COMPUTER NETWORKS

A computer network is a network of computer devices

like computers, servers, routers, switches, or other related
hardware’s that are interlinked with one another to
communicate and share resources, exchange data, and
shared services.
Characteristics of a Computer Network
The following are the characteristics of a computer
network −
● Share resources from one computer to another.
● Create files and store them in one computer, access
those files from the other computer(s) connected
over the network.
● Connect a printer, scanner, or a fax machine to one
computer within the network and let other computers
of the network use the machines available over the
network.

COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER NETWORK

Hardware's / devices required to set up a computer
network
● Network Cables
● Distributors
● Routers
● Internal Network Cards
● External Network Cards
Network Cables
Network cables are used to connect computers. The
most commonly used cable is Category 5 cable RJ-45.

Distributors
A computer can be connected to another one via a serial
port but if we need to connect many computers to
produce a network, this serial connection will not work.

The solution is to use a central body to which other

computers, printers, scanners, etc. can be connected and
then this body will manage or distribute network traffic.
Router
A router is a type of device which acts as the central point
among computers and other devices that are a part of the
network. It is equipped with holes called ports.
Computers and other devices are connected to a router
using network cables. Now-a-days router comes in
wireless modes using which computers can be connected
without any physical cable.

Network Card
Network card is a necessary component of a computer
without which a computer cannot be connected over a
network. It is also known as the network adapter or
Network Interface Card (NIC). Most branded computers
have network card pre-installed. Network cards are of two
types: Internal and External Network Cards.
Internal Network Cards
Motherboard has a slot for internal network card where it
is to be inserted. Internal network cards are of two types
in which the first type uses Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) connection, while the second type
uses Industry Standard Architecture (ISA). Network
cables are required to provide network access.

External Network Cards

External network cards are of two types: Wireless and
USB based. Wireless network card needs to be inserted
into the motherboard, however no network cable is
required to connect to the network.
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
USB card is easy to use and connects via USB port.
Computers automatically detect USB card and can install
the drivers required to support the USB network card
automatically.

TYPES OF A COMPUTER NETWORKS

A computer network can be categorized into three main
categories −
● LAN (Local Area Network)
● MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
● WAN (Wide Area Network)
These networks can be built using geographical scope
and the medium of connection (wired or wireless). A
computer network allows to access network, file sharing,
printing and collaboration between users at a time.
Computer networks can be designed using network
topologies (star, bus, ring, mesh) and protocols (TCP/IP,
Ethernet, Wi-Fi) depending on the specific requirements
and constraints of the environment they serve.
Description of LAN, MAN and WAN
1. Local Area Network (LAN)
As its name implies, A LAN is a network which is limited
to local area only for example home, office building,
school, or campus. Hence, any network that exists within
a single building, or even a group of adjacent buildings, is
considered as LAN. It is often used to connect separate
LANs together so they can communicate and exchange
data. In a LAN, limited computer and networking devices
are connected because its geographical area is small; it is
specifically design for shorter distance and used for
sharing resources like files, printers, and internet
connections among connected devices; the devices are
physically connected with cables in wired LAN while in
wireless LAN; devices are connected using wireless
media.

Overall, LANs are essential for communication, sharing of

resources and communication between devices within a
given area and facilitate its users for file sharing, printing,
multimedia and streaming, which are common tasks for
commercial and home networks.
Characteristics of LANs
● Limited Geographic Area − A LAN network is
dedicated for small area like a single building,
campus, school, hospital.
● High Data Transfer Rates − A LAN network covers a
short distance so the data transmits with high speed
as compare to MANs and WANs.
● Ownership and Control − Because of its local
network and small size; they are owned, controlled,
and managed by individuals or organizations with full
control over the network, access and security
policies.
● Connectivity − Generally, A LAN connects using
 Ethernet cables, Wi-Fi, or both.
● Topology − It’s a method to making a LAN; some
common topologies are bus, star, ring, or mesh.
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is an extensive
network that connects two or more LANs together within
a specific geographical area, such as a city or a town.
Usually MANs are not owned by sole organization. Their
communication devices and equipment are maintained
by a group or single network provider that sells its
networking services to corporate customers. MANs often
take the role of high-speed network that allows sharing of
regional resources. MANs also can provide a mutual
connection between two or more local networks.

