NETWORKING

What is Networking? DefinitionDefinition- A Computer Network is a system that connects computers via communications media so that data can be transmitted among them.

Computer Networks are important to modern organization for many reasons: 1)Networks enable companies to share hardware, computer applications and data across the organization and among the organization. 2)Networks make it possible for geographically dispersed employees and work groups to share documents and ideas. 3)Thus Networked Computer systems enable organizations to be more flexible, so that they can adapt to the rapidly changing business conditions.

Benefits of Networks : 1)Sharing of peripheral devices - Peripheral devices such as printers, disk drives can be expensive. So, to justify their purchase, management wants to maximize their use. Usually best way to do this is to connect the peripheral device to a network serving several computer users. 2)Sharing of Programs In most organizations, people use the same software. It is less expensive for a company to buy one word processing program that serves many employees than to buy a separate word processing program for each employee.

3)Sharing of data In most organizations, people use the same information. Therefore if all employees have access to same data stored on a shared storage device, the organization can save money and serious problems. If each employee has a separate machine, some employees may update customer addresses, while others remain ignorant of the changes. Updating information on a shared server is much easier than updating every users individual system. 4) Better Communication With email, everyone on a network can easily keep others posted about important information.

5) Security of information Important data would be backed up or duplicated on a networked storage device shared by others. 6)Access to databases Networks enable users to tap into numerous databases, whether private company databases or public databases available online through the internet.

LAN (Local Area Network): A Local Area Network connects computers and devices in a limited geographic area, such as one office, one building, or a group of buildings close together (for instance a college campus).

COMPONENTS OF LAN: A file server. A number of client machines called nodes. Wired or wireless communications media that connect devices on a network. Network interface cards (NIC), which are special adapters that link an individual device to the communications medium. NIC enable a computer to send and receive messages over a cable network.

Software to control LAN activities also called Network Operating System. NOS supports access by multiple users and provides recognition to users based on terminal identification and passwords. Depending on whether LAN is client/server or peer-to-peer, peer-tothe operating system may be stored on file server, on each of the microcomputer on the network or on a combination of both. Eg. Novell Netware, Microsoft Windows NT/2000, Unix and Linux.

ABOUT Server: The LAN file server is very crucial, for it stores various software and data files of the network. The server determines who gets access to which file and in which sequence. Servers can be powerful microcomputers, minicomputers or mainframes. The server houses the LANs NOS. Different servers may be used to manage various tasks: File Server : Stores files and programs shared by users on a LAN.

Database Server: Database server in a LAN stores data and not programs. A Print server controls one or more printers and stores print image output from all microcomputers on the system. Web Server stores web pages. Mail server manages email. TYPES OF LAN: 1. CLIENT/SERVER LAN : A client/server LAN consists of clients, which are microcomputers that request data and servers which are computers used to supply data.

PEER-TOPEER-TO-PEER LAN: In a peer-to-peer LAN, all microcomputers on peer-tothe network communicate directly with one another without relying on a server. Every computer can share files and peripherals with all other computers on the network. Peer-toPeer-topeer networks are less expensive than clientclientserver networks and work effectively upto 25 computers. Beyond that, they slow down.

OTHER COMPONENTS OF LAN : 1. ROUTER : Router is a special computer that directs messages when several networks are connected together. 2. BRIDGE : A bridge is a processor that connects same type of networks. eg. Two LANs can be connected to form a larger network. 3. GATEWAY : A gateway is a communication processor that connects dissimilar networks. Eg. Between a LAN and a WAN or between two LANs based on different NOS. 4. HUB : Hub is a place of convergence where data arrives from one or more directions and is forwarded out in one or more other directions. A hub contains multiple ports. When data arrives at a port it is copied to other ports so that all segments of the network can have all the data.

TOPOLOGY OF LAN : A logical layout or shape of network is called a topology. BUS NETWORK : In a bus network all the computers or nodes are connected to a single wire or cable which has two endpoints.Each communication device on the network transmits electronic messages to other devices. If some of those messages collide, the sending device waits and then tries to transmit again. Advantage: Can be organized as a client/server or peer-to-peer network. peer-to-

Disadvantages : An extra software is required to avoid collisions between data. If a connection in a BUS is broken the entire network may stop working. RING NETWORK: A ring network is one in which all microcomputers and other communication devices are connected in a continuous loop. There are no endpoints. There is no central server. The electronic messages are passed around the ring until they reach the right destination. Advantage: The messages flow in only one direction. Thus, there is no danger of collision. Disadvantage: If a connection is broken the entire network stops.

STAR NETWORK : A star network is one in which all microcomputers and other communication devices are directly connected to a central server. Electronic messages are routed through the central hub to their destination. Advantage: Hub prevents collision between messages. If a connection between any communication device and hub breaks, the rest of the devices on the network will continue operating. Disadvantage :If the hub stops the entire network stops