Q1.What is a computer network?

Explain the types of computer

networks?
Ans: A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection
of computers and devices interconnected by communications channels that
facilitate communications among users and allows users to share resources.

Computer networks can be used for a variety of purposes:

 Facilitating communications. Using a network, people can communicate

efficiently and easily via email, instant messaging, chat rooms, telephone,
video telephone calls, and video conferencing.
 Sharing hardware. In a networked environment, each computer on a
network may access and use hardware resources on the network, such as
printing a document on a shared network printer.

 Sharing files, data, and information. In a network environment,

authorized user may access data and information stored on other computers
on the network. The capability of providing access to data and information
on shared storage devices is an important feature of many networks.

 Sharing software. Users connected to a network may run

application programs on remote computers.

 Information preservation.

 Security.
The different types of networks can be classified according to two major
categories:

1)Scale:
Networks are often classified as local area network (LAN), wide area
network (WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), personal area
network (PAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), storage area
network (SAN), and others, depending on their scale, scope and purpose.
2)Functional relationship (network architecture):
Computer networks may be classified according to the functional relationships
which exist among the elements of the network, client–server and peer-to-
peer (workgroup) architecture.

Types of networks:

Common types of computer networks may be identified by their scale.

1)Local area network

A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices
in a limited geographical area such as home, school, computer laboratory, office
building, or closely positioned group of buildings. Each computer or device on
the network is a node.
Features of LAN:
 LAN uses NOS (Networking Operating System) , which ties all the
components together and makes operations transparent to user.
 LANs are wholly owned by an organization.
 LAN is a system of interlinked personal computers.
 A LAN works on the principle of load sharing because the program to be
executed is down loaded into the personal computer memory.
 LAN has a very limited geographic range normally less than 1 km.
Advantage of LAN
 It permits sharing of expensive hardware's
 LAN improves the productivity, because information storage, processing and
retrieval and other functionally can be improved.
 It provide cost effective multi-user computer environment.
 It provide high transmission rate to accommodate the needs of both user and
equipment.
 Error rate is very less because in-built method of detecting and compensating
for systems error is implied.
 It allows file/record locking.

Disadvantage of LAN
 Installation and reconfiguration always requires technical & skilled man
power.
 Due to sharing of resources, sometime operational speed may be slow down.
Insufficient knowledge of network administrator creates improper
authorization and security problem.
 Problem of password hacking.

2)Wide area network

A wide area network (WAN) is a computer network that covers a large
geographic area such as a city, country, or spans even intercontinental distances,
using a communications channel that combines many types of media such as
telephone lines, cables, and air waves.
A WAN often uses transmission facilities provided by common carriers, such as
telephone companies. WAN technologies generally function at the lower three
layers of the OSI reference model: the physical layer, the data link layer, and
the network layer.

Features of WAN
 In this network, computers and small networks are inter-connected without
cables but with the help of telephone lines, microwave and satellite links.
 WAN can be implemented with the help of private networks as well as public
networks.
 It is the very long-distance communication network.

Advantage of WAN
 WAN has no limit of area, so it is world wide network.
 Multi country’s organizations have facility to form their global integrated
network through WAN.
 WAN support global markets and global business.
 For a network database, WAN allows users all over a network to access and
update a single, consistent view of data.

Disadvantage of WAN
 WAN is very big and complex network.
 It is slow in speed.
 WAN is not very much secured means not reliable.
 It is very costly because we have to pay every time for transferring data.
 Very much dependency on the third party because it is a public network.t is
public network.
3)Metropolitan area network
A network is bigger than LAN but smaller thanWAN, “Multiple LANs that are
connected within the same city to form a citywide network for a specific
government or industry using a high speed backbone” It is known as MAN.

Features of MAN
 MAN is a network designed to extend over an entire city.
 MAN includes different private LANs connected through cable and router or
gateway.
 It is bigger than LAN but smaller than WAN.
 FDDI technology is the best suited for MAN.

Advantage of MAN
 Any company can connect all its branches existing in the same city.
 It is economical because sharing of costly resources for all branches of a
company.

Disadvantage of MAN
 Network installation is difficult and required skilled persons.
 Installation cost is very much.

4)Wireless local area network (WLAN)

A wireless local area network (WLAN) links two or more devices using some
wireless distribution method, and usually providing a connection through an
access point to the wider internet. This gives users the mobility to move around
within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network.
Advantage of W LAN

 It is easier to add or move workstations.

 It is easier to provide connectivity in areas where it is difficult to lay
cable.

 Installation is fast and easy, and it can eliminate the need to pull cable
through walls and ceilings.

