COMPUTER NETWORKING

Explain some terms;

1. Data: Data is the name given to basic or raw facts and entries such as alphabets and numbers. Information
is data which has been converted into a more useful or intelligible form.
2. Data Transmission: This simply means the movement of information from one computer (source/host) to
another (receiver/client). They are 3 main transmission medium.
i. Electrical Signals carried along a conductor
ii. Optical signals carried along optical fibers
iii. Electromagnetic waves such as radio or infrared signals transmitted through space.
Data can be transmitted via two methods: Communication channels (paired wires & cables, co-axial cables,
fiber optics cables) and Wireless transmission (Radio transmission, Microwave transmission. Light wave
transmission, infrared and millimeter wave transmission).

NETWORKING
This refers to the practice if interfacing two or more computing devices with each other for the purpose of
sharing data.
A computer network is a system in which multiple computers are connected to each other to share information
and resources. Computers that are connected to the same network are called nodes. The connection between
computers can be done via cabling, most commonly the Ethernet cable, or fiber optic cable. Connections can
also be wireless using Wi-Fi to send information using radio waves.

Uses of Computer Networks

Here are some common application of computer networks

 Helps you to share resource such as printers

 Allows you to share expensive software’s and database among network participants
 Provides fast and effective communication from one computer to another computer
 Helps you to exchange data and information among users via a network.

Advantages of Computer Networking

Here are the fundamental benefits/pros of using Computer Networking:

 Helps you to connect with multiple computers together to send and receive information when accessing
the network.
 Helps you to share printers, scanners, and email.
 Helps you to share information at very fast speed
 Electronic communication is more efficient and less expensive than without the network.

Disadvantages of Computer Networking

Here are drawbacks/ cons of using computer networks:

 Investment for hardware and software can be costly for initial set-up
 If you don’t take proper security precautions like file encryption, firewalls then your data will be at risk.
 Some components of the network design may not last for many years, and it will become useless or
malfunction and need to be replaced.
 Requires time for constant administration
 Frequent server failure and issues of regular cable faults

To form a computer network, some hardware components are required

A. Network Cables: Also called Ethernet cables or connection cables are used to connect computers of a
network.
 B. Switch: Switches work as a controller which connects computers, printers, and other hardware devices
C. Routers help you to connect with multiple networks. It enables you to share a single internet
connection and saves money
D. Servers are computers that hold shared programs, files, and the network operating system
E. Clients are computer device which accesses and uses the network and shares network resources
F. Network Cards is a necessary component of a computer, without which a computer cannot connect to
a network. It is also known as network adapter or NIC. There are of 2 types: Internal and external
network card.

Types of Network
There are several different types of computer networks. Computer networks can be characterized by their size
as well as their purpose.
The size of a network can be expressed by the geographic area they occupy and the number of computers that
are part of the network. Networks can cover anything from a handful of devices within a single room to millions
of devices spread across the entire globe.
Some of the different networks based on size are;

 Personal area network, or PAN

 Local area network, or LAN
 Metropolitan area network, or MAN
 Wide area network, or WAN

Personal Area Network

A personal area network, or PAN, is a computer network organized around an individual person within a
single building. This could be inside a small office or residence. A typical PAN would include one or more
computers, telephones, peripheral devices, video game consoles and other personal entertainment devices.
If multiple individuals use the same network within a residence, the network is sometimes referred to as a home
area network, or HAN. In a very typical setup, a residence will have a single wired Internet connection
connected to a modem. This modem then provides both wired and wireless connections for multiple devices.
The network is typically managed from a single computer but can be accessed from any device.
This type of network provides great flexibility. For example, it allows you to:

 Send a document to the printer in the office upstairs while you are sitting on the couch with your laptop.
 Upload a photo from your cell phone to your desktop computer.
 Watch movies from an online streaming service to your TV.