Characteristics of MANs
● Geographical Coverage − MANs cover a larger
geographical as it combines multiple LANs across
different locations; for example - a network of a city.
● High-Speed Connectivity − MANs provide high-
speed data transmission between multiple LANs
within interconnected devices in the metropolitan
area.
● Public or Private Ownership − Municipal
governments and telecommunications firms can own
and operate MANs.
● Scalability − MANs are scalable networks, whenever
network needs to span, MANs can be expanded or
upgraded.
● Reliability and Redundancy − MANs use redundant
network components and backup solutions to reduce
network failure and down network. In case of
equipment failure or network disturbances, alternate
network paths, backup power sources, and failover
processes preserve network availability.
● Support for Various Technologies − MANs support
network technologies like Ethernet, fiber optics,
wireless communication, and microwave links.
● Service Provisioning − A MAN provides services to
its users like network access, data transfer, voice
communication, video conferencing, and cloud
services.
● Security Measures − MANs implement security
measures to protect network resources, data, and
communications from unauthorized access, cyber
threats, and other security risks.
Overall, MANs are well-suited to providing fast, reliable,
and scalable connectivity to users and organisations in
metropolitan regions, allowing for efficient
communication, collaboration, and access to network
resources.
3. Wide Area Network (WAN)
A network which combines multiple MANs and LANs is
known as Wide Area Network; a WAN network covers
wide geographical area typically covering multiple cities,
regions, countries, or even continents.
Example
A company may have its corporate headquarters and
manufacturing plant located in one city and marketing
office in another city. Each site needs resources, data and
programs locally, but it also needs to share data with
other sites. To accomplish this, the company can attach
devices that connect over public utilities to create a WAN.
Characteristics of WANs
● Large Geographical Coverage − WANs includes
cities, regions, and countries network and span it
over the time as per the requirements increases. This
covers worldwide geographical coverage.
● Interconnection of LANs − WANs interconnect
geographically dispersed LANs. Users in one area
can communicate with another whose location is
different as well as access resources located in other
locations.
● Use of Public and Private Telecommunication
Infrastructure − WANs use leased lines, fibre optic
cables, satellite links, and microwave links. The
WAN's infrastructure allows long-distance data
transfer.
● High Bandwidth and Long-Distance
Communication − WANs provide quick data transfer
and communication across vast distances with high-
bandwidth connectivity. WAN bandwidth and speed
depend on transmission medium and network
technology.
● Multiprotocol Support − To fulfil communication
needs, WANs enable multiple networking protocols
and technologies. It includes TCP/IP, MPLS, Frame
Relay, ATM etc.
● Centralized Management and Control − WANs use
centralised administration and control to optimise
performance, manage network resources, and
enforce security regulations across different
locations. Centralised management ensures network
efficiency and consistency.
● Security Considerations − Encryption, virtual private
networks (VPNs), firewalls, intrusion detection/
prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and access control
mechanisms are the security measures used by
WANs to protect data and network resources against
cyber threats and unauthorised access.
● Scalability and Flexibility − WANs are flexible and
scalable, allows network growth, traffic volume, and
new locations or users. WAN technologies can meet
changing business needs and technology
development.
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
A Network Topology is the arrangement with which
computer systems or network devices are connected to
each other. Topologies may define both physical and
logical aspect of the network. Both logical and physical
topologies could be same or different in a same network.
Point-to-Point
Point-to-point networks contains exactly two hosts such
as computer, switches or routers, servers connected back
to back using a single piece of cable. Often, the receiving
end of one host is connected to sending end of the other
and vice-versa.

