DATA COMMUNICATION &
NETWORKING MADE SIMPLE
ILLUSTRATED NOTES WITH TABLES &
DIAGRAMS-PERFECT FOR EXAMS
STUDY NOTES
Full Guidelines Step-By-Step With Clear and well labelled
Diagrams
Contents
TOPIC 1: DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING................................................................................4
T1.1) Meaning of computer network.......................................................................................................4
T1.2) Components of computer network................................................................................................4
T1. 3) Types of computer networks.........................................................................................................7
T1.4) Role of computer networks............................................................................................................8
T1.5) Network topologies........................................................................................................................9
What is a Topology?.............................................................................................................................9
Main Types of Physical Topologies.......................................................................................................9
Considerations When Choosing a Topology.......................................................................................13
T1.6) Categories of computer networks................................................................................................13
Peer-to-peer network(p2p)................................................................................................................14
Server-based network........................................................................................................................15
TOPIC 2: NETWORK MEDIA........................................................................................................................16
T2.1) Electrical properties of matter......................................................................................................16
State of State?...................................................................................................................................16
Properties of Solids............................................................................................................................16
Band theory.......................................................................................................................................17
Effect of temperature on conductivity...............................................................................................18
Page 1 of 110
, T2.2, T2.3,T2. 4) Types of transmission media, Importance and benefits and limitations.....................18
Transmission medium........................................................................................................................18
Telecommunications..........................................................................................................................19
Bounded/Guided Transmission Media...............................................................................................19
UnBounded/UnGuided Transmission Media.....................................................................................24
TOPIC 3: DATA COMMUNICATION.............................................................................................................28
T3.1) Meaning of data communication..................................................................................................28
T3.2) Principles of data communication................................................................................................28
T3.3) Techniques in data communication..............................................................................................33
T3.4) Networking models and their importance....................................................................................33
T3.5) OSI model and different layers.....................................................................................................34
T3.6) T7.2) Standards for Ethernet........................................................................................................39
T3.7) Networking components as they map to OSI models...................................................................44
T3.8) TCP models and functions of different layers...............................................................................47
T3.9) Comparison between OSI model and TCP model.........................................................................48
TOPIC 4: NETWORK CONNECTIONS AND PROTOCOLS...............................................................................49
T4.1) Transport protocols......................................................................................................................49
T4.2) Other protocols............................................................................................................................50
T4.3) Network connectivity...................................................................................................................52
TOPIC 5: LOCAL AREA NETWORK...............................................................................................................56
T5.1) Meaning of local area network.....................................................................................................56
T5.2,T5.3) LAN protocols and LAN transmission methods and Access methods....................................56
LAN Protocols....................................................................................................................................56
Network Protocol & Types.................................................................................................................56
Media-Access Methods.....................................................................................................................59
LAN Transmission Methods...............................................................................................................59
LAN Topologies..................................................................................................................................59
LAN Devices.......................................................................................................................................60
TOPIC 6: WIDE AREA NETWORK................................................................................................................61
T6.1) Meaning & Types of WAN.............................................................................................................61
T6.2) WAN protocols..............................................................................................................................62
TOPIC 7: ETHERNET TECHNOLOGY.............................................................................................................65
Page 2 of 110
, T7.1) Ethernet technology.....................................................................................................................65
T7.2) Ethernet standards.......................................................................................................................65
TOPIC 8: NETWORK TROUBLE SHOOTING..................................................................................................67
T8.1) Meaning and importance of network trouble shooting................................................................67
T8.2) Methods of network trouble shooting..........................................................................................69
TOPIC 9: NET WORK SECURITY..................................................................................................................73
T9.1) Network security..........................................................................................................................73
Importance Of Network Security For Business Organization:............................................................73
Data, Vulnerabilities, and Countermeasures......................................................................................74
T9.2) Security techniques......................................................................................................................75
T9.3) Security threats and other network vulnerabilities......................................................................77
Common Network Security Threats...................................................................................................77
