Computer Network and Web

Technologies
Objectives of this Lesson
� At the end of the lesson, students should be able
to:
� Distinguish among types of networks based on key
characteristics.
� Explain the functions of basic networking
components.
� Assess the importance of mobile communication
technologies.
� Explain the interrelationships among key web
technology concepts.
Introduction to Computer Network
� Computer Network- A computer network is a
group of computing devices that are communicated
together so that they can share data and resources.
� Mobile Network- is a network of communication
and computing devices where the last link is over a
mobile phone network.
� Originally developed for mobile phone systems,
mobile networks now carry data as well as voice
communication. Persons on the move with
smartphones can now join a computer network.

� Computer networks are needed because

organizations want to communicate with others
and share data files and other resources.
� Why might someone on the move want to join a
computer network?
Wi-FI
� Wi-fi is a standard for wireless communication
between computing devices. In a wired network
computing devices communicate using physical wires.
In a wireless network computing devices communicate
using electromagnetic (radio)waves of different
frequencies. Types of wireless communication are
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and mobile 2G (second generation),
3G and 4G.
� What is main difference between a wired and a
wireless network?
� Give ONE advantage of using a wireless network.
TYPES OF NETWORKS
Types of Network
� A computer network may be classified based on its
geographical span. Computer networks are
designed to meet the data communication needs of
individuals and organizations. A small network
may connect computers in multiple rooms in a
building; large networks may connect computers
in different countries. The three types of network
based on geographical span are:
Types of Area Network
� Local Area Network: A Local Area Network (LAN)
is a computer network that interconnects computers
within a limited area such as a home, school,
laboratory or office building. The computer lab at
your school may well have a local area network in
operation.
Example of Local Area Network
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
� Metropolitan Area Network: A metropolitan area
network (MAN) is a computer network in a
geographical area or region larger than that covered a
LAN.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
� Wide Area Network: is a computer network in which
the computers connected may be far apart, even in
different countries.
� WANs provide national, regional and international
organizations with the connectivity needed to sustain
their operations. Large financial institutions, utility
companies and telecommunications services providers
are some of the types of organizations that set up and
operate WANs.
Example of Wide Area Network
� What type of network does your local dental
practice use?
� What type of network does your international
airline use?
� What type of network does your district
government use?
Mobile Networks as radio-
based common carriers
� A common carrier is a
company that offers
communication services to
the general public.
� Mobile networks started
life as networks for
cellular phones. They are
called cell phones because
of the way in which
mobile networks work. A
mobile phone mast has a
radio transmitter and
receiver at the top.
Mobile Wireless Standard: from 2G to
5G
� First there was mobile technology, then 2nd
generation mobile technology (2G). As of 2019, 3G
and 4G are in widespread use around the Caribbean
and the world. 3G receives a signal from the nearest
mobile phone tower and is used for phone calls,
messaging and data. It is generally accepted that 4G
works the same as 3G but with a faster Internet
connection. 4G claims to be around five times than
existing 3G services.
Comparing potential speed of different
generations of mobile networks

Technology Generation Expected download speed

1G Up to 2.4 kbps

2G Up to 64 kbps

3G Up 5 mbps (megabits per

second)

