Syllabus as per CBSE:
Unit 3: Introduction to Computer Networks
Introduction to networks, Types of network: LAN, MAN, WAN.
Network Devices: modem, hub, switch, repeater, router, gateway
Network Topologies: Star, Bus, Tree, Mesh.
Introduction to Internet, URL, WWW and its applications- Web, email, Chat, VoIP.
Website: Introduction, difference between a website and webpage, static vs dynamic web
page, web server and hosting of a website.
Web Browsers: Introduction, commonly used browsers, browser settings, add-ons and
plug-ins, cookies.
Computer Network: A collection of independent computers that communicate with
one another over a shared network medium so as to share resources or to exchange
information.
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Advantages of Networks:
● Resource Sharing: Data can be shared with a computer in the next room or on a
different continent E.g. the Internet
● Reliability: The presence of multiple computers means that if one computer
becomes unavailable on the network (due to failure) another can be used to take
over that computer’s work.
● Saving Money: Mainframe computers are 10 times faster but 100 times more
expensive than PCs. Hence groups of PCs networked together can reduce costs
(client-server model).
● Improved Communication: People can work together and share ideas.
Asynchronous communication: email more productive than phone, electronic
document interchange and video conferencing.
Disadvantages of Networks:
● Cost of network: The cost of implementing the network including cabling and
hardware can be pricey. You may also need specialist staff to run the network.
● Security Concerns: If a computer is connected to a network, a hacker can get
unauthorized access by using various tools. For large organizations, several
network security software are crucial to prevent any security breaches like theft
of confidential data.
● Needs an Efficient Handler: If networks are badly managed, services can become
unusable and productivity falls.
● Virus and Malware: If even one computer on a network gets infected with a
virus, there is a possibility for the other systems to get infected too. Viruses can
spread on a network easily, because of the inter-connectivity of various devices.
Components of a Computer Network
Major components of a Computer Network are:
1. Nodes (Such as PC, laptops, smartphones etc): The term node refers to the
computers that are attached to a network and are seeking to share the resources
of the network.
2. Server: A computer that facilitates the networking tasks like sharing of data,
resource-sharing, communication amongst nodes etc.
3. Network Hardware:
● Network Interface Unit (NIU): A device that helps to establish communication
between the server and workstations.
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● Hub, switch, router – are the connectivity devices.
4. Communication Channel: In a network, a communication channel is the physical
path the transmission signals travel. This can be wired media like Twisted Pair,
coaxial, Optic fibre etc) or wireless media like Radio waves, Bluetooth, Infrared,
Satellite transmission etc.
5. Software: The software layers of a network make networking possible. These
comprise of network protocols, networking operating system etc. A network
operating system is a personalized operating system that can handle networking
tasks.
6. Network Services: These refer to the applications that provide different
functionalities over a network, such as DNS (Domain Name System), File sharing,
VoIP (Voice over IP) and many more.
Type of Computer Network
A computer network may span any amount of geographical area. It can be on a table,
in a room, in a building, in a city, in a country, across continents or around the world.
On the basis of area covered computer networks are classified as follows.
● Local Area Network (LAN): A network in which the devices are connected over a
relatively short distance.
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● Privately owned networks
● Used to connect PC’s and workstations within a
building or computers in an area up to a few hundred
meters of range.
● Speed of data transmission is high.
● Very low error rate.
● Data rate of at least several mbps.
● Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): A network which spans a physical area that is
larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN.
● Bigger version of LAN
● May be private or public
● Covers a group of nearby offices or city
● Wide Area Network (WAN): A network which spans a large geographical area,
often a country or a continent.
● Spans a large geographical area
● Public Network and owned by multiple organizations.
● High error rates.
● Data rates less than 1 mbps.
● Personal Area Network (PAN): A computer network organized around an
individual person.
