COMPUTER NETWORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS (3.

0)

Basic Concepts Of Computer Networks And Communications (3.1)

Define computer networks (3.1.1.1)
 A computer network is a system of interconnected computers and peripheral devices.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network)

Define communications (3.1.1.2)

 Communication is an activity of transferring information from a sender, across a
distance, to a receiver.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication)

Importance Of Computer Networks (3.1.2)

State the importance of computer networks and communications. (3.1.2.1)
 E-Business – Sell and conduct online shopping through a network.
 Online education – Share knowledge, search for information and join and online discussion.
 E-banking – pay bills, browse account balance and transfer money to other parties without
going to the bank.
 Long distance communication – communication with people anywhere in the world can be
faster, and easier and save cost.

Types of Network (3.1.3)

Define types of computer networks (3.1.3.1)

 Local Area Network (LAN)

A LAN cover a small region of space in a limited geographical area such as home, school,
closely positioned group of buildings.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network)

 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A MAN is a large computer network that usually spans a city or a large campus .
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_area_network)

 Wide Area Network (WAN)

A WAN is the largest network of all network types, for instance a country or even beyond
the border.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_area_network )
Differentiate between the three types of computer networks (3.1.3.2)
CRITERIA LAN MAN WAN
NETWORK SIZE Covers a limited area Cover a greater area Cover the largest
such as in a single such as a city geographical area such
building as the size of Malaysia
SPEED Very high speed A high speed network A slow speed network
network
COST Inexpensive hardware Expensive hardware Very expensive
hardware
TRANSMISSION Twisted pair/ coaxial Twisted pair/ fiber Fiber optic/radio
MEDIA TYPE cables optic wave/ satellite

Network Architecture (3.1.4)

Define two types of network architecture (3.1.4.1)
 Client/Server - One or more computers act as a server, and the other computers on the
network request service from the server.
(Discovering computers 2006 A Gateway to Information, Shelly, Cashman,
Vermaat)

 Peer-to-peer - Computer in peer- to -peer architecture has equal status. All the nodes acting
as both servers and clients.
(ICT Based on SPM Syllabus, Venton)

Network Topology (3.1.5)

 In computer networking, topology refers to the layout of connected devices.

State three types of network topologies (3.1.5.1)

Bus Ring Star

- Consists of all - Consists of all - Consists of all

computer/node and
other devices connected
and communicate
through a single central
cable (backbone)
- If the backbone cable
fails, the entire network
unusable.
computers/nodes and
other devices that are
connected in a loop /
same direction.
- If one node fail the
entire network will fail.
computers/nodes connect
to the central host /
server/switch/hub/router
directly.
- If one node fails, it doesn’t
affect the entire network.
But if the hub fails, the
entire network also fails.
Differentiate between the three types of network topology (3.1.5.2)
Aspect Bus Topology Ring Topology Star Topology
Structure All computers/nodes All computers/nodes All computers/nodes
are connected to a are connected in a are connected to
single central cable loop central host directly
(backbone)
Connection between It has no connection It has connection It has no connection
nodes between nodes but between all the nodes between nodes
connect to backbone
Ease of trouble Easy identification of Easy to troubleshoot Difficult when one of
shooting cable faults - Repair or remove the nodes fails but
the failing nodes easy to troubleshoot
when the host is fails.
Easy of adding or Easy to implement Difficult because Easy to implement
removing nodes and extend. New moves, adds and and extend. Only add
devices can be added changes of devices the nodes or devices
to the backbone or to can affect the network to the host
the existing nodes
Node failure Failure of a node A failing node will Failure of a node
doesn’t affect the affect the entire LAN doesn’t affect the
entire LAN as long as entire LAN as long as
backbone is working host is working

PROTOCOL (3.1.6)
Define Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) as a protocol to
facilitate communication over computer network. (3.1.6.1)
 Protocols provide the rules on how computers communicate.
 TCP/IP is a set of computer rules to enable computers to communicate over a network.
 TCP/IP provides end-to-end connectivity specifying how data should be formatted,
addressed, transmitted, routed and received at the destination.
Internet, Intranet, Extranet (3.1.7)
Describe the types of network communications technology (3.1.7.1)

INTERNET - The Internet is a global system of

interconnected computer
networks use the standard
Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP)
to serve billions of users
worldwide
- It is a network of networks that
consists of millions of private,
public, academic, business, and
government networks, of local to
global scope, that are linked by a
broad array of electronic and
optical networking technologies

