a simple computer networks

Access to Higher Education Diploma
Assignment Brief
Access to HE Diploma (Computing)
Student Name Submission deadline date
Course/
Subject Title
Access to HE - Assignment 1
Computing
Submission date
Unit Title/Code Unit 8 - Computer Networks
Tutor Name Resubmission deadline date
Date set Resubmission date
This is all my own work and all sources have been acknowledged and attributed.
Student signature:
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this unit, the
learner will know/be able
to:
Assessment criteria:
The learning outcomes will have been achieved
when the learner has:
First
Sub-
mission
Re-sub-
mission
Achieved
1. 1. identify and describe
types of computer network
and network protocols
1.1 described different types of computer
network in terms of scale eg
WAN/LAN/PAN, network topologies, and
network access methods
1.2 explained the importance of network
protocols and standards and of
established network models eg OSI 7-
layer model and TCP/IP
1.3 described specific network protocols and
standards eg TCP/IP, UDP, 802.2, 802.3,
802.5, FDDI, 802.11, Bluetooth, 3G/4G
and stated the relationship between them
and the different types of network
identified in 1.1

The Bournemouth and Poole College
Access to Higher Education – Computing
Unit 8: Computer Networks
Assignment 1
Heba Haskale
Submitted on: 22/04/21
Word Count: 1000
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Content
1.0 Introduction...............................................................................................................................5
2.0 Networks...................................................................................................................................5
2.1 LAN (Local Area Network)......................................................................................................5
2.2 MAN (Metropolitan area networks)......................................................................................5
2.3 WAN (Wide Area Network)....................................................................................................5
2.4 PAN (Pearson Area Network).................................................................................................6
2.5 CAN (Campus Area Network).................................................................................................6
2.6 GAN (Global Area Networks).................................................................................................6
3.0 Network Architecture................................................................................................................6
3.1 Client/Server network:...........................................................................................................6
3.2 Peer-to-peer:.........................................................................................................................7
4.0 Network topologies...................................................................................................................8
4.1 Bus Topology:........................................................................................................................8
4.2 Star Topology:........................................................................................................................8
4.3 Mesh Topology:.....................................................................................................................9
4.4 Ring Topology:.......................................................................................................................9
4.5 Tree Topology:.....................................................................................................................10
4.6 Hybrid Topology:..................................................................................................................10
5.0 Network Access Methods........................................................................................................11
5.1 CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection):...................................11
5.2 CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance):..................................11
5.3 Media Access Control Address (MAC Address):...................................................................12
6.0 Layers of Communication........................................................................................................12
 At sender Side:.........................................................................................................................12
 At receiver Side:.......................................................................................................................12
6.1 OSI model:...........................................................................................................................13
7.2 Internet Model (TCP/IP):......................................................................................................14
7.0 Network Protocols and Standards...........................................................................................14
7.1 UDP:.....................................................................................................................................15
7.2 TCP:......................................................................................................................................15
7.3 IP:.........................................................................................................................................15
7.4 FTP:......................................................................................................................................15
7.5 SMTP: S................................................................................................................................15
7.6 HTTP:...................................................................................................................................15
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7.7 Ethernet:..............................................................................................................................15
7.0.1 IEEE 802.11: WIRELESS LAN:............................................................................................16
7.0.2 IEEE 802.5 Token Ring:.....................................................................................................16
7.0.3 802.15 (WPAN):...............................................................................................................16
7.0.4 FDDI.................................................................................................................................16
7.0.5 IEEE 802.3:.......................................................................................................................17
7.0.6 WiFi technology:..............................................................................................................17
7.0.7 Bluetooth.........................................................................................................................18
7.0.8 Cellular Connections:.......................................................................................................18
8.0 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................19
Bibliography.........................................................................................................................................19
Appendices..........................................................................................................................................20
Appendix A – comparing different network types...........................................................................20
Appendix B – Physical topology types.............................................................................................21
Appendix C – Advantages and disadvantages of topologies............................................................21
Appendix D – The Seven Layers of the OSI Model...........................................................................22
Appendix E – The Differences between Client/Server and Peer-to-Peer.........................................23
Table of Figures
Figure 1: example of Bus topology.........................................................................................8
Figure 2: example of Star topology............................................................................8
Figure 3: example of Mesh topology..........................................................................9
Figure 4: example of Ring topology...........................................................................9
Figure 5: example of Tree topology.........................................................................10
Figure 6: example of Hybrid topology (Star - Bus) ......................................................10
Figure 6: example of Hybrid topology (Star -Ring) ......................................................11
Figure 8: TCP/IP VS OSI Model..............................................................................13
Figure 9: Wi-Fi................................................................................................
