Computer Network Basics: Goals, Features, and Applications

Basic of Computer Network

What is Computer Network : It means to connect multiple computer system with each other through physical medium (Cable or Wire) or wireless medium and this architecture is known as “Computer Network“

In traditional computer networks, single computer machine, workstation, and servers are linked one by one through Ethernet and other cables. But now, advance technologies are released in market in which to make connection between multiple points through wireless technology.

Applications of Computer Network

There are different types of Computer network applications that are used in internet, and they are divided into in to two segments such as:

Pure Network Standalone Network

Goals and Applications of Computer Network are

1) Pure Network Application

Pure network applications do not depend on the single computer machine because those applications help to make connection over network and to transfer data from one point to other points.

Some examples are:

Email Software

These types of programs help to users for writing messages at their local computer system, and forward it to other users over the network. This is very simple and easy way of moving mail (message) from one computer system to other computer machine.

Some mail programs are

Pegasus Mail

Outlook express

Eudora Windows mail

Fox mail

Opera

Poco mail

Mozilla Thunderbird

Windows mail

FTP

FTP stands for “File Transfer Protocol”, and it allows transferring all files from one computer machine to other computer machines like as client to server process.

File Transfer Protocol performs two tasks are

Upload file – In this process, users access all data from workstation to server machine. For example – upload images to Google drive.

Download file – In this process, users access all data from server to workstation machine (client). For example – download software from server.

Some File Transfer Protocol programs are

FTP in Unix

FTP in Linux

FTP in Windows

TELNET

TELNET stands for “Telecommunication Network”, and it is text based network protocol that is implemented on the LAN connections otherwise internet system. So, TELNET allows to users for getting access remote computer machine over TCP/IP networks (internet), and to make communication in between both terminals.

Groupware

Groupware applications are implemented in advanced offices, where there is a need to automate administrative functionalities. Examples include chatting (text/video) and video conferencing. These applications help to increase productivity and solve problems. Groupware often operates in a multi process environment to handle simultaneous tasks efficiently. It is also an integral part of education, known as CSCW (Computer-Supported Cooperative Work).

Video Conferencing

Video Conference means to make conference between two parties on the different zone (remotely) with helping computer network to transmit voice and video data.

For making video conference, both participants must be video camera, microphone, and speakers connected on their computer machine.

There are some types of video conference such as:

Telepresence Video Conferencing System

Integrated Video Conferencing System

Desktop Video Conferencing System

Service-based Video Conferencing System

Codec

Some best video conference programs are

Zoom

Google Hangouts

Google Meet

GoToMeeting

Skype for Business

Cisco WebEx

BlueJeans

Slack

Chatting

On the internet in real-time, if two or more persons try to make communication with writing text, and then all participants exchange their messages in between, it is known as Chatting.

There are three types of chatting such as:

IM (Instant Messaging)

ICQ (I seek you)

IRC (Internet Relay Chat)

Some Best Chat Apps

WhatsApp

Telegram

GroupMe

Line

WeChat

Kakao Talk (KaTalk)

Kik Messenger

2) Stand Alone Applications

Stand Alone Applications are used in some years ago, which are installed on every client machines, and these are independent platform, as well as they can operate offline. These applications can be operated on any your favorite operating system, and all data of applications are saved on Central server to make synchronization between server and applications.

Some Stand Alone Applications are

Vlc media player

Adobe Photoshop

Notepad++

Word processors

Spreadsheets

Database management systems

Presentations graphics

Project management

Home Applications of Computer Networks are

Access to remote information

Person-to-person communication

Interactive entertainment

Electronic commerce

Other Applications of Computer Network

Marketing and sales

Financial services

CAD, CAM etc.

Information services

Cellular telephone

Cable television

Teleconferencing

EDI

E-mail etc.