Complete Summary and Solutions for Computer Networks – NCERT Class XII Computer Science, Chapter 10 – Types, Devices, Topologies, Protocols, Internet, DNS, World Wide Web, Questions, Answers
Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 10 'Computer Networks' from the Computer Science textbook for Class XII, covering introduction to networks, evolution, types of networks (PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN), networking devices (modem, hub, switch, router, gateway, NIC), network topologies (mesh, ring, bus, star, tree), addressing and identification (MAC, IP), Internet and World Wide Web, domain name system (DNS), and related exercises and questions.
All terms from chapter; detailed with examples, relevance. Expanded: 30+ terms grouped by subtopic; added advanced like "Packet Switching", "OSI Model" for depth/easy flashcards.
Network
Interconnected devices/people. Ex: Social/computer. Relevance: Data sharing.
Node
Device that sends/receives data. Ex: Computer/printer. Relevance: Communication unit.
PAN
Personal devices (~10m). Ex: Bluetooth. Relevance: Short-range.
LAN
Local area (room/campus). Ex: Ethernet office. Relevance: High-speed secure.
Name to IP mapper. Ex: ncert.nic.in → 164.100.60.233. Relevance: User-friendly.
Packet
Data chunk. Ex: Divided for transmission. Relevance: Efficient flow.
Ethernet
LAN cable rules. Ex: 10/1000 Mbps. Relevance: Wired standard.
Packet Switching (Advanced)
Data in packets routed independently. Ex: Internet. Relevance: Reliable.
OSI Model (Advanced)
7-layer network framework. Ex: Physical to Application. Relevance: Standards.
Tip: Group by types/devices; examples for recall. Depth: Debates (e.g., IPv4 exhaustion). Historical: ARPANET. Interlinks: To IoT Ch11. Advanced: BGP routing. Real-Life: Zoom calls (WAN). Graphs: Timeline Fig 10.3. Coherent: Evidence → Interpretation. For easy learning: Flashcard per term with fig reference.
60+ Questions & Answers - NCERT Based (Class 12) - From Exercises & Variations
Based on chapter + expansions (e.g., Ex Q1-16). Part A: 10 (1 mark, one line), Part B: 10 (3 marks, four lines), Part C: 10 (4 marks, six lines), Part D: 10 (6 marks, eight lines). Answers point-wise in black text. Include diagrams where apt.
Part A: 1 Mark Questions (10 Qs - Short)
1. Expand ARPANET.
1 Mark Answer:
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network.
2. What is a network?
1 Mark Answer:
Interconnected devices for sharing.
3. Name one advantage of networks.
1 Mark Answer:
Resource sharing.
4. Differentiate LAN and WAN briefly.
1 Mark Answer:
LAN: Local; WAN: Wide/global.
5. Name a networking device.
1 Mark Answer:
Router.
6. What is topology?
1 Mark Answer:
Device arrangement.
7. Example of PAN?
1 Mark Answer:
Bluetooth connection.
8. What is MAC address?
1 Mark Answer:
Hardware ID.
9. Define DNS.
1 Mark Answer:
Domain Name System.
10. What is WWW?
1 Mark Answer:
World Wide Web.
Part B: 3 Marks Questions (10 Qs - Medium, Exactly 4 Lines Each)
1. List two advantages of networks.
3 Marks Answer:
Resource sharing (printers).
Info exchange (email/video).
Hotspot connectivity.
Ex: Fig 10.2.
2. Differentiate LAN and WAN.
3 Marks Answer:
LAN: Local, high-speed (10-1000 Mbps).
WAN: Global, connects LANs (Internet).
Ex: Campus vs Countries.
Fig 10.5/10.7.
3. Explain PAN with example.
3 Marks Answer:
Personal devices, ~10m.
Wired (USB) or wireless (Bluetooth).
Ex: Phone-laptop hotspot.
Fig 10.4.
4. What is a modem? Why used?
3 Marks Answer:
Modulator-Demodulator.
Digital↔Analog for transmission.