 Access to the network can be from anywhere within range of an access

point.

 Portable or semipermanent buildings can be connected using a WLAN.

 Although the initial investment required for WLAN hardware can be

similar to the cost of wired LAN hardware, installation expenses can be
significantly lower.

 When a facility is located on more than one site (such as on two sides of a
road), a directional antenna can be used to avoid digging trenches under
roads to connect the sites.

 In historic buildings where traditional cabling would compromise the

façade, a WLAN can avoid the need to drill holes in walls.

 Long-term cost benefits can be found in dynamic environments requiring

frequent moves and changes.

Disadvantage of W LAN

 As the number of computers using the network increases, the data transfer
rate to each computer will decrease accordingly.
 As standards change, it may be necessary to replace wireless cards and/or
access points.
  Lower wireless bandwidth means some applications such as video
streaming will be more effective on a wired LAN.

 Security is more difficult to guarantee and requires configuration.

 Devices will only operate at a limited distance from an access point, with
the distance determined by the standard used and buildings and other
obstacles between the access point and the user.

 A wired LAN is most likely to be required to provide a backbone to

theWLAN; a WLAN should be a supplement to a wired LAN and not a
complete solution.

 Long-term cost benefits are harder to achieve in static environments that

require few moves and changes.

5)Storage area network(SAN)

Storage Area Network (SAN) is a high performance network that connects

storage devices and the back-end of servers. The deployment of a SAN allows
the servers on a LAN or a WAN to access any number of storage devices.

Advantage of SAN:
 One of the chief benefits of SAN is that it simplifies the network
infrastructure and makes it easier to manage.
 The SAN's performance is directly linked to that of the type of network
being used. In the case of a fibre channel network, the bandwidth is
approximately 100 megabytes/second (1,000 megabits/second) and can
be extended by increasing the number of access connections.
 A SAN's capacity can be extended almost limitlessly and can reach
hundreds and even thousands of terabytes.
 Using a SAN, it is possible to share data between several network
computers without sacrificing performance because SAN traffic is
completely separate from user traffic.

Disadvantage of SAN:
 Perhaps the biggest benefit of a SAN is that it complements expensive
business applications that demand instant and real-time information.
  One disadvantage of using a Storage Area Network is that it would be
very difficult to keep up your data if it breaks down.

Personal Area Networks (PANs)

 The term PAN stands for Personal Area Network.

 Typically these networks are small in size, belong to a single person and are
limited to his / her environment within a small area like his room, body.

 PANS mostly use short-range wireless technologies for interconnecting

various nodes that comprise them.

2)According to functional classification networks can be classified as:

1)Peer-to-peer networks

Peer-to-peer networks are more commonly implemented where less then ten
computers are involved and where strict security is not necessary. All computers
have the same status, hence the term 'peer', and they communicate with each
other on an equal footing. Files, such as word processing or spreadsheet
documents, can be shared across the network and all the computers on the
network can share devices, such as printers or scanners, which are connected to
any one computer.

Peer to Peer

Network

Fig 2: Peer to Peer Networking

2) Client/server networks

Client/server networks are more suitable for larger networks. A central

computer, or 'server', acts as the storage location for files and applications
shared on the network. Usually the server is a higher than average performance
computer. The server also controls the network access of the other computers
which are referred to as the 'client' computers. Typically, teachers and students
in a school will use the client computers for their work and only the network
administrator (usually a designated staff member) will have access rights to the
server.
 File Server

Other
equipment

Fig 3: Client - Server Networking

Another big advantage of a client/server network is that security is created,

managed, and can highly get enforced. To access the network, a person, called a
user must provide some credentials, including a username and a password. If the
credentials are not valid, the user can be prevented from accessing the network.
The client/server type of network also provides many other advantages such as
centralized backup, Intranet capability, Internet monitoring, etc.
Q2:What is a network topology?Discuss the various types of
network topology.
Ans:A topology defines the arrangement of nodes, cables and connectivity
devices that make up the network. In other words we can say topology is the
geometric arrangement of workstations and the links among them.

Different Types of Topologies:

1)Bus Topology

Characteristics of Bus Topology

 A bus topology is one in which all device connect to common shared cable
(backbone) through interface units/drop lines and taps.
 This topology is used in traditional data communication networks where the
host at one end of the bus communicate with several terminals attached along its
length.
 Special connector called terminator must be placed at the end of the
backbone cable to prevent signals from reflecting back on the cable and causing
interference.
 Bus configuration is known as multi-drop line.
Advantage of Bus Topology
 Installation is very easy because it is a single cable network.
 It uses less cabling than any other topology.
 Additional nodes can be connected to an existing bus network at any point
along its length.
 It is a resilient (flexible) architecture means simple and reliable .
 It is very economical.

