COMPUTER NETWORK

Computer refers to information tool, and network describes

how the computers exchange that information
Network is a set of devices (often referred as nodes)
connected by communication links. It consists of two or more
computers that are linked in order to share resources ,
exchange files, or allow electronic communications.

NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
Topology
- comes form the Greek word topos, which means place
- refers to the configuration of cables, computers, and other
peripherals. It is the geometric representation describing the
relationship of all the links and linking devices, called nodes, to one
another.

COMPUTER NETWORK CLASSIFICATION

1. by Physical Size:
a) LAN local area network
b) MAN metroplolitan area network
c) WAN - Wide Area Network
2. by Topology : describes physical layout of computers,
cables, and other devices
a) Bus topology
b) Star toplogy
c) Ring topology
d) Mesh topology
3. by Security:
a) network based on workgroups (devices control their own
security)
b) network based on servers
4. by Network Architecture:
a) Ethernet
b) Token Ring
c) Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) networks
5. by Network Protocol:
a) Internet Protocol (IP)
b) Internet Packet Exchange (IPX)
c) Systems Network Architecture (SNA)
d) AppleTalk Networks

Node active device connected to the network, such as a computer or

a printer.
- it can also be a piece of networking equipment such as a
hub, switch or a router.

Application/Uses of Computer Network

1. Sharing of Resources
2. Sharing of information
3. Person-to-person communication
4. E-business/ online business
5. Online Games/ Interactive entertainment
Computer Network Advantages
1. Speed
2. Cost-effective
3. Security
4. Software management centralization
5. Sharing of resources
6. Electronic mail
7. Flexible Access
8. Workgroup Computing
Computer Network Disadvantages
1. It is expensive to install
2. It requires Administrative Time
3. The server may fail
LINE CONFIGURATION is a way to connect two or more
communication devices attached to a link
2 TYPES OF LINE CONFIGURATIONS
1.

2.

Point-to-point connection refers to a direct connection

between two, and only two locations or nodes. In this type of
line configuration, a dedicated link between two devices is
provided.

Multipoint it is also called as multidrop. There are more

than two specific devices share a single link. It is controlled
by a primary station, and the other nodes are considered
secondary. It is often used in IBMs SNA (Systems Network
Architecture).

Basic network topologies:

1. Bus Topology
2. Ring Topology
3. Star Topology
4. Mesh Topology
Extended network topologies
1. Tree Topology
2. Hybrid Topology
BUS TOPOLOGY (LINEAR BUS TOPOLOGY or HORIZONTAL
TOPOLOGY)
a topology which allows all network nodes to receive the
same message through the network cable at the same time.
All nodes/stations are connected to common link/medium.
Communication goes both direction along the line
It is a multipoint configuration:
One long cable acts as a backbone to link all the devices in a
network.
Nodes are connected to the bus by drop lines and tap.
Drop line connection running between a device and the
main cable.
Tap a connector that either splices into the main cable or
punctures the sheathing of a cable to create a contact with
the metallic core.
Bus network network that uses a bus topology

Advantages:
1. Easy to install and connect
2. Cheaper
3. If any computer or device being down, it does not affect
the aothers
4. Fast relative to ring topology
Disadvantages:
1. cant connect a large number of computers
2. difficult faulty isolation
3. collision may occur
4. signal reflection at the taps can cause degradation in
quality
5. entire network shuts down is there is a break in the main
cable
6. Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone
cable
7. Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a
large building
RING TOPOLOGY
- In ring topology, each device has a dedicated point-to-point line
configuration only with the two devices on either side of it.
- It forms a closed loop or circle
- Each device or computer in the ring incorporates a repeater.
- Token passing is used in Token Ring networks. The token is passed
from one computer to the next, only the computer with the token can
transmit. The receiving computer strips the data from the token and
sends the token back to the sening computer with an
acknowledgment.

