GROUP 4 / ELECTIVE ICT II
HISTORY OF COMPUTER NETWORK
Computer networking is central to today’s constant evolution of the information technology (IT)
landscape. Network and communication technologies have been influential in this rise. Computer
networking makes the interconnection of endpoints and devices possible on local area networks (LANs)
or wide area networks (WANs). This enables the interaction, communication, and sharing of resources
between businesses, service providers, and consumers.
To understand how networking became as essential as it is today, it is important to study its origins. The
vastness of computer networking makes it a challenge to pinpoint in terms of its exact origins. However,
since the late 1950s, the impact of networks on tech evolution has become increasingly important.
Networking in the 1960s
The definite beginnings of computer networking can be traced back to the 1960s. In particular, the beginning
of the United States Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) in 1969 was the most
influential event of this decade. Furthermore, the 1960s involved key events such as the launch of Telstar
1 in 1962 and the introduction of the first commercial touch-tone phone in 1962.
This decade also involved the publication of the first request for comments (RFC) document. The document
defined and provided information about computer communication network procedures and network
protocols. As a result of this RFC document, the Network Control Protocol (NCP) was specified. This
protocol became ARPANET’s first transport protocol.
Additionally, IBM’s System/360 mainframe computing environment was introduced in 1964.
ARPANET
The United States Advanced Research Projects Agency Network was the network that provided the
foundations of the internet. A number of the network protocols in use today were first developed for
ARPANET. First used in 1969, it became the first public packet-switched computer network, with its major
purposes revolving around academia and research.
UNIX
In 1969, the UNIX operating system was developed by Bell Laboratories. This is noteworthy, as the
operating system is commonly used in enterprise networking environments today. This was the first
operating system written entirely in the C programming language. Its popularity rose in the 1970s in
academic computing environments and enabled multiple users to simultaneously gain access to the system
and run their programs.
However, its widespread deployment was not until the mid-1970s. A PDP-11 minicomputer with dumb
terminals made up a basic UNIX system.
Character encoding systems
As the standards for computer networking started to evolve during this decade, IBM introduced extended
binary coded decimal interchange code (EBCDIC), which was the first 8-bit character encoding system. The
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) was introduced a year later to compete with
EBCDIC.
The American National Standards Institute formally standardized ASCII in 1968. Even though ASCII was
7-bit, it edged out EBCDIC. ASCII ended up being widened to all computer and networking technologies.
Networking in the 1970s
The 1970s introduced the most popular LAN technology of today: Ethernet.
Ethernet (Xerox)
Through Xerox’s research laboratory, Ethernet came about in 1973. The Xerox networking system
originally operated at 2.94 Mbps. However, it was experimental thus it was not implemented for commercial
use.
In 1979 the DIX consortium, constituting Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel, and Xerox, was formed. It
put in place the specification for standard 10Mbps Ethernet that was published in 1980.
ARPANET
ARPANET saw rapid growth in the 1970s, as it proved attractive to many universities and government
computers. The network was declared operational in 1975 and was used to further communications
technology. At this point, satellite links enabled computers from other countries to be added to ARPANET.
Additionally, the first email was sent over ARPANET in 1971.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
The popularity of ARPANET influenced the rise of many packet-based networks. However, these networks
were unable to communicate with each other. They needed standardized equipment to communicate. TCP/IP
was developed on ARPANET to enable communication between different networks. It first came into
operation in 1977.
By enabling the interconnection of different networks, TCP/IP cemented itself as the foundational
technology of the internet.
Networking in the 1980s
During this decade, the growth of client-server architectures continued at the expense of mainframe
computing.
ARPANET
ARPANET was partitioned into two networks in 1983 to distinguish between civilian and military use.
However, other networks gained dominance in the mid-1980s, thus leading to a decline in the importance of
ARPANET. The backbone of the internet shifted from ARPANET to the National Science Foundation
Network (NSFNET) in 1986.