INTRANET - An intranet is a private computer

network
- Use Internet Protocol
technologies to securely share
any part of an organization's
information within that
organization
- Example of intranet application:
telephone directories, job
posting, event calendars
- Example employees can access
the company information by
using username and password
 EXTRANET - An extranet is a private
computer network which allows
partner/vendors/customer or
suppliers to access part of its
intranet.
- Also need username and
password to access the company
information
- Example such as an online
banking application managed by
one company on behalf of
affiliated banks

DEVICES (3.2.1)
Identify the devices needed in computer network communication (3.2.1.1)
State the functions of the following devices (3.2.1.2)
TYPE OF DEVICES FUNCTIONS

Network Interface Card (NIC) is also

commonly referred to as a network adapter
and is an expansion card that enables a
computer to connect to a network using a
given protocol.
Network Interface Card (NIC)

Wireless Network Interface Card (WNIC) is a

network card that provides wireless data
transmission. This card uses an antenna to
communicate through microwaves.

Wireless Network Interface Card (WNIC)

 A modem is a device or program that
enables a computer to transmit data over,
for example, telephone or cable lines.
Use to convert digital signal to analog signal
and vise versa.

Modem (modulator-demodulator)

A hub or switch is a device that provides a

central point for cables in a network.
Switches allow user to send information,
such as email, and access shared resources,
including printers
Hub / Switch

A network device that forwards packets or

data from one network to another according
to the packet’s destination address.

Router

A Wireless Access Point is a central

communications device that allows
computers and devices to transfer data
wirelessly to a wired network using Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth or related standards.

Wireless Access Point

Medium (3.2.2)
Identify various types of cables such as Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP), Shielded Twisted Pair
(STP), coaxial and fiber optic cable (3.2.2.1)

 Shielded Twisted-Pair Cable

Its Four pairs of colour-coded wires are each wrapped in metallic foil, and all four are then
collectively wrapped in a layer of metallic braid or foil. Finally, this layer is wrapped with outer
jacket.

 Unshielded Twisted-Pair Cable

Consist of two wires or conductor twisted together, each with it own plastic insulation. Cancel
out the electromagnetic interference that can cause crosstalk, the noise generated by adjacent
pairs.

 Coaxial Cable

The coaxial cable, often referred to as ‘coax’, consists of a single copper wire surrounded by at
least three layers. They are an insulating material, a woven or braided metal and a plastic outer
coating. This cable is often used as cable television (CATV) network wiring because it can be
cabled over longer distances in comparison to the twisted-pair cable.
 Fibre Optic Cable

The fibre optic cable is a networking medium that uses light for data transmission. The intensity
of light is increased and decreased to represent binary one and zero. The binary system is a way
of counting using just the two numbers 0 and 1.

Identify various types of wireless transmission media such as infrared, radio wave and
satellite. (3.2.2.2)

Wireless Technology
In a wireless media however, signal transmission is unguided and the device communicates
without using wires between nodes, usually by relying on radio frequencies instead.

Infrared

 Infrared
Infrared is a wireless transmission medium that sends signals using infrared light waves. Infrared
is used in devices such as the mouse, wireless keyboard and printers. Some manufacturers
provide a special port called the IrDA port that allows a wireless keyboard to communicate with
a PC. Infrared signals have frequencies between 300 GHz to 400 THz.

Radio wave

 Radio wave
Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the electromagnetic
spectrum longer than infrared light. When an antenna transmits radio waves, they are
propagated in all directions. This means that the sending and receiving antennas do not have to
be aligned. Our AM and FM radio stations, cordless phones and televisions are examples of
multicasting.

Satellite

Satellite
Satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavor. A
communication satellite is a space station that receives microwave signals from an earth-
based station, amplifies (strengthen) the signals, and broadcasts the signals back over a
wide area to any number of earth-based stations.

Server Software (3.3.1)

Define Network Operating System (3.3.1.1)

A Network Operating System or known as NOS, has additional functionality that allows it to
connect computers and peripherals to a network.
They provide the capabilities required for network operation. Network operating systems are
also designed for client computers and provide functions so the distinction between network
operating systems and stand alone operating systems is not always obvious.

