MODULE II

THE MODERN COMMUNICATION

Lesson 1 Basic Computer

Network

Lesson 2 The Internet

Lesson 3 The World Wide Web

Module II
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MODULE II

THE MODERN COMMUNICATION

INTRODUCTION

This module presents the modern way of communication and how they are
able to help us in our daily tasks. It talks about the basic computer network. You
will see how the Internet works and understand how the world wide web
augments our lives.

OBJECTIVES

After studying the module, you should be able to:

1. appreciate the modern communication through computer network.

2. discuss how the internet works.
3. utilize the world wide web for everyday tasks.

DIRECTIONS/ MODULE ORGANIZER

There are three lessons in the module. Read each lesson carefully then
answer the activities. For instructions about submission, you will be guided by
your instructor.

In case you encounter difficulty, discuss this with your instructor during
the face-to-face meeting or through other means of communication.

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Lesson 1

Basic Computer Network

Sending data, messages and media have never been as easy as the
interconnection of devices. In this lesson you will: be familiarized in computer
network; identify devices used in computer networking; and identify common
types of area network.

What is computer network?

Computer network is the interconnection of multiple devices, generally

termed as hosts (can be a client computer or server) connected using multiple
paths for the purpose of sending/receiving data or media. A server is a large-
capacity that can store a wide variety of files such as application or data files. A
client on the other hand is a computer or device that accesses a server through
a network.

The relationship between the client and a server is called a client-server

model. In client-server model, the client machine sends the request to the server
machine. When the server receives the client request, it looks for the requested
data and sends it back with the response. An example is searching for a definition
of a term in Google. Suppose we are using a smartphone (client) to search. After
typing the search term and pressing Search or enter, the smartphone will send
the term in a form of request to the server, which in this case is the Google
server. The server receives the request, looks for the requested information and
sends information back to the client as a response.
Note: Both client and server are computers

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How does it know where to send data?

Now you may be wondering how the network knows the exact sender
and/or receiver of the data that is passed over the network. Computer network
uses addressing to manage the flow of data. Hosts have two types of addressing.
These are IP (Internet Protocol) address and MAC (Media Access Control) address.
IP address is an address assigned to a device on a network. It is composed of
four dot-separated decimal numbers ranging from 0 to 255. For example,
192.168.1.37. MAC address is a unique hardware identification number which
identifies each device on a network. The MAC address is manufactured into every
network card, or network enabled devices, such as an Ethernet card or Wi-Fi
card, and therefore cannot be changed. Therefore, the MAC address of your Wi-
Fi or data-enabled phone is unique among the all devices around the world. MAC
addresses are made up of six two-digit hexadecimal numbers, separated by
colons or hyphen. For example, you may have a MAC address on your phone that
looks like this, C4:AB:B2:9B:7A:8A. As an analogy, these addresses work like
home address which is used for delivery or mailing.

If you are using a Windows PC, you may find your MAC address by doing the
following:
1. Click Start .
2. Type Command Prompt and press Enter.
3. A window will appear. Type ipconfig -all and press Enter. You can see the
Physical Address (MAC Address) and IP Address as shown on the screenshot
below.

If you are using a mobile phone, you can do the following. Note that this is not
the same with all mobile devices but this is the general method in finding your
MAC and IP address.

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.

2. Find the About Phone of your phone.

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3. There you will see the Wi-Fi MAC address and IP address of your device.
Example is shown below. Note: IP address may not appear if you are not
connected to any network, either through WiFi or data.

Network Devices

When setting up a network, a physical device is used to build connections

between computing devices. The following are the most common network
devices that we can find in offices and home networks.

Modem (Modulator-Demodulator). The name modem is a term derived from the

technical processes that the device performs, i.e. modulation and
demodulation.

Modulation and demodulation are processes whereby

signals travelling between multiple networks are
converted into different forms of signals appropriate
for transmission over cables or other media.

Data are sent over the network as signals. Signals are

in different forms such as waves, electrical pulses, or
light. The role of modem is to convert these signals
from one form to another. Image Source: https://seniortv.com/wp-
content/uploads/2018/01/docsis-3.jpg
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Hubs connect multiple computer networking

devices together. It broadcasts data from one
computer to the other units that are connected
to it. This means when computer A sends a
message to computer E, the hub will send the
data to every computer connected to it.

