After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

1. know the basics of networking;

2. compare the difference among network;
3. appreciate the importance of the basics of networking.

DIRECTION: Read the following statement carefully. Choose the best answer by
encircling your answer.

1. It is a collection of computers and devices connected together so that they can

exchange information or share resources.
a. Internet c. Google
b. Facebook d. Network
2. On a __________ network, all of the computers and devices connects to a central
device.
a. Ring c. Bus
b. Star d. Mesh
3. A ______________ refers to the layout of the computers and devices in a
communication network.
a. Network Architecture c. Network Standards
b. Network Topology d. Network Protocols
4. Which of the following is not true about bus network?
a. All of the computers and devices connects to a central device.
b. It transmits data, instructions and information in both directions.
c. Computers and devices can be attached or detached at any point.
d. Failure of one device usually does not affect the rest.
5. It is a standard that allows users connected to a network exchange money from
one account to another.
a. VAN c. EFT
b. EDI d. LAN
 • Last module talked about the Managing waste electrical and electronic
equipment (WEEE) in the Philippines. The Philippines is a typical importer and
exporter of both new and used electrical and electronic equipment (EEE),
including scrap materials. As technology for commercial, industrial, household
and appliances are evolving rapidly on a global scale, the amount of waste
electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) and hazardous substances generated
from the source materials involved in manufacturing and usage are increasing.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has established
the ESM Guidelines of WEEEs in recognition of the impact of these products, in
part or in full, on human health and the environment.

• In addition, there is a vital need to address WEEE management, particularly in

developing countries where the informal and unorganized sectors are attracted
by the presence of valuable recyclable components. Owing to their dangerous
and environmentally precarious activities, they pose great threats to health and
the climate.

THE BASIC OF NETWORKING

The first computer network was invented when ancient mathematicians
associated their abacuses or abaci with kite string so they could immediately share
their information with each other. The concept of linking these devices over the years
have become the very foundation of the concept of computer network nowadays.
Throughout the years, the longing for a better and faster way of sharing
information have become more complicated. Instead of using strings, people use
electrical cables to connect devices to each other. Nowadays, we use fiber optic
cables and wireless radio signal for faster communication. Whether we use strings or
cables, the purpose remains the same: sharing information and getting work done
faster.
This module describes the basics of what computer networking is and how it
works.

DEFINING A NETWORK
A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together so that
they can exchange information (like email messages and documents) or share
resources (like disk storage and printers).
 A network can be internal to an organization or company or span the world by
connecting to the Internet.

WHY DO BUSINESSMEN CREATE THEIR OWN NETWORK?

Facilitate communications
No one would ever deny the fact that communication is more efficient in the
business industry when using a network. It would be an advantage for a businessman
to communicate over a network which is faster than a physical mail sent through the
mailbox. People communicate efficiently and easily via email, instant messaging, chat
rooms, blogs, wikis, online social networks, video calls, online meetings,
videoconferencing, Voice over IP, wireless messaging services etc. Some messages
might occur within an internal network or maybe in a secured network
communication.

Share Hardware
Each computer or device connected to a network can be provided access to
hardware over the network. For example, each computer and mobile device user can
access a printer on the network every time they need it. It would be easier and
cheaper to install one printer that could be use by all computers in a network than to
install one printer for each computer in a company. Thus, home and business users
create networks to save money on hardware expenses.

Share Data and Information

In a network, any authorized users can access data and information like files,
proposals, financial reports, confidential information about the contract, memorandum
and even the customers’ information stored over a network.
Most businesses use a standard such as EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) that
defines how business documents can be transmitted across a network. For instance,
they use EDI to send bids and proposals or place and track orders like sending a sales
invoice.

Share Software
Similar with sharing hardware resources, any authorized users connected to a
network can also access the servers’ software resource. For example, the whole
network now is sharing resources on a particular software like MS Office, Photoshop,
GIMP etc.
To support multiple users’ software access, vendors like Microsoft often sell
versions of their software designed to run on a network. The network versions of
software may cost less than buying individual copies. It depends on the network
license a company would purchase. Network License is a legal agreement that allows
multiple users to access the software on a server simultaneously. The fee usually is
based on the number of computers attached to a network.

Transfer Fund
Everyone knows about the GCASH or Paymaya and how it works. Both
application use a standard called EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) that allows users
connected to a network exchange money from one account to another. Other
examples include wire transfers, use of credit cards and debit cards, online banking
and online bill payment.

