COMPUTER NETWORKS

NETWORKING
Connecting different computers together Advantage of networking: sharing files, sharing resources,communication facility. Types of Network:LAN,WAN,MAN LAN-local area network WAN-wide area network MAN-metropolitan area network

LAN
A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as home, school, computer laboratory or office building. Allows users to share resources like printers, files,application programs,..

MAN
A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a computer network that usually spans a city or a large campus. A MAN usually interconnects a number of local area networks

WAN
Wide area network Covers a region,a nation, or a global area A wide area network (WAN) is a computer network that covers a broad area. Typically, a WAN consists of two or more local-area networks (LANs). Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system.

NETWORK TOPOLOGY
Network topology is the layout pattern of interconnection between the components of a network Types-bus ,star ,ring,hybrid.

BUS TOPOLOGY

B A

 All devices are connected to the same transmission medium called bus Bus may be electrical cables Suppose station B wants to send a message to another station.on the bus network,the packet of data will travel away from the sender station in both directions on the shared cable. Although the packet will be seen by all the stations,only the station it is meant for or addressed to will pay attention to it.

ADVANTAGES
Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus. Requires less cable length than a star topology. Disadvantages
Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.

Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.

RING TOPOLOGY

 A system of local area networking in which each node or station is connected to two others, ultimately forming a loop. Data are passed in one direction only, being received by each node and then transferred to the next node. Access is achieved either by means of a token, passed from one node to the other, or a kind of inquiry made by a master station. Also known as a ring network.

machine 1 wants to send some data to machine 4, so it first has to capture the free Token. It then writes its data and the recipient's address onto the Token . The packet of data is then sent to machine 2 who reads the address, realizes it is not its own, so passes it on to machine 3. Machine 3 does the same and passes the Token on to machine 4This time it is the correct address and so number 4 reads the message and send the acknowledgement to say that it has received the data . The receipt is then sent to machine 5 who checks the address, realizes that it is not its own and so forwards it on to the next machine in the ring, number 6. Machine 6 does the same and forwards the data to number 1, who sent the original message. Machine 1 recognizes the address, reads the acknowledgement from number 4 and then releases the free Token back on to the ring ready for the next machine to use.

 Disadvantages of Ring Topology The failure of a single node of the network can cause the entire network to fail. The movement or changes made to network nodes affects the performance of the entire network. Advantages Very orderly network where every device has access to the token and the opportunity to transmit,Performs better than a bus topology under heavy network load,Does not require a central node to manage the connectivity between the computers

STAR TOPOLOGY

 This consists of a central node, to which all other nodes are connected; this central node provides a common connection point for all nodes through a hub. Data on a star network passes through the hub, switch, or concentrator before continuing to its destination. The hub, switch, or concentrator manages and controls all functions of the network.

Advantages
Better performance: star topology prevents the passing of data packets through an excessive number of nodes Isolation of devices: Each device is inherently isolated by the link that connects it to the hub. This isolation prevents any non-centralized failure from affecting the network. Benefits from centralization: As the central hub is the bottleneck, increasing its capacity, or connecting additional devices to it, increases the size of the network very easily. Centralization also allows the inspection of traffic through the network. This facilitates analysis of the traffic Easy to detect faults and to remove parts. No disruptions to the network when connecting or removing devices.

 DISADVANTAGES:Failure of the central hub renders the network inoperable