Name various Network Operating System Software (3.3.1.2)

 Windows NT
  Windows 2000 Server
 Windows Server 2003
 Red Hat Linux

Client Software (3.3.2)

State the functions of various client software. (3.3.2.1)
 Web Browser
A web browser is a software application that enables a user to display and interact with HTML
documents hosted by web servers or held in a file system. Text and images on a web page can
contain hyperlinks to other web pages at the same or to different websites. Web browsers allow
a user to quickly and easily access information provided on many web pages at many websites
by surfing these links. Web browsers available for personal computers include Microsoft
Internet Explorer, Safari, Netscape and Opera.
 Email Client
An email client is a computer program that is used to read and send email. Outlook Express and
Thunderbird is a Microsoft application that is included as part of the Microsoft Windows OS.
 Network Utilities
Network Utilities are small computer programs that are used to test various aspects of a
network. Among the utilities provided are ping and Trace Route.
Note: Ping - Ping is a computer network administration utility used to test the reachability
of a host on an Internet Protocol (IP) network.
Trace Route - traceroute is a computer network tool used to show the route taken
by packets across an IP network.

 Network File Manager

A network file manager is a software tool that provides a user interface to work with computer
network files. Examples are Network Neighborhood and My Network Places.

Setting Network Facilities (3.4)

Installation of Network Interface Card (NIC) (3.4.1)

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Insert Network Interface Card (NIC) (3.4.1.1)

Insert the Network Interface Card into the slot

and firmly pressing the card down.

Secure the card in place with the screw from

the blanking plate.

Replace the casing or side panel of your PC.

 Finally, boot the PC and install the driver.

Install Driver for the NIC (3.4.1.2)

Example : Installing The NIC Driver For Windows XP

Windows will indicate that it has found a new

hardware after the NIC has been inserted into
its slot. The “Found New Hardware Wizard”
will then appear. Click “Next” to continue.

Step 1: Select “Search for the best driver for

my device (recommended)” and click “Next” to
continue.

Step 2: Select “CD-ROM Drives” and click

“Next” to continue. Windows will now search
for a suitable driver for your device.
 Step 3: Windows will locate the correct driver
for your device and indicate that it is now
ready to install the driver. Click “Next” to
continue.

The NIC driver is now properly installed.

Restart the computer to complete the
installation.

Setting Network Facilities (3.4)

Cable Crimping and Testing (3.4.2)

STRAIGHT CABLE
ITEMS FOR MAKING STRAIGHT CABLE

 Cat5 Cable
CAT 5 cable has four twisted pairs of wire for a total of eight individually insulated wires.
Each pair is colour coded with one wire having a solid colour:
 Blue
 Orange
 Green
 Brown
Twisted around a second wire with a white background and a stripe of the same colour.
 RJ-45 is the standard connector utilized on 4-pair (8-wire) UTP Unshielded
Twisted Pair) cable.
 Crimp tool - to crimp RJ-45 connectors.
 Cutters - to cut the cable off at the reel and to fine tune the cable ends during
assembly.
 Cable Tester - A cable tester is an electronic device used to verify the electrical
connections in a cable or other wired assembly.

CABLE CRIMPING PROCESS

 The total length of wire segments between a PC and a hub or PC to

PC cannot exceed 100 Meters.

 Strip one end of the cable with the stripper or a cutter.

 If you are using the stripper, place the cable in the groove on the blade (left) side of
the stripper and align the end of the cable with the right side of the stripper.

 Spread and arrange the pairs roughly:

White/Green, Blue
White/Blue, Green
White/Brown, Brown
White/Orange, Orange

 Trim the ends of the wires so they are even with one another.

 It is very important that the unstripped or untwisted end be

slightly less than half-inch long.

 If it is longer than half-inch it will be out of its specifications and

will cause crosstalk.

 If it is slightly less than half-inch long, it will not be properly

clinched when RJ-45 plug is crimped on.


 There should be little or no space between the wires.

 Hold the RJ-45 plug with the clip facing down or away from you.
Push the wire firmly into the plug.
 Inspect it carefully. Looking through the bottom of the plug, the wire on the far left
side will have a white background

 The wires should all end evenly at the front of the plug.

 Hold the wire near the RJ-45 plug with the clip down and firmly
push it into the front-left of the crimper.

 Hold the wire in place and squeeze the crimper handles quite
firmly. Crimp it once.
 Finally test the crimping result.

 Test the crimp strength.

 If it is done properly, an average person will not be able to pull the
plug off the cable with his or her bare hands.
CROSSED CABLE

 This cable can be used to directly connect two computers to each other without the use
of a hub or switch.
 Configuration and Testing of Network (3.4.3)

Configure the workstation to join a Local Area Network (3.4.3.1)

 The first step is to open the Control Panel window.

 Select Network and Internet Connections.

 Click on the Network Connections icon.

 Inside the Network Connections window, right click on Local Area Connection icon. Then click
on Properties in the drop down menu.

 In the next dialogue box, click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) icon.

