NETWORKS

NETWORKS
Computer networks are the basis of communication in IT. They are used in a variety of
ways and can include many different types of networks. A computer network is a set of
computers that are connected so they can share information.

What Do Networks Do?

Computer networks are used to carry out numerous tasks through the sharing of
information.
Networks are used for:
•Communicating using email, video, instant messaging, and other methods
•Sharing devices such as printers, scanners, and photocopiers
•Sharing files
•Sharing software and operating programs on remote systems
•Allowing network users to easily access and maintain information
 TYPES OF NETWORKS
There are many types of networks, which are used for various purposes by different
personnel and organizations. The different types of networks are:
•Local Area Networks (LAN)
A local area network or LAN is a network that connects computers within a limited area. This might be
in a school, an office, or even a home.

•Personal Area Networks (PAN)

A personal area network is a network that is based on an individual's workspace. The individual's device
is the center of the network with other devices connected to it. There are also wireless personal area
networks.

•Wide Area Networks (WAN)

A wide area network is a network that covers a larger geographical area, usually with a radius of
more than a mile.
•Global Area Networks (GAN)
A global area network is a worldwide network that connects networks all over the globe, such as the
internet.
 NETWORK DESIGN

Computer networks can have different designs, with the two basic forms being client/server and
peer-to-peer networks. Client/server networks have centralized servers for storage, which are
accessed by client computers and devices.

Peer-to-peer networks are often used for file sharing and communication between computers. The
main advantage of using a P2P network is its ability to provide high availability and fault
tolerance. If one computer in the network goes down, others can continue working as if nothing
happened.

They are more common in homes, while client/server networks are more likely to be used by
small to medium size businesses.
 TYPES OF NETWORK CONNECTIONS
There are also different types of network connections used to connect devices to each other.
Topologies are the arrangements of these network connections and elements (links, nodes, etc.) The
collapsed ring topology is the most common topology due to the Ethernet supporting the internet,
local area networks, and wide area networks.

Star Topology
A central node connects a cable to each computer
in the network in a star topology. Each computer
in the network has an independent connection to
the center of the network, and if one connection
breaks, it won’t affect the rest of the network.
However, one downside is that many cables are
required to form this kind of network.
Bus Topology
In a bus topology network connection,
one cable connects the computer. The
information for the last node on the
network must run through each
connected computer. There is less
cabling required, but if the cable breaks,
none of the computers can reach the
network.

Network Protocols
Network protocols are the languages that
computer devices use to communicate.
The protocols that computer networks
support offer another way to define and
group them. Networks can have more than
one protocol, and each can support
different applications. Protocols that are
often used include TCP/IP, which is most
common on the internet and in home
networks.
Wired and Wireless Networks
Many protocols can work with both wired and wireless networks. In recent years, however,
wireless technologies have grown and become much more popular. Wi-Fi and other wireless
technologies have become the favorite option for building computer networks because they
have can easily support different types of wireless devices, such as smartphones and tables.
Mobile networking is now an important aspect to consider because it will continue to grow in
use.
 KEY NETWORKING TERMS
Open system: An open system in networking is a system that allows any two devices on the
network to communicate with each other regardless of the manufacturer or model of the
devices. Open systems follow standards that allow for interoperability between different
devices and vendors.

Closed system: A closed system is not connected to a network and so cannot be communicated
with by other networks or devices outside of the closed system.
IP (internet protocol) address: The network address of the system across the network, which
is also known as the Logical Address.

MAC address: The MAC address or physical address uniquely identifies each host. It is
associated with the Network Interface Card (NIC).

Port: A port is a channel through which data is sent and received.

Nodes: Nodes is a term used to refer to any computing devices, such as computers, that send
and receive network packets across the network.
Network packets: The data that is sent to and from the nodes in a network.

Routers: Routers are hardware devices that manage router packets. They determine which node
the information came from and where to send it. A router has a routing protocol which defines how
it communicates with other routers.

Network address translation (NAT): A technique that routers use to provide internet service to
more devices using fewer public Ips. A router has a public IP address, but devices connected to it
are assigned private IPs that others outside of the network can't see.

Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP): Assigns dynamic IP addresses to hosts and is
maintained by the internet service provider.

Internet service providers (ISP): Companies that provide individuals and businesses with their
internet connection.
INTERNET
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a global network of billions of computers and other electronic devices. With the Internet,
it's possible to access almost any information, communicate with anyone else in the world, and do much
more.
You can do all of this by connecting a computer to the Internet, which is also called going online. When
someone says a computer is online, it's just another way of saying it's connected to the Internet.

What is the Web?

The World Wide Web—usually called the Web for short—is a collection of different websites you can access
through the Internet. A website is made up of related text, images, and other resources.

Websites can resemble other forms of media—like newspaper articles or television programs—or they can
be interactive in a way that's unique to computers.
The purpose of a website can be almost anything: a news platform, an advertisement, an online library, a
forum for sharing images, or an educational site.

Once you are connected to the Internet, you can access and view websites using a type of application called
a web browser. Just keep in mind that the web browser itself is not the Internet; it only displays websites that
are stored on the Internet.
 HOW DOES THE INTERNET WORK?

