Chapter 7
Networks and
Communication Devices
Key Topics
Basic Concepts & Terminology
Types of Networks
Network Media
Network Protocols
Network Hardware
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Basic Concepts & Terminology
Network is a collection of objects or people which have some common attributes.
Computer Network is a collection of computers and other hardware devices which are connected together.
In a computer network, users can:
Share hardware (printers, scanners etc.)
Share software (Google, MyGUST, Office365 etc.)
Exchange Data (Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive etc.)
Electronically Communicate with Others (text messaging, voice messaging, video messaging etc.)
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Basic Concepts & Terminology
When devices are connected and ready to send/receive data, they are said to be Online.
When devices are not connected or not ready to send/receive data, they are said to be Offline.
When a device sends data, the action is also called Transmission.
When data is sent to a large number of devices, it is called Broadcast.
When data is copied to another device, the action is called Upload.
When data is copied from another device, the action is called Download.
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Architecture is the way networks are designed to communicate
Client Server Networks
Client: PC or other
device on the network
that requests and
utilizes network
resources
Server: Computer
dedicated to
processing client
requests
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Types of Networks – Architecture
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks have all computers at the same level
Internet peer-to-peer computing is performed via Internet
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Types of Networks – Architecture
Local Area Network (LAN)
Small geographical area (office, campus, etc.)
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Connects personal devices for one individual,
such as his or her portable PC, mobile phone, and
portable printer
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Large geographical area (Internet)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Serves a metropolitan area
Municipal Wi-Fi projects
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Types of Networks – Location
Intranet
Internal or Private to an organization
Is only accessible to members of the organization
SIS, Email, MyGUST are Intranet applications
Internet
Is a Public network
Is accessible to every one
GUST website is an Internet application
Extranet
Internal network providing some access to outsiders
Individuals outside the organization have limited access
Examples of Extranet?
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Types of Networks – Accessibility
Types of Networks – Others
Virtual Private Network
Secure path over the Internet that
provide authorized users a secure
means of accessing a private network.
Sensor Networks
Contain sensors that respond to a stimulus and
generate an electrical signal that can be measured or interpreted.
Smart thermostats, lights, locks, gates are examples of sensor networks.
GUST ID is also used as part of sensor network which recognizes cards through RFID.
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Network Media
Wired Media
The PC is physically cabled to the network
Common in schools, businesses, and government facilities
Wireless Media
Typically use radio waves to send data through the air
Rapidly becoming more popular in homes and businesses
Wireless hotspots are commonly available in public locations
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Network Media
Twisted-pair cable
Pairs of wires twisted together
Used for telephone and network connections
Coaxial cable
Thick center wire
Used for computer networks, short-run telephone transmissions, cable television delivery
Fiber-optic cable
Glass or fiber strands through which light can pass
Used for high-speed communications
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Ethernet is the most widely used communications protocol for wired LANs
Uses twisted-pair, coaxial, or fiber-optic cables.
Original (10Base-T) Ethernet networks ran at 10 Mbps.
Newer 100 Mbps, 1Gbps, and 10 Gbps and 100 Gbps versions are common.
400 Gigabit Ethernet and Terabit Ethernet are being considered.
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Network Protocols
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a family of wireless networking standards also known as 802.11
Also called Wireless Ethernet.
Current standard for wireless networks in home and office.
Designed for medium-range high speed transmission, latest versions connect devices typically 50 meters away at speeds of up to several Gbps.
Wi-Fi hardware built into most notebook PCs and many consumer devices today.
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Network Protocols
Bluetooth was developed as very short range
(10 meters) wireless technology but latest version has a much larger range (240 meters)
Is used for communication between computers or mobile devices and peripheral devices.
Bluetooth devices are automatically networked with each other when they are in range.
Connection speed for latest version is up to 2 Mbps.
Bluetooth networks are also called Piconets.
