"Computer Network" is a collection of autonomous computers that are
connected in one technology. Two computers are said to be connected if they can exchange information. Existing connections do not have to go through copper wires, can also use other mediums such as fiber optic, microwaves, infrared, and or communication satellites. One example of "computer network" is the internet, where the internet is not a single network but a network of other networks. TYPE OF COMPUTER NETWORK • 1. PAN (Personal Area Network) • 2. LAN (Local Area Network) • 3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) • 4. WAN (Wide Area Network) • 5. CAN (Campus Area Network) • 6. HAN (Home Area Network) 1. PAN (Personal Area Network) Personal Area Network is a computer network used for data transmission between personal devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), video game consoles, peripheral devices and other personal entertainment devices.
2. LAN (Local Area Network)
Local Area Network (LAN), is a privately owned network within a building or campus measuring up to several kilometers. LANs are often used to connect personal computers and workstations within the office of a company or factories to share resources (eg printers) and exchange information. 3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), is basically a larger LAN version and typically uses the same technology as LAN. MAN may include adjacent corporate offices as well as a city and can be utilized for personal (private) or public purposes. MAN is able to support data and voice, can even be connected with cable television network.
4. WAN (Wide Area Network)
Wide Area Network (WAN), its reach covers a large geographical area, often including a country and even a continent. WAN consists of a collection of machines that aim to run the user's software / program (application). 5. CAN (Campus Area Network) Campus Area Network (CAN) the computers are within a limited geographich area, such as a campus or military base.
6. HAN (Home Area Network)
Home Area Network (HAN) a network contained within a user’s home that connects a person’s digital devices. Characteristics of Computer Networks • 1. topology: The geometric arrangement of a computer system. Common topologies include a bus, star, and ring. • 2. protocol: The protocol defines a common set of rules and signals that computers on the network use to communicate. Two of the most popular protocols for LANs is called Ethernet and the IBM token-ring network. • 3. architecture: Networks can be broadly classified as using either a peer-to- peer or client/server architecture. • 1. topology: The geometric arrangement of a computer system. Common topologies include a bus, star, and ring. • 2. protocol: The protocol defines a common set of rules and signals that computers on the network use to communicate. Two of the most popular protocols for LANs is called Ethernet and the IBM token-ring network. • 3. architecture: Networks can be broadly classified as using either a peer-to-peer or client/server architecture. Devices for Computer Network 1. Network Interface Cards A network interface card (NIC) is a circuit board or card that is installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network. 2. Repeaters A repeater is an electronic device that receives a signal and retransmits it at a higher power level, or to the other side of an obstruction, so that the signal can cover longer distances without degradation. 3. HUB A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to all the ports of the hub for transmission. When the packets are copied, the destination address in the frame does not change to a broadcast address. Below is a picture of 5- port ethernet hub. 4. ROUTER A router is a device that sends packet data over a network or internet to routing. a device that forwards data packets between computer networks, creating an overlay internetwork. A router is connected to two or more data lines from different networks. When a data packet comes in one of the lines, the router reads the address information in the packet to determined its ultimate destination.