COMPUTER NETWORK
Definition:
A computer network is a group of two or more connected computers that can communicate and share resources.
Types of Networks:
- Local Area Network (LAN): Limited to a small area like a school or office.
- Wide Area Network (WAN): Covers a large geographic area, like the internet.
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): Covers a city or campus.
Network Components:
- Router: Directs data packets between networks.
- Switch: Connects devices on a LAN.
- Cables: Such as Ethernet cables that physically connect devices.
Network Topology
Definition:
Network topology refers to the arrangement or layout of devices on a network.
Common Types:
- Bus Topology: All devices share a single communication line.
- Star Topology: All devices connect to a central device (switch or hub).
- Ring Topology: Devices connected in a circular manner.
Advantages & Disadvantages:
- Bus: Simple but if the main cable fails, the network goes down.
- Star: Reliable, if one device fails others are unaffected, but the central hub is a single point of failure.
- Ring: Data travels in one direction, failure of one device affects the entire network.