Ex: Phone lines (Fig 10.8).
Enables internet browsing.
5. Differentiate hub and switch.
3 Marks Answer:
Hub: Broadcasts to all, collisions.
Switch: Destination only, efficient.
Ex: Fig 10.11/10.12.
Switch for LANs.
6. Explain star topology.
3 Marks Answer:
Central hub/switch.
Efficient, direct links.
Ex: Office network (Fig 10.18).
Central failure impacts all.
7. What is MAC address?
3 Marks Answer:
48-bit hex hardware ID.
OUI + serial, permanent.
Ex: Identifies NIC.
Activity 10.4 find it.
8. Differentiate IPv4 and IPv6.
3 Marks Answer:
IPv4: 32-bit decimal (4.3B).
IPv6: 128-bit hex (vast).
Ex: 192.168.0.1 vs 2001:0db8::.
Solves address shortage.
9. What is DNS server?
3 Marks Answer:
Resolves domain to IP.
Hierarchical (13 roots).
Ex: Fig 10.20 request.
Table 10.1 examples.
10. Explain WWW components.
3 Marks Answer:
HTML: Structure.
URI/URL: Address.
HTTP: Protocol.
Berners-Lee 1990.
Part C: 4 Marks Questions (10 Qs - Medium-Long, Exactly 6 Lines Each)
1. Describe network evolution milestones.
4 Marks Answer:
1969: ARPANET UCLA-SRI.
1971: Email (@).
1983: TCP/IP standard.
1990: WWW (HTML/URL).
1997: WiFi 802.11.
Fig 10.3 timeline.
2. Explain LAN features.
4 Marks Answer:
Local (room/campus).
Ethernet/WiFi, 10-1000 Mbps.
Secure, share resources.
Ex: Print/upload (Fig 10.5).
Up to 1km.
Authentic users only.
3. Differentiate router and gateway.
4 Marks Answer:
Router: Routes packets, repackages.
Gateway: Edge to external, firewall.
Ex: Router WiFi, Gateway ISP (Fig 10.13/10.14).
Router LAN-Internet.
Gateway paths info.
Often combined.
4. Describe bus topology pros/cons.
4 Marks Answer:
Shared backbone, cheap/easy.
Data both directions.
Ex: Fig 10.17 simple LAN.
Cons: Less secure, failure breaks all.
Collisions possible.
Not scalable.
5. Explain MAC vs IP address.
4 Marks Answer:
MAC: Hardware, permanent, 48-bit.
IP: Logical, changeable, 32/128-bit.
Ex: MAC physical ID, IP routing.
MAC on NIC, IP via DHCP.
Mobiles have MAC ≠ IMEI.
Activity 10.4.
6. What is MAN? Examples.
4 Marks Answer:
Extended LAN, city/town.
Mbps speed, 30-40km.
Ex: Cable TV/broadband (Fig 10.6).
Connects multiple LANs.
Less than LAN speed.
Networking device central.
7. Describe repeater and hub.
4 Marks Answer:
Repeater: Regenerates signals.
Hub: Connects via wires, broadcasts.
Ex: Repeater 100m extend, Hub 8-port (Fig 10.11).
Hub collisions if simultaneous.
Basic devices.
Analog for repeater.
8. Explain ring topology.
4 Marks Answer:
Nodes in circle, unidirectional.
Each two neighbors.
Ex: Clockwise data (Fig 10.16).
Node down breaks ring.
Less secure than mesh.
Simple wiring.
9. What is IoT? Example.
4 Marks Answer:
Internet of Things: Connected devices.
Smart appliances (TV, drones).
Ex: Road accident prevention (Activity).
Expands Internet.
Class 11 intro.
Increasing list.
10. Role of HTTP in WWW.
4 Marks Answer:
HyperText Transfer Protocol.
Retrieves linked pages.
HTTPS secure version.
Ex: Browser loads URL.
With HTML/URI.
1990 invention.
