This document provides an overview of computer networks. It defines different types of networks including personal area networks (PANs), local area networks (LANs), campus area networks (CANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs). It also describes common network hardware such as hubs, switches, and routers. The document concludes with an assignment for students to design a network for a new school in Phuket that will include 4 buildings and explain why the network is needed and what type of network would be best.

1. VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
COMPUTING
Week 5 ­ Computer Networks

2. COMPUTER NETWORKS
 A computer network is any set
of computers or devices
connected to each other.
 Why do we use networks?
 Communication
 Sharing data
 Sharing hardware

3. WHAT CAN WE DO ON A NETWORK
Send emails.
 Can you think of 5 more things we can do on a
network?

4. WHAT CAN WE DO ON A NETWORK?
 You can play a CD music from one computer while
sitting on another computer
 You may have a computer that doesn’t have a DVD
player. In this case, you can place a movie DVD on the
computer that has a DVD player, and then view the
movie on a computer that lacks a DVD player
 You can connect a printer to one computer and let other
computers of the network print to that printer
 You can place a CD with pictures on one computer and
let other computers access those pictures
 You can create files and store them in one computer,
then access those files from the other computers
connected to it

5. TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
 PAN
 LAN
 CAN
 MAN
 WAN
 Research Activity:
 Spend 10 minutes on the internet and find out what
these different type of networks do.

6. A PERSONAL AREA NETWORK
(PAN)
 A personal area network (PAN) is a computer
network used for communication among
computer devices (including telephones and
personal digital assistants) close to one person.
The reach of a PAN is typically a few meters.
 Personal area networks may be wired with
technology such as USB and FireWire. A
wireless personal area network (WPAN) can
also be made possible with network
technologies such as Bluetooth.

7. EXAMPLE OF A HOME
NETWORK

8. LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)
 A network covering a small geographic area,
like a home, office, or building.
 Usually have a very high data transfer rate.
 Larger than a WAN, will include a few PCs or
laptops.
 Can use Wireless but usually Ethernet
technology. Satree uses Ethernet technology.

9. EXAMPLE OF A LAN IS A SCHOOL
BUILDING

10. CAMPUS AREA NETWORK (CAN)
 A network that connects two or more LANs but
that is limited to a specific (possibly private)
geographical area such as a college campus,
industrial complex, or a military base.
 A CAN, may be considered a type of MAN
(metropolitan area network), but is generally
limited to an area that is smaller than a typical
MAN.

11. METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK
(MAN)
 A network that connects two or more
Local Area Networks or CANs
together but does not extend beyond
the boundaries of the immediate
town, city, or metropolitan area.
 Multiple routers, switches & hubs
are connected to create a MAN
 Phuket net is an example of a MAN.

12. WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)
 A WAN is a data communications network
that covers a relatively broad geographic
area for example one country to another or
one continent to another continent.
 Often uses transmission facilities provided
by common carriers, such as telephone
companies.
 The internet is a WAN.

13. NETWORK HUBS
 A device used to connect a PC to a Network.
 The function of a hub is to direct information
around the network, allowing communication
between all connected devices.
 Printers, computers and all other network
devices are connected through a hub.

14. NETWORK SWITCHES
 A more advanced version of a hub, often called a
‘smart hub’.
 Provide better performance, meaning the network
runs faster.
 Switches are replacing the hub in most new
networks.

15. NETWORK ROUTERS
 Routers connect networks together and work
out the best path for information or data to
travel.
 When you send information on the internet,
for example an email, the router will choose
the direction that the information will travel
in order to reach its destination.

16. WIRELESS NETWORKS
 Wi­Fi is a commonly used wireless network in
computer systems which enable connection to
the internet or other machines that have Wi­Fi
functionalities. Wi­Fi networks broadcast radio
waves that can be picked up by Wi­Fi receivers
that are attached to different computers.
 Allow laptop users to easily and quickly join a
business or personal network.
 Most modern laptops have Wi­Fi cards built in to
enable internet access from anywhere that has a
Wi­Fi network.

17. SATREE PHUKET SCHOOL
 The network in the school is a CAN, Campus Area
Network.
 There are separate LANs in different buildings in the
school.
 The computers are connected together with Network
Switches using Ethernet technology.
 The LANs are connected together using Network
Routers. For example the Network in building 4 is
connected to Network in building 7 via a Network
Router.
 The computers in each LAN are connected together in
a PEER to PEER formation.

18. TASK TODAY ­ PRE MID TERM
PROJECT
 A new school in Phuket wants you to help them
design a network.
 First you must tell them WHY they need a
network at a school.
 How many computers do you think they need? Why?
 What hardware and software would they need? Why?
 Which network would be the best? LAN, WAN, PAN?
Why?
 Draw a simple diagram of how their network
would look.

19. TASK TODAY ­ PRE MID TERM
PROJECT
 The school details:
 Banana Leaf School Phuket
 4 large buildings with classrooms ­ 20 rooms in each
building
 1000 students ­ 30 classes
 1 building for teachers ­ about 70 teachers
 Use the Internet for research.
 Complete a Microsoft PowerPoint document.
 Please complete your work by the beginning of next
lesson and upload to the website.