CHAPTER 3 : COMPUTER NETWORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1.0 BASIC CONCEPTS OF COMPUTER NETWORKS. 1.4 (a) Define COMPUTER Devices - printer, scanner A.computer network is jces a collection of computers Comumuntcetion de and devices ——______| NIC Router Hub 2 connected together via ? communications devices = 5 ransmission media and transmission media. mm For examples it may connect a computers, printers and scanners. | Physical Infrared Radiowave Sattelite (b) Define COMMUNICATION Communication describes a process in which two or more computer or devices transfer data, instructions and information. 1.2 State the IMPORTANCE/ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS i) Sharing of devices such as printer and scanner. ii) Sharing of program/software. iil) Sharing of files. iv) Sharing of data. iv) Sharing of information. v) Sharing of single high-speed internet connection. vi) Can access server centered databast vil) Better communication using internet services such as e-mail, mailing list and Internet Relat Chat (IRC).1.3. Define TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS Local Area Network (LAN) A local area network is a network that connects ‘computers and devices in a limited geographical area such as a home, school computer laboratory, office building. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) ‘A metropolitan area network (MAN) Is a network metropolitan area such as city or town and handles bulk of communications activity across the region, ‘A MAN typically includes one or more LAN but covers a smaller geographic area than a WAN. Wide Area Network (WAN) ‘A wide area network Is a network that covers a large geographical area such as country or the world. WAN combines: many types of media such as telephone lines, cables and radio waves. A WAN can be one large network or can consist of two or more LANs connected together. ‘The internet is the worlds largest WAN. DIFFERENTIATE between the two types of computer networks. WAN Different LAN Awide area network Is a network that covers a large geographical area__| Geographical A local area network is a network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area S00 Bieter Area such as a home, school z computer lab and office building. Tn case of WAN the cost of data transmission is very Cost of data transmission in high because the LAN is less because the transmission mediums Cost _| transmission medium is used are hired either owned by a single telephone lines or satelite organization. links. ‘The speed of data “The speed of data transmission is lower than | Speed _| transmission is much higher LAN. in LAN than in WAN.1.4 Define two types of NETWORK ARCHITECTURE: Client/Server ‘On a client/server network, one computer act as a server that provides services and the other computers (ellent) on the network request services from the server. A server is a computer that controls access to the hardware, software and other resources on the network and provides a centralized storage area for program. There are many type of server such as mail server, web server, file server and ftp server. A client is a computer that requests services from a server computer. Client/server networks are typically used when there Is a constant need to access large files and applications or when multiple users want to share peripherals. Peer-to-Peer Peer-to-peer Is a simple, Inexpensive network that typically connects fewer than 10 computers. All computers in the network have equal capabilities to use the Fesources (hardware, software, data and files) available ‘on the network, With peer-to-peer networks, there is no central server. 1.5 State three types of NETWORK TOPOLOGIES: [Topology | Explanation Bus ‘A bus network consists of a single central cable, to which all computers and other devices connect. The bus is physical cable that connects the computers and others devices. ‘The bus in a bus network transmits data, instructions, and Information and information in both directions. When sending device transmits data, the address of the receiving device is included with the transmission so the data is routed to the appropriate receiving device. Bus networks are popular on LANs because they are inexpensive and easy to install. One advantage of the bus network Is that computers and other devices can be attached and detached at any point on the bus without disturbing the rest of the computer. The transmission simply by passes the failed device,