What is Computer Network?
Definition: Computer network means to connect multiple computer system with each other through physical medium (Cable or Wire) or wireless medium. So, you can say this architecture to a “Computer Network“.
In traditional computer networks, single computer machine, workstation, and servers get linking one by one through Ethernet and other cables. But now, advance technologies are released in market in which to make connection between multiple points through wireless technology.
Computer Network Diagram
Types of Computer Network
Computer network like group of computer machines, and those computers connected each other with different types of Computer network for sharing their data and applications, such as –
- Home Area Network (HAN)
- Personal Area Network (PAN)
- Local Area Network (LAN)
- Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
- Campus Area Network (CAN)
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Storage Area Network (SAN)
- System Area Network (SAN)
- Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
- Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
- Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Types of Network Topology
Network topology is art, in which to represent as geometric that how to link all computers with each other, it is known as “Topology”. There are different types of network topology such as –
- P2P Topology
- Star Topology
- Bus Topology
- Ring Topology
- Hybrid Topology
- Tree topology
- Mesh Topology
Uses of Computer Network
There are different uses and examples of Computer network that are used in internet, and they are divided into in to two segments such as –
- Pure Network
- Standalone Network
1) Pure Network
Pure network applications do not depend on the single computer machine because those applications help to make connection over network and to transfer data from one point to other points.
Some examples are –
Email Software
These types of programs help to users for writing messages at their local computer system, and forward it to other users over the network. This is very simple and easy way of moving mail (message) from one computer system to other computer machine.
Some mail programs are
- Pegasus Mail
- Outlook express
- Eudora Windows mail
- Fox mail
- Opera
- Poco mail
- Mozilla Thunderbird
- Windows mail
FTP
FTP stands for “File Transfer Protocol“, and it allows transferring all files from one computer machine to other computer machines like as client to server process.
File Transfer Protocol performs two tasks are
Upload file – In this process, users access all data from workstation to server machine. For example – upload images to Google drive.
Download file – In this process, users access all data from server to workstation machine (client). For example – download software from server.
Some File Transfer Protocol programs are
- FTP in Unix
- FTP in Linux
- FTP in Windows
TELNET
TELNET stands for “Telecommunication Network“, and it is text based network protocol that is implemented on the LAN connections otherwise internet system. This allows to users for getting access remote computer machine over TCP/IP networks (internet), and to make communication in between both terminals.
Groupware
Groupware applications are implemented in the advance offices, where is needed to automate and administrative functionalities for examples are chatting (text/video) and video conferencing.
These applications help to increase productivity and solve problems. Groupware is an internal part of education known as (CSCW) Computer-Supported Cooperative Work.
Video Conferencing
Video Conference means to make conference between two parties on the different zone (remotely) with helping computer network to transmit voice and video data.
For making video conference, both participants must be video camera, microphone, and speakers connected on their computer machine.
There are some types of video conference such as –
- Telepresence Video Conferencing System
- Integrated Video Conferencing System
- Desktop Video Conferencing System
- Service-based Video Conferencing System
- Codec
Some best video conference programs are
- Zoom
- Google Hangouts
- Google Meet
- GoToMeeting
- Skype for Business
- Cisco WebEx
- BlueJeans
- Slack
Chatting
On the internet in real-time, if two or more persons try to make communication with writing text, and then all participants exchange their messages in between; it is known as Chatting.
There are three types of chatting such as –
- IM (Instant Messaging)
- ICQ (I seek you)
- IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
Some Best Chat Apps
- Telegram
- GroupMe
- Line
- Kakao Talk (KaTalk)
- Kik Messenge
2) Stand Alone Network
Stand Alone Applications are used in some years ago, which are installed on every client machines, and these are independent platform, as well as they can operate offline. These applications can be operated on any your favorite operating system, and all data of applications are saved on Central server to make synchronization between server and applications.
