PRINCIPLES OF INTERNET

UNIT -1
COMPUTER NETWORK
 A computer network is a group of two or more interconnected Computer
systems. You can establish a network connection using either cable or
wireless media.
 Every network involves hardware and software that connects computer and
tools.

Evolution of networking.

1. ARPANET
a) In 1969, U.S. government formed an agency named “Arpanet” (Advanced
Research Project Agency Network) to connect computers at various universities
and defense agencies.
b) The main objective of ARPANET was to develop a network that cloud
continued to function efficiently even in the event of a nuclear attack.

2. NSFNET
a) The term “NSFNET” Refers to a program of Coordinated, Evolving Projects
sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
b) This was initiated to support and promote advanced networking among US
research and education institutions.

3. INTERNET
(Inter-connected Network) The Internet is a worldwide network of networks.

4. INTERSPACE
a) It is software that allows multiple users in a client server environment to
communicate with each other, to send and receive data of various types such as
data files, video, phones, audio and textual data.
b) Inter space gives the most exceptional type of communication available on the
Internet today.
Switching techniques. These are used for transmitting data across networks. It is
used to control nodes or switch data to transmit it between specific points on a
network.
(A) Circuit switching. In this type of switching techniques, they complete end to
end transmission path between the source and the destination computers.
Then the message is transmitted through the path. The main advantage of this
technique is, guaranteed delivery of the message and it is used for voice
communication.
(B) Message switching.
1. In this switching technique, no physical path is established between the sender
and the receiver in advance.
2. This technique follows the store and forward mechanism.
(C) Packet switching. In this technique, the message is broken into small data
packets. Fixed size of packet can be transmitted across the network.

Concept of data communication

1. Data can be any text, image, audio, video and multimedia files.
2. Communication is an act of sending or receiving data.
3. Data communication refers to the exchange of data between two or more
networks or connected devices.
4. These devices must be capable of sending and receiving data over a
communication medium. For example, devices include personal computers, mobile
phones, laptops, etc.
5. Sender, receiver or in any communication medium, the message to be
communicated under certain rules (protocols), have to be followed during
communication.
6. The communication media is also called transmission media.

Components in data communication:

1. Sender. A Sender is a computer or any such device which is capable of sending
data over a network.
2. Receiver. A receiver is a computer or any such device which is capable of
receiving data from the network. In computer communication, the center and the
receiver are known as nodes in the computer work.
3. Message. It is a data or information that needs to be exchanged between the
sender and the receiver.
4. Communication media. It is a path through which message travels between
source and destination. It is also called medium or link which is either wired or
wireless.
5. Protocols. It is a set of rules that need to be followed by the communicating
parties in order to have successful and reliable data communication.

NETWORK DEVICES
The units that mediate data in a computer network and are also called network
equipment. Some of them are as follows.
1. MODEM (Modulator Demodulator) It is an electronic device that enables a
computer to transmit data over telephone lines. There are two types of modem
called internal modem and external modem.
2.RJ 45 CONNECTOR: (Registered jack) Connector or the plug-in devices used
in the networking and telecommunications application. They are used primarily for
connecting LAN, particularly Ethernet.
3. Ethernet card. It is a hardware device that helps in connection of nodes within
a network.
4. Hub. It is a hardware device used to connect several computers together. Hub
can be either active or passive.
5. Switch. A switch (switching hub) is a network device which is used to
interconnect computer or devices in a network. It filters and forwards data packets
across the network.
6. Router. It is a hardware device which is designed to take incoming packets,
analyze packets, moving and converting packets to another network interface,
dropping the packets, directing packets to appropriate locations, etc
7. Gateway. It is a device that connects dissimilar networks.
8. Repeater: It is a network device that amplifies and restores signals for long
distance transmission.
9. Wi-Fi card. Connects to your laptop either in your USB port or wider card slot.
This card generally is geared to a particular Wi-Fi network, so to use it you must
be in range of a wireless network signal dedicated to that network.

DEFINE COMPUTER NETWORK

A Computer network is a collection of interconnected autonomous computer
devices to exchange information or share resources.