● Need for a network
● To break barriers of distance, cost & time
● Sharing of data & resources
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Networking Devices
● Modem (Modulator Demodulator): A device that enables a computer to transmit
data over, telephone or cable lines. These are of two types internal and external.
● Backbone- is central interconnecting structure that connects one or more networks
just like the trunk or the spine of a human being.
● Bridge- It connects similar networks. It is a device that establishes an intelligent
connection between two local networks with the same standard but with different
types of cables.
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● RJ-45: An eight wired connector used to connect computers on a LAN.
● HUB- A Hub is an electronic device that connects several nodes to form a
network and redirects the received information to all the connected nodes in
broadcast mode.
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● Switch: A Switch is an intelligent device that connects several nodes to form a
network and redirects the received information only to the intended node(s).
A switch is an intelligent hub. It looks exactly like a hub. But the difference between
the two is in the way they re-transmit the received information. Unlike a hub,
instead of broadcasting (sending to each device attached to it) the received
information, a switch sends the information selectively only to those computers
for which it is intended. This makes a switch more efficient than a hub.
● Repeater: Repeater is a device that is used to regenerate a signal which is on its
way through a communication channel. A repeater regenerates the received
signal and re-transmits it to its destination.
When the data is transmitted over a network for long distances, the data signal
gets weak after a certain distance. Therefore, some device is required which can
re-strengthen the data signal before it gets too weak. Repeater is such a device.
● Router: A network device that connects two networks with different protocols.
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A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer
networks. Routers perform the traffic directing functions on the Internet. Data
sent through the internet, such as a web page or email, is in the form of data
packets.
● Gateway: A network device that connects two dissimilar networks. It establishes
an intelligent connection between a local network and external networks with
completely different structures.
Topology
The pattern of interconnection of nodes in a LAN.
● Factors affecting the topology used for a network are-
● COST- It imposes a limitation on the pattern of
interconnection of nodes.
● FLEXIBILITY- Topology should be easily reconfigurable
involving addition and movement of nodes.
● RELIABILITY –Topology should provide reliable
communication even if one or two nodes have failed.
● Fault Diagnosis.
● Fault Tolerance.
● Different Topologies are:-
● BUS TOPOLOGY- Also known as linear topology. It
consists mainly of the main trunk known as Bus/
Backbone. It is a long twisted pair cable or coaxial
cable into which nodes and peripherals are attached
using drop cables. The two ends of the backbone are
terminated by absorbers to absorb signals from the
cable after it has passed all the devices.
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Advantages: Disadvantages:
● Range of equipment’s can be ● Single message can travel at a
attached. time.
● New node can be added easily ● Collision occurs in case of multiple
● Low cable costing as cable transmission
length ● Low reliability
● is short and simple wiring ● Fault Diagnosis is difficult.
layout ● Fault isolation is difficult.
● Resilient Architecture. ● Repeater configuration and node
must be intelligent.
RING TOPOLOGY
● Also known as the daisy chain, it is a circular cable.
All nodes are connected to exactly two nodes to form a
ring. All nodes are connected in a ring and data passes
across each node in the system.
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Advantages:- Disadvantages:-
● One node can transmit at a time. ● If one node fails, the network comes
● Repeaters not required. down.
● Short cable length and no wiring ● Each node must be intelligent to hold data
closet space required. transmitted by other nodes.
● Suitable for optical fibers. ● Difficult to diagnose faults
● Network configuration is difficult.
● STAR TOPOLOGY
Various nodes are connected to a directly wired
central, dedicated computer known as Hub of star. The
drop cables extend in all directions. All data
transfer is via hub.
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Advantages: Disadvantages:-
● Fault tolerant ● Long cable length
● Network management is easy. ● Difficult to expand
● Centralized control and easy ● Central node dependency.
problem diagnosis.
● Simple access protocols.
TREE TOPOLOGY
● A tree network, or star-bus network, is a hybrid
network topology in which star networks are
interconnected via bus networks. Tree networks are
hierarchical, and each node can have an arbitrary
number of child nodes.