Part D: 6 Marks Questions (10 Qs - Long, Exactly 8 Lines Each)
1. Describe types of networks with geographical coverage.
6. Draw/explain star and bus topologies for 5 computers.
6 Marks Answer:
Star: 5 PCs to central switch; efficient.
Bus: 5 PCs on single cable; shared.
Star: Direct, no collision impact (Ex Q12).
Bus: Cheap, but terminator ends.
Draw: Star hub center; Bus line.
Star better for offices.
Bus failure affects all.
Figs 10.17/10.18.
7. Explain WWW vs Internet.
6 Marks Answer:
Internet: Global hardware network.
WWW: Info service on Internet (pages).
WWW: HTML/URL/HTTP (1990).
Ex: Internet cables, WWW sites.
No files? Still Internet.
Common confusion (Q16).
Trillions interlinked resources.
E-commerce/education use.
8. Role of devices in data transmission.
6 Marks Answer:
Modem: Converts signals (Fig 10.8).
NIC/RJ45: Wired connect/MAC.
Repeater: Extends signals.
Hub/Switch: Local connect.
Router/Gateway: Route/external.
Packets divided/carried.
Ex: Home to Internet flow.
Wired/wireless media.
9. Why topologies matter? Compare ring/bus.
6 Marks Answer:
Arrangement affects efficiency/reliability.
Ring: Unidirectional circle, node failure breaks.
Bus: Shared bus, cheap but insecure.
Ex: Ring token, Bus broadcast (Figs 10.16/10.17).
Both less reliable than star.
Node down: Ring halts, Bus partial.
Select per need (cost/security).
Hybrid combines.
10. Evolution from ARPANET to Internet.
6 Marks Answer:
1969: ARPANET connects UCLA-SRI.
1974: Commercial Telenet.
1983: TCP/IP, term "Internet".
1986: NSFNET more access.
1990: WWW birth.
Fig 10.3 milestones.
From research to global.
2025: IoT expansion.
Tip: Include figs in ans; practice draws. Additional 30 Qs: Variations on exercises, device scenarios.
Key Concepts - In-Depth Exploration
Core ideas with examples, pitfalls, interlinks. Expanded: All concepts with steps/examples/pitfalls for easy learning. Depth: Debates, analysis.
Network Types
Steps: 1. PAN short, 2. LAN local high-speed, 3. MAN city, 4. WAN global. Ex: Hotspot PAN. Pitfall: WAN latency. Interlink: Devices. Depth: Geographical scaling.
Steps: 1. Mesh full connect, 2. Star central, 3. Bus shared. Ex: Office star. Pitfall: Central fail in star. Interlink: Reliability. Depth: Cost vs fault-tolerance.
MAC/IP
Steps: 1. MAC hardware unique, 2. IP logical route. Ex: NIC MAC. Pitfall: IP change needed. Interlink: DNS. Depth: Layers (Data Link/Network).
Topology & Device Examples - From Text with Simple Explanations
Expanded with evidence, analysis; focus on descriptions. Added variations for practice.
Example 1: PAN - Bluetooth Devices (Fig 10.4)
Simple Explanation: Personal range, wireless.
Device
Connection
Range
Phone
Bluetooth to Laptop
~10m
Printer
USB Wired
Short
Step 1: Pair devices.
Step 2: Share files.
Step 3: Hotspot variant (Activity 10.2).
Simple Way: Everyday personal.
Example 2: LAN - Office Ethernet (Fig 10.5)
Simple Explanation: High-speed local share.
Component
Role
Speed
Switch
Connect PCs
1000 Mbps
Cable
Ethernet
1km max
Step 1: Wire to switch.
Step 2: Share printer.
Step 3: Secure access.
Simple Way: Campus net.
Example 3: Modem Use (Fig 10.8)
Simple Explanation: Signal conversion.
End
Action
Medium
Sender
Modulation (Digital to Analog)
Phone Line
Receiver
Demodulation
Digital Signal
Step 1: Convert at source.
Step 2: Transmit analog.
Step 3: Reconvert at dest.
Simple Way: Internet access.
