Information Technology

Grade 10
December 14 -16, 2021
Topic: Computer Networks and Web Technologies
Sub-Topic: Types of Networks;
Specific Objectives
Students should be able to distinguish among types of networks;
Types of networks (local area network, metropolitan area network, wide area network, mobile network).
(a) Concept of mobile network as radiobased common carrier.
(b) Overview of mobile networks: from 2G to current. (Knowledge of the inner workings of mobile systems is NOT
required)
Wireless network technologies (for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, hotspot).
Level of privacy (intranet, extranet, Internet).

NOTES;
A computer network is a group of computing devices that are connected together so that they can share data
and resources.
A mobile network is a network of communication and computing devices where the last link is over a mobile
phone network
Originally developed for mobile phone systems, mobile networks now carry data as well as voice communication.
Persons on the move with smartphones can now join a computer network.
Computer networks are needed because organisations want to communicate with others and share data files and
other resources.
Most modern computing devices have networking facilities built in. Desktop computers and laptops will usually
have a network port into which a physical network cable can be plugged and a wireless network adapter allowing
the computer to join a Wi-Fi network without a physical cable. Smartphones are able to connect to a mobile
network and they also include a wireless Wi-Fi network adapter.
Wi-Fi is a standard for wireless communication between computing devices.
In a wired network computing devices communicate using physical wires. In a wireless network computing
devices communicate using electromagnetic (radio) waves of different frequencies. Types of wireless
communication are Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and mobile 2G (second generation), 3G, 4G – but more about them later.
Most networks are a combination of wired and wireless.
Networks range from a few computers connected together in an office to billions of computers connected
together to create the Internet.
Types of networks (local area network, metropolitan area network, wide area network, mobile network).
A computer network may be classified based on its geographic span. Computer networks are designed to meet
the data communication needs of individuals and organisations. A small network may connect computers in
multiple rooms in a building; large networks may connect computers in different countries.
Local Area Networks
Local Area Networks are everywhere! A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects
computers within a limited area such as a home, school, laboratory or office building.
Chances are there is a government office or a private organisation nearby that has a LAN in operation. The
computer lab at your school may well have a local area network in operation. As a matter of fact, there may be
more than one LAN in operation at your school.

Metropolitan Area Network

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a computer network in a geographic area or region larger than that
covered by a LAN.
A number of Caribbean governments have already started to set up metropolitan area networks. These networks
give employees around a town or city access to a range of government information and services. Private sector
businesses have also set up MANs in cities and towns across the Caribbean. A local supermarket chain will have
branches throughout the city. Each branch will have one or more local area networks but they will all be
networked to the head office in the city centre, creating a metropolitan area network.
Wide Area Networks
A Wide Area Networks
(WAN) is a computer network in which the computers connected may be far apart, even in different countries.
WANs provide national, regional and international organisations with the connectivity needed to sustain their
operations. Large financial institutions, utility companies and telecommunications service providers are some of
the types of organisations that set up and operate WANs. You are able to use your bank card to access funds at an
automated teller machine anywhere in your country (and even regionally and internationally). This is due to the
fact that your bank operates a WAN either singly or in collaboration with other institutions
Mobile networks as radio-based common carriers
In addition to LANs, MANs and WANs, mobile networks introduce a new dimension to networking. A computer
network using a mobile network effectively extends the physical distribution of a network to anywhere that
receives a mobile phone signal such as onto buses.
Recall that a mobile network is a network of communication and computing devices where the last link is over a
mobile phone network. Mobile network services are operated by a few large companies in each country, for
example Digicel and FLOW. Many computer networks rely on mobile networks to provided additional flexible
connectivity.
A common carrier is a company that offers communication services to the general public.
Mobile networks started life as networks for cellular phones. They are called cell phones because of the way in
which mobile networks work. A mobile phone mast has a radio transmitter and receiver at the top. The signals
from the mast reach out in a circle – or cell. Any mobile phone within that cell can communicate with the mast. In
a city there are many hundreds of masts spread throughout the city area so that their cells overlap. All the masts
are networked together so a mobile phone in one cell can communicate with a mobile phone in the same cell or
another cell. From its early days this system has expanded and now covers the majority of urban areas around the
globe.
One particularly clever aspect of a mobile network is that if you leave one cell and enter another, your
communication device automatically disconnects from one mast and reconnects to the new mast without any
interruption to service. Mobile networks continue to expanding coverage, speed and capacity.
Mobile wireless standards: from 2G to 5G
First there was mobile technology, then second-generation mobile technology (2G). As of 2019, 3G and 4G are in
widespread use around the Caribbean and the world. The change from 2G to 3G was a major breakthrough in
communications. 3G receives a signal from the nearest mobile phone tower and is used for phone calls,
messaging and data. It is generally accepted that 4G works the same as 3G but with a faster Internet connection.
4G claims to be around five times faster than existing 3G services.