Form 3 computer science notes GBHS DIMAKO

BIMARVA MICHEL

Network
Lesson 1 Computer network

Computer network is a set of computers devices connected together for the purpose of sharing
resources
The most common resource share today is connection to the internet
Advantages and disadvantages of a network
1. Advantages of a network
- File/folder can be shared on the network to be access by other users on the network
- Users can share devices such as hard drive, printers, scanner, CD/dvd-ROM driver.
- Some application such as database, spreadsheet and source code can be shared on the network and
be upgraded whenever changes are made.
- Users communicate through communication media to share send text and voice messages, live
images and to have instant video conferencing.
- Multi station game can be setup for multiple players through the network.
- We can used computer network for buying and selling online (e-commerce) and also to learn
online (e-learning)
2. Disadvantages of a network
- Privacy is compromised. Your private files may now be viewed by coworkers or any other person
on the network if not protected.
- Printing of documents on the network may become very slow with other network if printing at the
same time.
- You can be infected by viruses on the network or even infect accidentally other users on the
network.
- Accessing a file on the network may be slow if used by another user.
- Changing or deleting files on the network may not be possible only if we have the needed right.

Types of network
They can be classified geographically into the following categories
- PAN
- LAN
- MAN
- WAN
PAN, personal Area Network
Is the connection that deals with devices close together like a computer connected to a phone to share
resources?
LAN, Local Area Network
It is confined to a specific location such as a floor, buildings or a small area. This network is less
expensive to implement than the MAN because all devices in a small Area and this give a high speed of
data sharing.
MAN, Metropolitan Area Network
The MAN is like the LAN with a different that this covers a very large surface area like town or a city.
WAN, Wide Area Network
This is the largest network that exist because it covers the whole country, continent or world, the common
example we have is the INTERNET
Lesson 2 Network topology

This is the physical and logical arrangement of nodes and connections in a network, nodes
includes devices such as switches, routers and software with switch or routers.
Some examples of physical topologies are;
Point to point topology
Between a sender and a receiver and provides high band width
Bus topology
Every node is connected along a single cable. The cable can be a coaxial or twisted pair cable. Data passes
through the backbone before reaching its destination. Its less expensive and easy to set up. The main
disadvantages is that if the backbone cable fails, the whole network falls and adding more devices slows
down the network
Star topology
Here there is a central device connected to all other nodes through a central hub, it is mostly use in houses
and offices and schools. The hub can be passive (not intelligent) or active (swithcs). All data send passes
through the hub before its destination.
Advantage
-Easy to identify the broken part
-Less expensive because it uses inexpensive coaxial cables.
Disadvantage
-If the central devices fails, the whole network is broken
-The cost of installation is hight
-Performance is base on the hub
diagram
Ring topology
In the ring topology, each device has two neighboring devices(computer), and this form a complet circle,
the information send flows from one computer to the other until it reaches its destination. The data flows
in one direction
Advantages of Ring Topology
-The data transmission is high-speed.
-The possibility of collision is minimum in this type of topology.
-Cheap to install and expand.
-It is less costly than a star topology.
Disadvantages of Ring Topology
-The failure of a single node in the network can cause the entire network to fail.
-Troubleshooting is difficult in this topology.
-The addition of stations in between or the removal of stations can disturb the whole topology.
-Less secure.
Diagram

Mesh topology
In a mesh topology, every device is connected to another device via a particular channel. In Mesh
Topology,
-Suppose, the N number of devices are connected with each other in a mesh topology, the total number of
ports that are required by each device is N-1.
-The total number of ports required = N * (N-1).
-Suppose, N number of devices are connected with each other in a mesh topology, then the total number
of dedicated links required to connect them is N(N-1)/2.
Advantages of Mesh Topology
-Communication is very fast between the nodes.
-it is robust.
-The fault is diagnosed easily
-Provides security and privacy.

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

-Installation and configuration are difficult.
-The cost of cables is high
-The cost of maintenance is high.

Diagram

Tree Topology
This topology is the variation of the Star topology. This topology has a hierarchical flow of data. In
Advantages of Tree Topology
-It allows more devices to be attached to a single central hub
-We can add new devices to the existing network.
-Error detection and error correction are very easy.
Disadvantages of Tree Topology
-If the central hub gets fails the entire system fails.
-The cost is high because of the cabling.
-If new devices are added, it becomes difficult to reconfigure

Diagram

Hybride Topology
This topological technology is the combination of all the various types of topologies we have studied
above. Hybrid Topology is used when the nodes are free to take any form.
Advantages of Hybrid Topology
-very flexible.
-The size of the network can be easily expanded by adding new devices.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology
-It is challenging to design the architecture of the Hybrid Network.
-Hubs used in this topology are very expensive.
-The infrastructure cost is very high as a hybrid network requires a lot of cabling and network devices.
Diagram

Lesson 3 Network architecture

Network Architecture is the way network services and devices are structured together to serve the
needs of client devices and applications. Or Simply we can say that how computers are organized and how
tasks are allocated to the computer
The two types of network architectures are;
-Peer-To-Peer network P2P
-Client/Server network
Peer-To-Peer network architecture
-it is a network in which all the computers are linked together with equal privilege and responsibilities for
processing the data.
-it is useful for small environments, usually up to 10 computers.
-it has no dedicated server.
-Special permissions are assigned to each computer for sharing the resources, but this can lead to a
problem if the computer with the resource is down.
Diagram
Advantages Of Peer-To-Peer Network:
-It is less costly as it does not contain any dedicated server.
-If one computer stops working but, other computers will not stop working.
-It is easy to set up and maintain as each computer manages itself.
Disadvantages Of Peer-To-Peer Network:
-it does not contain the centralized system.
-It has a low security as the device is managed itself.

