Table of Contents
What is a basic introduction to Computer networks?
Computer Network is a group of computers connected with each other through wires, optical fibers, or optical links so that various devices can interact with each other through a network.
- The aim of the computer network is the sharing of resources among various devices connected to each other.
- In the case of computer network technology, there are several types of networks that vary from simple to complex level.
Computer networks are required for network communication and network resource sharing like printers, scanners, storage devices. To connect computer networks, we need computers and network devices like switches, routers, servers, etc.
Today, the world is a global village. The computer network with the Internet, which combines millions of computer systems inter-networked to share information. The growth of the computer network provides useful information and platforms for all classes of people, entrepreneurs, students, artisans, craftsmen, and all different categories of people including professionals.
Components Of Computer Network:
NIC(Network Interface Card)
NIC is a hardware component that is present on the computer, a device that helps the computer to communicate with another device. The network interface card contains the hardware addresses, the data-link layer protocol use this address to identify the system on the network so that it transfers the data to the correct destination.
There are two types of NIC: wireless NIC and wired NIC.
- Wireless NIC: All modern laptops use wireless NIC. In Wireless NIC, a connection is made using the antenna that employs radio wave technology.
2. Wired NIC: Cables use the wired NIC to transfer the data over the medium.
Hub
Hub is a central device that splits the network connection into multiple devices. When a computer requests information from a computer, it sends the request to the Hub. Hub distributes this request to all the interconnected computers.
Switches
The switch is a networking device that groups all the devices over the network to transfer the data to another device. A switch is better than Hub as it does not broadcast the message over the network, i.e., it sends the message to the device to which it belongs. Therefore, we can say that switch sends the message directly from the source to the destination.
Cables and connectors
A cable is a transmission media that transmits communication signals.
There are three types of cables:
- Twisted pair cable: It is a high-speed cable that transmits the data over 1Gbps or more.
- Coaxial cable: Coaxial cable resembles a TV installation cable. Coaxial cable is more expensive than twisted-pair cable, but it provides a high data transmission speed.
- Fiber optic cable: Fibre optic cable is a high-speed cable that transmits data using light beams. It provides high data transmission speed as compared to other cables. It is more expensive as compared to other cables, so it is installed at the government level.
Router
The router is a device that connects the LAN to the internet. The router is mainly used to connect the distinct networks or connect the internet to multiple computers.
Modem
The modem connects the computer to the internet over the existing telephone line. A modem is not integrated with the computer motherboard. A modem is a separate part of the PC slot found on the motherboard.
Uses Of Computer Network
- File Services: This service is used for file transfer, storage, data migration, file update, synchronization, and achieving.
- Printing Services: From this service, multiple users take printouts from a single printer.
- Message Services: This service includes email, voice mails, and coordinate object-oriented applications.
- Application Services: This service allows to centralize high-profile applications to increase performance and scalability.
- Database Services: This service is helpful for the coordination of distributed data and replication.