Advantages: Disadvantages:-
● Expansion of the existing ● It requires more cabling.
network is easy. ● If the common backbone cable breaks
● Other local star networks do down, the entire network will also break.
not break as backbone cable ● It is difficult to manage a tree topology, as
breakdown. the network increases and difficulties also
● Detection and correction of increase.
faults is easy
● Each device is connected to a
central device through a
dedicated link.
MESH TOPOLOGY
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A mesh topology is a network topology in which all
the network nodes are individually connected to most
of the other nodes. There is not a concept of a
central switch, hub or computer which acts as a
central point of communication to pass on the
messages.
Advantages: Disadvantages:-
● Each connection can carry its ● Installation and configuration are difficult
own data load if the connectivity gets more
● It is robust ● Cabling cost is more and the most in case
● A fault is diagnosed easily of a fully connected mesh topology
● Provides security and privacy ● Bulk wiring is required
● Internet: It is a network of networks spread across the globe, all of which are
connected to each other.
Advantages:
● Information on almost every subject imaginable.
● Powerful search engines
● Ability to do research from your home versus research libraries.
● Information at various levels of study. Everything from scholarly articles to
ones directed at children.
● Message boards where people can discuss ideas on any topic. Ability to get a
wide range of opinions. People can find others that have a similar interest in
whatever they are interested in.
● The internet provides the ability to send emails. Free mail service to anyone
in the country.
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● Platform for products like SKYPE, which allow for holding a video conference
with anyone in the world who also has access.
Disadvantages:
● There is a lot of wrong information on the internet. Anyone can post
anything, and much of it is garbage.
● There are predators that hang out on the internet waiting to get unsuspecting
people in dangerous situations.
● Some people are getting addicted to the internet and thus causing problems
with their interactions with friends and loved ones.
● Pornography that can get in the hands of young children too easily.
● Easy to waste a lot of time on the internet. You can start surfing, and then
realize far more time has passed than you realized. Internet and television
together added to the more sedentary lifestyles of people which further
exacerbates the obesity problem.
● The Internet has a lot of “cheater” sites. People can buy essays and pass them
off as their own far more easily than they used to be able to do.
● There are a lot of unscrupulous businesses that have sprung up on the
internet to take advantage of people.
● Hackers can create viruses that can get into your personal computer and ruin
valuable data.
World Wide Web (WWW)
The World Wide Web (WWW), commonly known as the Web, is an information system
where documents and other web resources are identified by Uniform Resource
Locators (URLs, such as https://www.example.com/ ), which may be interlinked by
hypertext, and are accessible over the Internet.
Web Timeline
Difference between WWW and Internet
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Uniform Resource Locator
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, and is used to specify addresses on the
World Wide Web. A URL is the fundamental network identification for any resource
connected to the web (e.g., hypertext pages, images, and sound files). The protocol
specifies how information from the link is transferred.
URL Example:
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Detailed Explanation:
Website: A website (also written as web site) is a collection of web pages and
related content that is identified by a common domain name and published on at
least one web server. Notable examples are wikipedia.org, google.com, and
amazon.com.
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Web Server:
A web server is server software, or hardware dedicated to running this software,
that can satisfy client requests on the World Wide Web. A web server can, in
general, contain one or more websites. A web server processes incoming network
requests over HTTP and several other related protocols.
Web browser:
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A web browser (commonly referred to as a browser) is a software application for
accessing information on the World Wide Web. When a user requests a web page
from a particular website, the web browser retrieves the necessary content from a
web server and then displays the page on the screen.
Browser Settings
Browser settings allow users to customize their web browsing experience. Some key
settings include:
● Privacy & Security: Manage site permissions, clear browsing history,
enable/disable cookies.
● Appearance: Adjust themes, font size, and zoom levels.
● Default Search Engine: Choose the preferred search engine (e.g., Google, Bing).