Example 4: Star Topology (Fig 10.18)
Simple Explanation: Central hub for 5 nodes.
Node
Connection
Advantage
PC1-5
To Central Switch
Efficient
Step 1: Connect all to center.
Step 2: Unicast data.
Step 3: Easy add/remove.
Simple Way: Home/office.
Example 5: Mesh Topology (Fig 10.15)
Simple Explanation: Full connections for reliability.
Nodes
Wires
Pro
4
6 (4*3/2)
No single failure
Step 1: Connect every pair.
Step 2: Multiple paths.
Step 3: Secure data.
Simple Way: High-traffic WAN.
Example 6: DNS Resolution (Fig 10.20)
Simple Explanation: Name to IP flow.
Step
Action
Component
1
Enter domain
Browser
2
Query DNS
HTTP
3
Get IP
Server
Step 1: User inputs URL.
Step 2: Hierarchical lookup.
Step 3: Load content.
Simple Way: Easy access.
Tip: Sketch topologies; troubleshoot (e.g., ring break). Added for devices, types.
Interactive Quiz - Master Computer Networks
10 MCQs in full sentences; 80%+ goal. Covers types, devices, topologies, IDs.
Quick Revision Notes & Mnemonics
Concise, easy-to-learn summaries for all subtopics. Structured in tables for quick scan: Key points, examples, mnemonics. Covers intro, types, devices, topologies, IDs, DNS. Bold key terms; short phrases for fast reading.
DNR (Domain Name Resolution). Tip: "DNS Names Routes" – Phonebook.
Overall Tip: Use NSR-ATW-PLMW-MSRG-MSRBT-MIP-IWI-DNR for full scan (5 mins). Flashcards: Front (term), Back (points + mnemonic). Print table for wall revision. Covers 100% chapter – easy for exams!
Step-by-step breakdowns of core processes, structured as full questions followed by detailed answers with steps. Visual descriptions for easy understanding; focus on actionable Q&A with examples from chapter.
Question 1: How does data flow in a network using modem (Fig 10.8)?
Answer:
Step 1: Sender app creates digital data.
Step 2: Modem modulates to analog.
Step 3: Transmit over medium (line/air).
Step 4: Receiver modem demodulates.
Step 5: Digital to app.
Step 6: Acknowledge/resend if error.
Visual: Digital → Analog wave → Digital. Example: Browsing via phone line.
Question 2: Steps to set up a LAN star topology (Fig 10.18)?
Answer:
Step 1: Choose central switch/hub.
Step 2: Connect devices via Ethernet/RJ45.
Step 3: Assign IPs/MACs auto.
Step 4: Configure sharing (printer).
Step 5: Test connectivity.
Step 6: Secure with auth.
Visual: Star rays from center. Example: 5 PCs office.
Question 3: How does DNS resolve a domain (Fig 10.20)?
Answer:
Step 1: Enter URL in browser.
Step 2: HTTP queries local DNS.
Step 3: Hierarchical: Root → TLD → Authoritative.
Step 4: Return IP (e.g., 164.100.60.233).
Step 5: Connect to server.
Step 6: Cache for speed.
Visual: Tree query down → IP up. Example: ncert.nic.in access.
Question 4: Process of packet transmission in WAN (Fig 10.7)?
Answer:
Step 1: Divide data into packets.
Step 2: Add headers (source/dest IP).
Step 3: Router analyzes/routes via ISP.
Step 4: Travel backbone to dest LAN.
Step 5: Reassemble at receiver.
Step 6: Error check/resend.
Visual: Packets hop routers. Example: Delhi to Shimla email.
Question 5: Steps in router operation (Fig 10.13)?
Answer:
Step 1: Receive packet from LAN.
Step 2: Analyze dest IP/header.
Step 3: Decide path (table lookup).
Step 4: Repackage if needed (size).
Step 5: Forward to next net.
Step 6: WiFi broadcast if wireless.
Visual: Input → Analyze → Output arrow. Example: Home to web.
Question 6: How to find MAC address (Activity 10.4)?