Computer Hardware & Networking& Server

Configurations
(H7E3 04)
UNIT 03:
Computer Network Fundamentals

Lecturer: Thilina Rajakaruna

BEng(SEng), SCQF Level 7(EQF 5)(SEng), SCQF Level 8(EQF 5)(SEng), PgDip(Edu)
Network Introduction &
Advantages
Computer Networks
• A network is two or more Nodes or Hosts
connected by a cable or by a wireless
connection so that they can communicate and
exchange information or data.

• In other words " Network Means a collection of

interconnected computer network of stand-
alone computer. Commenting on the computer
for the exchange of information. The connection
can be over copper, fiber optic, microwave and
satellite communications".
 Computer Networks
• Computer Network Devices and Components

• Host Devices – any device that sends and

receives information on the network (computer,
printer, etc.)
• Intermediary Devices – exist in between host
devices
• Media – component over which the message
travels from source to destination
The Importance of Computer Networks

• Cost reduction by sharing hard- and software

resources

• High reliability by having multiple sources of

supply

• Cost reduction by downsizing to microcomputer-

based networks instead of using mainframes
• Greater flexibility because of possibility to
connect devices from various vendors

• Sharing Internet, Communication and Video

Games
 Main Advantages and Disadvantages
of Computer Networking
• Computer networking has become one of the
most successful ways of sharing information,
where all computers are wirelessly linked together
by a common network. Now, businesses and
organizations heavily rely on it to get messages
and information across to essential channels. Not
only has that it benefited establishments, but also
individuals, as they also need to share important
information every day.
But no matter how useful computer networking
is, it does not come without drawbacks. Here
are its advantages and disadvantages:
List of Advantages of Computer Networking
1. It enhances communication and availability of
information

Networking, especially with full access to the

web, allows ways of communication that would
simply be impossible before it was developed.
Instant messaging can now allow users to talk in
real time and send files to other people
wherever they are in the world, which is a huge
boon for businesses. Also, it allows access to a
fast amount of useful information, including
traditional reference materials and timely facts,
such as news and current events.
2. It allows for more convenient resource sharing

This benefit is very important, particularly for

larger companies that really need to produce
huge numbers of resources to be shared to all
the people. Since the technology involves
computer-based work, it is assured that the
resources they wanted to get across would be
completely shared by connecting to a
computer network which their audience is also
using.
3. It makes file sharing easier
Computer networking allows easier accessibility
for people to share their files, which greatly helps
them with saving more time and effort, since
they could do file sharing more accordingly and
effectively.
4. It is highly flexible

This technology is known to be very flexible, as it

gives users the opportunity to explore everything
about essential things, such as software without
affecting their functionality. Plus, people will
have the accessibility to all information they
need to get and share.
5. It is an inexpensive system

Installing networking software on your device

would not cost too much, as you are assured
that it lasts and can effectively share information
to your peers. Also, there is no need to change
the software regularly, as mostly it is not required
to do so.
6. It increases cost efficiency

With computer networking, you can use a lot of

software products available on the market
which can just be stored or installed in your
system or server, and can then be used by
various workstations.
7. It boosts storage capacity

Since you are going to share information, files

and resources to other people, you have to
ensure all data and content are properly stored
in the system. With this networking technology,
you can do all of this without any hassle, while
having all the space you need for storage.
List of Disadvantages of Computer
Networking
1. It lacks independence.

Computer networking involves a process that is

operated using computers, so people will be
relying more of computer work, instead of
exerting an effort for their tasks at hand. Aside
from this, they will be dependent on the main
file server, which means that, if it breaks down,
the system would become useless, making users
idle.
2. It poses security difficulties.

Because there would be a huge number of

people who would be using a computer
network to get and share some of their files and
resources, a certain user’s security would be
always at risk. There might even be illegal
activities that would occur, which you need to
be careful about and aware of.
3. It lacks robustness.
As previously stated, if a computer network’s
main server breaks down, the entire system
would become useless. Also, if it has a bridging
device or a central linking server that fails, the
entire network would also come to a standstill.
To deal with these problems, huge networks
should have a powerful computer to serve as
file server to make setting up and maintaining
the network easier.
4. It allows for more presence of computer viruses
and malware.

There would be instances that stored files are

corrupt due to computer viruses. Thus, network
administrators should conduct regular check-
ups on the system, and the stored files at the
same time.
5. Its Light Policing Usage Promotes Negative Acts.

It has been observed that providing users with

internet connectivity has fostered undesirable
behavior among them. Considering that the
web is a minefield of distractions—online games,
humor sites could be tempted during their work
hours. The huge network of machines could also
encourage them to engage in illicit practices,
such as instant messaging and file sharing,
instead of working on work-related matters.
While many organizations draw up certain
policies on this, they have proven difficult to
enforce and even engendered resentment
from employees.
6. It requires an efficient handler.
For a computer network to work efficiently and
optimally, it requires high technical skills and know-
how of its operations and administration. A person
just having basic skills cannot do this job. Take note
that the responsibility to handle such a system is high,
as allotting permissions and passwords can be
daunting. Similarly, network configuration and
connection is very tedious and cannot be done by
an average technician who does not have
advanced knowledge.
7. It requires an expensive set-up.