Examples of Stand Alone Network are
- Vlc media player
- Adobe Photoshop
- Notepad++
- Word processors
- Spreadsheets
- Database management systems
- Presentations graphics
- Project management
Uses of Computer Networks in Home Applications Are:
- Access to remote information
- Person-to-person communication
- Interactive entertainment
- Electronic commerce
Uses of Computer Network in Education and Other Fields Are:
- Marketing and sales
- Financial services
- Manufacturing. CAD, CAM etc.
- Information services
- Cellular telephone
- Cable television
- Teleconferencing
- EDI
- E-mail etc.
Advantages of Computer Network
There are various benefits of Computer Network such as:
Shareable Platform
Computer networking provides great shareable platform to exchange the all information from one computer to another computer over network. These data has different variant like as email, blog post, newsgroups, video conference, and more.
Great Collaboration
On the computer network, multiple persons can login on the same platform at a time, and their location may be (remotely) different areas over the world. All people are able to login into their account on their location and can be accessed all data or files.
Now these days, computer networks are become more advance, and they allow to global collaboration for all variants of groups.
Cut-off Prices with Joining of Computer Network
Tandy 1000 had more costly with $1200 in 1984, and that PC clone computer was designed with cost affordable to use for word processing and home computing. But it was not able to access internet. But now all computing devices are cheaper, and they allows to access internet with 4G and 5G speed.
Off-Line Data Storage
Now these days, several threats are getting via internet, technology structure, and computer system. So today, it is more necessary to save all information off-line, which is flowing over the network for getting protection for the intruders. In future, if anyone wants to access old stored data then those data can be accessed from storage devices.
Portable Connection to Computer Network
Today, it is not difficult to make connection with computer network. All computers has inbuilt programs that help to connect another devices just with clicking on the shortcut prompt. For examples, every smart phone has Wi-Fi that helps to make connection over network.
Personalize Connection to Network
Today, it is getting more fraud via network like as Cyber crime. So to decrease the probability of cyber threats, computer network provide great tools, which are leading to protection as well as increasing productivity. It offers to some access authority that helps to access specific data with trustworthy person.
Other Advantages Are:
- Computer network allows multiple persons to access internet with single internet connection (ISP). So, no need to purchase separate cable for every computer system to access internet, because it helps to reduce the cost of accessing internet.
- With using of computer network, many problems can be solved. For example – if you are using medical emergency then to begin crowd funding page, Over the internet everyone can share own experiences then can be build up large audience.
- Computer network helps to save money with sharing single (printer, plotter, Fax machine) via multiple computers. In network structure, no required to connect separate printer with every computer.
- Due to computer network, entrepreneur opportunities are generating. For example – Fiver, Freelance, Guru, Upwork, and other online portal are deliver freelance opportunities to buyers and sellers. If you want to become millionaire then you can accept several platforms such as write a blog, sell products on Amazon, or create YouTube videos because of computer networks.
- Computer networks are delivering several opportunities to education, because many universities deal in online education, and provide online degree like as IGNOU University. It is possible with help of computer network.
Disadvantages of Computer Network
There are some limitations of computer network, such as:
Less Independency
In the computer network, to perform all tasks with using of computers, its components, computer network operating system, and servers. SO computer networking is totally depend on those parts, if any part of network is get break down then network system get halt, and without those component network system is useless.
Protection Problem
In networking system, huge number of persons are perform their tasks such as use resources for sharing their data form one point to other destination. So, here it can be increase the probability of getting illegal activities.
Less Robustness
Due to break down the central server of network system, the entire computer network gets become fail, and if any bridge server gets damaged then computer network performance also get degrade. So we can say network system has lack of robustness.
Possibility to Get Virus and Malware
All computer terminals are connected with each other on the network architecture. If any computer gets infection then viruses and malware can be infected to entire network.
High Expensive of Network
Cost of network system can be getting high because it is depend of using their cabling and equipment.
Need Technical Staff
Computer network always contains the big architecture, so to manage of that network need technical staff. In the network structure, having various technical connection and different configuration, so it is not easy task to perform by unqualified person.
