Computer Network

Introduction to Computer
Networks

A computer network is a system of interconnected

computers. The computers of a Network communicate
with one another and share applications, data, voice and
video, and hardware components. There are three main
types of computer network,they are:

1. Local Area Network(LAN)

2. Wide Area Network(WAN) and
3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Use of Computer
Networks

• Simultaneous access to programs and data.

• Sharing peripheral devices like prints, scanners etc.
• Personal communication using e-mail.
• Making backup of information.
• Aiding communication by video-conferencing.
• Protecting information by account name and password.
Local Area Network(LAN)

Local area network provide interconnection of a

variety of data communicating devices within a
small area. The key ingredients that determine the
characteristics of a LAN are:

•Topology
•Transmission media
•Interface card and protocal.
Network Topology

• Bus Topology
• Star Topology
• Tree Topology
• Ring Topology
• Mesh Topology
Transmission Media

•Twisted pair
•Coaxial cable
•Fiber Optic Cable
•Wireless
Network Interface Cards and
Protocols

 It makes the physical connection between the

computer and network.
 It converts parallel data of the computer’s bus into
serial data for the LAN.
 It boosts the strength of a signal so that it can flow
through the transmission link.
 Wide Area Network(WAN)

A wide area network connects

computers located across a wide
geographical area. For example an
organization may have its offices
scattered over different cities and each
offices needs to share data with other
offices. In this case computers and
LANs of different sites may be
connected by public communication
network to realize a WAN
Major features of WANs

Multiple computers are connected together

Computers are spread over a wide geographic area
A WAN usually interconnects multiple LANs
Links are of low capacity
Bit error rate is higher compared to that for a LAN
 Modem Modem
Computer Telephone Link Computer

Communication over Telephone Line With WAN network

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A large computer network which extends to a city or to a

large university campus is termed as metropolitan area
network or MAN. The purpose of MAN
(Metropolitan Area Network) is to provide the link to the
internet in the long run. A MAN (Metropolitan Area
Network) usually incorporates a number of LANs to form
a network. This large network MANs (Metropolitan Area
Network) backbone comprises of an optical fiber set-up.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)