VALUE-ADDED NETWORK
Instead of using the Internet or investing in and administering an internal
network, some companies hire a value-added network provider for network functions.
A value-added network (VAN) provider is a third-party business that provides
network services such as EDI services, secure data and information transfer, storage,
or email. A VAN is a closed network, which means only members of the network can
access the data. Typical provider of VANs includes the telecommunication companies,
industry groups and specialized service providers.

NETWORK TOPOLOGY
A network topology refers to the layout of the computers and devices in a
communication network. The three basic network topologies are star, bus and ring.
Most networks, including the internet, use the combinations of these basic topologies.

Star Network Topology

• All of the computers and devices on a star network connects to a central

device. This central device may be a hub or a switch.

• Any devices or computers connected to a network is called a node.

• All the data that has been transmitted from one node will pass through the
central device before reaching the other node.
 • Nodes can be added or removed from the network with little or no disruption to
the entire network.

• Star network are fairly easy to install and maintain.

What will happen if a node or the central device fails on a star network? If one
node fails, only that node is affected. The other nodes continue to operate normally.
However, if the central device fails, the entire network is inoperable until the device is
repaired.

Bus Network Topology

• The bus has a single central cable (physical cable) to which all computers and
other devices connected.

• It transmits data, instructions and information in both directions.

• Bus network are cheap and easy to install.
• Computers and devices can be attached or detached at any point on the bus.

• Failure of one device usually does not affect the rest of the bus network.

What is the greatest risk to a bus network? If the bus itself become inoperable,
the network remains inoperable until the bus is back in working order.

Ring Network Topology

• On a ring network, a cable forms a closed loop (ring) with all computers and
devices.

• Data is being transmitted from one device to other around the entire ring in one
direction.

• If one computer on a ring network fails, the entire network could stop
functioning.
DIRECTION: Read each statement below carefully. Write T if the statement is true.
Supply the correct word for the underlined word if the statement is false. Use the group
of words below for your answer.
_________1. Network is a collection of computers and devices connected together so
that they can exchange information or share resources.
_________2. EDI allows the users connected to a network to exchange money from one
account to another.
_________3. The three basic network topologies are star, mesh and ring.
_________4. All of the computers and devices on a bus network connects to a central
device. This central device may be a hub or a switch.
_________5. If one node fails in a star network, only that node is affected. The other
nodes continue to operate normally.

>Internet >EFT >Star

>VAN >Bus >Ring

A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together so that they

can exchange information (like email messages and documents) or share resources (like
disk storage and printers).
Many home and business users create a network to facilitate communications,
share hardware, share data and information, share software and transfer fund.
Electronic Fund Transfer is a standard that allows users connected to a network
exchange money from one account to another.
A value-added network (VAN) provider is a third-party business that provides
network services such as EDI services, secure data and information transfer, storage, or
email. A VAN is a closed network, which means only members of the network can access
the data. Typical provider of VANs includes the telecommunication companies, industry
groups and specialized service providers.
A network topology refers to the layout of the computers and devices in a
communication network. The three basic network topologies are star, bus and ring. Most
networks, including the internet, use the combinations of these basic topologies.
DIRECTION: Read the following statement carefully. Write your answer in two to three
sentences each number.

1. What is the importance of knowing the basics of networking?

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

2. Cite a situation in which you can apply the knowledge of the different topologies.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

DIRECTION: Read the following statement carefully. Choose the best answer by
encircling your answer.

1. It is a collection of computers and devices connected together so that they can

exchange information or share resources.
a. Internet c. Google
b. Facebook d. Network
2. On a __________ network, all of the computers and devices connects to a central
device.
a. Ring c. Bus
b. Star d. Mesh

3. A ______________ refers to the layout of the computers and devices in a communication

network.
a. Network Architecture c. Network Standards
b. Network Topology d. Network Protocols
 4. Which of the following is not true about bus network?
a. All of the computers and devices connects to a central device.
b. It transmits data, instructions and information in both directions.
c. Computers and devices can be attached or detached at any point.
d. Failure of one device usually does not affect the rest.
5. It is a standard that allows users connected to a network exchange money from
one account to another.
a. VAN c. EFT
b. EDI d. LAN

REFERENCES
Vermaat, S. Sebok, S., and Freund, S. 2014. Discovering Computers: Technology in a
World of Computers, Mobile Devices, and the
Internet. Boston: Course Technology, Cengage Learning