ADVANTAGES OF NETWORKS
1. Share resources. We can share resources through printers and scanners. This is
cheaper than buying equipment for each computer.
2. Can share software. Software can be installed centrally rather than on each
machine so that the number of copies being run one at a time.
3. Share storage. Being able to access files from any machines on the network and
share data.
4. Improve communications. Messages can be sent and received through
networks.
DISADVANTAGES OF NETWORK
1. The systems are more complex to run. It might incur huge costs and need
specialist staff to run the network.
2. If software and files are held centrally, it may be impossible to carry out any
work if the central server fails.
3. If networks are badly managed, services can become unusable and the
production might fall drastically.
4. File security is more important, especially if it is connected to WAN. E.g.:
protection from viruses.
TYPES OF NETWORKS
Based on network span or geographical spread, computer networks can be divided
into basic types.
1. LAN (Local Area Network)
2. WAN (Wide Area Network)
3. PAN (Personal Area Network)
4. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

1. Local Area Network (LAN)

 Small computer networks that are confined to a Localized area. Example.
Office, building, factory, are known as Local Area networks.
 The main purpose of LAN is to serve its users in resource sharing.
 LAN users can share data information, Programs, Printers, Hard Disks,
Modem, etc.
 In LAN, one computer is designed as the file server, it stores all the software
that controls the network, computer connected to the server is called as
workstations.
2. Wide Area Network (WAN)
 The network spread across countries or on a very big Geographical areas are
known as WAN.
 A WAN is a group of computers that are separated by large distances and
tied together.
  WAN’S link computers to facilitates fast and efficient exchange of
information at lesser costs and higher speeds.
 WANs are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone
system.
3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
 It refers to a type of network that spreads over an area as big as a city.

4. Personal Area Network (PAN)

 It is an interconnection of information technology devices with the range of
an individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters .E g, Mobile,
Laptop, Printer, Tablet/PDA (Personal digital assistant)

TOPOLOGIES OF NETWORKS
Topology refers to the way in which the workstations attached to the networks are
interconnected. A point-to-point network (P-P Network) is that each station
receives exactly one transmitter, and each transmitter transmits exactly to one
receiver

1.BUS /LINEAR TOPLOGOGY

 It uses common single cable to connect all the workstations.

 Each computer performs its task of sending messages without the help of the
central server.
 Only one workstation can transmit a message at a particular time in the bus
topology
ADVANTAGES:
 Easy to connect and install.
 Involves a low cost and installation time.
 Can be easily extended.
DISADVANTAGES:
 The entire network shuts down if there is a failure in the central cable.
 Only single message can travel at a particular time.
 Difficult to troubleshoot an error.
2.STAR TOPOLOGY

 It is based on central node which acts as a hub.

 Star topology is common in home networks where all the computers connect
to the single central computer, using a hub.

ADVANTAGES:
 Easy to troubleshoot
 A single node failure does not affect the entire network.
 Fault detection and removal of faulty parts is easier.
 In case of workstation fails, the network is not affected.
DISADVANTAGES:
 Difficult to expand
 Longer cable is required
 The cost of the hub and the longer cables makes it expensive over others.
 In case hub fails, the entire network fails.
3.TREE TOPOLOGY

 It combines the characteristics of the bus and star topologies.

 It consists of groups of star configured workstation connected to a bus
backbone cable.
ADVANTAGES:
 Eliminates network congestion
 The network can be easily extended
 Faulty nodes can be easily isolated from the rest of the network.

DISADVANTAGES:
 Uses large cable length.
 Requires a large amount of hardware components and hence is expensive.
 Installation and reconfiguration is very difficult.

4. RING/CIRCULAR TOPOLOGY

 Each node is connected to two and only two neighboring nodes.

  Data is accepted from one of the neighboring nodes and is transmitted
onwards to another.
 Thus data travels in one direction only, from one node to another node
around the ring.
ADVANTAGES:
 Usage of short cable length.
 There is only one cable connecting each node to its immediate neighbors.
 Using optical fibers offers the possibility of very high speed transmission.
DISADVANTAGES:
 Any one node failure will cause the entire network failure.
 Difficult to diagnose faults
 Reconfiguration of network is difficult.

5. MESH TOPOLOGY

In this topology each node is connected to more than one node to provide an
alternative route in the case, the host is either down or too busy. It is an extension
to p-p network.
The mesh topology is excellent for long distance networking, because it
provides extensive back-up, rerouting and pass-through capabilities.

ADVANTAGES:
 Each connection can carry its own data load.
 It is robust and provides security and privacy.
 In this topology, fault diagnosis is easy.
DISADVANTAGES:
 Its installation and configuration is difficult
 Cabling cost is more for mesh topology
 Bulk writing is required for mesh topology.