Communication and

Network Concepts

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In This Chapter

C
COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK CONCEPTS 14.1 Introduction

&
14.2 What is a Network ?
14.1 INTRODUCTION 14.3 Need for Networking
14.4 Evolution of Networking
During the twentieth century, the key techno-
logy has been information gathering, processing and
AI 14.5 Switching Techniques
14.6 Data Communication Terminologies
distribution. Among other developments, we have seen 14.7 Transmission Media
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the installation of worldwide telephone networks, the 14.8 Types of Networks
birth and unexpected growth of the computer industry, 14.9 Network Topologies
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and the launching of communication satellites. 14.10 Network Devices

As we have entered in 21st century, these areas are rapidly 14.11 LAN Design
PA

converging. The merging of computers and communications has 14.12 Communication Protocols
had a deep influence on the way computer systems are organized. 14.13 Wireless/Mobile Computing
The old model of a single computer serving all of the orga- nization 14.14 Internetworking Terms and Concepts
AN

needs, is rapidly being replaced by one in which a large number of 14.15 Network Security Concepts

separate but interconnected computers do the job. These systems are called 14.16 Viruses
computer networks.
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14.2 WHAT IS A NETWORK ?

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Tanenbaum [1] defines a network as ‘an interconnected collection of autonomous

computers‘. Two computers are said to be interconnected if they are capable of
exchanging information. Central to this definition is the fact that the computers are
autonomous. This means that no computer on the network can start, stop, or control
another.

14.3 NEED FOR NETWORKING

Before getting into the technical details of computer networks, we must find out why
people are interested in it and what makes it necessary for the survival of any organization in this
competitive era.

(14.1)