Computer Science I

Quarter 4 - Module 1
Networking and the Internet:
An Introduction
 What is It
Basics of Computer Networks
and Internet Use

In this generation, the computer has become essential for educational, professional,
and even personal activities. As technologies advanced, networking also developed from its initial
form of wired network technology into wireless.
Computer Network is an interconnection between computers that acts as a basis of
communication in Information Technology (IT). Setting up a computer network is a fast and
reliable way of sharing information and resources amongst systems and equipment. It includes
two or more computers that are connected—either by the cables (wired) or Wi-Fi (wireless).
Computer networks use hardware (e.g., routers, switches, access points, and cables) and
software (e.g., operating systems or other applications).

Elements of a Computer Network

Hardware
A computer could be a machine that accepts data as input, processes that data using
programs, and produced outputs as information. The network is additionally formed by computers
for the needs of data interchange. Without this hardware, computers do not have any means of
accessing a network.

Kinds of hardware:
1. Network cards give computers direct access to network media and enable them to connect
to other equipment, including routers, switches, modems, and repeaters.

flickr.com

Figure 1. Network cards (Source: Creative Commons licenses)

2. Routers or switches allow one network connection from a modem to be divided between
several computers.

Figure 2. Router
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3. Modem is brief for "Modulator-Demodulator." It is a hardware component that permits a
computer or another device, like a router or switch, to connect to the web.

Figure 3. Modem
4. Repeaters refresh the network signal between coaxial cable segments, allowing Category 5
cables to succeed beyond their 300-foot maximum length without signal loss.

flickr.com
Figure 4. Repeater (Source: Creative Commons licenses)

Transmission medium

The means through which we send our data from one place to another is known as a
Transmission medium. The medium used to connect the nodes of a network varies with the kind
of network.

Wired networks will often use network cables like ethernet cables (i.e., twisted pair cable, coax
cable, and optical fiber cable).

Wireless networks make direct connections between devices using radio signals as the medium
(i.e., radio waves, microwaves, and Infrared).

The signals are transmitted in the kind of electromagnetic energy from one device to
another.

Examples of cable:

pixy.org
commons.wikimedia.org

twisted pair cable coaxial cable optical fiber cable

Figure 5. Network Cables (Source: Creative Commons licenses)

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Protocols
Protocols are some defined rules and standards for communication between network
devices. Network protocols include systems for devices to identify and make connections with
one another, still as formatting rules that specify how data is packed into sent and received
messages.

Types of protocol:
1. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a popular communication protocol that is utilized for
communicating over a network.
2. Internet Protocol (IP) is intended explicitly as addressing protocol. It is mostly used with TCP.
The IP addresses in packets help in transmitting them through different nodes in a network until
it reaches the destination system. TCP/IP is the most preferred protocol connecting the networks.
3. User Datagram Protocol (UDP) could be a substitute communication protocol to
Transmission Control Protocol implemented primarily for creating loss-tolerating and low-latency
linking between different applications.
4. Simple mail transport Protocol (SMTP) is meant to send and distribute outgoing E-Mail.
5. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) allows users to transfer files from one machine to another. Kinds
of files may include program files, multimedia files, text files, and documents, etc.
6. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is intended for transferring a hypertext among two or
more systems. HTML tags are used for creating links.
7. Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a standard protocol that secures
communications among two computers one using the browser and the other fetching data from
a web server. HTTP is used for transferring data between the client browser (request) and thus
the webserver (response) within the hypertext format, same just in case of HTTPS except that
the transferring of data is completed in an encrypted format.

Network Software
Network software is a foundational element for any network. This kind of software helps
administrators deploy, manage, and monitor a network. The standard networks are made from
specialized hardware, like routers and switches, that bundle the networking software into the
solution.
Such a variety of software includes a broad range of software used for the design,
implementation, operation and monitoring of computer networks. Traditional networks were
hardware-based with software embedded. When software like Defined Networking (SDN)
emerged, the software is separated from the hardware thus making it more adaptable to the ever-
changing nature of the computer network.

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Commonly Used Computer Network Types

The internet is a network of networks that connect billions of digital devices worldwide.
Standard protocols allow communication between these devices. Those protocols include
hypertext transfer protocol (the "HTTP" before all website addresses). Internet protocol (or IP
addresses) are the unique identifying numbers required of every device that accesses the
internet. IP addresses are like your mailing address, providing unique location information so
information will be delivered correctly.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Network Service Providers (NSPs) provide the
infrastructure that enables the transmission of packets of data or information over the web.
Information sent over the internet does not go to every device connected to the internet. It is the
combination of protocols and infrastructure that tells information exactly where to travel.
LAN (local area network) - connect computers over a relatively short distance, allowing them to
share data, files, and resources. For example, a LAN may connect all the computers in an office
building, school, or hospital.

Figure 6. Local Area Network (LAN)

WLAN (wireless local area network) is just like a LAN but connections between devices on the
network are made wirelessly.

Figure 7. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

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PAN (personal area network) which serves one person. For example, if you have a mobile phone
and a personal computer, it is very likely to set up a PAN that shares and syncs content—text
messages, emails, photos, and more—across both devices.

Figure 8. Personal Area Network (PAN)

VPN (virtual private network) is a secure, point-to-point connection between two network
endpoints. A VPN establishes an encrypted channel that keeps a user’s identity and access
credentials, as well as any data transferred, inaccessible to hackers.

Figure 9. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

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WAN (wide area network) connects computers over a wide area, such as from region to region
or even continent to continent. The internet is the largest WAN, connecting billions of computers
worldwide. You will typically see collective or distributed ownership models for WAN
management.

Figure 10. Wide Area Network (WAN)

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ACTIVITIES – 1 WHOLE SHEET OF PAPER – ANSWER ONLY
Write if it is Independent activity 1, Independent Assessment1, etc

Independent Activity 1

Directions: Give the meaning of the following acronyms. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.
1. URL
2. HTTP
3. IP
4. LAN
5. VPN

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Independent Assessment 1

Directions: Match the pictures of the computer hardware in Column A with their names in
Column B. Write the letter of your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Column A Column B

1.

a. modem

2.

b. network card

3.

c. repeater

4.

d. router

5.
e. twisted pair cable

Independent Activity 2

Directions: Write H if the following is a hardware, P if it is a protocol and N if it is a computer

network. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. File Transfer Protocol

2. Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
3. Modem
4. Router
5. Wide Area Network

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Independent Assessment 2

Directions: Identify what network types are shown in the illustrations below. Write your answer
on a separate sheet of paper.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

Independent Activity 3

Directions: : Fill in the missing word with the correct answer. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. Network cards give computers to network media and enable them to

connect to other equipment, including routers, switches, modems, and repeaters.
2. Network software is a element for any network.
3. Wired networks will often use network cables like .
4. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Network Service Providers (NSPs) provide the
that enables the transmission of packets of data or information over the
web.
5. A could be a machine that accepts data as input, processes that data using
programs, and produced outputs as information.

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Independent Assessment 3

Directions: Label the parts of a simple computer network as shown in the picture below. Choose
your answer in the word pool below and write it on a separate sheet of paper.
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Internet Desktop Computer Router Server Switch

What I Have Learned

Directions: Upon completing this module, summarize what you have learned about the topic
by answering the exit slips below.

1. Draw a simple illustration that shows the elements of a computer network. (5 points)

2. Name the hardware needed for computer communication. (1 point each)

3. Classify the different methods used in computer communications. (1 point each)

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