There are many ways of interconnecting systems in a network. The major topologies available are star, ring and bus. However there are various other topologies like hybrid topology which are not commonly used. In star configuration all the nodes are connected to a central node to form a star like picture. In bus configuration all the nodes in a LAN share the same cable and there is no centralized node. In ring configuration nodes are connected in series and form a complete ring. The data flows from one node to another which is picked by the appropriate target node. There are three major components namely medium, network interface and network software. Medium is one over which data transfer takes place. Network interface unit provides interface between LAN medium and computer hardware. Network software runs in each of the connected systems and gives network wide communication capabilities to the user. Thus it has been a major revelation.

Bursting is another time saving technology. The purpose of bursting is to provide the CPU with additional data from the memory based on the need. Instead of the CPU retrieving information from memory one piece at a time it grabs a block of information from several consecutive addresses in memory. Pipelining is a computer processing technique where a task is divided into a series of stages with some part of work completed in every stage. Through the division of larger work into smaller sub parts  that are overlapping it is possible to improve the performance that is impossible in non pipelined processing. The easiest way to categorize memory is by form factor. It describes the pin sizes and configuration. Almost every computer system has memory sockets that accept only one form factor. Sometimes computer systems are designed with the provision of recognizing more than one form factor. These designs are transitory in nature and hence one cannot be sure which will be the best at a particular period of time.

When computers are spread over a large geographical area like intercity, intracity, across buildings etc and they still connected to one another in order to share information, then the configuration is called Wide Area Network(WAN). WAN are extensions of LANs. Two LAN’s connected by telephone lines and modems can act as WAN. A router which is special purpose computer and a network operating system is required to establish a connection. WAN, therefore enables clients to take full advantage of resource sharing as well as new practices like working alone from home, staying in closer contact with external suppliers, distributors and building links to remote branches and international offices. With this facility we can keep in contact with all those needed. The internet is an invention that changed millions around the world. It reduced the distances between people bringing in new innovations and making communication possible throughout the globe. Thus it has aided in our progress.

Speed of memory is measured in megahertz or gigahertz or in terms of access time. Access time measures from when the memory module receives a data request to when the data becomes available. Memory chips and modules are marked with access time in the range of 80 ns to 50 ns. Lower the access time greater is the speed. Speed in here just indicates how quickly the memory module can deliver data on request once that request is made. The memory chips have the ability to synchronize with computer’s system clock making it easier to calculate the speeds. Whether the speed is in gigahertz or megahertz it becomes easier to compare speeds of different components and synchronize their functions. In order to understand speed of the system better it is essential to understand concept of system clock which resides on the motherboard. It sends signals to all other components in rhythm. It is possible for the components of the system to run slower than the system clock. Components of different speeds require a multiplication or division factor to synchronize the components. This is taken care of by system clock.

Mainframe computers are expensive, large centralized computer facilities where a super computer is connected to a number of terminals. A multi user mainframe computer has a large memory and is capable of speeds of the order of several billions of floating point operations per second. Mini computers are also multi user computers operating at comparatively slower speeds and lesser memory. In the mini computers some popular versions are PDP-11, DEC10 ,etc. Micro computers  are often called as personal computers and they are based on micro processors manufactured by Intel, Motorola ,etc. These were designed for use in office or home. The home computer provides education, entertainment, information and communication facility in homes. One can send e-mails, e-greetings, chat, play games, hear music, video conferencing, reserve tickets, do shopping and banking operations with the help of a home PC and internet without leaving one’s home. Office based PC’s on the other hand are used to carry out many other functions like maintaining databases and doing calculations.

Nowadays microprocessors are found in children’s toys, word processors ,pocket calculators, robots and many others. There is no new machine or instrument that does not have a microprocessor in it.  Computer is another one of the machines in this category. Speed, storage and retrieval, accuracy and diligence are some of the prime features of computers.  Education at school, libraries, scientific research, banking, report generation, engineering colleges, traffic management, medicine, communication, weather processing, space research, defense, stock and share market are some of the areas where computers play a very important roll. Computer is an invention that man made to make his life easier and it has exactly done that by making his life a simple monotony. All the processes around him can be controlled with a computer. Life has become simpler with computers. The impact of computers can be seen to a great extent in all the above mentioned lives as we experience them first hand.