2. WHAT IS A COMPUTER NETWORK?
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
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.
Advantages of Network Disadvantages of Network
1) Resource Sharing If Networks are badly managed, services
can become unusable & productivity falls
2) Cost saving and Time saving If software & files held centrally, it may
be impossible to carry out work if central
server fails.
3) Collaborative user interaction. File security & more important especially
if connected to WAN is e.g. Protection
from Virtues.
4. 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.
LAN’s are easy to design and troubleshoot.
cover area of few kilometers radius. ( 1-10km)
In LAN all machines are connected to a single
cable.
Different types of topologies such as star, tree,
bus, ring, etc. Can be used
It is usually a privately owned network.
5. WIDE AREA NETWORK(WAN)
When network spans over a large distance or
when the computers to be connected to each
other are at widely separated locations, a wide
area network(WAN) is installed.
The communication between different users of
WAN is established using leased telephone lines,
satellite links and similar channels.
It is cheaper and more efficient to use the phone
network for the link.
It covers areas of over 100’ s of km.
6. METROPOLITAN AREA
NETWORK(MAN)
It is in between LAN & WAN technology
that covers the entire city. Network of
communicating/ computing devices in a
city.
Covers area of few kms to few 100’s of
km.
Network of schools, banks, govt. offices
within a city are some examples.
Owned by organization/ govt.
7. PERSONAL AREA NETWORK(PAN)
Covers area of few meter radius.
It generally consists of a mobile, computer,
etc. PAN enables the communication
among these devices.
It can also be used for communication
among personal devices themselves for
connecting to a digital level network and
internet.
The PANs can be constructed using wire/
wireless.
9. GUIDED MEDIA:
TWISTED-PAIR CABLES COAXIAL CABLES OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES
• Used for creating small
computer network. It
four twisted pair covered in
outer shield.
• RJ-45 is used to connect this
cable to a computer.
• It is a copper cable specially
with a metal shield and other
components engineered to
signal interference.
• Used by Cable Tv companies to
connect their satellite antenna
facilities to customer homes and
businesses.
• These are long, thin strands of
glass about thickness of
hair.
• It is used to transmit data
through light signals over long
distances.
• Capable of transmitting
messages modulated into light
waves.
10. NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
The way in which the computer/ devices are physically interconnected to
form a network is called a topology.
It can be defines as the arrangement or structure of network.
Types of topologies :
TOPOLOGIES
BUS STAR RING TREE MESH
11. BUS TOPOLOGY
Simple and low-cost
All nodes are connected to a main cable called backbone.
Only one computer can send messages at a time.
If anyone has to send some information to other computer, it first
sends the signal to the backbone. Then the signal travels through the
backbone and is received by the node for which it is intended.
STAR TOPOLOGY
Each computer has a cable connected to a single point called HUB.
More cabling, hence higher cost.
All signals transmission through the hub. If the hub is down , then
the entire network fails.
Depending on the intelligence of hub, two or more computers may
send message at the same time
12. TREE TOPOLOGY
it is a combination of bus and star
topology.
Used to combine multiple star
topology networks.
All the star are connected together
like a bus.
It offers easier way of network
expansion.
If one network fails, other networks
remain connected and working.