4G Up to 25 mbps
Wireless Network Technologies
� Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are widely used.
� Bluetooth is a wireless protocol for exchanging
data over short distances from one device to
another.
� A protocol is a set of rules or an agreed way to
exchange or transmit data between devices.
Hotspot
� Hotspot- A hotspot is a
physical location where
persons may obtain
Internet access, typically
using Wi-Fi technology.
� Public hotspots may be
created by a business for
use by customers in
places such as coffee
shops, restaurants,
shopping malls and
hotels.
� Venues that have broadband Internet access often
create public wireless access.
a. What is the technical term for this public
wireless access?
b. Name THREE types of venue that often
provides public wireless access.
Internet and Privacy
� Intranet- An intranet is a private computer network
where only authorized persons within an
organization can access resources.
� Intranets are designed to meet the needs of a single
organization that needs of a single organization
that needs to keep its data private and secure. It
usually ultilises familiar facilities such as web
pages and web browsers.
� Suggest TWO reasons why an organization may
choose to set up an intranet.
Extranet
� An extranet is a private computer network where
authorized persons within an organization and
selected partners outside the organization can
access specific resources.
� External partners access the organization’s
resources using the Internet so as extranet is more
at risk and less secure than an intranet.
� It is customary for two or more corporations to
collaborate using an extranet. For example,
Amadeus, a global travel services provider, will
allow airlines, for example, Caribbean airlines and
LIAT, to access its network. Similarly, Caribbean
Airlines and LIAT each operate extranets. They
offer access to authorised external partners such as
the Immigration Departments of various countries,
travel agents and customers like you and me.
� List THREE types of business enterprises that
could benefit from setting up an extranet.
The Internet
� The Internet is a public, globally, wide area
network providing information and communication
facilities.
� With its global reach, the Internet serves the data
communication needs of businesses worldwide and
billions of individuals. Within countries, the
Internet is accessible via Internet service providers
(ISP). An ISP is a company that provides
individuals and other organizations with access to
the Internet and other related services.
� An ISP will usually have a direct connections to at
least one fast access connection to the country’s
main Internet infrastructure, the Internet backbone.
Within the Caribbean, Cable and Wireless, Digicel
and FLOW are well-known Internet service
providers.
Comparing the intranet, extranet and
the Internet
Characteristics Internet Intranet Extranet
Level of Privacy Public: Anyone Private: Only Private: Only
can access authorized authorized
employees can persons can
access access
Ownership Not owned by Owned by a May be owned
anyone particular by one or more
organization collaborating
organization

