LESSON SEVENTEEN

COMPUTER NETWORKS
PART ONE
TOPIC RATIONALE
Advances made in Information and Communication Technology has not only seen the advent of
telecommunication networks such as telephone networks and media networks but also computer
networks.
Therefore, this topic introduces the learner to the concept of computer networks and what constitutes
them. The topic consists of four (4) lessons – ‘Introduction to Computer Networks’, ‘Types of Computer
Network Hardware and Software’, ‘Types of Computer Network Topologies’ and ‘Types of Computer
Networks’.
Lesson one introduces the learner to the concept of computer networks.
LESSON ONE OUTCOMES
Learning outcomes: During the course of this lesson you will …
1. Define a computer network.
2. Identify and differentiate the two types of connections.
3. Appreciate and explain the purpose of a network.
4. Identify and state the types of resource shared on a network.
5. State the three ways of connecting hardware into a network.
6. State the advantages and disadvantages of a network.
COMPUTER NETWORKS LESSON 1 – INTRODUCTION.
WHAT IS A COMPUTER NETWORK?
A computer network is …
 A physical and logical connection of two or more different types computers, other ICT devices
and software.
The term ‘network’ means ‘working together’ or ‘working as one’. So the computers, other ICT devices
and software on a network are made to work ‘together’ or ‘as one’.
HOW ARE COMPUTERS CONNECTED?
A connection refers to how computers, other ICT devices and software are linked (joined, connected,
attached) together. There are two types of connections:
a. Physical connection: This refers to how different computer and ICT hardware are linked together to
form a network.
This determines the type of ‘physical network topology’ created (topologies are discussed in lesson
3 of this topic).
b. Logical connection: This deals with the ways the different types of software are joined together to
enable the flow (movement) of data, information and instructions between different types of devices
in a network.
The way data, information and instructions moves among devices determines the ‘logical network
topology’ created (implemented).
If either physical or logical connection is missing, then a network will not exist.
Class Exercise 1
(a) Why is a computer network described as ‘a physical and logical connection of two or more different
types computers, other ICT devices and software’.
(b) Differentiate between physical connection and logical connection
(c) Can a computer network operate if one of the two connections is not implemented?
(d) State the reason for your answer in question (a)
WHAT IS THE PUPRPOSE OF COMPUTER NETWORKS?
The main purpose of a network is to:
 Share resources.
There are two types of resources shared on a network; these are:
a. Hardware resources
Examples are:
i. Printers. (Printing)
ii. Scanners. (Scanning)
iii. Internal and external storage devices and media. (Storage)
iv. Microprocessors. (Processing)
b. Software resources
Examples are:
i. Application programs. (PowerPoint, games, etc.)
ii. Utility programs. (Anti-virus, file manager, etc.)
iii. Files. (Audio, video, pictures, documents, spreadsheets, etc.)

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WHAT ARE THE WAYS OF CONNECTING?
There are three ways of connecting hardware into a network. These are as follows
a. Wired
This use a special kind of data cable called:
 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Ethernet cable.

Image 1: Parts of an Ethernet cable

It consists of eight (8) lines. Each line carries a bit (binary digit). Therefore, the cable carries 8 bits in
parallel mode which is 1 byte or 1 character. Bytes are carried in serial mode along the cable.

8 bits = 1 byte = 1 character;

Therefore 8 bits = 1 character

The eight lines are grouped into pairs and twisted together. This is to prevent electromagnetic
interference of data flowing each line known as ‘crosstalk’.
Class Exercise 2
(a) How many bytes make up the following characters:
i. G
ii. Up
iii. 4567
iv. Me&you@241
(b) How many bit make up the following characters:
i. G
ii. Up
iii. 4567
iv. Me&you@241
(c) A computer transmits 64 bits at once. How many characters are transmitted at the same time?
(d) Victoria typed a character in her document which was interpreted by the computer as 00110101.
Using the table below, what character did she type? (hint convert the binary number into base ten)
Character K Z W Y
Weight 45 54 53 35
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b. Wireless
Wireless refers to not using any form of physical wire or cable to connect different computer and ICT
hardware.

Image 2: Wireless makes use of radio waves

Instead, this use radio frequency technology. There are different types of technologies in use, some
of them are:
i. Bluetooth
ii. Wifi
iii. Radio frequency identification (RFiD)
iv. GPRS
c. Optical
The word optical means ‘light’.
This uses a special type of cable called
 Optic fibre cable

Image 3: Parts of a Fibre optic cable

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 It is through this cable that a special type of light called LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation) travels carrying data and information in digital format. The type of LASER used
is a Class One.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
A computer network has some advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons)
a. Advantages
i. There is sharing of expensive hardware and software resources among computers and users.
ii. Data, information and programs are shared.
iii. There is faster communication.
iv. Data processing is done in a short time.
v. Allows for easier collaboration on projects that need more than one end-user.
vi. Acts as an easy source for backing up important data and information.
vii. Saves on costs by cutting down the repetitive purchasing of certain hardware and software.
viii. Increases the processing and storage capacity of client computers
b. Disadvantages
i. It can be costly or expensive to setup.
ii. Requires constant maintenance.
iii. Security of important data and information can be compromised.
iv. Network failure due to hardware or software failure.
v. Easy spreads malicious software (malware) among the computers on a network

Class Exercise 3
(a) What type of connection would you use for connecting computers and ICT devices …
i. Within the same room.
ii. In building A to those in building B across the car park.
iii. In Kasama, Zambia to those in Cairo, Egypt.
(b) Explain each of your choices made in question (a)
(c) Give three advantages and two disadvantages of using:
i. Ethernet cables.
ii. Radio waves.
iii. Fibre optic cables.

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