A computer network is defined as the interconnection of two or more computers to enable communication and sharing of resources. Key components include computers, cables, network interface cards, switches, and operating systems. Networks allow sharing of expensive hardware and software, communication between users, and exchange of data and information over wide geographic areas. Networks can use guided media like cables or unguided media like wireless. They provide benefits like increased speed, reduced costs, and centralized management, but also have disadvantages such as high installation costs and potential cable faults. Networks are classified by geography as personal area networks (PAN), local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), wide area networks (WAN), or campus area networks (CAN). The Internet is

2. Definition & Applications:-
DEFINITION:
A computer network is defined as the interconnection of two or more
computers. It is done to enable the computers to communicate and
share available resources.
APPLICATIONS:
i. Sharing of resources such as printers
ii. Sharing of expensive software’s and database
iii. Communication from one computer to another computer
iv. Exchange of data and information among users via network
v. Sharing of information over geographically wide areas

3. Components of Computer
Network:-
Two or more computers
Cables as links between the computers
A network interfacing card (NIC) on each
computer
Switches
Software called operating system (OS)

4. Networking Transmission
Media:-
 We can group the communication media
in two categories:
1) Guided Media: It include cables.
2) Unguided Media: It include waves through
air, water or vacuum.

5. Guided Media:-
Twisted Pair
Coaxial Cable
Optical Fibre

6. Unguided Media:-
o Long distance Wireless media:
a) Microwave b) Radio Wave c) Satellite
o Short distance Wireless media:
a) Infrared b) Laser c) Bluetooth d)Wi-Fi
e) WiMax

7. Network Benefits:-
The network provided to the users can
be divided into two categories:
i. Sharing
ii. Connectivity

8. Sharing Resources:-
Types of resources are:
1. Hardware: A network allows users to share
many hardware devices such as printers,
modems, fax machines, CD ROM, players, etc.
2. Software: Sharing software resources reduces
the cost of software installation, saves space on
hard disk.

9. Other Benefits of
Computer Network:-
oIncreased speed
oReduced cost
oCentralized software managements
oElectronic mail
oFlexible access

10. Disadvantages of
Networks:-
 High cost of installation
 Requires time for administration
 Failure of server
 Cable faults

11. Classification of Area by
their Geography:-
NETWORK
PAN LAN WAN MAN CAN

12. Local Area Network(LAN):-
 LAN is a network which is designed to
operate over a small physical area such as
an office, factory or a group of buildings.
 These are easy to design and troubleshoot.
 It is usually a privately owned network.
 In LAN all machines are connected to a
single cable.

13. Wide Area Network(WAN):-
 WAN is a group of computers that are
separated by large distances and tied
together.
 It is cheaper and more efficient to use the
phones network for the limbs.
 Most WAN networks are used to transfer
large blocks of data between its users.

14. Personal Area
Network(PAN):-
 A PAN is a computer network organized
around an individual person.
 It generally consists of a mobile computer,
a cell phone or personal digital assistant.
 The PANs can be constructed using
wireless or cables.

15. Campus Area
Network(CAN):-
 The CAN is made up of an interconnection
of LAN with limited geographical area.
 Network equipments such as switches,
routers and the transmission media i.e.
optical fibre etc are almost entirely owned
by the campus owner.

16. Metropolitan Area
Network(MAN):-
 It is in between LAN & WAN technology
that covers the entire city.
 It uses similar technology as LAN.
 It can be a single network such as cable TV
network, or a measure of connecting a
number of LANs or a large network so that
resources can be shared LAN to LAN as
well as device to device.

18. Internet:-
Internet is a computer based worldwide
information network. The Internet is
composed of a large number of smaller
interconnected networks. Internet is a
decentralised system. It has made it
possible for all over the world to
effectively and inexpensively
communicate with each other.

19. SUMMARY:-
Definition & Application
Components of Computer Network
Network Transmission Media
Network Benefits
Disadvantages of computer network
Classification by their geographical area
Internet

20. Made By :-
Ketan Garg ,
Harmanjeet Singh
Aasht
&
Jaspreet Singh Gill