1. INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER NETWORKING  Definition of computer network  Devices that could be connected to the network  Connection media  Resources shared across the network  Advantages and disadvantages of computer network  Types of network

2. INTRODUCTION Networks are systems that are formed by links. People use different types of networks every day: Mail delivery system Telephone system Public transportation system Corporate computer network The Internet Computer network is the interconnection of computers and other devices in order to share resources/communicate Computers can be linked by networks to share data and resources. A network can be as simple as two computers connected by a single cable or as complex as hundreds of computers connected to devices that control the flow of information.

3. Network devices include: Desktop and laptop computers Printers and scanners PDAs and Smartphones File and print servers Resources shared across networks include: Services such as printing or scanning Storage devices such as hard drives or optical drives Applications such as databases Different types of network media: i.Copper cabling ii.Fiber-optic cabling iii.Wireless connection

4. DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER NETWORK -Costful during investment due to purchasing of devices and security software and payment to an IT expert -No assurance to service in case of network failures due to attack or downtime ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER NETWORK -Fewer peripherals needed -Increased communication capabilities -Avoid file duplication and corruption -Lower cost licensing -Centralized administration -Conserve resources

5. TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORK The type of a computer network is identified by: The area it serves/Covers The type of networking devices used The type of media used to connect the devices How the resources are managed How the network is organized How the data is stored Therefore we have basically three types of network which are; -Local Area Network(LAN) -Metropolitan Area Network(MAN) -Wide Area Network (WAN)

6. Local Area Network (LAN) -LAN is defined as a group of interconnected computers that is under the same administrative control. -Can be as small in size(approximately 1 square kilometer) covering a home or small office -Can consist of interconnected local networks consisting of many hundreds of hosts, installed in multiple buildings and locations.

7. NOTE THAT on Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN); -Wireless devices are used to transmit and receive data using radio waves. -Wireless devices connect to access points within a specified area. -Access points connect to the network using copper cabling. -WLAN coverage can be limited to the area of a room, or can have greater range. -You can share resources such as files and printers, and access the Internet on a WLAN.

8.  MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network.  MANs are basically bigger versions of LANs and normally use similar technology.  MANs size can go up to 10 KM METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN)

9.  WAN stands for Wide Area Network.  WANs span large geographical areas, often a country or continent.  They contain a collection of machines intended to run user programs and offer a variety of services. WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)