why is it important to understand the components of a computer in a networking course?

A computer network is made up of several hardware and software components. All components of a computer network make it possible of transferring data and information from one device to another and make easy communication between two different computers.

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What should be the first topic when learning computer networking?

When learning computer networking, this should be your first topic. A computer network is made up of four essential components. These components are End devices, Media, Protocols, and Networking devices. Let's discuss these components in detail. An end device is a device that sends or receives the data in the network.

What is the importance of computer networking?

Computer networking has its various functionalities, goals, and advantages and disadvantages with it but importance of it is truly unique. Let us go into little bit detail and know about importance of computer networks to great extent. In the world of Information Technology (IT) information is building block for effective communication.

What are the components of a computer network?

For computers to effectively communicate (send and receive data) over a network, their hardware (tangible physical components) and software (programs and applications) must function and be able to communicate with the corresponding hardware and software that govern the network.

What will I learn in the computer networking module?

You'll learn the fundamental principles of computer networking to prepare you for the Azure admin and developer learning paths. In this module, you will: List the different network protocols and network standards.

Why is computer networking important?

Computer networking is a massive boon to the communication landscape. Networking allows you to send and receive text messages and files in real time. Information is available and easy to access from any device. You only need a reliable internet connection.

Why do we need computer networks?

Computer networks enable flexible operations. The data is not stored in a local server making it accessible with internet connectivity. You can access your data from any device. This enhances free movement while accessing your data wherever you may be.

Why is LAN important?

LAN is essential for resource sharing including file servers, printers and data storage . LAN hardware such as ethernet cables and hubs are affordable to acquire and maintain. Small LANs manage 2 or 3 computers while large LANs host thousands of servers. Internet connectivity can either be wired or wireless.

What is a network of nodes?

Computer networks or data networks are chains of nodes linked by communication channels. The nodes receive, transmit and exchange data between endpoints. The data transmitted is in the form of voice or video traffic. How do you network two computers? Wired Ethernet cables or wireless radio waves connect the computers.

What is a man network?

Depending on the connection, MAN can connect a single area or traverse several miles. MAN is a series of several LANs linked to create a greater network, also known as Campus Area Network (CAN) or Campus Networks.

What is the impact of data servers?

Data servers expose your information to man-in-the-middle attacks and viruses. Employees can download and exchange corrupt files which expose your server to viruses and malware. Shared resources open doors of opportunities for security breaches. Hackers can easily snoop on your data.

Is the internet a distraction?

Computer networks are flexible, but employee productivity is a concern. The internet presents a minefield of distractions. Employees may engage in unsolicited file sharing or instant messaging during work hours. Even though most companies have drafted work regulations, policing employees is an uphill battle.

What is a network card?

Network Card – If you want to connect to a Local Area Network (LAN) or the Internet, you'll need this card (or a modem). This works by receiving and sending information (data packets) over a local network or from/to the internet using a high speed cable line.

What is the system unit on a computer?

System Unit – This is the large rectangular-shaped box found on (or underneath) your desk. This is the most important part of your system and acts as the computer's 'Brain' or core. It is also known as a 'tower' and it is where you can find your CD/DVD Drive as well as your Floppy Disk Drive (for those computers that still have them). Some people also refer to the "tower" as the CPU (Central Processing Unit), although CPU also refers to the actual chip (AMD/Intel), so it can be confusing what people are actually referring to when they simply say "CPU" -- you have to determine the correct reference from the context of the conversation.

What is a CPU tower?

Some people also refer to the "tower" as the CPU (Central Processing Unit), although CPU also refers to the actual chip (AMD/Intel), so it can be confusing what people are actually referring to when they simply say "CPU" -- you have to determine the correct reference from the context of the conversation.

What is a mouse on a computer?

Mouse – This is small device that will allow you to make selections on your computer screen. They come in different shapes and sizes but resemble a mouse. It connects to the system unit or can be wireless. The mouse can have 1 button, 2 buttons, 3 buttons, or 3 buttons and a scroll button. Most PCs now have a mouse with 2 buttons ...

What is the best way to communicate with people on a computer?

Speakers – These are used to play sound. They can either be built-in or connected by using cables. Webcam – This is a camera that can be used with your computer that will allow you to communicate with others who have webcams. You can also take photos and record videos with a webcam.

What is a hardware driver?

Hardware Driver – A hardware driver is a software program that tells the computer how to use a piece of hardware. Every component of a computer will have a hardware driver such as a printer, hard disk, DVD player and more. "Hardware Driver" sounds like it's hardware, but it's not.

What are the components of a computer network?

Some important network components are NIC, switch, cable, hub, router, and modem. Depending on the type of network that we need to install, some network components can also be removed.

What is NIC in computer?

NIC is a hardware component used to connect a computer with another computer onto a network. It can support a transfer rate of 10,100 to 1000 Mb/s. The MAC address or physical address is encoded on the network card chip which is assigned by the IEEE to identify a network card uniquely.

What is a wired NIC?

There are two types of NIC: Wired NIC: The Wired NIC is present inside the motherboard. Cables and connectors are used with wired NIC to transfer data. Wireless NIC: The wireless NIC contains the antenna to obtain the connection over the wireless network. For example, laptop computer contains the wireless NIC.