Information Information can Information can Information can

sharing be shared with be shared be shared
everyone across securely within between
the world an organization employees and
external
colleagues.
Basic Components of a
Network
� Watch this video on how to connect to the internet.
� Video: Computer Basics: Connecting to the
Internet
� What device do you need if you want to connect
devices without using cables?
The function of the basic
components of a network
� The two connection methods are available are:
� Wired network: A wired network uses a wired
medium such as twisted pair cable, optical fibre
cable or coaxial cable to transfer data between
connected devices.
� Wireless network: A wireless network uses radio
waves instead of physical cables as the
transmission medium.
Transmission Media
� The transmission media are the mechanisms by
which computing devices are connected together.
� Transmission media can be physical hardware
(cables) or wireless media (infrared, Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, microwaves, satellites and mobile
networks)
Twisted Pair Cable
� Twisted pair cable
consists of eight copper
wires, twisted in pairs
to reduce interference
and enclosed in a
plastic covering
� How many individual wires will you find in a
networking twisted pair?
� Are school’s computers connected to a network via
twisted pair cable?
Coaxial Cable
� Coaxial cable consists of
a single copper core
surrounded by a metal
shield to reduce
interference and all
enclosed in a plastic
covering. Coaxial cable
are found on televisions,
videos and cables TV.
Fiber-Optic Cable
� Fiber- Optic Cable
consists of flexible fibers
with a glass core; they
carry information using
light.
Microwave Transmission
� Microwave Transmission: are part of the
electromagnetic radiation spectrum at frequencies
300MHz to 300GHz.
� Like infrared, microwave communication works in the
same way as Wi-Fi. The range of microwave
transmission is many kilometers but there has to be clear
line of sight between the two antennae. Microwave
communications can be used to connect remote locations
to a network providing there is a clear line of sight for
eg. A hilltop weather station may be networked to the
valley-bottom laboratory using microwave.
Microwave Transmission
Infrared
� Infrared radiation is a part of the electromagnetic
radiation spectrum at wavelengths that fall between
visible light and radio waves at frequencies 300GHz
up to 430THz. In terms of IT, infrared communication
works in the same way as Wi-Fi but at a different
frequency. An example of infrared transmission is
communication between a desktop and netbook
computer where the distance is small and there is a
clear line of sight between the two devices.
Example of Infrared
Satellite
� A satellite is a communication
device orbiting in space that
relays and amplifies radio
telecommunication signals to
and from remote locations.
Many airplane flights offer Wi-
Fi connection to their
passengers; this can be
achieved only through use of
satellite communication.
Connection devices: Hubs,
routers, switches and modems
� Hub: a hub is a multiport
device that connects many
computing devices together. A
simple hub works by repeating
data received from one of its
ports to all other ports. Every
computer linked to the hub
‘hears’ everything any of the
other computer ‘says’ but
ignores anything not meant for
them.
Router
� A router is an intelligent
network device that connects
two networks together. The
term ‘internet router’ refers to
the device that home users and
small offices use to connect
their LAN to the Internet. It is
usually a combined hub and
router in one device.
Switch
� A switch is an intelligent
device that routes incoming
data directly to the specific
output port that will take the
data towards its intended
destination. Switches and
routers are similar devices but
operate on a different technical
level. For example, switch use
MAC (Media Access Control)
address while routers uses IP
(Internet Protocol) address.
� Watch a video an overview of the Internet.
(Warriors of the Net HD)
� Then answer this question:
� What is role of switches and routers on the
Internet?
Modem
� A modem is an
abbreviation for
modulator-demodulator,
a device that converts
signals form analogue to
digital and vice versa. A
modem allows computer
to exchange information
through telephone lines.
Network interface cards and
network adapters
� Any device that wants to connect to a network a
needs a network interface card or a network
adapter.
Network Interface Card
� A network interface
card (NIC) is a
computer hardware
components installed
in a device into which
a network cable may
be plugged.
Network Adapter
� A network adapter is a converter that
adapts/extends a USB port in order for it to
function like a NIC or wireless NIC. A network
adapter is needed if the computing device does
not have a built-in networking components.
Mobile communications
Importance of Mobile
Communications Technology
� As mobile networks are rolled out with 4G and 5G
performance reaching more locations, an
increasing number of organizations are taking
advantage of these networks. In this section we are
going to look at how the powerful combination of
smartphones and mobile networks is impacting on
education, commerce and journalism.
� Suggest two industries in the Caribbean that are
currently experiencing benefits as a result of
access to modern mobile networks.
Mobile Network in Education
� Mobile networks used with mobile devices such as
smart phones, laptops and tablets are playing an
increasing role in education. They enable learning
away from the traditional classroom environment
where teachers and students are in the same room.
Using mobile networks teachers and students don’t
need to be in the same room; they don’t even need
to be in the same country.
� When learning moves away from the classroom
and onto a network, eBooks replace physical
books, e-assessment replaces paper-based testing,
video conferencing replaces face-to-face tutor
communication, and collaborative working online
with shared documents replace collaborative group
working in the classroom. Activity monitoring is
automatically performed by the system. CXC’s
new interactive learning site ‘CXC Learning Hub’
is an example of how education is responding to
the opportunities digital technology brings with it.
� The main advantage to
the student of this way
of working are that
they don’t have to
attend a physical
location, they can work
from anywhere with a
mobile phone signal,
and they can do most
of the work at a time
that suits them.
� Give two advantages for a student studying
remotely using a smartphone connected to the
internet over a mobile network.
Mobile Network in Commerce
� E-commerce or electronic commerce has been about
for many years and involves trading products and
services via the internet and other computer
networks.
Examples include banking, retail, insurance and
advertsing.
� M-commerce has developed from e-commerce and
involves using computing devices connected to the
Internet via mobile networks to carry out e-
commerce.
� The advantage of m-
commerce is improved
portability and flexibility.
Typical commercial
applications that use
mobile networks include:
� Mobile banking
� Mobile buying and selling
� Mobile tickets, boarding
passes and vouchers
� Name three business in your country that conducts
business primary via a mobile app.
� Give two ways in which a holiday maker might
use e-commerce using a smartphone.
Mobile Network in Journalism
� The use of mobile networks and smartphones
allow a journalist to file a report on the go when a
big story breaks. Camera applications allow the
capture of video and still photographs, word
processing apps allow words to be added to the
story, and audio-recording apps allow for the
capture of interviews for radio stations and
podcasts. This content is then transmitted back to
the editor in the office using mobile network
communication.
Key Web Technology
Concepts
� World Wide Web- The world wide web (WWW),
commonly referred to as the ‘web’, is a graphical;
easy-to-use system of inter-linked files on the
internet.
Another way of thinking about the WWW is a
collection of billions of documents, accessed
through the internet, using a web-browsing
application.
Web Browser
� A web browser is a program that allows users to
view and explore information on the World Wide
Web.
� Web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Edge,
Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Apple’s
Safari are available. You need a web browser
application program to view web pages on the
WWW.
Hypertext Markup Language
(HTML)
� Hypertext Mark-up Language is a mark-up
language used to structure text and multimedia
documents. Mark-up consists of assigning
different tags to elements of a text to indicate
their relation to the rest of the text or to state how
they should be displayed. HTML is used
extensively on the World wide web.
Hyperlink
� A hyperlink is a piece of text or part of a web page
or an image that when selected and clicked with
the mouse displays another web page document
(or resource). Hyperlinks are what make the
WWW so easy to use.
Uniform Resource Locator
(URL)
� To make the WWW really
easy to use every resource
on the web has a Uniform
Resource Locator, or
URL for short. Each page
on the World Wide Web
has a unique address;
these addresses are called
Uniform Resource
Locators (URLs).
� Watch the video which gives an explanation of
URLs.
Video: Internet Tips: Understanding URLs

