cooly Computer Networks - | chapter In This Chapter | k f 10.1 Introduction 10.6 Data Communication 10.2 Computer Networks — Terminologies t An Introduction 10.7. Transmission Media k 10.3 Types of Networks 10.8 Network Topologies | 10.4 Evolution of Networking 10.9 Identifying Nodes on a I 10.5 Switching Techniques ‘Computer Network 10.1 introduction stter results, better 'n the history of mankind, networking in any oe ee a a i anit. st , outcomes and better utilization of resources. For in available at the bookshop near human networks e.g., you want to buy a certain book, ae ot she can buy it for you as this You. But your friend, who lives in a ais last i el gree to this and the next day in book i okshop near his house, -price, Both are happy —he is school, haga eee 7 you and you pay to him aon cena. ).See, es is tappy tohelp; you ae happy to get tne BOOK a sn orkng is no exception, ‘2 useful; in fact, networking is useful in all forms i etinctions among computers make Connections ‘among humans make human network an ‘omputer networks. tworks, their structures, types, \ntis chapter, we shall talk about the basics of computer ne "°pologies and so forth. 409 @ scanned with OKEN Scanner410 COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH PYTHON 10.2 Computer Networks - An Introduction Two or more autonomous! computing devices conn nformation or share resources, one another in order to exchange form a computer network. For example, if ected to in your home, you oe ny [compuree Nerwon, ‘A computer network i, collection of interconnctey can connect your smartphone, your laptop with your smart TV, Autonomous computing gaming consoie and a printer simultaneously either using cables 92540 exchange information for through WiFi, it will be termed as a Computer Network, resources. Figure 10.1 shows a sample computer network. Broadband modem (to internet connection) Ethernet or ‘Computer 1 USB cable Ethernet wii cable ia Computer 2 Entertainment Computer 3 Advantages of Networks % Share resources : such * Can share software : ‘sprinters and scanners. Software can be installed This is cheaper than centrally rather than on buying equipment for teach machine, Metering ‘each computer. software can then be used tolimtthe number ofcopies being run at any one time. This &s much cheaper than buying leanses for every % Share storage — being _* Improve communications | ‘ble to access Mes from Messages ean be sent ‘any machines on the network ¢ g. intemal o Can shere data, fees. Figure 10.1 (a) A sample computer network, consoles. Disadvantages of Networks 4 The systems are more sophisticated and complex Torun, This can add lo costs, ‘and you may need specialist Staff to run the network. Bra > nets ae bay managed series ca Deoate numa ard prodotti % If software and files are held centrally, it may be impossible to cary out any work if the central ‘server fails. People become roliant on the communicators, if hese fail can cause havoc. % File securiy is more Important especialy. if ‘connected to WANS 2.9. protection from vines. (©) Advantages and disadvantages of computer networks. Computer networks are very useful in many ways. They facilitate resource sharing (resources such as storage, software etc. on the network can be shared), enhanced communication (communicating with devices on a network is easier), cost reduction (resource sharing cuts on costs) an so forth. Figure 10.1(b) shows some advantages and disadvantages of computer networks. 10.2.1 Components of a Computer Network Merely by joining two computers with a cable won't form a network. In fact, there are many components that together make a network. We are briefly discussing below, the major components of a computer network. 5 cement OTE 1 Please note that now onwards, We; sha Use the terms ‘computer network # ‘network’ interchangeably. It means that no computing device on a network can start, stop or control other device(s). @ scanned with OKEN Scannernents of a Computer Networks are : 7 we osta/Nades (such a8 PC, laptops, smartphones etc) qy sevess fo clients Network hardware (such as NIC, router switch, hb ete.) () communication channel (such as cables, radio-links etc.) Software (such as protocols, netvork operating system ete) {Network services (such as BNS, File-sharing etc). bout these, briefly. (0) Host or Nodes. The term host or node refers to the computers that are attached {0 a network and are secking omhare the resources of the network. So your PCs, faptops, smartphones etc: when connect to a network, et us talk pecome hosts (i) Server. A server is responsible for making the senvorking tasks happen. In other words, a server facilitates Mepworking, tasks like sharing of data, | resource-sharing, ermicntion amnorg hosts etc. There can be wo types oF srs - dedicated and non-dedicated servers. You will read about them later. (6)Clients. A client computer isa host computer that Inother words, a server computer (d) Network Hardware. © NIC (Network Interface Card). It is ane! to establish network connections. Every NI the MAC address, which is a 6-byte (48 bits) ad ‘An NIC is also called Network Interface Unit © Hub, switch, router. These network devices are uses © many others. Hosts in a network int () Communication channel. ication met through a communication channel or commu can either be wired or wireless : cation channels. When hosts © Wired Communit ike network cables, another through guided media Ti channel/medium. Examples of wired communication me fibre-optic cables. © Wireless Communication channels. . another through unguided media Ii communication channel/medium. dia are When hosts Examples of wireless communication media are: infrared waves, laser etc. Different types of hardware required twork card (hard 1C card has a unique physical address |dress assigned (NIU) or ‘Terminal Access Point (TAP) .d to connect nodes with network. teract wil sdium, The communication channels ke radio waves, satellite etc, it is 411 OTE ‘A computer becomes a workstation of a network as soon as itis attached toa network. [seaver server computer that faciitatesthe Sinn of dato, software, and fondware resources (9. printers, ‘modems etc.} on the network, is, termed as a Server. 7 requests for some services from a server. serves the requests of client computers. in a network are : ware) attached to a host so as called by the NIC manufacturer. th other hosts and server(s) and server(s) are connected with one it is called a wired communication : twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables, and server(s) are connected with one called a wireless icrowaves, radio waves, satellites, @ scanned with OKEN Scanner412 COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH PYTHON — y (f) Software. The software layers of a network make networking possible. These comprise of network protocols, network operating system etc. A protocol refers to a pre-decided set of rules using which all parties of a network connect and interact with one another. A network operating system is a specialized operating system that can handle networking tasks, (g) Network Services. These refer to the applications that provide different functionalities over a network, such as DNS (Domain Name System), File sharing, VoIP (Voice over IP) and many more. Armed with this basic knowledge of computer networks, let us further our discussion by talking about types of networks. @ scanned with OKEN Scanner