetooth devices).

◦ LAN (Local Area Network): Covers a small area (e.g., school, of ce).
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 ◦ MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Covers a city or large campus.

◦ WAN (Wide Area Network): Covers large geographical areas (e.g., Internet).

• Networking Topologies:

◦ Bus: Single central cable; all devices share the same path.

◦ Star: All devices connect to a central hub or switch.

◦ Tree: Combination of star and bus topologies.

🌍 6. Network Protocols

• HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): Used for accessing web pages.

• FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Used for transferring les.

• PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol): Used for direct connection between two devices.

• SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): Used for sending emails.

• TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): The basic communication

protocol of the Internet.

• POP3 (Post Of ce Protocol): Used for receiving emails.

• HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): Secure version of HTTP.

• TELNET: Allows remote login over a network.

• VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): Enables voice calls over the Internet.

🌐 7. Introduction to Web Services

• WWW (World Wide Web): A collection of web pages accessible via the Internet.

• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): Standard language for creating web pages.

• XML (Extensible Markup Language): Used for storing and transporting data.

• Domain Names: Human-readable website addresses (e.g., google.com).

• URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The address of a web resource.

• Website: A collection of related web pages.

• Web Browser: Software used to access the web (e.g., Chrome, Firefox).

• Web Server: A computer hosting websites.

• Web Hosting: Service that provides space for websites on a server.

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 ✅ Sample Questions and Answers

Q1: What is the difference between Circuit Switching and Packet Switching?

• Answer:

◦ Circuit Switching: Establishes a dedicated path before communication (used in

telephone networks).

◦ Packet Switching: Breaks data into packets, which are sent independently (used in
the Internet).

Q2: Name two wired and two wireless communication media.

• Answer:

◦ Wired: Twisted pair cable, Fiber-optic cable

◦ Wireless: Radio waves, Infrared waves

Q3: De ne IP address and give an example.

• Answer: An IP address is a unique identi er for a device on a network (e.g.,

192.168.1.1).

Q4: What is the function of a Router?

• Answer: A router connects multiple networks and directs data packets to their destination.

Q5: Mention two advantages of Fiber-optic cables over Co-axial cables.

• Answer:

◦ Higher data transfer speed

◦ Less signal Interference

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11. Image of topology.

Hybrid topology Star topology

Bus topology

Mesh topology