At this point you may be wondering, how does the Internet work? The exact answer is pretty
complicated and would take a while to explain. Instead, let's look at some of the most
important things you should know.

It's important to realize that the Internet is a global network of physical cables, which can
include copper telephone wires, TV cables, and fiber optic cables. Even wireless connections
like Wi-Fi and 3G/4G rely on these physical cables to access the Internet.

When you visit a website, your computer sends a request over these wires to a server. A
server is where websites are stored, and it works a lot like your computer's hard drive. Once
the request arrives, the server retrieves the website and sends the correct data back to your
computer.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ONLINE?

• Finding information online

• Email
• Social networking
• Chat and instant messaging
• Online media
• Everyday tasks
 TYPES OF INTERNET SERVICE
The type of Internet service you choose will largely depend on which Internet service
providers (ISPs) serve your area, along with the types of service they offer. Here are some
common types of Internet service.
•Dial-up: This is generally the slowest type of Internet connection, and you should probably avoid it
unless it is the only service available in your area. Dial-up Internet uses your phone line, so unless you
have multiple phone lines you will not be able to use your landline and the Internet at the same time.

•DSL: DSL service uses a broadband connection, which makes it much faster than dial-up. DSL
connects to the Internet via a phone line but does not require you to have a landline at home. And
unlike dial-up, you'll be able to use the Internet and your phone line at the same time.

•Cable: Cable service connects to the Internet via cable TV, although you do not necessarily need to
have cable TV in order to get it. It uses a broadband connection and can be faster than both dial-up
and DSL service; however, it is only available where cable TV is available.

Satellite: A satellite connection uses broadband but does not require cable or phone lines; it
connects to the Internet through satellites orbiting the Earth.

3G and 4G: 3G and 4G service is most commonly used with mobile phones, and it
connects wirelessly through your ISP's network. 
INTERNET PROTOCOL
 What is the Internet Protocol?

The Internet Protocol (IP) is a protocol, or set of rules, for routing and addressing packets of data so that they
can travel across networks and arrive at the correct destination. Data traversing the Internet is divided into
smaller pieces, called packets.

IP information is attached to each packet, and this information helps routers to send packets to the right place.
Every device or domain that connects to the Internet is assigned an IP address, and as packets are directed to
the IP address attached to them, data arrives where it is needed.

Once the packets arrive at their destination, they are handled differently depending on which transport protocol
is used in combination with IP. The most common transport protocols are TCP and UDP.
 What is an IP address? How does IP addressing work?
An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to a device or domain that connects to the Internet.
Each IP address is a series of characters, such as '192.168.1.1’.

Via DNS resolvers, which translate human-readable domain names into IP addresses, users are
able to access websites without memorizing this complex series of characters.

Each IP packet will contain both the IP address of the device or domain sending the packet and
the IP address of the intended recipient, much like how both the destination address and the return
address are included on a piece of mail.
IPv4 vs. IPv6
The fourth version of IP (IPv4 for short) was introduced in 1983. However, just as there are only so
many possible permutations for automobile license plate numbers and they have to be reformatted
periodically, the supply of available IPv4 addresses has become depleted. IPv6 addresses have many
more characters and thus more permutations; however, IPv6 is not yet completely adopted, and
most domains and devices still have IPv4 addresses.

What is an IP packet?
IP packets are created by adding an IP header to each packet of data before it is sent on its way. An
IP header is just a series of bits (ones and zeros), and it records several pieces of information about
the packet, including the sending and receiving IP address.
IP headers also report:
•Header length
•Packet length
•Time To Live (TTL), or the number of network hops a packet
can make before it is discarded
•Which transport protocol is being used (TCP, UDP, etc.)
 How does IP routing work?
The Internet is made up of interconnected large networks that are each responsible for certain blocks of IP
addresses; these large networks are known as autonomous systems (AS). A variety of routing protocols,
including BGP, help route packets across ASes based on their destination IP addresses. Routers have routing
tables that indicate which ASes the packets should travel through in order to reach the desired destination as
quickly as possible. Packets travel from AS to AS until they reach one that claims responsibility for the targeted
IP address. That AS then internally routes the packets to the destination.
Protocols attach packet headers at different layers of the OSI model:

Packets can take different routes to the same place if necessary, just as a group of people driving to an agreed-
upon destination can take different roads to get there.
 What is TCP/IP?

The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a transport protocol, meaning it dictates the way data is sent and
received. A TCP header is included in the data portion of each packet that uses TCP/IP. Before transmitting
data, TCP opens a connection with the recipient. TCP ensures that all packets arrive in order once transmission
begins. Via TCP, the recipient will acknowledge receiving each packet that arrives. Missing packets will be
sent again if receipt is not acknowledged.

TCP is designed for reliability, not speed. Because TCP has to make sure all packets arrive in order, loading
data via TCP/IP can take longer if some packets are missing.

TCP and IP were originally designed to be used together, and these are often referred to as the TCP/IP suite.
However, other transport protocols can be used with IP.