Computer

Networks
Introduction to computer networks
Computer networks: A collection of
computing devices that are connected in various
ways in order to communicate and share
resources.

Usually, the connections between computers in a

network are made using physical wires or cables.
However, some connections are wireless, using
radio waves or infrared signals
Types of Networks
Local-area network (LAN): A network that
connects a relatively small number of
machines in a relatively close geographical
area.

Wide-area network (WAN) : A network

that connects two or more local-area
networks over a potentially large
geographic distance
Network topologies
Topology: Topology of a network refers to
the configuration of cables, computers and
other peripherals.
commonly used network topologies
are:-
1. Bus Topology.
2. Ring Topology.
3. Star Topology.
4. Mesh Topology.
Bus Topology
All computers and devices
connected to central cable
or bus.
Consists of a main run of
cable with a terminator at
each end.
Popular on LANs because
they are inexpensive and
easy to install.
Advantages and disadvantages of Bus
topology
Advantages:
1. Ease of installation.
2. Less cabling.
3. less expensive
. Disadvantages:
1. Difficult reconfiguration and fault isolation.
2. Difficult to add new devices.
3. Signal reflection at top can degradation in quality.
4. If any fault in backbone can stops all transmission .
RING TOPOLOGY

Cable forms closed ring

or loop, with all
computers and devices
arranged along ring.
Data travels from device
to device around entire
ring, in one direction.
Primarily is used for
LANs, but also is used in
WANs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ring
toplogy
Advantages:
1. Easy to install.
2. Easy to reconfigure.
3. Fault identification is easy.

Disadvantages:
4. Unidirectional traffic.
5. Break in a single ring can break entire network.
STAR TOPOLOGY

All devices connect to a

central device, called
hub.

All data transferred

from one computer to
another passes through
hub.
MESH TOPOLOGY

In the mesh topology each

computer are connected with each
other by separate cable. Create
point to point connection to every
device on network. If one cable
fail data always has alternative
path to get to its destination.
On a large scale, you can connect
multiple LANs using mesh
topology with leased line.
This type topology generally use
in military area.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Mesh
topology
Advantages:
1. They use dedicated links so each link can only carry its own
data load. So traffic problem can be avoided.
2. It is robust. If any one link get damaged it cannot affect
others.
3. It gives privacy and security.(Message travels along a
dedicated link)
.Disadvantages:
1. The amount of cabling and the number of I/O ports
required are very large. Since every device is connected
to each devices through dedicated links.
2. Hardware required to connected each device is highly
expensive.
Applications
1. Access to remote information.
2. Person-to-person communication.
3. Interactive entertainment.
4. Electronic commerce.
The most important business application
of computer networks is file sharing
hardware, files, data and other resources