Lesson 7 Introduction To Networks

ICT
INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKING
© E. Waweru
Networking Concept
• It is a group of one or more computer connected to each
electronically.
• A network is formed where two of more computers are connected.
• Every computer in the network can send or receive information to
and from the others.
• It’s a collection of hardware components and computers
interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of
resources and information.
Purpose of a Network
• To share hardware, data and software in an organization.
• To share centralized backups devices instead of relying on individual
to make their own backups.
• To provide centralized data security and management.
• To provide a communication medium among people spread widely at
different physical locations.
• To share a single internet connection.
• To ensure that data is transmitted to various destinations efficiently.
Network Elements
• Servers
• These are the computers that provide the shared resources to network users.
• There is usually only one server in a small network, but bigger networks may
have more than one server.
• Clients
• These are the computers that can access the shared network resources
provided by a server.
• Transmission media
• The computers in a network are connected to each other by hardware
components, such as cables. These components are called the media.
Network Elements…
• Shared data
• A server provides shared resources and data over a network.
• The files that are provided by the server over the network are
called shared data.
• Resources
• Files, printers or other items that can be used by network users
are known as resources.
• These resources can be either hardware or software resources.
Peer-to-peer networks
• All the computers are equal and therefore are known as peers.
• They all have the same abilities to use the resources available on the
network.
• Each computer functions as both a client and a server.
• There are no dedicated servers, and there is no hierarchy among the
computers.
• The user at each computer determines what data on that computer is
shared on the network.
Peer-to-peer network…
Merits/Demerits of peer-to-peer network
• Advantages of a peer-to-peer network:
• Less initial expense - No need for a dedicated server.
• Setup - An operating system (such as Windows XP) already in place
may only need to be reconfigured for peer-to-peer operations.
• Disadvantages of a peer-to-peer network:
• Decentralized - No Centralized server.
• Security - Does not provide the security available on a peer-to-
peer network.
Server-based Networks
• Clients rely on the services that the dedicated server provides, such
as file storing and printing.
• Client computers are generally less powerful than server computers.
Server-based Networks..
Merits/Demerits of Server based network
Advantages of server based networks
• It facilitates a centralized storage system
• Centralization makes administration and management easy
• The network is easy to scale
• Data sharing speed is high
Disadvantages of server based networks
If the server data is corrupted, all clients will be affected.
The cost of the server and network software is very high.
Too much dependency on the server. If it fails the network fails
Network Terminology
TERM EXPLANATION
Server The computers that provide the shared resources to network
users.
Provides central management of hardware devices such as
printers as well as storage and management of files
Client A PC on a network that performs general tasks

Gateway A network point that acts as an entrance to another network
Bandwidth The amount of data that can be carried from one point to
another in a given time period.
Usually expressed in bits per second (bps).
Network Terminology….
TERM EXPLANATION
Hub A device on a network that broadcasts data frames to all devices
and subdivides the bandwidth of the network among connected
devices.
Router A device that connects one network to another.(Forwards packets
from one network to another.
Switch A device that filters and forwards packets between LAN segments.
Transmission Physical system used to carry a communication signal from one
Media system to another. Examples of transmission media include
twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, and fiber optic cable.
Types of Networks
• Networks can be classified according to the geographical
coverage:
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
Local Area Networks (LANs)
• A network that links computers in a small area such as a building, a
campus, classroom etc..
• Computers in a LAN can be connected with direct, high speed cables
or a wireless connection.
• LANs enables businesses to share hardware such as printers,
information and a single internet connection.
• Relatively inexpensive.
• They make use of either a router or a hub or both.
Wired LAN
• A LAN connecting computers and devices with wires.
• Information is mainly transferred through twisted pair cables, fibre
optic cables or coaxial cables.
Wireless LANs
• A LAN connecting computers and devices without wires.
• Information is mainly transferred through Radio Frequency
(RF),infrared light , microwave or satellite.
• Technologies include infrared and Bluetooth that can transmit
information between cell phones or computers.
• WLANs make use of wireless routers to transmit info.
Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)
• These are networks that connect LANs together within a city or a
metropolis.
Wide Area Network (WANs)
• A computer network covering a wide geographical area.
• Involve a large number of computers and devices.
• Small networks are interconnected using long haul carriers such as
satellite , microwave and fiber optics.
• Cover a continent or the whole world.
• Example is the internet , networks of cash dispensing machines
(ATMs)..
WAN

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ICT

Client A PC on a network that performs general tasks

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