.....17
Figure 10: Bluetooth.............................................................................................18
Figure 11: Cellular connection 4G/ LTD....................................................................19
Table of Tables
Table 1: advantages and disadvantages of Client/ Server network........................................7
Table 2: advantages and disadvantages of Peer to Peer network..........................................7
Table 3: the layers of OSI model VS TCP/IP model..............................................
.......14
Table 4: the protocols and devices of OSI model........................................................15
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1.0 Introduction
In this report, I will include the basic components which make up a network
and the different types of computer networks. Also, I will Identify and evaluate
different kinds of network topology and access methods.
Moreover, I will explain the network layers of communications and protocols.
2.0 Networks
As (Hosch, W., 2011), computer network is a group of two or more computers
connected with each other for sharing resources and information. A simple
computer network can be built only from two computers while a complex
computer network can be built from several thousand computers.
A computer network can be categorized based on geographical location and
characteristic. Based on geographical location, according to (McCauley, G.,
2019) these categories include:
2.1 LAN (Local Area Network)
A LAN is a computer network which spans over a small geographical area
such as home, building, office, etc. In LAN, computers are placed relatively
close. Since computers are located within small distance, they do not need
special devices and cables to connect with each other.
2.2 MAN (Metropolitan area networks)
A MAN is a computer network which connects two or more LAN networks
within same city. When due to distance connecting two LANs is not possible,
MAN network is used.
It is larger than LAN but smaller than WAN. It deploys special devices and
cables to connect the LANs.
2.3 WAN (Wide Area Network)
WAN is a computer network which spans over a large geographical area such
as state, region, country etc. WANs are typically used to connect two or more
LANs or MANs which are located relatively very far from each other. To
provide connectivity, this network uses special devices, cables and
technologies.
Above categorization (LAN, MAN and WAN) of computer network is purely
based on geographical location. It has nothing to do with the number of
computers in each network. For example, if one computer is located in Poole
and other computer is located in London, connecting these two computers is
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the example of WAN networking. Just like this, if a company starts a new
branch office with 500 computers and all these computers are installed within
a building, this network will be considered as a LAN network. See Appendix
A, which includes comparing between networks.
There are three more types of computer network based on geographical
location but they are rarely used to define the network.
2.4 PAN (Pearson Area Network)
Same as LAN network, but it is limited to a specific person or location such as
home network. This network is usually setup for sharing resources such as
internet and printer within personal computers.
2.5 CAN (Campus Area Network)
Same as MAN network, but it is limited to a university or an academy. This
network is usually setup for educational activities such as classroom updates,
practices labs, emails, exams, notifications, polls, etc.
2.6 GAN (Global Area Networks)
Same as WAN network, but it covers unlimited geographical area. GAN is a
computer network which connects two or more WANs. This network is
increasingly gaining popularity as many companies are expending their
working area beyond their native countries. For example, a company has an
office in Poole and another one Damascus, connecting these two offices will
be considered as a GAN network.
3.0 Network Architecture
According to (Networking, C., 2019), Network architecture is the overall
design of a computer network that describes how a computer network is
configured and what strategies are being used. It mainly focuses on the
function of the networks. It is also known as network model or network design.
Appendix E explains The Differences between the network architecture.
There are two main network architecture:
3.1 Client/Server network: one computer act as a server. Client/Server
that provides services and the other computers (client) on the network
request services from the server.
 In client-server network relationships, certain computers act as server
and other act as clients.
 Local area network (LAN) is based on client server network
relationship.
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