Client/Server Network architecture

It is a network model designed for the end users called clients, to access the resources such as songs,
video, etc. from a central computer known as Server. A server performs all the major operations such as
security and network management.
Diagram
Advantages Of Client/Server network:
-contains the centralized system.
-has a dedicated server that improves the overall performance of the whole system.
-Security is better.
Disadvantages Of Client/Server network:
-is expensive as it requires the server with large memory.
-A server has a Network Operating System(NOS) to provide the resources to the clients, but the cost of
NOS is very high.
-It requires a dedicated network administrator to manage all the resources

Lesson 4 Network Hardware device

In network there is transmission of information and the sharing of resources and some common
devices media like printers, scanners etc. The sharing and transmission is possible through some hardware
components like adapters, repeaters, hubs, switches, bridges, routers, gateways etc. So in this lesson, we
are going to describe the role of each these components.

I- Wired Network Component.

In wired component, devices use cables in joining or separating networks. We can have;
1. Adapters or NIC :
A network adapter is the component of a computer's internal hardware that is used for
communicating over a network with another computer. It enables a computer to connect with another
computer, server or any networking device over a LAN connection.
2. Repeaters :
A repeater is a device used to receive signal and transmit it by regenerating the signal. It extends
transmission so that the signal will cover long distance.
3. Hubs :
A Hub is a device used to connect many other devices. It is used with twisted-pair cabling. A hub
can be joined to create larger networks. Hubs direct data to all connected device regardless whether the
data is destined for the device or not.
4. Switches:
 Like hubs, a switch is a device that connects many other devices (computers, printers…). Devices
are connected to the switch via twisted-pair cabling. The different between a hub and a switch is that a hub
directs data to all the connected devices while a switch directs data to the destination device.
5. Bridges :
Bridges are devices used to divide larger networks into smaller sections. It is establish between
two physical network segments and manages the flow of data between the two.
6. Routers :
Routers are devices used to create larger network by joining two network segments. A router can
be a dedicated device or a computer system with more than one network interface.
7. Gateways :
Gateway is a device that translate data format into another format. An example includes a router
that translates data from one network protocol into another.
II. Wireless Network Components.
1. Access Point :
The access point is a device that links a wireless network to a wired LAN. It is useful for larger
networks.

2. PCI Adapter :

Just as a wireless access PC card allows portable and laptop computers access to the LAN, a
wireless access PCI adapter allows desktop PC user access to the LAN.
3. Wireless Router :

A wireless router is a device used for sharing a single Internet connection across multiple
computers.

Lesson 5 Data Transmission media

For data to move from one place to another, it must move through something (channels). The method for
communication affects the rates (speed) at which data can be transfer through the channel. There are three
(03) basic forms for which data can be converted for transmission.

- Electromagnetic waves such as radio waves (unguided media)

- Electrical charge or pulse used to transmit voice, video and data over telephone line.(guided
media)
- Light waves or pulse used to transmit data, voice and video over long distances at high
speed(unguided media)
Some transmission media can be;
Guided media
1- Coaxial cable: It is a thickly insulated copper wire that can carry a large volume of data. We have
2 types called thicknet and thinnet coaxial cables. Mostly used in connecting TV set to antennas.
2- Twisted pair cable or wire: they are made up of a number of single copper wires that are twisted
together. They come in two major part; Unshielded and Shielded twisted pair (UTP and STP).
Mostly used for telephone line and data communication network as seen in Cyber Cafes.
3- Optical fiber cable: it uses repeated reflection of data in the form of high waves for transmission
at high speed. It provide greater band wide as compare to copper wire. It is very resistant to
electronic noise and replaces copper wire in some big industries.

Unguided media
1. Microwave system: this uses the atmosphere as the medium through which signals are
transmitted in the form of electromagnetic waves at high frequency. No physical connection
 (cables and wire) is used. Mobile telephone system and satellites communication uses
microwave transmission.
2. Radio wave: data is transmitted from one antenna to the other using radio transmission. It
also travels through the air.
3. Infrared waves: data or voice is transmitted over Infrared light to connect laptops to other
devices or two devices.
4. Satellite system: A satellite is a solar-powered electronic device that is specialized in
receiving, amplifying and transmitting signals. Their communication system transmits signals
in billions of cycles per second over long distances and cover large areas. Example western
union, money gram and internet activities.