Types of Network Attacks..................................................................................................................78
TOPIC 10: NETWORK DESIGN.....................................................................................................................87
T10.1) Meaning of network design........................................................................................................87
T10.2) Computer development life cycle...............................................................................................87
T10.3) Hardware and Software selection criteria..................................................................................89
TOPIC 11: TCP/IP PROTOCALS....................................................................................................................92
T11.1) Meaning of TCP/IP concepts.......................................................................................................92
T11.2) Types of data flow.......................................................................................................................93
TOPIC 12: COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE..................................................................................................94
T12.1) Meaning of terms (computer software and network software)..................................................94
T12.2) Different types of communication software...............................................................................95
T12.3) Types of network software.........................................................................................................96
TOPIC 13: INTERNET..................................................................................................................................96
T13.1) Meaning and importance of internet.........................................................................................96
Definition of Terms............................................................................................................................96
Importance of the internet to your organisation...............................................................................97
TOPIC 14: EMERGING TRENDS...................................................................................................................99
T14.1) Emerging trends in networking...................................................................................................99
T14.2) Challenges of emerging trends in networking..........................................................................103
T14.3) Coping with challenges of emerging trends in networking.......................................................105
Page 3 of 110
, TOPIC 1: DATA COMMUNICATION AND
NETWORKING
T1.1) Meaning of computer network
A computer network or data network is a telecommunications network/link which allows
computers to exchange data. In computer networks, networked computing devices pass data to
each other along network links (data connections). Data is transferred in the form of packets.
A computer network is a set of computers connected together for the purpose of sharing
resources. The most common resource shared today is connection to the Internet. Other shared
resources can include a printer or a file server.
T1.2) Components of computer network
Computer network components include the major parts that are needed to install a network
both at the office and home level. Before delving into the installation process, you should be
familiar with each part so that you could choose and buy the right component that fits with your
network system.
These hardware components include cable, Hub, Switch, NIC (network interface card), modem
and router. Depending on the type of network you are going to install, some of the parts can be
eliminated. For example, in a wireless network you don‘t need cables, hubs so on.
In this article we will discuss about the main computer network components required to install
simple computer network, often called LAN (local area network).
Major computer network components
Computer network requires the following devices (some of them are optional):-
• Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Hub
• Switches
• Cables and connectors
• Router
• Modem
Page 4 of 110
NETWORKING MADE SIMPLE
ILLUSTRATED NOTES WITH TABLES &
DIAGRAMS-PERFECT FOR EXAMS
STUDY NOTES
Full Guidelines Step-By-Step With Clear and well labelled
Diagrams
Contents
TOPIC 1: DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING................................................................................4
T1.1) Meaning of computer network.......................................................................................................4
T1.2) Components of computer network................................................................................................4
T1. 3) Types of computer networks.........................................................................................................7
T1.4) Role of computer networks............................................................................................................8
T1.5) Network topologies........................................................................................................................9
What is a Topology?.............................................................................................................................9
Main Types of Physical Topologies.......................................................................................................9
Considerations When Choosing a Topology.......................................................................................13
T1.6) Categories of computer networks................................................................................................13
Peer-to-peer network(p2p)................................................................................................................14
Server-based network........................................................................................................................15
TOPIC 2: NETWORK MEDIA........................................................................................................................16
T2.1) Electrical properties of matter......................................................................................................16
State of State?...................................................................................................................................16
Properties of Solids............................................................................................................................16
Band theory.......................................................................................................................................17
Effect of temperature on conductivity...............................................................................................18
Page 1 of 110
, T2.2, T2.3,T2. 4) Types of transmission media, Importance and benefits and limitations.....................18
Transmission medium........................................................................................................................18
Telecommunications..........................................................................................................................19
Bounded/Guided Transmission Media...............................................................................................19
UnBounded/UnGuided Transmission Media.....................................................................................24
TOPIC 3: DATA COMMUNICATION.............................................................................................................28
T3.1) Meaning of data communication..................................................................................................28
T3.2) Principles of data communication................................................................................................28
T3.3) Techniques in data communication..............................................................................................33
T3.4) Networking models and their importance....................................................................................33
T3.5) OSI model and different layers.....................................................................................................34
T3.6) T7.2) Standards for Ethernet........................................................................................................39
