Network software encompasses software for designing, implementing, operating and monitoring computer networks. It helps set up networks, allows users to access resources, adds or removes users, and protects networks from attacks. System software is a type of program that runs a computer's hardware and application programs. It manages the basic functions of the computer so users can run other software. Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer like monitors, keyboards and storage. Software contains instructions that tell hardware how to function. Firmware is software programmed onto hardware devices to communicate with other computer parts. It provides instructions and usually needs updating for new operating systems. Apps are software programs, especially for mobile devices.

1. Computer Networks
CLASS NOTE-3
Lecturer
Pranab Bandhu Nath
Senior Lecturer
CSE Department
City University, Dhaka
STUDENT
NAME :MD HASNAIN
ID :1834902583
Department of CSE City University, Dhaka.

2. Topic:- Network Software, System Software,
Hardware, Software, Firmware, App.
Network Software: Network software encompasses a broad range
of software used for design, implementation, and operation and
monitoring of computer networks. Traditional networks were hardware
based with software embedded. With the advent of Software – Defined
Networking (SDN), software is separated from the hardware thus
making it more adaptable to the ever-changing nature of the computer
network.
Functions of Network Software:
 Helps to set up and install computer networks.
 Enables users to have access to network resources in a seamless
manner.
 Allows administrations to add or remove users from the network.
 Helps to define locations of data storage and allows users to
access that data.
 Helps administrators and security system to protect the network
from data breaches, unauthorized access and attacks on a
network.
 Enables network virtualizations.

3. System Software: System software is a type of computer program
that is designed to run a computer's hardware and application
programs. If we think of the computer system as a layered model, the
system software is the interface between the hardware and user
applications. The operating system is the best-known example of
system software. The OS manages all the other programs in a
computer.
System software is used to manage the computer itself. It runs in the
background, maintaining the computer's basic functions so users can
run higher-level application software to perform certain tasks.
Essentially, system software provides a platform for application
software to be run on top of.
Important features of system software:
Computer manufacturers usually develop the system software as an
integral part of the computer. The primary responsibility of this
software is to create an interface between the computer hardware they
manufacture and the end user.
System software generally includes the following features:
1. High speed. System software must be as efficient as possible to
provide an effective platform for higher-level software in the
computer system.
2. Hard to manipulate. It often requires the use of a programming
language, which is more difficult to use than a more intuitive user
interface (UI).

4. 3. Written in a low-level computer language. System software must
be written in a computer language the central processing unit
(CPU) and other computer hardware can read.
4. Close to the system. It connects directly to the hardware that
enables the computer to run.
5. Versatile. System software must communicate with both the
specialized hardware it runs on and the higher-level application
software that is usually hardware-agnostic and often has no direct
connection to the hardware it runs on. System software also must
support other programs that depend on it as they evolve and
change.
Hardware: Computer hardware is the collection of physical
elements that constitutes a computer system. Computer hardware is
the physical parts or components of a computer, such as the monitor,
mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard disk drive (HDD),
graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard, and so on, all of
which are physical objects that are tangible. In contrast, software is
instructions that can be stored and run by hardware.
Software: Software is a collection of instructions and data that tell a
computer how to work. This is in contrast to physical hardware, from
which the system is built and actually performs the work. In computer
science and software engineering, computer software is all information
processed by computer systems, including programs and data.
Computer software includes computer programs, libraries and related

5. non-executable data, such as online documentation or digital media.
Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can
be realistically used on its own.
Firmware: Firmware is a software program or set of instructions
programmed on a hardware device. It provides the necessary
instructions for how the device communicates with the other computer
hardware. But how can software be programmed onto hardware?
Good question. Firmware is typically stored in the flash ROM of a
hardware device. While ROM is "read-only memory," flash ROM can be
erased and rewritten because it is actually a type of flash memory.
Firmware can be thought of as "semi-permanent" since it remains the
same unless it is updated by a firmware updater. You may need to
update the firmware of certain devices, such as hard drives and video
cards in order for them to work with a new operating system. CD and
DVD drive manufacturers often make firmware updates available that
allow the drives to read faster media. Sometimes manufacturers
release firmware updates that simply make their devices work more
efficiently.
You can usually find firmware updates by going to the "Support" or
"Downloads" area of a manufacturer's website. Keeping your firmware
up-to-date is often not necessary, but it is still a good idea. Just make
sure that once you start a firmware updater, you let the update finish,
because most devices will not function if their firmware is not
recognized.

6. App: App is short for "application," which is the same thing as a
software program. While an app may refer to a program for any
hardware platform, it is most often used to describe programs for
mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.