Advantages:
1. Less expensive since it requires less cabling
2. Fault isolation is simplified.
Disadvantages
1. Traffic is unidirectional
2. If one node goes down, it takes down the whole network
3. Slow
4. To add one node, the whole network must be down first
and after addition the network starts working

Advantages:
1. Easy to install, reconfigure and wire
2. If one link fails, only that link is affected
3. Faster relative to ring topology
4. Multiple devices can transfer data without collision
5. Eliminates traffic problem of bus topology
6. No disruptions to the network then connecting or
removing devices
7. Easy to detect faults and to remove parts
8. Supported by several hardware and software vendors
Disadvantages in addition to star topology:
1. More devices can be attached due to secondary hub or
switch
2. Due to secondary devices distance signal can travel are
increases

STAR TOPOLOGY
The devices are not directly linked to one another
It does not allow direct traffic between devices. Each device
has a dedicated point-to-point link to central controller, called
a hub or switch
If one device wants to send data to another, it sends the data
to the controller, which then relays the data to the other
connected device
The hub or concentrator manages and controls all functions
of the network. It also acts as a repeater for the data flow

HYBRID TOPOLOGY
It is composed of one or more interconnections of two or
more networks that are based upon different physical
topologies or a type of network topology.
Advantages:
1. Easy to install, reconfigure and wire
2. If one link fails, only that link is affected
3. Fast relative to ring and bus topology
4. Multiple devices can transfer data without collision
5. Eliminates traffic problem
6. No disruptions to the network then connecting or removing
devices
7. Easy to detect faults and to remove parts
8. Supported by several hardware and software vendors
Disadvantages:
1. If the central node (hub or switch) goes down then entire
network goes down
2. More cabling is required than bus topology, thus expensive
than bus topology
3. More expensive than bus topologies because of cost of the
concentrators (hub or switch)
MESH TOPOLOGY
Each device has a dedicated point-to-point link to every other
device
The mesh topology connects each computer on the network
to the others
Fully connected mesh network has n(n 1)/2 links for n
devices. Every device on the network must have n1
input/output (I/O) ports.

CATEGORIES OF NETWORK
1. Local Area Network (LAN)
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
3. Wide Area Network (WAN)
Factors that determine types of network:
1. size of the network
2. ownership
3. distance covered
4. physical architecture
LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)

Advantages:
1. Each connection can carry its own data load due to
dedicated link
2. Eliminates traffic problem
3. If one link becomes unusable, it doesnt affect other
systems
4. Privacy or security because of dedicated line
5. Point-to-point link make fault identification easy
Disadvantages
1. More cables are required than other topologies
2. n1 Input/Output ports are required for n devices
3. Installation and reconfiguration is very difficult
4. Expensive due to hardware requirements such as cables
and input/output ports
TREE TOPOLOGY (OR HIERARCHICAL TOPOLOGY)
It is a variation of star topology.
In this topology, not every device plugs to the central hub.
Majority of devices connect to a secondary hub that in turn is
connected to the central hub.

a group of computers/devices and associated peripheral

devices connected by a communications channel, capable for
sharing files and other resources among several users
It is usually privately owned and links the devices located in
the same room, on the same floor, or in the same building.
LAN can have data rate 10 to 1000 Mbps.
They are limited to a specific geographical area, usually less
than 2 kilometers in diameter.
The most common LAN topologies are: bus, ring and star.
Transmission medium used: Twisted pair, Coaxial, Fiber optic
cable, wireless

METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN)

A public, high-speed network, capable of voice and data

transmission over a distance of up to 80 kilometers (50 miles)
MAN is smaller than a wide-area network (WAN) but larger
than a local-area network (LAN)
It is designed to extend over an entire city
MAN is a multiple local area networks (LANs) that are
connected on a campus or industrial complex, or within the

same city to form a citywide network for a specific

government or industry, using a high-speed backbone
Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) is a good network
technology for building a metropolitan area network.
MAN may be owned and operated by a private company

WIDE AREA NETWORK

It provides long-distance transmission of data, voice, image,

and video information over large geographical areas that may
comprise a country, or even whole world
It is composed of local area networks (LANs) or metropolitan
area networks (MANs) joined into a single large network.
WANs utilize public, leased, or private communication
devices
WAN that is wholly owned and used by a single company is
often referred to as an enterprise network.