T3.7) Networking components as they map to OSI models...................................................................44
T3.8) TCP models and functions of different layers...............................................................................47
T3.9) Comparison between OSI model and TCP model.........................................................................48
TOPIC 4: NETWORK CONNECTIONS AND PROTOCOLS...............................................................................49
T4.1) Transport protocols......................................................................................................................49
T4.2) Other protocols............................................................................................................................50
T4.3) Network connectivity...................................................................................................................52
TOPIC 5: LOCAL AREA NETWORK...............................................................................................................56
T5.1) Meaning of local area network.....................................................................................................56
T5.2,T5.3) LAN protocols and LAN transmission methods and Access methods....................................56
LAN Protocols....................................................................................................................................56
Network Protocol & Types.................................................................................................................56
Media-Access Methods.....................................................................................................................59
LAN Transmission Methods...............................................................................................................59
LAN Topologies..................................................................................................................................59
LAN Devices.......................................................................................................................................60
TOPIC 6: WIDE AREA NETWORK................................................................................................................61
T6.1) Meaning & Types of WAN.............................................................................................................61
T6.2) WAN protocols..............................................................................................................................62
TOPIC 7: ETHERNET TECHNOLOGY.............................................................................................................65
Page 2 of 110
, T7.1) Ethernet technology.....................................................................................................................65
T7.2) Ethernet standards.......................................................................................................................65
TOPIC 8: NETWORK TROUBLE SHOOTING..................................................................................................67
T8.1) Meaning and importance of network trouble shooting................................................................67
T8.2) Methods of network trouble shooting..........................................................................................69
TOPIC 9: NET WORK SECURITY..................................................................................................................73
T9.1) Network security..........................................................................................................................73
Importance Of Network Security For Business Organization:............................................................73
Data, Vulnerabilities, and Countermeasures......................................................................................74
T9.2) Security techniques......................................................................................................................75
T9.3) Security threats and other network vulnerabilities......................................................................77
Common Network Security Threats...................................................................................................77
Types of Network Attacks..................................................................................................................78
TOPIC 10: NETWORK DESIGN.....................................................................................................................87
T10.1) Meaning of network design........................................................................................................87
T10.2) Computer development life cycle...............................................................................................87
T10.3) Hardware and Software selection criteria..................................................................................89
TOPIC 11: TCP/IP PROTOCALS....................................................................................................................92
T11.1) Meaning of TCP/IP concepts.......................................................................................................92
T11.2) Types of data flow.......................................................................................................................93
TOPIC 12: COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE..................................................................................................94
T12.1) Meaning of terms (computer software and network software)..................................................94
T12.2) Different types of communication software...............................................................................95
T12.3) Types of network software.........................................................................................................96
TOPIC 13: INTERNET..................................................................................................................................96
T13.1) Meaning and importance of internet.........................................................................................96
Definition of Terms............................................................................................................................96
Importance of the internet to your organisation...............................................................................97
TOPIC 14: EMERGING TRENDS...................................................................................................................99
T14.1) Emerging trends in networking...................................................................................................99
T14.2) Challenges of emerging trends in networking..........................................................................103
T14.3) Coping with challenges of emerging trends in networking.......................................................105
Page 3 of 110
, TOPIC 1: DATA COMMUNICATION AND
NETWORKING
T1.1) Meaning of computer network
A computer network or data network is a telecommunications network/link which allows
computers to exchange data. In computer networks, networked computing devices pass data to
each other along network links (data connections). Data is transferred in the form of packets.
A computer network is a set of computers connected together for the purpose of sharing
resources. The most common resource shared today is connection to the Internet. Other shared
resources can include a printer or a file server.
T1.2) Components of computer network
Computer network components include the major parts that are needed to install a network
both at the office and home level. Before delving into the installation process, you should be
familiar with each part so that you could choose and buy the right component that fits with your
network system.
These hardware components include cable, Hub, Switch, NIC (network interface card), modem
and router. Depending on the type of network you are going to install, some of the parts can be
eliminated. For example, in a wireless network you don‘t need cables, hubs so on.
In this article we will discuss about the main computer network components required to install
simple computer network, often called LAN (local area network).
Major computer network components
Computer network requires the following devices (some of them are optional):-
• Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Hub
• Switches
• Cables and connectors
• Router
• Modem
Page 4 of 110
