Varna Free University “Chernorizec Hrabar”
------------------------------------------------------------------------Institute of Technology

Introduction to

Computer Networking

Prof. Teodora Bakardjieva

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1.0 Introduction

The purpose of the networking guidelines are as follows:
 to assist students in understanding the benefits of networking
 to help students place in context their current stage of networking development in their school.
 to assist students in planning the next stage of network development in their school.
 to provide standard networking ‘models’ and best practice to students that will assist students in their network planning.
This document includes information under the following main headings:
 Introduction to Networking
 Advantages of Networking
 Types of Networks
 Models of networking appropriate to students
 NCTE recommendation to students
 Some relevant terms.

1.1. Basic of Networking
A computer network consists of a collection of computers, printers and other equipment that is connected together so that they can communicate with each other. Fig 1 gives an example of a network in a school comprising of a local area network or LAN connecting computers with each other, the internet, and various servers.

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File and Print Server
CD or Multimedia
Servers

Access to:
Internet content & learning resources,
Scoilnet etc
Email communication

Users computers Cache, Proxy,
Filtering, Firewall
Server

Modem or Router

School ‘Local Area
Network’ (LAN)
Other users, computers Fig 1: Representation of Network in a school.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of network configuration, peer-to-peer networks and client/server networks.
Peer-to-peer networks are more commonly implemented where less then ten computers are involved and where strict security is not necessary. All