If this sounds familiar to you, you likely have a PAN in your house without having called it by its name.
Local Area Network
A local area network, or LAN, consists of a computer network at a single site, typically an individual office
building. A LAN is very useful for sharing resources, such as data storage and printers. LANs can be built with
relatively inexpensive hardware, such as hubs, network adapters and Ethernet cables.
The smallest LAN may only use two computers, while larger LANs can accommodate thousands of computers.
A LAN typically relies mostly on wired connections for increased speed and security, but wireless connections
can also be part of a LAN. High speed and relatively low cost are the defining characteristics of LANs.
LANs are typically used for single sites where people need to share resources among themselves but not with
the rest of the outside world. Think of an office building where everybody should be able to access files on a
central server or be able to print a document to one or more central printers. Those tasks should be easy for
 everybody working in the same office, but you would not want somebody just walking outside to be able to
send a document to the printer from their cell phone! If a local area network, or LAN, is entirely wireless, it is
referred to as a wireless local area network, or WLAN.
Metropolitan Area Network
A metropolitan area network, or MAN, consists of a computer network across an entire city, college campus
or small region. A MAN is larger than a LAN, which is typically limited to a single building or site. Depending
on the configuration, this type of network can cover an area from several miles to tens of miles. A MAN is often
used to connect several LANs together to form a bigger network. When this type of network is specifically
designed for a college campus, it is sometimes referred to as a campus area network, or CAN.

Wide Area Network

A wide area network, or WAN, occupies a very large area, such as an entire country or the entire world. A
WAN can contain multiple smaller networks, such as LANs or MANs. The Internet is the best-known example
of a public WAN.
A WAN can be setup both physically and virtually. A WAN can connect multiple other LANs virtually, creating
what is called a VLAN. In this sense it is like a LAN of LANs!
When it comes to today's increased use of remote work connections, the WAN is a powerful tool that provides
interfaces to the Internet as well as giving access to systems that may be spread throughout the world.
One means of connecting to a WAN is through a VPN or virtual private network. This allows a secure
connection to the WAN, thus protecting your data and device from attack.
In addition to virtual connections, fiber optic provides a backbone to many WAN setups.

THE INTERNET verses INTRANET

Attributes Internet
Definition The Internet is a network of several
computers connected worldwide using the
Internet protocol suite (TCP/ IP).
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol
Users As stated above, the Internet is a globally
connected network; users' number is
comparatively much higher than Intranet.
Accessibility Anyone can access and use it.
Type of The Internet is a type of public network.
Network
Security Because the internet is a public network, it is
a considerably less secure network.
Cybercriminals usually target people using
the Internet.
Information Due to a wider range, the availability of
and Data information and the data is unlimited. People
are free to use the Internet and their
knowledge. That is why more and more data
is being added to different fields on the
Internet regularly.
Intranet
An Intranet is a private network of computers
designed for a certain group of people and owned
by a particular firm or organization. It can include
several local area networks and also uses leased
lines in the wide-area network.
Because of a limited range, the total numbers of
users on Intranet are limited. When compared to
the Internet, Intranet has very few users.
Only certain people are authorized to use Intranet
because it is a company's internal network, so
accessible by the employees or admin who have
login credentials.
The intranet is a type of private network installed
mainly for any organization operations.
Due to limited access, there is no such possibility
or very less possibility of cyber threats in
Intranet, making it more secure compared to that
of the Internet.
The intranet is limited to group-specific
information. That means the Intranet information
and data are limited to any specific company's
records, operations, inventory, etc. In this case,
only certain people with admin privileges are
allowed to add or modify the information.
Traffic Due to a higher number of users and a public Intranet has limited users, and so visitor's traffic
network, the total visitor's traffic very high. It is limited and comparatively less than the
is almost uncountable. Internet. In the case of Intranet, traffic is
countable.
Characteristic The Internet includes several intranets. The intranet is like a subset of the Internet.
Intranet can only be used using the Internet but
with certain restrictions and security practices.

Some Similarities includes;

1. Intranet uses the internet protocol TCP/IP
2. Intranet sites are accessible via the web browsers in similar way as websites in the internet.
However only members of the intranet network can access intranet hosted sites.
3. Instant messengers can also be used on intranet hosted sites.