The rise of commercial networks and other network providers contributed to the shutting down of
ARPANET in 1989 and its ultimate decommissioning in 1990.
NSFNET
The National Science Foundation Network was more capable than ARPANET as the cornerstone for the
commercial public internet. It handled the bulk of internet traffic after going online in 1986. The focus of
NSFNET was to provide a network strictly for academic research and not for any form of private business
activity.
It was, however, divided into a for-profit and not-for-profit network to enable the network to develop
commercially in the early 1990s.
Evolution of Ethernet
In the 1980s, the evolution and standardization of Ethernet was the greatest development in LAN
networking. Project 802 by IEEE was started to create a unified standard for all LANs. The initiative was
divided into various groups, with the one focusing on Ethernet labeled as 802.3. In 1983, the 802.3 group
released IEEE 802.3 10Base5 Ethernet, which was the first available Ethernet variant that was commercially
available. It was known as thicknet, as it used thick coaxial cables.
The 10Base2 Ethernet standard was released in 1985. It was known as Thinnet, as it involved the use of thin
coaxial cables.
Network File System (NFS)
The Network File System was developed in 1985 and drove up the demand for Ethernet. This is because
NFS led to the rapid increase in diskless UNIX workstations with built-in Ethernet interfaces. NFS played a
part in cementing the dominance of UNIX in academic and professional computing environments in the
1980s.
Token Ring Topology
IBM submitted its Token Ring Topology technology to IEEE in 1982, but it was not standardized until
1984. In 1985 the technology was introduced as an alternative to Ethernet.
Networking in the 1990s to Today
Ethernet continued dominance in LAN technologies in the 1990s, as it continued to eclipse its alternatives.
Full-duplex Ethernet
With computer networks facing rapid growth at the time, Ethernet of greater speeds was needed to satisfy
the needs of bandwidth-hungry applications. As a result, the first full-duplex Ethernet with speeds of
20Mbps was introduced in 1992. A standard full-duplex Ethernet was in the works since 1995 and was
finished in 1997.
In 1992, an Ethernet bus known as the Grand Junction Networks commercial Ethernet bus was introduced. It
achieved speeds of 100Mbps. This advancement drove the 802.3 group to introduce the 802u 100BaseT Fast
Ethernet standard. The standard transmitted data at 100Mbps over fiber-optic and twisted-pair cables.
Gigabit Ethernet
After the 100BaseT Fast Ethernet standard, sights were set on Gigabit Ethernet, which is the 1,000Mbps
Ethernet version. It came into use in 1999, and due to its considerable improvement in speed in comparison
to Fast Ethernet, it replaced Ethernet in wired local networks.
VoIP
Voice over IP (VoIP) gained prominence as vendors increasingly promised businesses massive savings
through the routing of voice telephone traffic via IP networks in the late 1990s. However, the concept of
VoIP started around 1995, with the potential of transmission of voice data packets over IP as opposed to
using standard telephone.
Wireless communication
1997 saw the introduction of the first 802.11 Wi-Fi standard. It provided speeds of up to 2Mbps. It was
made official in 1999, with the capability to reach transmission speeds of 25Mbps and used
the 5GHz frequency band.
Computer Networking Today
Since the demands for Wi-Fi and Ethernet continued to increase over the years, networking technology has
continued to evolve. Today, networking is defined by the need for low-latency and high-bandwidth network
technologies.
The most prominent technologies associated with networking today include 5G and Wi-Fi 6, augmented
reality, virtual reality, machine learning, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things,
software-defined wide area networking, and more.
11 TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
What is a network?
A network is a computer system that allows devices to interact with each other. Typically, a
network can connect to the internet, share files and print documents, depending on which type
you're using. Based on the scale and ability of the network, it may be private or available in a
specific geographical area.
There are several methods of managing a network, including:
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Cloud-based network management: This method of storing information and
connecting devices makes use of cloud computing. It's typically available to
companies, governments and the general public through the internet.