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Network Protocols
First Generation Cellular – Had voice only
2G Cellular – Had both voice and data, faster
3G Cellular – A current standard also known as EDGE
Typical speeds are between 1 and 4 Mbps
4G Cellular – A faster current standard
Typical speeds are between 3 to 15 Mbps
Versions include LTE, LTE-Advanced
5G Cellular – Latest generation version being deployed
Typical speeds are expected to reach Gigabits per second
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Network Protocols
Modem is a device that connects a computer to the Internet or to another computer
Most modems use a phone line
The term is used for Internet connection device, even if not connecting via a phone line
Type of modem needed depends on the type of Internet access being used
Conventional dial-up
Cable
Fixed wireless
DSL
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Network Hardware
Also known as Network Card
Connects computers to a LAN
Available for both wired and wireless media
Is a type of Expansion Card
Mostly internal hardware but external models are also available
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Network Hardware
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Hub / Switch
Central device that connects all of the devices on the network
Wireless Access Point
Used to connect devices to a network wirelessly
Router
A device that connects two different networks
Connects your home network to internet
Is also known as Gateway
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Network Hardware
Chapter 8
The Internet
Key Topics
Basic Concepts & Terminology
Internet Connection Options
World Wide Web
Electronic Mail (Email)
Other Common Applications
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Basic Concepts & Terminology
Internet is the largest and most well-known computer network, linking millions of computers all over the world.
Allows sending messages and information across any type of computer and communication media.
The internet has been operational for many decades.
ARPANET is the previous form of the internet.
Initially connected four supercomputers.
Eventually grew into today’s Internet.
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Basic Concepts & Terminology
Internet addresses are used to access resources on the Internet
IP Address: Numeric address that identifies computers (207.46.138.20)
Domain Name: Text-based address that identifies companies or organizations (microsoft.com, gust.edu.kw)
Uniform Resource Locator (URL): Identifies Computers or web pages (http://www.pbskids.org , http://www.cnn.com , https://mygust.gust.edu.kw)
E-mail Address: Identifies people for e-mail exchange (jsmith@cengage.com , gust0004420@gust.edu.kw)
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Basic Concepts & Terminology
IP addresses are numeric and unique
Domain Names correspond to IP addresses
Top-level domains (TLDs) identify type of organization or its location
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.com
.edu
.net
.gov
.mil
.org
.kw
.ae
.uk
.sa
.cn
Internet Connection Options
You need to make three decisions:
Determine the type of device you will use to access the Internet (Desktop, Laptop, Smart Phone, Tablet etc.)
Select the type of connection desired
Fixed Location (DSL, Satellite, Cable etc.)
Mobile (Cellular 3G, 4G etc.)
Decide on the Internet service provider to be used
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World Wide Web
World Wide Web is the collection of Web pages available through the Internet.
Proposed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989.
Originally had only text-based content.
Release of better browsers in 1993 led to graphical content.
Wide variety of content available via Web pages today.
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World Wide Web
Web Server: Computer which stores Websites
Website: Collection of Webpages
Web Browser: Used to display Web pages
Website Home Page: The first page displayed when the website is accessed
Browser Home Page: The first page displayed when the browser is opened
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World Wide Web
Search Site is a web site that helps find web pages containing information.
Examples are: Google, Bing etc.
Typically use a Search Engine and a database containing information about web pages to locate appropriate Web pages
Search site tools vary by search site
Typically search using keywords.
Can search for music files, image files, maps, people, videos, etc.
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World Wide Web
To search, type the URL of a search site or search using the Address bar of your browser.
For better results:
Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT)
Use multiple search sites
Use appropriate keywords
Use synonyms (different words that mean the same thing)
Use variant word forms (variations of your keywords, alternate spellings, etc.)
Use wildcards (such as * to search for keyword patterns)
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Electronic Mail (EMail)
Electronic Mail or Email is a service through which electronic messages are exchanged via private networks or the Internet.
Email service can be accessed through:
Conventional programs (like MS Outlook) or web-based access (like Gmail)
In addition to text, email messages can contain photos, attached files etc.
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Other Common Applications
Other activities available through the Internet include:
Online Communications (Skype, WhatsApp etc.)
Social Networking (Instagram, Twitter, Snap Chat etc.)
Online Shopping & Investing (Amazon, Taw9eel etc.)
Online Entertainment (Netflix, YouTube etc.)
Online News, Reference and Information (CNN, Alrai, Wikipedia etc.)
Online Education (MyGUST, edx, Udemy, LinkedIn etc.)
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Questions ???
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