What is a Computer Network?

A computer network refers to a set of devices (or hosts) that are interconnected to exchange
information (data) and resources. In simple terms, a computer network is a collection of multiple
computer systems linked together. A network connection can be wired (using cable) or wireless. We
can establish a computer network using hardware (cables, routers, switches, access points, etc.) and
software (operating systems or business applications).

Types of Computer Networks

Computer networks are divided into different categories:

1. Based on the communication medium

Wired Network: It uses cables to connect devices, such as laptops or desktop PCs, to the Internet or
another network. The different types of cables used in computer networks include coaxial, fiber
optic, Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP), Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable, etc.

Wireless Network: Computer networks that are not connected by any kind of cable are called
wireless networks. These networks establish use Radio Frequency (RF) connections between nodes
in the network. Examples include laptops with WLAN cards and TV remotes.

There are three types of deployment to create a wireless network: centralised, converged, and
cloud-based.

2. Based on the Geographical Area

Local Area Network (LAN): It is a set of computers connected in a small geographical or physical area
such as a building, office, or college. LANs are usually privately owned and managed.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): It is a larger version of LAN that spans over a bigger geographical
area, such as a town or a city. It can be used for connecting various offices of the same organization
that are spread over a city.

Wide Area Network (WAN): WAN is the largest network that spans countries, continents, or the
globe. For example, the Internet is the largest WAN that connects billions of computers worldwide.

Virtual Private Network (VPN): It is a secure, point-to-point connection between two network
endpoints. It extends a private network across a public network, allowing users to exchange data
across shared or public networks as if their systems were directly connected to the private network.

A VPN creates an encrypted channel that keeps identity, credentials, and data exchanged
inaccessible to hackers.

3. Based on the Type of Architecture

Peer-to-Peer network: In this network, all the computers are connected with similar capabilities and
configurations. It is typically used for small environments that have up to 10 computers.
This network does not have a dedicated central server. Special privileges are provided to each
computer for sharing the resources. However, this can result in problems if the computer with the
resource is down.

Client/Server Network: In this network, each computer or process is either a client or a server. End
users (clients) can access the resources from a central computer known as the server. All the clients
in this network communicate with each other through a server. The server manages all the
resources, such as files, directories, printers, network traffic, etc.

Hybrid Networks: This network is a combination of client-server and peer-to-peer architecture. For
example, Torrent.

What is Network Topology?

Network topology refers to the arrangement of the links and nodes of a network. A node is a device
that can send, receive, store, or forward data while a link connects nodes. A link can be cabled or
wireless.

Bus Topology: Each device is directly connected to the main cable. Data transmits from one end to
another in a single direction.

Ring Topology: Nodes are connected in a loop (ring structure). Every device has exactly two
neighbours. it forms a ring connecting devices with its exactly two neighbouring devices.

Star Topology: A cable connects Every device to a single central hub. The hub is the central node. All
other nodes are connected to the central node.

Mesh Topology: In a mesh network, every device is connected to another device through a particular
channel.
Tree Topology: It is a variation of star topology. It has a parent-child hierarchical flow of data in
which star networks are interconnected through bus networks.

Fully-connected Topology: There is a direct path between any two nodes.

What is a Network Device?

Various devices (mediums) help communicate between different hardware used in the computer
network. These mediums are called network devices or networking hardware. Some commonly used
network devices include:

Router: A router is a network switching device that sends the information in data packets between
networks. It analyzes data within the packets to identify the best way for the information to reach
the destination.

Switches: A switch connects devices within a network. It also forwards data packets between those
devices. A switch sends data to the single device it is intended for (it could be another switch, a
router, or a user’s computer) and not to networks of multiple devices.

The term switching refers to how data is transferred between devices in a network. There are three
types of switching:

 Circuit switching
 Packet switching
 Message switching

Hub: It is a physical layer networking device that connects multiple devices in a network. It is
typically used to connect computers in a LAN. A hub has multiple ports in it.

Bridge: A bridge helps connect multiple hosts or network segments. It stores and forwards frames
between the different segments that the bridge connects. A bridge works only at the physical and
data link layers of the OSI model.

