UNIT- 5 Networking Technology

Computer Networks
Q1. Define a computer network?

A computer network is an interconnected collection of autonomous

computers and devices to exchange information or share resources.

Q2. Explain different components of a computer

Network.

1. Host /Node / Workstation

Host or node or workstation refers to the computers that are attached to a

network.

2. Server

Computer that facilities sharing of data, software, and hardware

resources (e.g. printers, modems etc.) on a network is called server.

3. Client

A client computer is a computer that can request for some services from a

server.
4. NIU (Network Interface Unit)

NIU is also known as NIC(Network Interface Card) or LAN Card. It is a

device that works as an intermediator between computer and the network.

LAN Card can be wired as well as wireless.

5. Hub/switch

Hub/ Switch is a device used to interconnect computers on a network.

6. Communication channel

Communication channel is way/method to provide communication

between computers and devices on a network. .Communication channel is

of two types:

a. Wired Communication channels

Wired communication channels include cables to interconnect computers

on a network. There are basically three types of wired communication

channels:

i. Twisted pair cable

ii. Coaxial cable

iii. Optical fiber cable.

b. Wireless Communication channel

Wireless communication channels include wireless methods to

interconnect computers on a network. Various types of wireless

communication channels are:

i. Radio waves

ii. Satellite

iii. Microwave

iv. Infrared waves

v. Laser

7. Software

Communication is not possible on a network without software

components. Different software components include network

protocols ,network operating system etc.

8. Network Services

They refef to the applications that provide different functionalities over a

network. They include DNS(Domain Name System), file

sharing ,VoIP(voice over IP) etc.

Q3. What are advantages of a Computer Network

1. Resource sharing : We can share hardware devices, softwares as well

as data on a network.

2. Communication Medium : Network can provide communication

between different computers attached to a network.

3. Reduced Cost : Sharing of resources helps in reducing hardware and

software cost

4. Centralized Control: We can centrally control the computers attached

to a network.

5. Central storage of data: We can save data of entire network on single

computer. It helps in removing duplication of data as well as maintaining

integrity of data.

Q4. What is ARPANET?

ARPANET stands for Advanced Research Project Agency Network. It

was the first network developed by DOD (Department of Defence)

America).

Q5. Explain different types of computer Networks ?

 LAN MAN WAN PAN

1. It stands for
1. It stands for Local 1. It stands for Wide 1. It stands for Persona
Metropolitan Area
Area Network Area Network Area Network
Network

2. It is a network within 2. It is a network across 2. It is a network within

2. It is a network within
a small area such as cities, countries and a very small area upto
a city.
building. continents. 10 meters.

3. Communication is
3. Twisted pair cable is 3. Coaxial cable is 3. Optical fiber or
made using bluetooth,
preferably used for preferably used for satellite are used for
infrared or wireless
communication. communication.. communication
devices.

4. Example: Wireless
4. Example: Computer 4. Example: Cable TV 4. Example: Mobile
headphone, wireless
Lab Network phone network
printer.

Q6. What is Communication channel?

Communication channel is way/method to provide communication

between computers and devices on a network.

Q7. What are types of Communication channel?

Communication channel is of two types:

 Wired communication channel
 Wireless communication channel
a. Wired Communication channels

Wired communication channels include cables to interconnect computers

on a network. There are basically three types of wired communication

channels:

i. Twisted pair cable

A twisted pair cable is a collection of four pair of insulated wires

wrapped together. They are preferably used for local area network.

Advantages

 They are very cheap.

 They have very less weight.
 They are flexible.
 It is easy to install and maintain twisted pair cable.
Disadvantages

 It is suitable for short distance communication.

 It has low bandwidth.
They are available in various forms such as CAT1,CAT2

CAT3,CAT4,CAT5,CAT6.

They are basically of two types

a. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

b. Unshielded Twisted Pair(UTP)

ii. Coaxial cable

Coaxial cable consists of a solid wire surrounded and insulator further

surrounded by wire mesh further covered with plastic insulator.

Advantages

 It is suitable for cable TV transmission.

 It provides high bandwidth so it suitable for long distance
communication.

 It is suitable for broadband transmission.

Disadvantages
  It is more expensive compared to twisted pair cable.
 It is less flexible.
 It is not compatible with twisted pair cable.
They are of two categories: Thicknet and Thinnet.

iii. Optical fiber cable

Optical fiber cable is make of glass or glass like material. It can transmit

information in the form of light waves. Optical fiber consists of

following parts:

 Core: It is the material at the center of optical fiber cable to

transmit light waves.
 Cladding: It is covering of core used to reflect the light back to the
core.
 Plastic Coating: It is the plastic coating to protect cable from
damage.
Advantages

 It is free from electromagnetic interference.

