Computer Networking Fundamentals

A visual representation of a network's structure and services.

Connecting computers to share resources.

The smallest network connecting personal devices.

A network connecting computers in a limited area.

A network spanning multiple buildings in an area(e.g., a campus).

A network covering a whole city or metropolitan area.

Classifying networks based on their geographic reach.

Different types of networks must meet client needs in an organization.

A large network covering vast areas like cities, provinces, or countries.

A standard for communication systems, allowing different networks to connect.

Handles the electrical and mechanical connections in a network.

Manages error recovery, flow control, and sequencing in data transmission.

Controls network traffic, routing data packets.

Ensures reliable end-to-end message delivery between devices.

A unique identifier assigned to network interface cards (often at the Data Link layer).

A unit of data transmitted over a network.

Handles the physical transmission of data signals, including media type, voltage levels, and signal encoding.

Manages data flow on a network segment, addressing errors and ensuring data reaches its destination.

Responsible for logical addressing and routing data packets across the network.

Provides reliable data transfer between applications, ensuring data reaches its destination without errors.

Manages communication sessions between applications, controlling connections and data flow.

Formats and translates data for applications, handling encryption, compression, and code conversions.

Provides user-facing services and interacts with application programs, like web browsers and email clients.

The Transport Layer manages the way data packets are sent from one device to another. It makes sure the data arrives correctly, even if there are errors along the way.

A network connects devices (like computers or phones) so they can share information.

A Switch creates a direct connection between devices, while a Hub broadcasts data to all devices. This means a Switch is more efficient.

A Firewall acts as a security guard between your network and the internet, blocking dangerous traffic and protecting your devices.

Wired networks offer reliable and fast speeds due to their physical connection.

A long cable can weaken the signal and result in poor network performance.

A Cable Modem uses a cable connection to connect your home network to the internet.

The Session Layer manages the communication between devices, establishing, controlling, and terminating the connection.

Uses physical cables to connect devices, providing faster data transfer, is inexpensive to set up, and is not prone to interference but requires labor to install.

Uses radio waves to connect devices, offers easy installation and mobility but has slower data transfer speeds and potential security risks.

Connects wireless devices to a wired network, offering a bridge between wired and wireless systems.

Combines router, switch, and access point functionalities to provide complete wireless networking capabilities, enabling internet connection and device communication.

Combines a modem and router, offering a convenient all-in-one solution for internet connectivity.

Devices connect to a single shared cable, where data travels in both directions, but failure at one point can disrupt the entire network.

All devices connect to a central hub or switch, providing high-speed internet connection and network reliability, making it the most popular topology today.

Star topology provides better speed, reliability, and easier management compared to Bus topology, making it the preferred choice for modern networks.

A Local Area Network (LAN) connects devices within a limited physical area, like a home, office, or school.

A hub is a simple multiport repeater that broadcasts all data it receives to every connected device. It lacks intelligence and efficiency in directing data.

A switch directs data only to intended recipients, unlike a hub that broadcasts to all. This reduces unnecessary network traffic and improves efficiency.

This topology uses a token, a special data packet, to control access to the network, ensuring fair and orderly data transmission.

The simplest topology, where two devices directly connect, creating a dedicated communication channel between them.

A fully meshed network has a direct path between every pair of devices, while a partially meshed network has multiple paths between some devices, but not all.