Modem (modulator-demodulator): A modem transmits digital signals over analogue telephone lines.
It converts digital signals into analogue signals of different frequencies and transmits them to a
modem at the receiving location. The modem at the receiving end performs the reverse function and
sends a digital output to the device connected to the modem.

Transmission Modes: Transmission modes also known as communication modes, are methods of
transferring data between devices on buses and networks designed to facilitate communication.
They are classified into three types: Simplex Mode, Half-Duplex Mode, and Full-Duplex Mode.

Simplex Mode: In Simplex mode, the communication is unidirectional, as on a one-way street. Only
one of the two devices on a link can transmit, the other can only receive. The simplex mode can use
the entire capacity of the channel to send data in one direction.

Example: Keyboard and traditional monitors. The keyboard can only introduce input, the monitor
can only give the output.

Advantages of Simplex Mode

  Simplex mode is the easiest and most reliable mode of communication.
 It is the most cost-effective mode, as it only requires one communication channel.
 There is no need for coordination between the transmitting and receiving devices, which
simplifies the communication process.
 Simplex mode is particularly useful in situations where feedback or response is not required,
such as broadcasting or surveillance.

Disadvantages of Simplex Mode

 Only one-way communication is possible.

 There is no way to verify if the transmitted data has been received correctly.
 Simplex mode is not suitable for applications that require bidirectional communication.

Half-Duplex Mode

In half-duplex mode, each station can both transmit and receive, but not at the same time. When
one device is sending, the other can only receive, and vice versa. The half-duplex mode is used in
cases where there is no need for communication in both directions at the same time. The entire
capacity of the channel can be utilized for each direction.

Example: Walkie-talkie in which message is sent one at a time and messages are sent in both
directions.

Advantages of Half Duplex Mode

 Half-duplex mode allows for bidirectional communication, which is useful in situations

where devices need to send and receive data.
 It is a more efficient mode of communication than simplex mode, as the channel can be used
for both transmission and reception.
 Half-duplex mode is less expensive than full-duplex mode, as it only requires one
communication channel.

Disadvantages of Half Duplex Mode

 Half-duplex mode is less reliable than Full-Duplex mode, as both devices cannot transmit at
the same time.
 There is a delay between transmission and reception, which can cause problems in some
applications.
 There is a need for coordination between the transmitting and receiving devices, which can
complicate the communication process.

Full-Duplex Mode

In full-duplex mode, both stations can transmit and receive simultaneously. In full_duplex mode,
signals going in one direction share the capacity of the link with signals going in another direction,
this sharing can occur in two ways:
  Either the link must contain two physically separate transmission paths, one for sending and
the other for receiving.
 Or the capacity is divided between signals traveling in both directions.

Full-duplex mode is used when communication in both directions is required all the time. The
capacity of the channel, however, must be divided between the two directions.

Example: Telephone Network in which there is communication between two persons by a telephone
line, through which both can talk and listen at the same time.

Advantages of Full-Duplex Mode

 Full-duplex mode allows for simultaneous bidirectional communication, which is ideal for
real-time applications such as video conferencing or online gaming.
 It is the most efficient mode of communication, as both devices can transmit and receive
data simultaneously.
 Full-duplex mode provides a high level of reliability and accuracy, as there is no need for
error correction mechanisms.

Disadvantages of Full-Duplex Mode

 Full-duplex mode is the most expensive mode, as it requires two communication channels.
 It is more complex than simplex and half-duplex modes, as it requires two physically
separate transmission paths or a division of channel capacity.
 Full-duplex mode may not be suitable for all applications, as it requires a high level of
bandwidth and may not
be necessary for some
types of communication.
Internet:

Advantages of internet:

1. Instant access to information

2. Resources to learn
3. Upgrading lifestyles
4. Effortless communication
5. Socializing
6. Source of Earning

Disadvantages of internet:

1. Cyber breach
2. Lack of socialization
3. Identity theft
4. Addiction
5. Spread of Misinformation

Intranet

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

Extranat:

Advantages:
Disadvantages: