Chapter 1

What do you mean by information technology?: Information Technology is an area in which we study the designing, development and management of computer and technology. We also know the use of computer, software application and hardware to create process, secure and exchange the electronic data. Today, each and every work done by computer and things related to it like internet, networking, data management, software, internet website, server database etc. are the part of Information technology. Thus, we can say that IT is an area/field in which computer related work is done according to their business.
Role of computer network in Information Technology?: It is a branch of Information technology In which we study the process of building, using and maintaining computer networks. Including hardware, software and protocols. So, that multiple computing device can share data. It is a system of connected id computing devices and share information and resource between them.
Why so we study computer network?: We study computer networking because it helps to the users on the network o share the resource and communication between them. It is just like pillar or infrastructure of computing field . we must have the basic concept of howe things works, how internet works. In order to do such thing from internet. So we study the computer network.
What is computer network?: It is a group of a computers which are connected to each other and follow similar usage protocol for the purpose of sharing information and having communication provides by the networking nodes is called a computer network. A network may be small where it may include just one system or may be as large as what one want may want.

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Introduction to Computer Networking

Types of computer networks :-

PAN	LAN	WAN	WLAN	CAN	etc.
MAN	SAN	POLAN	EPN	VPN	etc.

What is network Hardware and Software?

Network Hardware are electronic devices or network equipment required for communication and interaction between devices in a computer network. Ex :- Router, Hubs, Switches, bridge etc, While, Network Software are programs designed for efficient network performance and monitoring. It helps us to define locations of data storage and allow user to access that data. Hardware required + Software Required = Computer Networking Ex:- NIC Card(Network interface controller) :- It is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to connects a computer to computer network. Network driver is a software program that connect a computer network.

LINE CONFIGURATION :-
It refers to the way to connect physically two or more computer network.

Two types of physical connection:-

Point-to-point
Multipoint

Point-to-point: A point to point connection provides dedicated link between those two devices. Most point to point connection use, an actual length of wire or cable to connect the two ends, but other options such as microwave or satelite links are also possible.
Multipoint: multidrop configuration. In this connection, two or more device share links. more than the two device share the link that is capacity of the channel shared now. With shared capacity there can be two possibilities in a multipoint line configuration. spatial sharing:- if several devices can share the link simultaneously. it's called spatially shared line. configuration. Temporal (Time) sharing:- if users must link take turns using the link then it's called temporally shared or Time shared line configuration.

LIST OF ADVANTAGES OF A COMPUTER NETWORKING:

1. It enhance the communication and availability of information. Networking, especially with full access to the web, allows way of communication that would simply impossible

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Introduction to Computer Networking

before it was developed. Instance messaging can now allow user to talk in real time and send files to other people wherever they are in the world, which ids huge boon for businesses. Also it allows access toa vast amount of useful information, including traditional reference materials and timely facts, such as news and current events.
2.It allow for more convenient resource sharing. This benefit is very important , particular for larger companies that really need to produce huge number of resources to be shared to all the people. Since the technology involves computer-based work, it is assured that the resources they wanted to get across would be completely shared by connecting toa computer network which their audiences is also using.
3.It makes sharing easier. Computer networking allows easier accessibility for people to share their files, which greatly helps them with saving more time and effort, since they could do files sharing more accordingly and effectively.
4. It is highly flexible. This technology is known to be very flexible, as it gives user the opportunities to explore everything about essential things, such as software without effecting their functionality . plus people will have the accessibility to all information they needed to gets and share.
5.It is an inexpensive system. Installing networking software on your device would not cost to much, as your are assured that it last and can effectively share information to your peers. Also, there is no need to change the software regularly, as mostly it is not required to do so.
6. It increases the cost efficiency. With computer networking you can use a lot of software products available on the market which can just be stored or installed in your system or ever, and can be used by various workstation.
7.It boosts the storage capacity Since you are going to share information, files and resources to other people , you ensure all data and content are properly stored in your system. With this networking technology , you can do all of these without hassle, while having all the space you need for storage.

LIST OF DISADVANTAGES OF A COMPUTER NETWORKING:

1. It lacks independence. Computer networking involves a process that is operated using computer, so people will be relying more of a computer work, instead of exerting an effort for their tasks at hand. Aside from this, they will be dependent on main file server, which means that, if it breaks down , the system would become useless, making users idle.
2. It poses the security difficulties. Because there would be huge number of people who would be using computer network to get and share some of their files and resources, a certain user's security would be always at risk.

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Introduction to Computer Networking

3. It allows for more presence of computer viruses and malware. There would be instance that stored files get corrupted due to computer viruses. Thus -network administrator should conduct regular check-ups on the and the stored files at same time.
4. It requires an efficient network administrator. For computer network to work efficiently and optimally, it requires high technical skills and know how of its operations and administrations. A person just having basic skill cannot do this job.
5. It lacks robustness. As previous stated, if a computer network's main server breaks down, the entire system would become useless. Also if it has a bridging device or a center linking server fails, the entire network would also come to a standstill. To deal with these problems, huge networks should have a powerful computer to serve as file server to make setting up and maintaining the network easier.
6. It requires an expensive set-up. Through the computer networks are said to be an inexpensive system when it I already running, its initial set up cost can still be high depending on the number of computers to be connected, Expensive devices, such as routers, switches, hubs etc., can add up to the cost,. Aside from these, it would also need network interface cards (NICs) for workstation in case they are not built in.