Converged network management: This strategy connects multiple devices via
the same access switch. It's a traditional method of connecting various wired and
wireless devices.
Centralized network management: This strategy is the most common way to
implement a new network. It involves connecting devices to a server in a central
location.
Why is it important to know the different types of networks?
It's important to know the different types of networks since each one handles a different level of
user traffic. Networks vary in size, accessibility and location, making it necessary to match the
network type to the specific needs of a residence or company.
The rapid development of the internet and related technology makes computer networks
increasingly more relevant in the workplace and at home. Knowing the specifics of the networks
can also help you troubleshoot and solve network problems.
11 types of computer networks
1. Local area network (LAN)
A local area network, or LAN, is the most common network type. It allows users to connect within
a short distance in a common area. Once they connect, users have access to the same resources.
For example, you might use a LAN when you connect your laptop to the internet at your home and
print a document from a printer on the same network.
2. Personal area network (PAN)
A personal area network, or PAN, is a small-scale network that revolves around one person or
device. A PAN connects just a few devices in a small localized area. Rather than including many
devices, PANs usually operate from one or two main devices. For example, if you use the
Bluetooth functionality on your smartphone to share a photo with a nearby device, you're using a
PAN.
3. Wireless local area network (WLAN)
A wireless local area network, or WLAN, operates similarly to a LAN because it transmits data
within a small area. It's rarely necessary to have a wired connection for devices that use a WLAN.
While typically less secure and slightly weaker than other networks, a WLAN provides users with
the flexibility to use their devices in various locations. For example, a user might connect a baby
monitor to a WLAN to ensure the device remains operational wherever their child sleeps.
4. Campus area network (CAN)
A campus area network, or CAN, is a network used in educational environments such as
universities or school districts. While each department in a school might use its own LAN, all the
school's LANs could connect through a CAN. Campus area networks combine several
independent networks into one cohesive unit. For example, the English and engineering
departments at a university might connect through a CAN to communicate with each other directly.
5. Metropolitan area network (MAN)
A metropolitan area network, or a MAN, is a medium-sized network that's larger than a CAN.
While a MAN is a costly network, it provides efficient connectivity between devices across a wide
geographical range. For example, a city government might operate with a MAN if it has offices
across the entire metropolitan area.
6. Wide area network (WAN)
A wide area network, or a WAN, is an extensive network that's not confined to geographical space.
Corporations and international companies may use WANs to provide a common network with farreaching connectivity. For example, remote workers who use the internet to access information
from their company make use of a WAN.
7. Storage area network (SAN)
A storage area network, or a SAN, is a network that teams use to store mass amounts of sensitive
data. It provides a way to centralize data on a non-localized network that differs from the main
operating one. One example of a SAN is if your team stores customer information on a separate
network to maintain the high speeds of your main network.
8. Passive optical local area network (POLAN)
A passive optical local area network, or a POLAN, is a low-cost network that can link various
locations to one central network. POLANs have the power to connect multiple entities to one hub
of information. For example, if a school district's headquarters needs to connect with each school
in its district, it may implement a POLAN.
9. Enterprise private network (EPN)
An enterprise private network, or an EPN, is an exclusive network that businesses build and
operate to share company resources at high speeds. EPNs are typically unique to a specific
company, which ensures the connection is secure. For example, a high-security technology
company might use an EPN to reduce the risk of data breaches.
10. Virtual private network (VPN)
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a private network that's available through the internet. This
type of network functions similarly to an EPN because it provides a secure, private connection.
VPNs typically don't require the same infrastructure as EPNs. Both the general public and
companies can use VPNs to ensure privacy and security.
11. System-area network (SAN)
A system area network, or a SAN, is a broad local network that provides connections in clusters.
The various devices connected to a SAN operate as a single system. SANs are newly developing
networks that operate at high speeds.