Computer Network
A computer network is an interconnection of two or more computers that are able to
exchange information. The computers may be connected via any data
communication link, like copper wires, optical fibers, communication satellites, or
radio links. The computers connected to the network may be personal computers or
large main frames. The computers in a network may be located in a room, building,
city, country, or anywhere in the world.
Computer networks provide communication possibilities faster than other facilities.
Because of these optimal information and communication possibilities, computer
networks may increase the organizational learning rate.
There are other reasons why any organization should have a computer network
Cost reduction by sharing hardware and software resources.
High reliability by having multiple sources of supply.
Cost reduction by downsizing to microcomputer-based networks instead of
using mainframes.
Greater flexibility because of possibility to connect devices from various
vendors.
Network Types
Computer network is broadly classified into three types:
[1] Local Area Network (LAN)
[2] Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
[3] Wide Area Network (WAN)
The different network types are distinguished from each other based on the following
characteristics:
Size of the network
Transmission Technology
Networking Topology
The size of the network refers to the area over which the network is spread.
Transmission technology refers to the transmission media used to connect
computers on the network and the transmission protocols used for connecting.
Network topology refers to the arrangement of computers on the network or the
shape of the network. The following subsections discuss the three types of
networks and their characteristics.
Local Area Network
LAN is a computer network widely used for local communication. LAN connects
computers in a small area like a room, building, office or a campus spread up to a
few kilometers. They are privately owned networks, with a purpose to share
resources and to exchange information.
Figure 1: LAN
The computers in a LAN are generally connected using cables. LAN is different
from other types of network since they share the network. The different computers
connected to a LAN take turns to send data packets over the cables connecting them.
This requires coordination of the use of the network. Some of the transmission
protocols used in LAN are Ethernet, Token bus, and FDDI ring. Star, Bus, and Ring
are some of the common LAN networking topologies. LAN runs at a speed of 10
Mbps to 100 Mbps and has low delays. A LAN based on WiFi wireless network
technology is called Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
Major Characteristics of LAN are as follows:
Every computer has the potential to communicate with any other computers
of the network
High degree of interconnection between computers
Easy physical connection of computers in a network
Inexpensive medium of data transmission
High data transmission rate
Advantages of LAN are as follows:
The reliability of network is high because the failure of one computer in the
network does not effect the functioning for other computers.
Addition of new computer to network is easy.
High rate of data transmission is possible.
Peripheral devices like magnetic disk and printer can be shared by other
computers.
Disadvantages of LAN is
If the communication line fails, the entire network system breaks down.
Use of LAN : Followings are the major areas where LAN is normally used
File transfers and Access
Word and text processing
Electronic message handling
Remote database access
Personal computing
Digital voice transmission and storage
Metropolitan Area Network
MAN is a computer network spread over a city. Cable television network is an
example of MAN. The computers in a MAN are connected using coaxial cables or
fiber optic cables. MAN also connects several LAN spread over a city.
Figure 2: MAN
Wide Area Network
WAN is a network that connects computers over long distances like cities, countries,
continents, or worldwide (Figure 9.21). WAN uses public, leased, or private
communication links to spread over long distances. WAN uses telephone lines,
satellite link, and radio link to connect. The need to be able to connect any number
of computers at any number of sites, results in WAN technologies to be different
from the LAN technologies. WAN network must be able to grow itself. Internet is a
common example of WAN.
Figure 3: LAN, MAN and WAN
Key Local/Campus Metropolitan Wide Area
differentiating Area Network Area Network Network (WAN)
features (LAN/CAN) (MAN)
Geographical May extend over
Within few Within few tens of
distribution of several thousand
kilometers kilometers
nodes kilometers
To enable
communication
To interconnects To interconnect
among computing
LANs located in a LANs spread
Purpose devices within an
city or across cities or
building (LAN) or
metropolitan area countries
a campus (CAN)
of an organization
Fiber optics,
Communication Twisted pair, Fiber optics,
telephone lines,
channel used coaxial cable, fiber telephone lines,
microwave links,
commonly optics microwave links
satellite channels
Interconnected
Interconnected
LANs usually
Single LANs usually
Ownership belong to a single
organization belong to a single
or multiple
organization
organization
Communication
Low Medium High
cost
Communication
Ethernet, Token ATM, Frame ATM, Frame
technologies used
ring relay, X.25, and IP relay, X.25, and IP
commonly