 It provides high for long distance communication.
Disadvantages

 It is very expensive.
 It is difficult to join these cables..
 It is not compatible with other cables.
There are two categories of Optical fiber cable
i. Single node

ii. Multi –node.

b. Wireless Communication channel

Wireless communication channels are used to transmit information

without using cables.Various types of wireless communication channels

are:

 Radio waves
 Microwave
 Satellite
 Infrared Waves

 Laser
 Bluetooth
 Wi-Fi
i. Radio waves

Radio waves communication uses continuous sine waves to transmit

information from one point to another. It needs two components:

a. Transmitter: To transmit information.

b. Receiver: To receive information transmitted by transmitter.

Advantages

 It is easy to install and maintain.

 It is suitable for hilly areas as well as oceans.
Disadvantages

 It is insecure.
 It is badly affected by weather.
ii. Microwave

Microwave is direct line of sight transmission in which parabolic

antennas are placed in front of each other.

Advantages
  It is cheap way of communication
 It is suitable for hilly areas as well as oceans.
Disadvantages

 It is insecure.
 It is badly affected by weather.
iii. Satellite

In satellite communication, artificial satellite is placed in geostationary

orbit at around 36,000 Kms above the surface of earth.

A satellite contains Trans-Receiver antenna to receive, generate and

redirect signals.

Advantages

 It covers a very large area.

 It provides secure transmission.

Disadvantages

 It is very expensive.
  Installation is very complex.

iv. Infrared Waves

Infrared is direct line of sight transmission within a short distance (5

meters).

Advantages

 It is cheap way of communication

Disadvantages

 It can’t cross walls and solid objects.

 It is not suitable for long distance communication.
v. Laser

Laser is direct line of sight transmission .

Advantages

 It is cheap way of communication

 It is suitable for short range transmission of signals like TV
remotes, wireless speakers.
Disadvantages

 It can’t cross walls and solid objects.

 It is badly affected by weather.

Q8. What is bandwidth?

Bandwidth is defined as amount of information that can be transferred

through a single channel per unit time.

It is also defined as difference between highest and lowest frequencies of

a transmission channel.
For analog channels, bandwidth is measured as Hz (Hertz), KHz (Kilo

Hertz) ,MHz(Mega Hertz)

For digital channels, bandwidth (Data transfer Rate) is measured

as bps (Bits per second), Kbps (Kilo Bits per second) , Mbps(Mega Bits

per second), Gbps(Giga Bits per second), Tbps(Tera Bits per second).

Q9. What is Internet?

Internet stands for interconnected networks. It is interconnection of

computers all over the world.

Q10. What is Interspace?

Interspace is basically a client/server software program that allows

multiple users to communicate online with real-time audio, video or text

chat in dynamic 3D environments.

Q11. What is MAC Address (Media Access Control

Address)?

MAC address refers to the physical address assigned by NIC

manufacturer. MAC address is a 6-byte address with each byte separated

by a colon

Example: 10: B5:03:63:2E: FC

First 3 bytes are Manufacturer id (10:B5:03)

Last 3 bytes are Card Number (63:2E:FC)

Q12. What is switching and its types?

Switching is the technique of transmitting information from one

device/network to another.

There are three types of switching.

i. Circuit Switching: In packet switching, a physical communication link

is established between source and destination computer/device before

transmitting information.

ii. Message Switching: In message switching, information is transferred

from source computer to first switching office, then a communication

path is established with another switching office. From there it is

transferred to destination computer.

iii. Packet Switching: In packet switching, information is transferred

from source computer to destination computer in the form of fixed sized

blocks known as packets.

Q13. What is MODEM?

MODEM stands for Modulator/Demodulator. It is device used to convert

analog signal to digital signal and vice versa. It is basically used to run

internet on your computer/device.

Q14. What is RJ45?

RJ45 stands for Registered Jack 45. It is an 8 wire connector used to

connect computers on a. LAN or Ethernet Card.

Q15. What is Ethernet Card?

Ethernet Card is also known as LAN Card. It is used to attach a computer

on a network.

Ethernet Card is the first LAN card developed by XEROX corporation

along with INTEL and DEC (Digital Equipments Corporation).

Q16. What is a Hub?

Hub is a device having multiple ports

used for interconnecting multiple computers together.

Hub provides shared bandwidth to all connected computers.

Hubs are of two types.

i. Active hub : It amplify the signal when it moves from one computer to

another.

ii. Passive hub: It allows the signal to pass from one computer to

another without any change.

Q17. What is a Switch

A switch is a device used to interconnect computers on a network but it

provides dedicated bandwidth to all connected computers.

Q18. What is a Bridge?

A bridge is a network device used to interconnect two networks that

follow same protocols.

Q19. What is a Router?

A router is a network device used to interconnect networks having

different protocols. Router forwards data from one computer to another

by shortest path.

Q20. What is a Gateway?

A gateway is a network device used to interconnect dissimilar networks.

It establishes an intelligent connection between local networks with

completely different structures.

Q21. What is WiFi Card?
A WiFi card is an internal or external Local area network adapter with a builtin

wireless radio and antenna.

Q22. What is a repeater?

Repeater is a network device used to amplify week signal. Signal gets

week over long distance so we need a repeater to restrengthen it.