Computer networks allow sharing of resources and consist of connected devices like servers, switches, routers, and cables. There are different types of computer networks defined by their geographical reach: local area networks cover small areas like schools; wide area networks span large areas like countries; and metropolitan area networks cover large cities. Common hardware used in networks includes routers to connect different networks, cables to transfer data, hubs and switches to connect multiple devices, servers to provide resources, and clients that request resources. Network topologies define how devices are arranged, including star, bus, ring, and mesh configurations.

1. STRAND 3
COMMUNICATION NETWORK
SUB-STRAND 1- COMPUTER NETWORKS

2. INTRODUCTION
• computer network, which is also known as networking is a collection of
network devices such as servers, switch, routers, hub, cables, host and
many more connected to one another to allow sharing of resources. It also
consists of management, maintenance and operation of the network
infrastructure, software and policies.
• Computer network can be put into categories, which include;
• Local Area Network (LAN) covers small geographical area like school
campus
• Wide Area Network (WAN) covers a very large geographical area like
country or continent
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) covers large geographical area like city

3. HARDWARE FOR SETTING UP NETWORK SYSTEM
• Router; device that forwards data packets between computer
networks. It is a central device linking two different networks.

4. Networking Hardware
router

5. Networking Hardware- cont’d
• cable: used to connect and transfer data and information between
computers

6. Networking Hardware- cont’d
cable

7. Networking Hardware- cont’d
Hub/switch
• Both are devices that allow you to connect multiple PCs to a single
network,

8. Networking Hardware- cont’d
Server/client
• A server is a computer or system that provides resources, data,
services, or programs to other computers, known as clients. The client
is a computer the request resources from the server.

9. Networking Hardware- cont’d
Server/client

10. NETWORK TOPOLOGY
• Network topology refers to how devices on a network are arranged or
connected.
• physical topology: is the physical layout of the connected devices
• logical topology: focuses on the pattern of data transfer between
network nodes.

11. TYPES OF TOPOLOGY
• Star topology
• In star topology, every node in the network is directly connected to
one central device (hub, switch) via a cable.

12. TYPES OF TOPOLOGY - cont’d
Bus topology
• Specific kind of network topology in which all of the network devices
are connected to a single cable or line.

13. TYPES OF TOPOLOGY - cont’d
Ring topology
• In ring topology, nodes are arranged in a circle (or ring), with each
device having exactly two neighbors.

14. TYPES OF TOPOLOGY - cont’d
mesh topology
• In this type of topology, each computer is connected to every other
computer on the network.

15. Exercise
• What is network topology?
• Identify the type of network topologies.
• Draw two types of network topology