If the hosts are connected point-to-point logically, then

may have multiple intermediate devices. But the end
hosts are unaware of underlying network and see each
other as if they are connected directly.

Bus Topology
In case of Bus topology, all devices share single
communication line or cable.Bus topology may have
problem while multiple hosts sending data at the same
time. Therefore, Bus topology either uses CSMA/CD
technology or recognizes one host as Bus Master to solve
the issue. It is one of the simple forms of networking
where a failure of a device does not affect the other
devices. But failure of the shared communication line can
make all other devices stop functioning.

Both ends of the shared channel have line terminator. The

data is sent in only one direction and as soon as it
reaches the extreme end, the terminator removes the
data from the line.

Star Topology
All hosts in Star topology are connected to a central
device, known as hub device, using a point-to-point
connection. That is, there exists a point to point
connection between hosts and hub. The hub device can
be any of the following:
● Layer-1 device such as hub or repeater
● Layer-2 device such as switch or bridge
● Layer-3 device such as router or gateway
As in Bus topology, hub acts as single point of failure. If
hub fails, connectivity of all hosts to all other hosts fails.
Every communication between hosts, takes place through
only the hub.Star topology is not expensive as to connect
one more host, only one cable is required and
configuration is simple.

Ring Topology
In ring topology, each host machine connects to exactly
two other machines, creating a circular network structure.
When one host tries to communicate or send message to
a host which is not adjacent to it, the data travels through
all intermediate hosts. To connect one more host in the
existing structure, the administrator may need only one
more extra cable.

Failure of any host results in failure of the whole

ring.Thus, every connection in the ring is a point of failure.
There are methods which employ one more backup ring.
Mesh Topology
In this type of topology, a host is connected to one or
multiple hosts. This topology has hosts in point-to-point
connection with every other host or may also have hosts
which are in point-to-point connection to few hosts only.
Hosts in Mesh topology also work as relay for other hosts
which do not have direct point-to-point links. Mesh
technology comes into two types:
● Full Mesh: All hosts have a point-to-point connection
to every other host in the network. Thus for every new
host n(n-1)/2 connections are required. It provides
the most reliable network structure among all
network topologies.
● Partially Mesh: Not all hosts have point-to-point
connection to every other host. Hosts connect to
each other in some arbitrarily fashion. This topology
exists where we need to provide reliability to some
hosts out of all.

Tree Topology
Also known as Hierarchical Topology, this is the most
common form of network topology in use presently.This
topology imitates as extended Star topology and inherits
properties of bus topology.
This topology divides the network in to multiple levels/
layers of network. Mainly in LANs, a network is bifurcated
into three types of network devices. The lowermost is
access-layer where computers are attached. The middle
layer is known as distribution layer, which works as
mediator between upper layer and lower layer. The
highest layer is known as core layer, and is central point
of the network, i.e. root of the tree from which all nodes
fork.

All neighboring hosts have point-to-point connection

between them.Similar to the Bus topology, if the root goes
down, then the entire network suffers even.though it is not
the single point of failure. Every connection serves as
point of failure, failing of which divides the network into
unreachable segment.
Daisy Chain
This topology connects all the hosts in a linear fashion.
Similar to Ring topology, all hosts are connected to two
hosts only, except the end hosts.Means, if the end hosts
in daisy chain are connected then it represents Ring
topology.

Each link in daisy chain topology represents single point

of failure. Every link failure splits the network into two
segments.Every intermediate host works as relay for its
immediate hosts.
Hybrid Topology
A network structure whose design contains more than
one topology is said to be hybrid topology. Hybrid
topology inherits merits and demerits of all the
incorporating topologies.
The above picture represents an arbitrarily hybrid
topology. The combining topologies may contain
attributes of Star, Ring, Bus, and Daisy-chain topologies.
Most WANs are connected by means of Dual-Ring
topology and networks connected to them are mostly
Star topology networks. Internet is the best example of
largest Hybrid topology