Lesson 6 Network software

A working network is not only made up of hardware components but also software component.
This software enables the configuration of the network so that the computers can communicate and share
information. This means that network hardware attached to your computer can not communicate with each
other without the networking software.
1. NOS: A Network operating system (NOS) is a computer operating system that is designed primarily to
support workstation, personal computer, and, in some instances, older terminal that are connected on a
local area network (LAN). Novell Netware became the first popular networking OS for Personal
Computers. After Netware, other NOS were release such as; Banyan VINES and Microsoft Windows NT.
Some other examples are Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, Sun Solaris, and Linux.
2. Network Application Software: These are software that is used in networking either for
communication or for security. For communication, we have software like email, instant messaging, video
conferencing application and teleconferencing. For security, we have software like antivirus, spam
filtering, firewall and data-access management applications
3. Network Drivers: These are Software that activates the actual transmission and receipt of data over the
network. It provides the data link protocol (Ethernet, Token Ring, etc.) that controls the specific brand of
network adapter installed in the computer. These drivers are sometimes incorporated into the network
device and are install during the first connection.

Network configuration (set up a simple ad hoc) (Practical)

Start your computer then follow the steps below:
Under Windows 7

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Network and Internet.
4. Click Network and Sharing Center.
5. Under Change your networking settings, click Set up a new connection or network.
6. Select Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network.
7. Click on Next twice.

Data communication network

Lesson 7: Communication system
Definition; the communication system is a system model that describes a communication exchange
between two nodes i.e. the transmitter and the receiver. Signals or information leaves from the source to
the destination through a channel.
Component of a communication system
This system consists of three basic components: transmitter, channel, and receiver.

- The transmitter's function is to process the message signal into a form suitable for transmission
over the communication channel. This is called modulation.
- the communication channel function is to provide a pathway between the transmitter's output and
the receiver's input.
- The job of the receiver is to process the received signal to recover the original message signal.
This is called demodulation.
The two method of transmission are analogue and digital signal

Lesson 8: Communication protocol

Competences:
- Defined a protocol
- Identify and give the purpose of communication protocols.
- Give the OSI reference model
Definition
A protocol is a convention or set of rules or standards that controls or governs the connection,
communication and data transfer between two computing endpoints.
The protocol defines:
- The way data is to be structured
- The control signal that are to be used
- The various connection characteristics
- How to start and end a message
- What to do when a message is corrupted
- How to detect loss of connection and what to do next
- The termination of a session or connection
Protocol may be implemented (inserted) in hardware, software or both.
Purposed of using a Communication protocol
In the early days, each manufacturer will set his own network protocol which means that his equipment
cannot be used with other equipment from different manufacturer. To solve this problem, all the
equipment must have the same protocol which brought about the idea of standardizing the network
protocol.
As long as this equipment contains the STANDARD PROTOCOL, they can communicate and can be
used even from different vendors and different manufacturer.
The rules or protocol that work together to ensure successful communications are grouped into a protocol
suite and a good example is the Internet Protocol (IP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) put
together to give TCP/IP which is the major contribution to the power of internet.
Problem: If we have two computers connected with LAN cable (Rj45), one computer is having Windows
10 and the other is having Mac OS, these two computers want to communicate with each other. How will
these computers communicate with each other?
In other to complete successful communication between these computers or any other systems connected
together, the OSI model containing seven layer was introduced by the ISO.
The OSI reference model
The OSI reference lists each layer and the services each layer should offer.
There are Seven layer in the OSI reference which are Application, Presentation, Session, Transport,
Network, Data Link, and the Physical layers. Each layer is a packet of protocol. They can be
remembered by the used of the following mnemonics;
All People Seem To Need Data Processing
Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away
Protocol used on different layer

- Layer 1 Protocols (Physical Layer)

o ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
- Layer 2 Protocols (Data link Layer)
o Ethernet
o PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)
- Layer 3 Protocols ( Network Layer)
o ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode Protocol)
o IP (Internet Protocol) and IPX(Internetworking Packet Exchange Protocol)
- Layer 4 protocols (Transport layer)
o TCP(Transmission Control Protocol) slower give a feedback eg in www, email
o UDP (User Datagram Protocol) faster with no feedback eg in games, video, songs
- Layer 5 protocols (Session layer)
o NCP (Netware Core Protocol)
o NetBIOS
- Layer 6 protocols (Presentation Layer)
o AFP (Apple Filing Protocol)
o SSL (Secure Socket Layer)
- Layer 7 protocols (Application Layer)
o http (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
o DNS (Domain Name System)
o DHCP ( Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
 o FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

Types of signals
Duplex, simplex, half-duplex
Synchronous and asynchronous
Serial and parallel transmission
Bandwidth and throughput
Internet
Introduction to internet
Internet services
Search engine
Networks security
Licenses and copyright practice
Security threats and measures against threats
Hacking
Identity theft
Scamming
Piracy
Phishing
Doxing
Denial of service
Authentication
Access control
Encryption
Digital forensics