COMPUTER
NETWORKS
By
SATYENDRA
Definition
A computer network is a collection
of computers and devices
connected by communications
channels that facilitates
communications among users and
allows users to share resources
with other users.
Types of networks
Personal area network (PAN)
Local area network (LAN)
Campus area network (CAN)
Wide area network (WAN)
Metropolitan area network (MAN)
Personal area network
A personal area network (PAN) is a computer
network used for communication among
computer and different information
technological devices close to one person.
Some examples of devices that are used in a
PAN are personal computers, printers, fax
machines, telephones, PDAs, scanners, and
even video game consoles.
Local area network
A local area network (LAN) is a network that
connects computers and devices in a limited
geographical area such as home, school,
computer laboratory, office building, or
closely positioned group of buildings. Each
computer or device on the network is a node.
Campus area network
A campus area network (CAN) is a
computer network made up of an
interconnection of local area
networks (LANs) within a limited
geographical area. It can be
considered one form of a
metropolitan area network, specific
to an academic setting.
Wide area network
A wide area network (WAN) is a computer
network that covers a large geographic area
such as a city, country, or spans even
intercontinental distances, using a
communications channel that combines many
types of media such as telephone lines,
cables, and air waves. A WAN often uses
transmission facilities provided by common
carriers, such as telephone companies.
Metropolitan area network
A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a
network that connects two or more
local area networks or campus area
networks together but does not extend
beyond the boundaries of the
immediate town/city. Routers, switches
and hubs are connected to create a
metropolitan area network.
Applicatioans of Networks
Resource Sharing
Hardware (computing resources, disks, printers)
Software (application software)
Information Sharing
Easy accessibility from anywhere (files,
databases)
Search Capability (WWW)
Communication
Email
Message broadcast
Remote computing
Distributed processing (GRID Computing)
Network Topology
The network topology
defines the way in
which computers,
printers, and other
devices are
connected. A network
topology describes
the layout of the wire
and devices as well as
the paths used by
data transmissions.
Networking Media
Networking media
can be defined
simply as the
means by which
signals (data) are
sent from one
computer to
another (either by
cable or wireless
means).
Networking Devices
HUB,
Switches,
Routers,
Wireless Access
Points, Modems
etc.
Computers: Clients and Servers
In a client/server
network arrangement,
network services are
located in a dedicated
computer whose only
function is to respond
to the requests of
clients.
The server contains
the file, print,
application, security,
and other services in a
central computer that
is continuously
available to respond to
client requests.
Applications
E-mail
Searchable Data (Web Sites)
E-Commerce
News Groups
Internet Telephony (VoIP)
Video Conferencing
Chat Groups
Instant Messengers
Internet Radio
