Introduction to computer networks What is a computer network? What - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Introduction to computer networks

 What is a computer network?  What are the benefits of using networks?  What does LAN stand for?  Where are LANs usually located?  What is the difference between a wired LAN

and a wireless LAN?

souce: http://www.connectedhome.infopint.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/home_network.jpg

 What does PAN stand for?  What is a network protocol?  How do you log on to an Internet Service

Provider?

 WiMAX is a type of wireless network. What is it

used for?

 What equipment do you need to set up a wireless

LAN?

 What are the advantages and disadvantages of

wireless networks?

Network devices

 Modem: short for modulator/demodulator. An

electronic device that converts signals to enable a computer to be connected to an ordinary telephone line.

 Router: an electronic device that links different

networks or parts of a network. It determines the path that a signal should take to reach its destination.

 Hub: an electronic device at the centre of a star

network topology. It puts the data packets that it receives on one of its port onto rest of its ports.

Definitions adopted from Glendinning, E. H. & McEwan, J. 2002. Oxford English for Information Technology. Oxford University Press.

 Switch: an electronic device at the centre of a star

network topology. It puts the data packets only onto the appropriate port.

 Bridge: (a hardware and software combination) used

to connect the same type of networks or to partition a large network into two smaller ones.

 Gateway: an interface that enables dissimilar

networks to communicate such as two LANs based

• n different topologies or network operating systems.

 Repeater: an electronic device that amplifies signals.

Network devices

Definitions adopted from Glendinning, E. H. & McEwan, J. 2002. Oxford English for Information Technology. Oxford University Press.