A.DEFINE THE TERM COMPUTER NETWORK USING EXAMPLE

Question

B.IDENTIFY AND DISTINGUISH 3 TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
C.IDENTIFY AND DISTINGUISH 4 NETWORK TOPOLOGIES ,USE DIAGRAMS TO ILLUSTRATE YOUR ANSWER

Answer 1

A. A computer network is a system of interconnected computers that can communicate with each other and share resources such as files, printers, and internet connections. An example of a computer network is the internet, where millions of computers are connected and able to communicate globally.

B. Three types of computer networks are:
1. Local Area Network (LAN): A LAN is a network that connects computers within a limited area, such as a home, office, or school. It allows for the sharing of resources and data within the same location.
2. Wide Area Network (WAN): A WAN is a network that connects computers over a larger geographical area, such as a city, country, or even worldwide. The internet is an example of a WAN.
3. Wireless Network: A wireless network uses wireless signals to connect devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, to the internet and other devices. Wi-Fi is a common example of a wireless network.

C. Four network topologies are:
1. Bus Topology: In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single cable, known as the bus. Data is transmitted along the bus and each device listens for data intended for them. Diagram:
```
Device A -----|--- Device B ---|--- Device C ---|--- Device D
Bus Bus Bus
```

2. Star Topology: In a star topology, each device is connected to a central hub or switch. All data passes through the hub, and communication between devices is managed by the hub. Diagram:
```
Device A
|
Hub
/ | | \
Device B C D E
```

3. Ring Topology: In a ring topology, each device is connected to two other devices, forming a closed loop. Data travels in one direction around the ring until it reaches its destination. Diagram:
```
Device A -- Device B -- Device C -- Device D
| | |
------ Ring Topology -------
```

4. Mesh Topology: In a mesh topology, each device is connected to every other device in the network, creating multiple paths for data to travel. This redundancy increases reliability and fault tolerance. Diagram:
```
Device A ----- Device B
/ | / |
Device C ----- Device D
\ / \ /
Device E Device F
Mesh Topology
```