� What does the domain name usually tell you?

� When a URL is entered in a web browser, the home
page of the website is automatically downloaded (if
no file is specified in the URL). For example,
http://www.macmillan-Caribbean.com/ takes you
to the Macmillan Caribbean home page or to the
different sections of the website.
The URL can also include information about how the
resource should be accessed. Here is an example
URL:
http://www.macmillan-Caribbean.com/Products/C
APE-Maths-Unit-1.html
URL parts Function

http:// HTTP is a special language (protocol) that tells

the web browser that this resource can be
accessed using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol.

www The ‘www’ tells the browser that this is a web

page.

Macmillan- This is the domain name and tells the web

Caribbean.com browser to contact the Macmillan Caribbean
web server to obtain this resource. A domain
name is a label that identifies a network.

/Products/ This describes the directory structure (where

the document is stored)

CAPE-Maths-Unit- This is the document’s name

1

.html .html is the file type and indicates that the

document was created using the Hypertext
Mark-up Language.
Domain Name Purpose
. com Commercial
. edu Educational institutions
.gov Government bodies
.mil US military institutions
. net Computer networks
. org Other types of organizations,
eg. Non-profit
.rec Recreational organizations
.store Retailers on the Internet
.info Distributors of information
.int International bodies
Interacting with websites
� Web server: A web server is a computer that delivers
(serves up) web pages. When a request is made to
access a website to access a website; the request is
sent to the web server. The server then fetches the
page and sends it to your browser.
� Web browser and web servers use their own special
language, Hypertext Transfer (or Transport) Protocol
(HTTP), to communicate with each other. HTTP
comes in two variations: HTTP and HTTPS. The ‘S’
in the second variation stands for secure and is used
for applications like passwords and online banking.
� Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): is a
protocol used to request and transmit files,
especially web pages and web page components,
over the Internet or other computer network.

� File Transfer Protocol (FTP): is the special

language two computers use when copying or
moving files between them.
� Upload: is a process of reading data from a user’s
computer storage and sending it to another
computer via communication channels.

� Download: is a process whereby programs or data

are transferred via communications channels from
a computer and stored on media located at the
user’s computer . In simple terms you upload files
TO another computer and download FROM the
other computer.
Email
� Electronic mail is mail or
message transmitted
electronically by computers via a
communications channel. It is
usual for such messages to be
held in a central store for retrieval
at the user’s convenience.
� An email address is always in the
form username@domain_name,
for example info@macmillan-
Caribbean.com.
� Common desktop email application programs
include: Outlook and Outlook Express,
Thunderbird and Apple Mail. Many users have
free web-based email accounts like Gmail,
Hotmail and Yahoo Mail provided by Google,
Microsoft and Yahoo respectively.