HANDOUT

CIT 0512
COMPUTER & OFFICE AUTOMATION

5.0

COMPUTER AND NETWORKING

Computers that are connected together to communicate among themselves are

said to form a network. The design, installation, and operation of computer

networks are vital to the functioning of modern computerized organizations.
Computer networking technology can be classified by the distance the networking
technology is designed to span. With this form of classification, we can identify local
area networks, metropolitan area networks, and wide area networks.

Local Area Network

A local area network (LAN) is a collection of personal computers that share
resources (hardware, software and data) in a short distance. A LAN is used to
connect computing devices in one office or building or a group of buildings that are
close together, normally does not exceed ten kilometers in size.

Metropolitan Area Network

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that is larger than a LAN. It is
called metropolitan since it normally covers the area of a city (from tens to about
one hundred kilometers). Different hardware and transmission media are often used
in MANs because they must efficiently cover these distances or because they do not
required complete access to locations between the networked sites.

Wide Area Network

A wide area network (WAN) is a network of geographically distant computers
and terminals, located in the other side of the globe.

17

Communication & Information Technology, Industrial Electronics

Copyright of German Malaysian Institute. All rights reserved.

HANDOUT

CIT 0512
COMPUTER & OFFICE AUTOMATION

LAN COMPONENTS, TOPOLOGIES AND PROTOCOLS

LANs are made up of a standard set of components.

All networks need some system for interconnection; therefore these

computing devices are interconnected using network cable.

A network-interface card (NIC) connects each computer to he wiring of the

network. A NIC is a circuit board that fits in one of the computers internal
expansion slots.

Server is a computer that controls the network and provides various services
to clients. For example, a file server is used to provide file access to clients
for their processing purposes.

Workstations are clients that are connected to a server. They can be any
types of personal computers e.g. IBM PS/2s or compatibles, Apple
Macintoshes, or UNIX-based computers.

Interconnecting devices are needed to link a network with other networks.

For example, bridge recognizes the messages on a network and passes on
those addressed to nodes in other networks. Besides bridge, a gateway is
required to let a node communicate with a computer on another dissimilar
network.

Network operating system (NOS) is the program that controls the LAN. It
runs on the server and performs network management tasks for efficient use
of the network. An example of popular NOS is Novell NetWare. Workstation
files are also used to provide an interface between local applications and the
NOS.

LAN Topologies
27

Communication & Information Technology, Industrial Electronics

Copyright of German Malaysian Institute. All rights reserved.

HANDOUT

CIT 0512
COMPUTER & OFFICE AUTOMATION

Computers in a network are connected in different ways. The physical layout of

a network is called a topology. There are three common topologies: star, ring and
bus networks. In describing a network topology, we often refer to a node, which is a
computer on a network.

Star Topology
A star topology has a central computer that is responsible

for

managing the network. All messages are routed through

the central computer, which acts as a traffic cop to prevent
collisions.
Figure 1: Star Topology

Ring Topology
A ring topology links all nodes together in a circular chain.
Data messages travel in only one direction around the
ring. Any data that passes by is examined by the node to
see if it is the addressee; if not, the data is passes on to
the next node in the ring.

Figure 2: Ring Topology

Bus Topology
A bus topology has a single line to which all the network nodes are attached.
Computers on the network transmit data in
the hope that it will not collide with data
transmitted by other nodes.

Figure 3: Bus Topology

LAN Protocols

37

Communication & Information Technology, Industrial Electronics

Copyright of German Malaysian Institute. All rights reserved.

HANDOUT

CIT 0512
COMPUTER & OFFICE AUTOMATION

A network must have a set of rules protocols to access the network to

send data. A protocol is embedded in the network software. The two most common
network protocols (types) for LANs are Ethernet and the Token Ring network.

Ethernet is
common network

Figure 4: Ethernet Network

speed network cable.

currently the most

protocol, uses a highEthernet uses a bus

topology and is inexpensive and relatively simple. All the nodes use the same cable
to transmit and receive data. Before a node can transmit data, it must check the
cable to see whether or not it is being used. It the cable is in use, the mode must
wait. When the cable is free from other transmissions, the node can begin
transmitting immediately.

Figure 5: Token-Ring Network

A Token Ring
network is closely associated with IBM. It works
on a concept of a ring network topology and a
token a kind of electronic signal. This token
circulates from node to node along the ring shaped LAN, waiting for any nodes to
transmit data. When a node on the network wishes to transmit, it first captures the
token; only then can it transmit data.

47

Communication & Information Technology, Industrial Electronics

Copyright of German Malaysian Institute. All rights reserved.

HANDOUT

CIT 0512
COMPUTER & OFFICE AUTOMATION

TRANSMISSION MEDIA
Transmission media also called communications link is the physical medium used for
transmission. Present-day computers use electrical current, microwaves or light to
transmit signals. Transmission media can be classified as cable or wireless.

Twisted Pair Cable

Twisted pair cable is formed by copper wires twisted together to form a cable,
which is then insulated. When one or more twisted pairs are combined within a
common jacket, they form a twisted pair cable. Twisting the copper wires reduces
cross talk and signal emission. The most popular twisted pair cable is Unshielded
Twisted Pair cable.

Jacket

Colour-coded insulation

Figure 6:

Copper wire conductor

Twisted Pair Cable

57

Communication & Information Technology, Industrial Electronics

Copyright of German Malaysian Institute. All rights reserved.

HANDOUT

CIT 0512
COMPUTER & OFFICE AUTOMATION

Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable is made of two conductors that share a common axis. Typically, the
center of the cable is relatively stiff solid copper wire or stranded wire encased in
insulating foam. The second conductor surrounds the foam. A tough, insulating plastic
tube forms the cover of the cable.
Insulation
Outer plastic
covering

Inner conductor

Outer conductor
Figure 7: Coaxial Cable

Fiber Optic Cable

Fiber optic cable is made of a light-conducting glass or plastic core surrounded by more glass,
called cladding, and a tough outer sheath. The center core provides the light path or wave
guide while the cladding is composed of varying layers of reflective glass as. Optical fibers are
much smaller and more lightweight than copper wires makes them ideal for limited space
environment.
Optical fiber

Protective outer
sheath

Strength wires
Glass covering
Figure 8: Fiber Optic Cable

67

Communication & Information Technology, Industrial Electronics

Copyright of German Malaysian Institute. All rights reserved.

HANDOUT

CIT 0512
COMPUTER & OFFICE AUTOMATION

Wireless Media
Not all networks are connected with cabling; some networks are wireless. Wireless
LANs use high frequency radio signals, infrared light beams, or lasers to communicate
between the workstations and the file server or hubs. Each workstation and file server
on a wireless network has some sort of transceiver/antenna to send and receive the
data. Information is relayed between transceivers as if they were physically connected.
For longer distance, wireless communications can also take place through cellular
telephone technology, microwave transmission, or by satellite.

Figure 9: Microwave transmission

Figure 10: Satellite transmission

77

Communication & Information Technology, Industrial Electronics

Copyright of German Malaysian Institute. All rights reserved.