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What is Computer Networking?

A computer network is a system that connects

numerous independent computers in order to share
information (data) and resources. The integration of
computers and other different devices allows users to
communicate more easily.
A computer network is a collection of two or more
computer systems that are linked together. A network
connection can be established using either cable or
wireless media. Hardware and software are used to
connect computers and tools in any network.
A computer network consists of various kinds of nodes.
Servers, networking hardware, personal computers,
and other specialized or general-purpose hosts can all
be nodes in a computer network. Hostnames and
network addresses are used to identify them.

Criteria of good network:

1. Performance: It can be measured in many ways,

including transmit time and response time. Transit time
is the amount of time required for a message to travel
from one device to another. Response time is the
elapsed time between an inquiry and a response. The
performance of the network depends on a number of
factors, including the number of users, the type of
medium & hardware
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2. Reliability: In the addition to accuracy is measured by
frequency of failure, the time it takes a link to recover
from failure, and the network’s robustness in
catastrophe.
3. Security: Network security issues include protecting data
from unauthorized access, protecting data from damage
and development, and implementing policies and
procedures for recovery from breaches and data loss.

Goal Of Networking:

 Programs do not have to execute on a single system

because of resource and load sharing.
 Reduced costs – Multiple machines can share printers,
tape drives, and other peripherals.
 Reliability – If one machine fails, another can take its
place.
 Scalability (it’s simple to add more processors or
computers)
 Communication and mail (people living apart can work
together)
 Information Access (remote information access, access
to the internet, e-mail, video conferencing, and online
Entertainment that is interactive (online games, videos,
etc.)
 Social Networkingshopping)

Types of Networks
Division based on the communication medium
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Wireless Network: “Wireless” means without wire,

media that is made up of electromagnetic waves (EM
Waves) or infrared waves. Antennas or sensors will be
present on all wireless devices. Cellular phones,
wireless sensors, TV remotes, satellite disc receivers,
and laptops with WLAN cards are all examples of
wireless devices. For data or voice communication, a
wireless network uses radio frequency waves rather
than wires
Wired Network: As we all know, “wired” refers to any
physical medium made up of cables. Copper wire,
twisted pair, or fiber optic cables are all options. A
wired network employs wires to link devices to the
Internet or another network, such as laptops or
desktop PCs.

Division based on area covered

1) Local Area Network (LAN): A LAN is a network that covers
an area of around 10 kilometers. For example, a college
network or an office network. Depending upon the needs
of the organization, a LAN can be a single office, building,
or Campus. We can have two PCs and one prsssssssinter
in-home office or it can extend throughout a company and
include audio and video devices. Each host in LAN has an
identifier, an address that defines hosts in LAN. A packet
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sent by the host to another host carries both the source
host’s and the destination host’s address.
2) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): MAN refers to a
network that covers an entire city. For example: consider the
cable television network.
3) Wide Area Network (WAN): WAN refers to a network that
connects countries or continents. For example, the Internet
allows users to access a distributed system called www from
anywhere around the globe.WAN interconnects connecting
devices such as switches, routers, or modems. A LAN is
normally privately owned by an organization that uses it. We
see two distinct examples of WANs today: point-to-point
WANs and Switched WANs
Based on types of communication
1) Point To Point networks: Point-to-Point
networking is a type of data networking that
establishes a direct link between two networking
nodes.
A direct link between two devices, such as a
computer and a printer, is known as a point-to-
point connection.
2) Multipoint: is the one in which more than two
specific devices share links. In the multipoint
environment, the capacity of the channel is
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shared, either spatially or temporally. If several
devices can use the link simultaneously, it is a
spatially shared connection.
3) Broadcast networks: In broadcast networks, a
signal method in which numerous parties can hear
a single sender. Radio stations are an excellent
illustration of the “Broadcast Network” in
everyday life. The radio station is a sender of
data/signal in this scenario, and data is only
intended to travel in one direction. Away from the
radio transmission tower, to be precise.
Network Topology

