distributed multiple computers connected to enable meaningful transmission and exchange of information & resources A network is a technology which helps organizations to interconnect its hardware, software, databases and various media to achieve interconnectivity between its employees and stakeholders
E.g:used in local telephone communication Advantages: 1. Inexpensive 2. Easy to install and use. Disadvantages: Easily pick up noise so high error rate.
Coaxial Cable E.g Long distance cable wires and telephone lines Advantages: 1. Much higher quality of signal. 2. Better data transmission without distortion
Microwave Systems -Permit data transmission rate of about 16 Gigabits per second. Advantages: 1. No expense of laying cable. 2. Good for long distance. Disadvantages: 1. Use of repeaters. 2. Has to be line of sight.
Communications Satellite
Optical Fibres
Types Of Networks
LAN:Local Area Network
1.Covers only a small geographical area. 2.Provides speed of upto 10 Mbps. 3.Can span upto 10 Kms. 4.Fewer Data Transmission errors. 5. Access method CSMA/CD(Bus topology) Token Passing(Ring Topology)
WAN:Wide area Network 1.Spans across cities, states, countries. 2.Transmission rates range from 1200 bps 2 Mbps 3.High error rate as compared to LAN 4.May belong to many organizations. 5.Cost of transmitting data is high.
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
Topology is the physical layout of the computers. It means how the computers are physically connected to each other.
Few Terms
Gateway : Interface that converts the data codes, formats, addresses and transmission rates of one network into a form that is usable by another network. Hub : Are mostly used in LAN . They act as connection components. Amplifies and repeats the signals before transmitting. Bridges : Connects to parts of a LAN. Routers : Similar to bridge but also has a routing table .