Though computer networks are said to be an

inexpensive system when it is already running, its
initial set up cost can still be high depending on
the number of computers to be connected.
Expensive devices, such as routers, switches,
hubs, etc., can add up to the cost. Aside from
these, it would also need network interface
cards (NICs) for workstations in case they are not
built in.
• Conclusion

Computer networking will always be a fast and

convenient means of transferring and sharing
information, but people should be aware of its
consequences as well. They should remember
that often relying on this system can put them at
certain risks that can be cause by its flaws and
other malfunctions.
DATA COMMUNICATION AND
TRANSMISSION
 Data transmission - Introduction
Data representation

• The purpose of a network is to transmit information

from one computer to another. To do this, you first
have to decide how to encode the data to be
sent, in other words its computer representation.
This will differ according to the type of data, which
could be:
Hi 1010101000001111110
Hi
• Audio data

• Text data

• Graphical data

• Video data
Data representation can be divided into two
categories:

• Digital representation: which means that the

information is encoded as a set
of binary values, in other words a sequence of
0s and 1s

• Analogue representation: which means that

the data will be represented by the variation in
a continuous physical quantity
Data transmission medium
• In order for data transmission to occur, there
must be a transmission line, also
called transmission channel or channel, between
the two machines.

• These transmission channels are made up of

several segments that allow the data to circulate
in the form of electromagnetic, electrical, light or
even acoustic waves. So, in fact, it is a vibratory
phenomenon that is propagated over the
physical medium.
Encoding of transmission signals

• In order for data to be exchanged, an encoding

must be chosen for the transmission signals. This
depends basically on the physical medium used
to transfer the data, the guaranteed data
integrity and transmission speed.
Simultaneous data transmission

• Data transmission is called "simple" if there are

only two machines communicating, or if only a
single piece of data is sent. Otherwise, it is
necessary to install several transmission lines or to
share the line among several different
communication actors. This sharing is
called multiplexing.
Communication protocols
A protocol is a common language used by all
actors in the communication to exchange data.
However, its role does not stop there. A protocol
also allows:

▪Initiation of communications
▪Data exchange
▪Error detection
▪A "courteous" end of communications
Data Transmission - The Physical Connection
What is a Transmission Channel?

• A transmission line is a connection between

two machines. The term transmitter generally
refers to the machine that sends the data
while receiver refers to the one receiving the
data. The machines can sometimes be both
receivers and transmitters (this is generally the
case with computers connected to a
network).
• A transmission line, also sometimes called
a transmission channel, does not necessarily
consist of a single physical medium, which is
why the end machines (as opposed to the
intermediary machines), called DTE, (Data
Terminal Equipment) each have equipment for
the physical medium to which they are
connected called DCTE (Data Circuit
Terminating Equipment) or DCE (Data
Communication Equipment). The term data
circuit refers to the assembly consisting of
the DTCE of each machine and the data
line.
 Data Circuit

DTE DCTE

Way of Transmission

DTE DCTE
DTE - Data Terminal Equipment
DCTE - Data Circuit Terminating Equipment
 The basics of electromagnetic waves

Data is transmitted on a physical medium by

propagation of a vibratory phenomenon. An
undulating signal results from this depending
on the physical quantity that is being varied:

• in the case of light, it is a light wave

• in the case of sound, it is a sound wave
• in the case of voltage or amperage of an
electric current, it is an electrical wave

• Electromagnetic waves are characterized by

their frequency, their amplitude and their
phase.
 Types of physical media
The physical transmission media are the elements
that allow information to flow between
transmission devices. These media are generally
divided into three categories, according to the
type of physical quantity that they allow to
circulate, and therefore according to their
physical composition:

• Wire media allow an electrical quantity to

circulate on a cable that is generally metallic
• Aerial media refers to the air or a vacuum
which allow the circulation of electromagnetic
waves and various types of radio-electric
waves
• Optical media allow information to be sent in the
form of light

The speed of the physical quantity will vary

depending on the physical medium (for example,
sound propagates through the air at a speed of
on the order of 300 m/s whereas the speed of
light is close to 300,000 km/s).
Upload and download
• Download refers to data transfer from the
server to your computer and upload refers to
data transfer from your computer to the
server. It is of interest to know that upload and
download occur on separate transmission
channels (whether this be on a modem or on
a special-purpose line). So, when you are
sending (uploading) a document you are not
losing any download bandwidth.
Contact Me ...

Email : thilina.jiat@gmail.com
THANK YOU