Computer Networks-1

Question 1

Computer network

Answer 1

– Computer network is a system of interconnected
computers that enable the computers to
communicate with each other and share their
resources, data and applications.
– Computers may connect to each other by either
wired or wireless media.

Question 2

Computer networks are classified based on
various factors

Answer 2

These factors include:
– Geographical span
– Inter-connectivity
– Administration
– Architecture

Question 3

Geographical Span

Answer 3

– It may be spanned across a table
– It may be spanned across a whole building,
including intermediate devices (repeater, bridge,
switch) to connect all floors.
– It may be spanned across a whole city.
– It may be spanned across multiple cities or
provinces.
– It may be one network covering whole world.

Question 4

Inter-Connectivity
Components of a network can be connected to each
other differently in some fashion.

Answer 4

• By connectedness we mean either logically, physically, or
  both ways.
  – Every single device can be connected to every other device on
  network, making the network mesh.
  – All devices can be connected to a single medium but
  geographically disconnected, creating bus-like structure.
  – Each device is connected to its left and right peers only,
  creating linear structure.
  – All devices connected together with a single device, creating
  star-like structure.
  – All devices connected arbitrarily using all previous ways to
  connect each other, resulting in a hybrid structure

Question 5

Administration

Answer 5

• A network can be a private network which
  belongs to a single autonomous system and
  cannot be accessed outside its physical or
  logical domain.
• A network can be public, which is accessed
  by all.

Question 6

Network Architecture

Answer 6

• Computer networks can be discriminated into various
  types such as Client-Server, peer-to-peer or hybrid,
  depending upon its architecture.
  – There can be one or more systems acting as Server.
  Other being Client, requests the Server to serve requests.
  Server takes and processes request of the Clients.
  – Two systems can be connected Point-to-Point, or in back
  to-back fashion. They both reside at the same level and
  called peers.
  – There can be hybrid network which involves network
  architecture of both the above types

Question 7

Network Applications

Computer Networks provide numerous
advantages:

Answer 7

• Computer Networks provide numerous
  advantages:
  – Resource sharing such as printers and storage
  devices.
  – Exchange of information by means of e-Mails and
  FTP (file transfer protocol).
  – Information sharing by using Web or Internet
  – Interaction with other users using dynamic web
  pages
  – Parallel computing
  – IP phones
  – Video conferences

Question 8

Types of Computer Networks

Answer 8

Generally, networks are distinguished based on their
geographical span.
- Personal Area Network (PAN)
- Local Area Network (LAN)
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- Wide Area Network (WAN)