● Autofill & Passwords: Enable auto-filling of forms and password management.
● Extensions & Plug-ins: Manage installed add-ons and plug-ins.
● Pop-ups & Site Permissions: Allow or block pop-ups, camera, microphone, and
location access.
Add-ons & Plug-ins
● Add-ons are small software programs that add extra features to a browser, such
as ad blockers, password managers, and themes.
● Plug-ins are special components that allow the browser to support additional
content types, like Flash, Java, and PDF viewers (though most modern browsers
no longer support traditional plug-ins).
● Add-ons and plug-ins can be managed in the browser extensions/settings menu.
Cookies
Cookies are small files stored on a user's device by websites to remember preferences
and track activity. Types of cookies:
● Session Cookies: Temporary; deleted when the browser is closed.
● Persistent Cookies: Stored for a longer time; help in remembering login details
and preferences.
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● Third-party Cookies: Created by external websites (used for advertising and
tracking).
Users can manage cookies in browser settings by enabling, blocking, or clearing them
regularly for privacy.
Hosting of a website
A server is a physical computer that runs without any interruption so that your website
is available all the time for anyone who wants to see it. Your web host is responsible for
keeping that server up and running, protecting it from malicious attacks, and
transferring your content — such as text, images, files, etc. — from the server to your
visitors’ browsers.
When you decide to start a new website, you need to find a web hosting provider that
will supply you with that server space. Your web host stores all your files, assets, and
databases on the server. Whenever someone types your domain name into the address
bar of their browser, your host transfers all the files necessary to serve that request.
Steps to Host a Website:
1. Step 1: Decide What Type of Website You Want. You will typically find 2 types of websites
i.e. Static or Dynamic.
2. Step 2: Choose Your Hosting Server.
3. Step 3: Select Your Web Hosting Plan.
4. Step 4: Update Your DNS Address.
5. Step 5: Upload Your Website.
Static Website
A static website is a website which contains Web pages with fixed content. Each page is
coded in HTML and displays the same contents to every visitor. Static sites are the most
basic type of website and are the easiest to create. Static websites do not require
any Web programming or database design.
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Dynamic Website
A dynamic website is a site that contains dynamic pages such as templates, contents,
scripts etc. In a nutshell, the dynamic website displays various content types every time
it is browsed. The web page can be changed with the reader that opens the page,
character of consumer interplay, or day time.
Example of Dynamic Website: Displaying user name who is logged in, displaying local
weather, date and time, the search term etc.
Internet Applications
1. E- Mail (Electronic Mail): Short for electronic mail, e-mail or email is information
stored on a computer that is exchanged between two users over
telecommunications. More plainly, e-mail is a message that may contain text, files,
images, or other attachments sent through a network to a specified individual or
group of individuals.
Email address structure : username@hostname
2. Chat: Online chat may refer to any kind of communication over the Internet that
offers a real-time transmission of text messages from sender to receiver. Chat
messages are generally short in order to enable other participants to respond
quickly.
3. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): VoIP technology enables traditional
telephony services to operate over computer networks. VoIP is the technology
that converts your voice into a digital signal, allowing you to make a call directly
from a computer, a VoIP phone, or other data-driven devices. Simply put, it's
phone service delivered over the internet.
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Protocol
A special set of rules that two or more machines on a network follow to
communicate with each other.
● Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): It breaks the data into packets that the
network can handle efficiently.
● TCP splits messages into fixed size datagram which
are then tagged with destination address and sent to
receiver where the datagram is merged to form a
proper message.
● Internet protocol (IP): It gives a distinct address (called IP address) to each data
packet.
● File Transfer Protocol (FTP): It is used for transferring files from one system to
another on the internet.
● to promote sharing of files(computer program/data)
● to encourage indirect use of computers
● to transfer data
● HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP): It is the protocol that is used for transferring
hypertext files on the World Wide Web.
● A set of requests from browsers to servers
● A set of responses from server to browsers
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