Computer Networks – Mid Term Overview
This portion is for basic understanding.
Q: What is computer networking?
“Interconnected computing devices that can exchange data and share resources with each
other”
These networked devices use a system of rules and regulations called communication protocols,
to transmit information over physical or wireless technologies.
Example: computer, mobile, laptops etc. are the devices and internet is a global network of
devices.
Q: What are the key components of computer network?
1. Devices (nodes): Computer, printer, server, mobile etc.
2. Connections (links): Wired (Ethernet), Wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).
3. Network Protocols: Rules governing data transmission (HTTP, TCP/IP, FTP)
4. Network architecture: Topology LAN, MAN, WAN)
5. Network devices: Routers, Hub, Switch, gateways, bridge, NIC (network Interface card)
Q: Types of computer network:
1. Local Area Network (LAN): Small, localized network (home, office, university)
2. Wide Area Network (WAN): Larger network spanning cities or countries (internet)
3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): network covering a city or town (metro buses… for
understanding not as an example)
4. Wireless Network (WLAN): Network using wireless communication
5. Virtual Private Network (VPN): Secure, encrypted network over the internet.
Q: Types of Network Architecture?
Computer network design falls under two broad categories:
1- Client – Server architecture:
In this type of computer network,
Nodes may be clients or servers
Server nodes provide resources (storage, processing power, memory, data) to client nodes.
Server nodes manage client nodes behavior
Client may communicate with each other but they can’t share resources.
Example:
Some computer devices in enterprise networks store data and configuration settings.
These devices are the servers in the network. Clients may access this data by making a
request to the server machine.
2- Peer-to-peer (P2P):
Connected computers have equal powers and privileges.
No central server for coordination
Each device can act as either server or client
Each peer may share some of its resources (memory and processing power) with the
entire computer network.
All the network topologies (Star, bus, mesh, tree) if they are not using central server,
they are connected in p2p architecture.
Every node is independent
Example:
Some companies use P2P architecture to host memory-consuming applications,
such as 3-D graphic rendering, across multiple digital devices.
Q: Network Topology and types:
“Network topology refers to the physical and logical arrangement of devices and connections
within a network. It describes how devices, such as computers, printers, and routers, are
interconnected to form a network.”
1- Mesh Topology:
Every device is connected to another device via a particular channel.
Protocols used AHCP, DHCP
Advantages:
Fast communication
Fault diagnosed easily
Data is reliable because data is transmitted using dedicated channels and links
Provides security and privacy
Disadvantages:
Installation and configuration are difficult
Cost of maintenance is high.
Suitable for a smaller number of devices.
2- Star Topology
All the devices are connected to a single hub through a cable.
Hub can be replaced with a Switch as the central device in a star design.
Switcher Star Network Topology is another name for the star network created with
Switch.
Advantages:
Number of cables are same as for the devices
Easy to fault identification and fault isolation.
Cost-effective
Disadvantages:
Performance is based on the single concentrator.
Cost of installation is high
If the central device fails all the network will fail.
3- Bus Topology
Every computer and network device is connected to a single cable.
It is bi-directional
Non-robust topology because if the backbone fails the topology crashes.
Advantages:
o Cost of cable is low
o Familiar topology
o Fast communication
Disadvantages:
If the common cable fails all the system crashes
Adding new devices to the network would slow down networks.
Low Security.
4- Ring Topology
Forms a ring connecting devices with exactly two neighboring devices.
A number of repeaters are used for Ring topology with a large number of nodes,
because if someone wants to send some data to the last node in the ring topology with
100 nodes, then the data will have to pass through 99 nodes to reach the 100th node.
To prevent data loss repeaters are used in the network.
Advantages:
High-speed data transmission
Cheap to install and expand
Possibility of collision is minimum
Less costly
Disadvantages:
Less secure
Failure of single network crashes the whole network
Troubleshooting is difficult
Addition or removal of stations can affect the whole topology.
5- Tree Topology
Variation of star topology
Hierarchical flow of data
Data flow from top to bottom
Advantages:
It allows more devices to be attached to a single central hub, thus decreases the distance
Isolate the computer and prioritize the data
We can add new devices to the existing network
Error detection and correction is easy
Disadvantages:
If the central hub fails entire system fails
Cost is high
When new devices add, it become difficult to reconfigure.
6- Hybrid Topology
The combination of all types of topologies.
Advantages:
Topology is flexible
Size easily can b extended by adding new devices
Disadvantages:
Challenging to design
Hubs used in this topology is quite expensive
Cost is high
Q: Network devices?
Network devices or hardware are physical devices that allow computer network to communicate
and interact with one another.
1. Modem
Device that enables computer to send or receive data over telephone or cable lines.
Data stored on computer is digital whereas a telephone line or cable wires can transmit
only analog data.
Main Function of modem is to convert digital signal into analog vice versa
Modem combination of 2 devices
o Modulator (convert digital signal to analog)
o Demodulator (convert analog to digital)
2. Hub
Multi-port repeater
Connects multiple wires
Can’t filter data, so data packets are sent to all connected devices
They don’t have intelligence to find out best path
Types of hubs are Active, Passive and Intelligent Hub
3. Switch
Multiport bridge with a buffer
Its design can boast the efficiency and performance
A switch is a data link layer device
Perform error checking before forwarding the data
An intelligent device
Some Types of switches are
o Managed Switch
o Unmanaged Switch
o Smart switch
o Layer 2 switch
o Modular switch
4. Router
Device like switch
Routes data packets based on their IP address
Mainly a network layer device
Normally connects LAN and WAN
Divides the broadcast domains of host connected to it
Usage of all network devices
Q: OSI layers Over View
