UNIT 1: Introduction of Computer Network

Applications of Computer Networks

Some of the applications of Computer Networking are discussed below:
 Resource Sharing: Resource Sharing is one of the important applications of Computer Networking.
You can share a single software among Multiple users. We can also share Hardware Devices via this
technique.
 Communication: Communication Medium means various ways through which we can communicate
like Email Calls, broadcasts, etc.
 Home Applications: Home Applications are an important application of Computer Networking.
Examples are User-to-User Communication, Entertainment, E-Commerce, etc.
 Business Applications: Business Application is also an important application of Computer
Networking. Almost all companies are doing business online with the help of Computer Networking.
 Social media: social media is one of the recent and widely used applications of Computer
Networking. It helps people in getting news, feed, current trending topics of all types, etc.
 Access to Remote Information: Computer Networking helps in accessing remote information from
the end-users. For Example. details required for train tickets, plane tickets, etc.
 Cloud Computing: Computer Networking has facilitated the development of cloud computing,
which allows users to store and access data and applications from remote servers via the internet.
 Virtualization: Networking technologies also enable virtualization, which allows multiple virtual
machines to run on a single physical machine, improving resource utilization and reducing costs.
 Online Education: Computer Networking has revolutionized education by providing online learning
platforms, distance education, and virtual classrooms.
 Remote Working: Networking technologies have enabled remote working, allowing employees to
work from home or other locations outside of the office. This has become especially important
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 E-commerce: Computer Networking has facilitated the growth of e-commerce by allowing
businesses to sell their products and services online and reach a global market.
 Telemedicine: Networking technologies have also enabled telemedicine, allowing doctors and
healthcare providers to provide remote medical consultations and diagnosis to patients in remote
locations.
 Real-time Collaboration: Networking technologies enable real-time collaboration, allowing people
to work together on projects and share information in real-time, no matter where they are located.
 Network hardware
An interconnection of multiple devices, also known as hosts, that are connected using multiple paths for
the purpose of sending/receiving data or media. Computer networks can also include multiple
devices/mediums which help in the communication between two different devices; these are known
as Network devices and include things such as routers, switches, hubs, and bridges.

Various Network devices are:

1. Router
 Connects multiple networks (like home network to the internet).
 Directs data packets to their correct destination.
 Can have both wired and wireless connectivity.
2. Switch
 Connects devices within a network (like computers in an office).
 Forwards data only to the specific device it is meant for.
 No wireless connectivity.
3. Hub
 A hub is a multi-port repeater. A hub connects multiple wires coming from different branches,
for example, the connector in star topology which connects different stations.
 Hubs cannot filter data, so data packets are sent to all connected devices. In other words, the
collision domain of all hosts connected through hub remains one.
 Hub does not have any routing table to store the data of ports and map destination addresses.,
the routing table is used to send/broadcast information across all the ports.
4. Bridge
 Connects and filters traffic between two networks or segments.
 Helps reduce network traffic.
5. Gateway
 Connects two different types of networks.
 Translates data between different protocols.
6. Access Point (AP)
 Provides wireless connectivity to devices.
 Extends a wired network into a Wi-Fi network.
7. Modem
  Converts digital data from a computer into signals for phone/cable lines and vice versa.
 Provides internet access.
8. Firewall
 Monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.
 Provides security by blocking unauthorized access.

2.2 Classification of Network Hardware

Network hardware can be classified as:
1. End Devices
2. Connecting Devices
3. Security Devices
4. Transmission Devices

2.3 End Devices

1. Network Interface Card (NIC)
 Hardware component installed in a computer or device.
 Provides a physical interface to the network.
 Has a unique MAC address.
 Can be wired (Ethernet NIC) or wireless (Wi-Fi NIC).
Without NIC, a device cannot communicate on a network.

2.4 Connecting Devices (Core Network Hardware)

2.4.1 Hub
 A multi-port repeater.
 Works at Physical Layer.
 Broadcasts data to all connected devices.
 Does not understand MAC or IP addresses.
 Causes collisions and network congestion.
Disadvantages
 Low security
 High traffic
  Obsolete device
Used only for learning purposes.

2.4.2 Switch
 Works at Data Link Layer.
 Uses MAC address table.
 Sends data only to the intended destination device.
 Reduces collisions and improves performance.
Types of Switch
 Unmanaged switch
 Managed switch (VLAN, QoS support)
Most commonly used LAN device.

2.4.3 Router
 Works at Network Layer.
 Uses IP addresses.
 Connects multiple networks.
 Maintains a routing table.
 Selects the best path for data packets.
Functions
 Packet forwarding
 Path selection
 Network isolation
Connects LAN to WAN (Internet).

2.4.4 Bridge
 Works at Data Link Layer.
 Connects two LAN segments.
 Filters traffic using MAC addresses.
 Reduces unnecessary traffic.
Conceptually replaced by switches.

2.4.5 Gateway
 Works at all OSI layers (Layer 4–7 mostly).
 Connects different types of networks.
 Performs protocol translation.
 Example: Email gateway, Internet gateway.
Acts as a “translator” between networks.

2.4.6 Repeater
 Works at Physical Layer.
 Regenerates and amplifies weak signals.
 Extends network distance.
Does not understand data — only signals.
2.4.7 Modem (Modulator–Demodulator)
 Converts digital → analog and analog → digital signals.
 Required for Internet access via ISP.
 Examples: DSL modem, Cable modem.
Used between router and ISP.

2.4.8 Access Point (AP)

 Provides wireless connectivity.
 Connects Wi-Fi devices to wired network.
 Works as a bridge between wired and wireless networks.
Used in colleges, offices, public Wi-Fi.

2.5 Security Devices

2.5.1 Firewall
 Security hardware or software.
 Monitors incoming and outgoing traffic.
 Allows or blocks traffic based on rules.
Types
 Hardware firewall
 Software firewall
Protects network from unauthorized access.

2.6 Summary Table (Very Important for DBATU Exams)

Device OSI Layer Main Function
NIC Layer 1 & 2 Connect device to network
Hub Layer 1 Broadcast data
Switch Layer 2 MAC-based forwarding
Router Layer 3 IP-based routing
Bridge Layer 2 Segment LAN
Gateway All layers Protocol translation
Repeater Layer 1 Signal regeneration
Modem Layer 1 Digital ↔ Analog
Access Point Layer 2 Wireless access
Firewall Layer 3–7 Network security

Network Software