Disadvantage of Bus Topology

 Difficult reconfiguration and fault isolation.
 All the nodes are directly connected to central cable and nodes have to decide
which uses the network first.
 Entire network shutdown if there is a failure in the backbone.
 The damage area reflects signals back in the direction of origin, creating
noise in both directions.

2)Ring Topology

Features of Ring Topology

 Ring topology are wired in a circle, each node is connected to its neighbors
on either side.
 Data signals passes around the ring in one direction.
 Each device incorporates a receiver and a transmitter, and serves as a repeater
that passes the signal on to the next device in the ring.
 Ring topologies are quite rare.
 No routing capability is required as messages automatically travel to the next
workstation on the network.
Advantage of Ring Topology
 A ring relatively easy to install and reconfigure.
 Less cabling involved in a ring topology comparable to that of bus and is
small relative to other.
 Each device is linked only to its immediate neighbors so to add or delete a
device requires moving only two connections.
 It is good for small number of workstations operating at high speeds over
short distances are to be connected.

Disadvantage of Ring Topology

 A node failure causes entire network failure.
 A ring requires relatively complex hardware to implement.
 The failure of one node will affect all others has serious problem for fault
diagnosis.
 Topology affects the access protocol.

3)Star topology

Features of Star Topology

 It require that all devices connect to a central hub or wiring concentrator
through a dedicated point to point.
 The hub receives signals from the other network devices and routs the signals
to the proper destinations.
 Nodes do not have to make routing decisions, as all communications must
pass through the central hub before going to their destinations.
 The size and capacity of the network is the depend on the
central hub.
Advantage of Star Topology
 Each device needs only one link and one I/O port to connect it to any number
of others.
 It is easy to install and reconfigure.
 Robustness of network means if one link fails, only that link is affected and
all other links remain active.
 Due to the above fact, fault identification and fault isolation is very easy.

Disadvantage of Star Topology

 Cabling is required very much.
 Difficult to expand the network.
 If the central node in a star network fails the entire network is rendered
inoperable.
 Maintenance and installation problems can increase costs considerably.

4)Tree topology

Features of Tree Topology

 In tree , central hub is used to connect only secondary hubs, not with all
nodes.
 So nodes & devices are connected through the secondary hubs.
 Normally the central hub of tree is an active hub so it is able to filter &
regenerate the signals
 Secondary hub may be active or passive.
Advantage of Tree Topology
 Tree network can be easily extended because central hub has so many hubs.
 Network (or sub-network) can be isolated and communication can be
prioritized.
 Due to the above fact time sensitive data will not have to wait for access to
the network.

Disadvantage of Tree Topology

 Tree topology has all the disadvantages of star topology .
 The subsection has dependence on the root section.
 Bigger branches slow down the speed of network.

5)Mesh topology

Features of Mesh Topology

 Every device has a dedicated point to point link to every other device.
 Mesh is really a hybrid model representing an all channels topology.
 Every device on the network must have n-1 input/output ports.
Advantage of Mesh Topology
 It is very much fault tolerance capacity.
 Privacy or security is very high, every message sent travels along a dedicated
line only the intended recipient sees it.

Disadvantage of Mesh Topology

 Installation & reconfiguration is very difficult.
 Extra workload to network administrator.
 It requires very much cabling & I/O ports.
 Extra wiring can be greater than the available space can accommodate.
 It is the most expansive network.

6)Token ring topology

Features of Token Ring Topology

 In this topology, wired in a circular format but all the node connected by the
drop lines and Tshape tokens.
 In this topology all the nodes have only receiver and transmitter not a
repeater.

Advantage of Token Ring Topology

 A node failure causes entire network are not failure.
 No problems in fault diagnosis.
 Privacy and accuracy in data transmission.

Disadvantage of Token Ring Topology

 A token ring is difficult to install and reconfigure.
 Cabling is required very much.
 It does not allow direct traffic between devices.
7)Hybrid Topology

Features of hybrid Topology

• A combination of any two or more network topologies.
• A hybrid topology always accrues when two different basic network
topologies are connected.
• It is a mixture of above mentioned topologies. Usually, a central
computer is attached with sub-controllers which in turn participate in a variety
of topologies

Advantages of a Hybrid Topology

• It is extremely flexible.
• It is very reliable.

Disadvantages of a Hybrid Topology

• Expensive

ASSIGNMENT
SUBMITTED TO:
SUBMITTED BY:
Mrs. Jasdeep Kaur
Jyoti Bhanot

MCA 2nd Sem

Roll no:2219/10