DICT: Data communication and networking notes

This comprehensive guide provides essential study materials for Kenyan students pursuing DICT courses in data communication and networking. Whether you’re preparing for CDACC, KNEC, or KCSE examinations, these notes cover fundamental networking concepts, protocols, and practical applications that will help you excel in your studies.

Meaning of computer network

A computer network or data network is a telecommunications network/link which allows computers to exchange data. In computer networks, networked computing devices pass data to each other along network links (data connections). Data is transferred in the form of packets.

A computer network is a set of computers connected together for the purpose of sharing resources. The most common resource shared today is connection to the Internet. Other shared resources can include a printer or a file server.

T1.2) Components of computer network

Computer network components include the major parts that are needed to install a network both at the office and home level. Before delving into the installation process, you should be familiar with each part so that you could choose and buy the right component that fits with your network system.

These hardware components include cable, Hub, Switch, NIC (network interface card), modem and router. Depending on the type of network you are going to install, some of the parts can be eliminated. For example, in a wireless network you don‘t need cables, hubs so on.

In this article we will discuss about the main computer network components required to install simple computer network, often called LAN (local area network).