 Then click on the properties button. After the properties button is clicked, the Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window will appear. You will see details like IP address, Subnet
mask and Default gateway. Subnet mask specifies the size of the network. Here, we usually
use 255.255.255.0 for small networks. Gateways are used to connect to other networks and
the Internet.

Test the network connection. (3.4.3.2)

1. From the Start menu select Programs and DOS Prompt to open up a DOS window.

Type ping followed by your IP address.

2. If you successfully sent and received packets, all is well with the TCP/IP connection.
3. If ping displays error
messages such as:

 request timed out

 unknown host
 could not send, receive packets over the network

Share Data (3.4.4)

Create a shared folder.(3.4.4.1)

 Click Start then "My Computer"

 Go to the directory above the one you wish to share.  In this example I will share the
folder "folder" on G:

 Right click the folder and click "Sharing and Security"

 Click "Share this folder" than if you would like, change the name of the desired share. 
After you do that, click the "Permissions" button

 Now you can change who will have access to what on this shared resource, but for the
sake of this tutorial, we will give "Everyone" "Full Control".  After you select "Allow" for
"Full Control", Click "OK" and "OK" on the Share window
 Go back to the folder above the shared one in Explorer and you will see a hand under
the folder icon which shows that the folder is now shared

 And that's it for the sharing section.

Current and Future Developments (3.5)

Mobile Computing
Definition
Mobile computing is a generic term describing one's ability to use technology while moving, as
opposed to portable computers, which are only practical for use while deployed in a stationary
configuration.
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_computing)

Specification, Services, and Frequencies of Mobile Computing

(http://www.htc.com/www/product/touch3g/specification.html)

HTC TOUCH 3G

SPECIFICATIONS

Network HSDPA/WCDMA:
Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz
Up to 384 kbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
(Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent.)
Processor Qualcomm® MSM7225™, 528 MHz
Operating System Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
Memory ROM:256 MB
 RAM: 192 MB
Dimensions 102 mm X 53.6 mm X 14.5 mm
(LxWxT) (4.016 inches X 2.110 inches X 0.571 inches)
Weight 96 grams (3.386 ounces) with battery
Display 2.8-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with QVGA resolution

Camera 3.2 megapixel color camera with fixed focus

Audio Built-in microphone and speaker
Ring tone formats:
AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, QCP, MP3, WMA, WAV
40 polyphonic and standard MIDI format 0 and 1 (SMF)/SP MIDI
Battery Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
Capacity: 1100 mAh

Talk time:

Up to 360 minutes for WCDMA

Up to 400 minutes for GSM
Standby time:
Up to 450 hours for WCDMA
Up to 365 hours for GSM
(The above are subject to network and phone usage.)
Expansion Slot microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
AC Adapter Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60 Hz
DC output: 5V and 1A

SERVICES

Device Control * HTC TouchFLO™

* 4-Way navigation control with Enter button
GPS Internal GPS antenna
Connectivity Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate and A2DP for stereo
wireless headsets
 Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g
HTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0 and audio jack in one)

FREQUENCIES

Processor Qualcomm® MSM7225™, 528 MHz

Network HSDPA/WCDMA:
Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz
Up to 384 kbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
(Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent.)

Internet Technology and Services

VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a general term for a family of transmission
technologies for delivery of voice communications over IP networks such as the Internet
or other packet-switched networks.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_Internet_Protocol)

Blog
A blog (a contraction of the term "web log") is a type of website, usually maintained by
an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other
material such as graphics or video.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog)

Types of Network

PAN
A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among
computer devices (including telephones and personal digital assistants) close to one's
person.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_area_network )

VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is a network that uses a public telecommunication
infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote offices or individual users with
secure access to their organization's network.
 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Private_network)

WLAN
A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a wireless local area network that links two or more
computers or devices using spread-spectrum or OFDM modulation technology based to
enable communication between devices in a limited area.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_LAN)
WIMAX
WiMAX, meaning Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a
telecommunications technology that provides wireless transmission of data using a
variety of transmission modes, from point-to-multipoint links to portable and fully
mobile Internet access.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMAX)

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_network
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_network
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_network
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/intranet.html
http://www.mariosalexandrou.com/definition/extranet.asp
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/networkdesign/a/topologies.htm
http://www.google.com.my/search?
hl=en&biw=1024&bih=578&defl=en&q=define:internet&sa=X&ei=p6m7TPCXE4zcvQPs583sDQ&
ved=0CB4QkAE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extranet
http://www.visualwin.com/VSS/Part1.html
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/IP_address.html