P age |1

Class Note
Lecture 5: Networking and Communication:
In this lecture, we will know about computer networks and how communications is done.

What is the purpose of networks?

The main purpose of networks is communication. Now we can do voice call, video call, send email, uses
social media etc. by using internet. Networks allows us to stay connected in real-time, no matter where
we are in the world.

Another purpose of network is resources sharing. Networking allows multiple users and devices to share
resources such as files, printers and internet connection.

4 elements of communications

To have a perfect communication between two entities, the following 4 elements must be present.

1. Devices: These are used to communicate with one another. Example: PC, Laptop, Smartphone,
Router etc.
2. Medium: This is how the devices are connected together. Example: Cable, Wireless medium
(radio wave), Optical fiber.
3. Message: Information that will travel over the medium from source to receiver. Example: Image,
Text, Audio, etc.
4. Rules/Protocols: This governs and manages how message will flow across the network. Example:
ftp (File Transfer Protocol), http (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) etc.

Devices

As we have discussed earlier, all the necessary electronic machine that involves in communication are
devices. There are two types of devices:

1. End Device: This are the devices that have interface with human network and communication
network. In easy words, these are the devices in where we send or receive message. Data
originates with an end device and arrives at an end device. Example: Smartphone, PC, Laptop,
Printers, Servers etc.
2. Intermediary Device: These devices provide connectivity between end devices. These manages
data as it flows through the network. Example: Routers, Switch, Wireless Access Points (Typically
knows as WiFi Router).

Identify end and intermediary devices:

Tricks for exam: End device should have only one wired connected (see blue circle). Intermediary device
should have more than one wired connected (see red circles).

CLASS NOTE | Lecture 5

 P age |2

Medium

We usually see 3 types of medium in our day-to-day life.

1. Metal wires: These are usually copper wires that uses electrical impulses. Example: Coaxial
cable, twisted pair cable.
2. Glass or plastic Fiber: These uses pulses of light. Example: Fiber optic cable
3. Wireless transmission: These uses specific frequency of electromagnetic waves. Example: Wifi:
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz etc. Mobile Data: Radio waves.

Message

Information that will travel over the medium from source to receiver. Example: Image, Text, Audio, etc.

Rules/Protocols

This governs and manages how message will flow across the network. Example: ftp (File Transfer
Protocol), http (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) etc. It defines:
What is communicated??
How it is communicated??
When it is communicated??

Types of Networks

PAN: Personal Area Network. Range: Up to 10 meters. Ex. Bluetooth

LAN: Local Area Network. Range: 50 to 300 meters. Ex. Home Wi-Fi Router, Office/University Network
etc.
MAN: Metropolitan Area Network. Range: Up to 50 KM. Ex. WiMAX
WAN: Wide Area Network. Range: Not limited. Ex. Cellular Networks (GSM etc.)

Learn to identify PAN, MAN, LAN, WAN from images.

Network Topologies

Network topology is the way devices are physically or logically connected in a network.

CLASS NOTE | Lecture 5

 P age |3

Bus Topology

In this topology, devices are connected with a central cable (bus).

Advantages:

1. It is very simple to setup and understand.

2. It is cheap to implement.

Disadvantages:

1. If the central cable (bus) fails, the whole network

can go down.
2. If more devices are connected to the same central
cable, the performance of the network falls down.

Star Topology

All devices are connected to a central hub or switch. Our home Wi-Fi router and smartphones are an
example of star topology.

Advantages:

1. Failure of one cable or device does not affect the rest of the
network.
2. Network Issues are easy to fix.
3. Each device has a dedicated connection to the central
hub/switch.

Disadvantage:

1. It is more costly than bus topology as we need to buy a

central hub / switch.
2. If the central hub/switch is failed, then the whole network will stop working.

Ring Topology

Devices are connected in a closed loop.

Advantages:

1. Data flows in one direction which reduces the chance of

packet collisions.
2. There is no need of server or device so it is cheaper.

Disadvantages:

1. If any cable fails, the whole network can go down.

2. All computer must be turned on.
3. There are some privacy issues.

CLASS NOTE | Lecture 5

 P age |4

Mesh Topology

Every device is directly connected to every other device.

Advantages:

1. Fault tolerance is excellent, and data can

find multiple paths to its destination.
2. Failure during a single device or cable does
not break the network.

Disadvantages:

1. It is very costly
2. Installation is extremely difficult in the
mesh.

CLASS NOTE | Lecture 5