Image source: https://thecybersecuritymancom.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/hub4.png

Switches generally have a more intelligent

role than hubs. A switch is a multiport
device that improves network efficiency.
Unlike hubs, a switch is able to handle the
data and knows the specific addresses (MAC
Address) to send the message.

Image Source: http://itmtechnologies.ca/sites/default/files/field/image/Switch.jpg

Router. Routers are more

intelligent than switches. It
can calculate the best route
for sending data and
communicating with each
other. Routers are computer
networking devices that
serve two primary functions:
[1] create and maintain a
local area network (same as
the function of the previous
devices) and [2] manage the
data entering and leaving the
Image Source: network and the data moving
https://www.linksys.com/images/productmt_aem/fb3793c0- inside of it. It uses an address
e3ac-4158-883f- called IP Address to know the
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destination and source of data. In simpler terms, a router is the post office of
the computer networking world.

Wireless Router. A wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a

router and also includes the functions of a wireless access point. Depending on
the manufacturer and model, it can function in a wireless-only LAN, or in a mixed
wired and wireless network.

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Ethernet Cable. An Ethernet cable is a common

type of network cable used with wired networks.
They connect devices within a local area network.
These physical cables are intended for a shorter
distance of network such as a local area network
because of its limitations in length and durability.
Image Source: https://www.dhresource.com/0x0s/f2-albu-g5-M01-
B6-A3-rBVaI1nIdCSAWYj5AAF9bwPUMBA859.jpg/cat5e-high-speed-
patch-rj45-computer-
ethernet.jpg30d3518a56da/renditions/cq5dam.web.372.372.jpeg

Network Speed

If you have tried accessing the internet or a network, surely you have
noticed an important aspect that affects your activities. That is the speed of the
internet or network. When we talk about network speed, we just say that it is
slow or fast. But how do measure? Speed is basically the combination of
bandwidth and latency. The speed of internet or network is measured by these
two factors. Bandwidth, measured in bits, kilobits, or megabits per second
(mbps), is the rate of transfer of data over the network. This is a measure of
throughput (amount per second) rather than speed (distance traveled per
second). Just as more car can run through a wide road than a small, narrow
street, a high bandwidth network generally can deliver more data than a low
bandwidth network given the same amount of a time. Higher bandwidth feels
faster because it can deliver more data per second. On the other hand, latency,
usually measured in milliseconds (ms), is the time that elapses between a request
for information and its arrival. The “lateness” of transmission. Sometimes
referred to as “ping”. Higher ms means slower network.
In the succeeding lesson we will be talking about some of the factors that
can cause the slowing of network speed, especially on our internet connection.

Types of Area Network

When we talk about area network, we are pertaining to the distance that
a network covers. It could be in a building, a campus or between cities and
around the globe.

PAN (Personal Area Network)

A network that surrounds an individual. A wireless PAN (WPAN) might be created
between Bluetooth devices. It can be a connection between a phone and a
laptop, a laptop and a printer, or two phones connected via Bluetooth or hotspot.

LAN (Local Area Network)

A LAN connects network devices over a relatively short distance. A networked
office building, school, or home usually contains a single LAN, though sometimes
one building will contain a few small LANs (perhaps one per room). Inside your

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house or a building, imagine a Wi-Fi where all of you inside that building are
connected. That connection is called a local area network. By the way, Wi-Fi
connection can be called a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

CAN (Campus Area Network)

A network spanning multiple LANs but smaller than a MAN, such as on a university
or local business campus.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A network spanning a physical area larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN,
such as a city. A MAN is typically owned and operated by a single entity such as
a government body or large corporation.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

As the term implies, a WAN spans a large physical distance. The internet is the
largest WAN, spanning the Earth. Also, WAN can go beyond. For example, a
communication network between space headquarter on earth and a rover on the
moon.

Learning Activity

Speed Test. In this activity, you are going to test the speed of your internet.
Use your personal computer or phone.

On your web browser, visit fast.com and answer the following questions.
Submit a screenshot of the result of your internet speed test as proof to your
answers.

1. Where is your current location when you did this speed test?
2. Where is the location or city of the server(s) that your speed test has
connected to?
3. What is the value of your unloaded latency (ms)?
4. What is the Download speed (Mbps)?
5. What is the Upload Speed (Mbps)?
6. Give a review or feedback about your internet speed. In your subjective
evaluation, is it slow or fast?

Module II THE MODERN COMMUNICATION