1. Bus Topology: Every computer and network

device is connected to a single cable in a bus
topology network. Linear Bus topology is defined
as having exactly two terminals.
Advantages
1)Installation is simple.
2)Compared to mesh, star, and tree topologies,
the bus utilizes less cabling.
Disadvantages
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1)Difficulty in reconfiguring and isolating faults.
2)A bus cable malfunction or break interrupts all
communication.
2.Ring Topology: The topology is named ring
topology because one computer is connected to
another, with the final one being connected to
the first. Exactly two neighbors for each device. A
signal is passed along the ring in one direction.
Each ring incorporates a repeater.
Advantages
1)Data transmission is relatively straightforward
because packets only move in one direction.
2)There is no requirement for a central controller
to manage communication between nodes.
3)Easy installation & Reconfiguration
4)Simplified Faulty connections
Disadvantages
1)In a Unidirectional Ring, a data packet must
traverse through all nodes.
2)All computers must be turned on in order for
them to connect with one another.
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3. Star Topology: Each device in a star topology
has a dedicated point-to-point link to a central
controller, which is commonly referred to as the
HUB. There is no direct connection between the
devices. Traffic between the devices is not
allowed in this topology. As an exchange, the
controller is used.
Advantages
 When attaching or disconnecting devices,
there are no network interruptions.
 It’s simple to set up and configure.
 Identifying and isolating faults is simple.
 Less Expensive than mesh
 Easy to install & configure
Disadvantages
 Nodes attached to the hub, switch, or
concentrator is failed if they fail.
 Because of the expense of the hubs, it is more
expensive than linear bus topologies.
 More cable required compared to bus or ring
 Too much dependency on Hub
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4. Mesh Topology: Every device in a mesh
topology has dedicated point-to-point
connectivity to every other device. The term
“dedicated” refers to the fact that the link
exclusively transports data between the two
devices it links. To connect n devices, a fully
connected mesh network contains n *(n-1)/2
physical channels.
Advantages
 Data can be sent from multiple devices at the
same time. This topology can handle a lot of
traffic.
 Even if one of the connections fails, a backup
is always available. As a result, data transit is
unaffected.
 Physical boundaries prevent other users from
gaining access to messages
 Point to Point links make fault transmission &
fault isolation easy
Disadvantages
 The amount of cabling and the number of I/O
ports that are necessary.
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 The sheer bulk of wiring can be greater than
the available space can accommodate.
 It is difficult to install and reconfigure.
Example: connection of telephone regional
office in which each regional office needs to be
connected to every other regional office.
5. Tree Topology: The topology of a tree is similar
to that of a star. Nodes in a tree, like those in a
star, are connected to a central hub that manages
network traffic. It has a root node, which is
connected to all other nodes, producing a
hierarchy. Hierarchical topology is another name
for it. The number of Star networks is connected
via Bus in Tree Topology.
Advantages
 Network expansion is both possible and
simple.
 We partition the entire network into pieces
(star networks) that are easier to manage and
maintain.
 Other segments are unaffected if one
segment is damaged.
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Disadvantages
 Tree topology relies largely on the main bus
cable because of its basic structure, and if it
fails, the entire network is handicapped.
 Maintenance becomes more challenging
when more nodes and segments are added.
Flow charts of topologys….

Bus Ring

mesh

star

tree
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IMP MAY BE -
Serial
number Network Internet

A network is a collection The internet, on the other hand,

of two or more computer is the interconnection of a few
1. systems. networks.

Low hardware devices

required as compared to More hardware devices required
2. internet. as compared to network.

Geographically
constrained (small – Geographically extensive (large –
3. area wise) area wise)

As cover small area, low As covers large area, higher error

4. error rate rate

Lower communication
5. cost High communication cost

Network Standards
Networking standards define the rules for data communications that
are needed for interoperability of networking technologies and
processes. Standards help in creating and maintaining open
markets and allow different vendors to compete on the basis of the
quality of their products while being compatible with existing market
products.
During data communication, a number of standards may be used
simultaneously at the different layers. The commonly used
standards at each layer are −
 Application layer − HTTP, HTML, POP, H.323, IMAP
 Transport layer − TCP, SPX
 Network layer −IP, IPX
 Data link layer − Ethernet IEEE 802.3, X.25, Frame Relay
 Physical layer −RS-232C (cable), V.92 (modem)

Standards Organizations
Some of the noted standards organizations are
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 International Standards Organization (ISO)
 International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
 Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE)
 American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
 Internet Research Task Force (IETF)
 Electronic Industries Association (EIA)