Computer Networking
Computer Networking
Computer Networking
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Work Virtually: The physical network can be divided into smaller virtual
networks. In these virtual networks, devices are connected and can send
data through multiple physical routes. For example, many business
networks use the internet this way.
Keep Data Secure: Built-in security features like encryption and access
control protect data. Additional protections like antivirus software,
firewalls, and malware protection can be added to strengthen network
security.
Nodes: Nodes are devices that are connected to a network. These can
include computers, Servers, Printers, Routers, Switches, and other
devices.
Protocol: A protocol is a set of rules and standards that govern how data
is transmitted over a network. Examples of protocols include TCP/IP,
HTTP, and FTP.
Open system: A system that is connected to the network and is ready for
communication.
Closed system: A system that is not connected to the network and can’t
be communicated with.
Network Devices
An interconnection of multiple devices, also known as hosts, that are
connected using multiple paths for the purpose of sending/receiving data or
media. Computer networks can also include multiple devices/mediums which
help in the communication between two different devices; these are known
as Network devices and include things such as routers, switches, hubs, and
bridges.
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Network Devices
Network Topology
The Network Topology is the layout arrangement of the different devices in
a network. Some types of network topologies are:
Tree Topology: Tree topology is the combination of star and bus topology.
Tree topology is good for organizing large networks and allows for easy
expansion.
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Network Topology
OSI Model
OSI stands for Open Systems Interconnection. It is a reference model that
specifies standards for communications protocols and also the
functionalities of each layer. The OSI has been developed by the
International Organization For Standardization and it is 7 layer architecture.
Each layer of OSI has different functions and each layer has to follow
different protocols. The 7 layers are as follows:
Physical Layer
Data link Layer
Network Layer
Transport Layer
Session Layer
Presentation Layer
Application Layer
Network Protocols
A protocol is a set of rules or algorithms which define the way how two
entities can communicate across the network and there exists a different
protocol defined at each layer of the OSI model. A few such protocols are
TCP, IP, UDP, ARP, DHCP, FTP, and so on.
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HostName
In Windows Type “ipconfig” in the command prompt and press ‘Enter’, this
gives us the IP address of the device. For Linux, Type “ifconfig” in the
terminal and press ‘Enter’ this gives us the IP address of the device.
Port: A port can be referred to as a logical channel through which data can
be sent/received to an application. Any host may have multiple applications
running, and each of these applications is identified using the port number
on which they are running.
A port number is a 16-bit integer, hence, we have 216 ports available which
are categorized as shown below:
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Type “netstat -a” in the command prompt and press ‘Enter’, this lists all the
ports being used.
List of Ports
Domain IP Address
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used by the Data Link Layer to identify the MAC address of the Receiver’s
machine.
RARP: RARP stands for Reverse Address Resolution Protocol. As the name
suggests, it provides the IP address of the device given a physical address as
input. But RARP has become obsolete since the time DHCP has come into
the picture.
User Input: When a user enters a domain name in a browser, the system
needs to find its IP address.
DNS Query: The user’s device sends a DNS query to the DNS resolver.
Resolver Request: The DNS resolver checks its cache for the IP address.
If not found, it forwards the request to the root DNS server.
Root DNS Server: The root DNS server provides the address of the TLD
(Top-Level Domain) server for the specific domain extension (e.g., .com).
TLD DNS Server: The TLD server directs the resolver to the authoritative
DNS server for the actual domain.
Authoritative DNS Server: The authoritative DNS server knows the IP
address for the domain and provides it to the resolver.
Response to User: The resolver stores the IP address in its cache and
sends it to the user’s device.
Access Website: With the IP address, the user’s device can access the
desired website.
Network Security
Ensuring the security of a network is crucial to protect data and resources
from unauthorized access and attacks. Key aspects of network security
include:
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Better Security: Well designed networks are more reliable and give
businesses more options for keeping data safe. They come with built-in
security features like encryption and access controls to protect sensitive
information from cyber threats.
Conclusion
Understanding the basics of computer networking is essential in today’s
interconnected world. Networks enable the seamless exchange of
information, support countless applications, and underpin the functionality
of the internet. From different types of networks and their components to
protocols and security measures, a solid grasp of these concepts is
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What is an IP address?
What is a firewall?
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Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the
destination across a network. It is usually measured in milliseconds
(ms) and can affect the performance of networked applications.
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Types of Network Topology
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