How does a router work?

A router works in a Layer 3 (Network layer) of the OSI Reference model. A router forwards the packet based on the information available in the routing table. It determines the best path from the available paths for the transmission of the packet.

How does a router affect the performance of a network?

This increases the traffic load on the network. Router splits the single network into two networks of 12 workstations each , reduces the traffic load by half. Network range.

What is a switch in a network?

Switch delivers the message to the correct destination based on the physical address present in the incoming message. A Switch does not broadcast the message to the entire network like the Hub.

Why is IP address identification important?

IP address identification therefore covers the entire Internet, down to every individual device. It serves to efficiently compartmentalize all devices around the world. If MAC addresses were to be used, network disruptions will be endless with address conflicts occurring worldwide due to cloned addresses.

What is the purpose of IP address?

For computers to effectively communicate (send and receive data) over a network, their hardware (tangible physical components) and software (programs and applications) must function and be able to communicate with the corresponding hardware and software that govern the network.

How does MAC work?

The MAC (Media Access Control) addresses work along with IP addresses on a network device for communication. The device must have the necessary functioning hardware to communicate on the network. This communication is achieved by a NIC (Network Interface Card), a piece of hardware with a circuitry card.

What is the protocol used to connect devices?

The network to which devices are connected is governed by a networking protocol called the TCP/IP Protocol (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) from which IP addresses are derived. Many networks today, including those involving the World Wide Web (WWW), use the TCP/IP Protocol as the standard protocol by which connected devices are identified and communicate.

What is TCP/IP protocol?

The TCP/IP is the communication protocol comprising of digital message formats and rules that govern the management of message exchange over the Internet. It comprises of four abstraction layers namely: the Physical layer and the Data Link layer, the Network or the Internet layer, the Transport layer, and the Application layer (the highest).

What is an IP address?

IP Addresses are a series of numbers that are used by any remote node to identify a device within a network environment. They carry the complete addressing information to locate a device's network.

What is a hardwired MAC address?

The hardwired MAC Addresses are on devices that can be connected to any physical network anywhere in the world. Today a lot of cloning happens in the world of technology and manufacturing. Clones are known to have identical MAC addresses as their originals.

Read More – Applications of Computer Network

Now these days, Due to the various importance of computer networks, we are getting more need for Computer network.

Importance of Computer Networks

With the help of Computer networking, every user can access all data from the network without any boundation of place. For example – if you are doing any office work at your home such as filling tax files, and same time your boss can receive your file on the destination place without going physically to your home.

Basic Components of Computer Network

There are five basic components while using in transmission of computer network; such as –

1. Network Topology

The word “topology” comes from topos, which is Greek for «place». In computer networking, TOPOLOGY is the physical layout of computers, cables, switches, routers, and other components of a network. This term can also refer to the underlying network architecture, such as Ethernet or Token Ring.

3. The OSI Model

OSI Model is a short name for the Open Systems Interconnection reference model for networking.

4. Network equipment (routers and switches)

Network equipment includes a broad range of devices which can be classified as core network components that interconnect other network components, hybrid components which can be found in the core or border of a network, and hardware or software components that typically sit on the connection point of different networks.

5. Physical Transmission Medium (cabling)

Network Cabling is the medium through which information usually moves from one network device to another. There are several types of cable which are commonly used with LANs.

6. Wireless networking

Wireless networking is a wireless computer network that links two or more devices using wireless communication to form a local area network ( LAN) within a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, campus, or office building.

7. Communication protocols

Communications protocols are a set of rules required to exchange information between computing systems. Like any spoken language, these protocols allow computers to understand each other.

8. DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ( DHCP) is a client/server protocol that automatically provides an Internet Protocol (IP) host with its IP address and other related configuration information such as the subnet mask and default gateway. DHCP allows hosts to obtain required TCP/IP configuration information from a DHCP server.

What are the components of a computer network?

When learning computer networking, this should be your first topic. A computer is built from the four essential components; End devices, Media, Protocols and Networking devices. Let’s understand each of these components.

What is the classification of a computer network?

Computer networks are mainly categorized based on the geographical location, access types and relationship between end devices.

How does a networking device work?

A networking device works between the end devices. It controls and forwards the flow of data. Based on the functionalities, a networking device can be categorized in three types; forwarding device, connecting device and the securing device.

How many end devices are needed to build a network?

To build a network, at least two end devices are required. Broadly end devices are categorized in two types; server end device and client end device. Server end device is the device which provides data or service. Client end device is the device which receives the offered data or service from the server end device.

What are the two common media standards?

Subtypes are defined as the media standards. Two common media standards are the Ethernet and the IEEE802.11 or Wi-Fi standards. The Ethernet defines the standards for the wired media.

What is an end device?

An end device is the device that sends or receives the data or service in the network. An end device might be a PC, Laptop, Smartphone or any other device that is capable of the sending and receiving data the data and connected with the network. To build a network, at least two end devices are required.

What are the two types of network?

Based on how the end devices access each other, the network is categorized in two types; peer to peer network and clients/server network . In peer to peer network, all end devices have equal rights. In clients/server network, server decides which client will have what rights.