Network Fundamentals

Network Fundamentals

• A network is a collection of interconnected devices that communicate with each other to share resources and exchange data.
• Devices can be computers, servers, printers, routers, switches, and other hardware and software components.

Network Types

• LAN (Local Area Network): connects devices in a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, or building.
• WAN (Wide Area Network): connects devices over a larger geographical area, such as a city or country.
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): connects devices in a metropolitan area, such as a city or town.
• WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network): connects devices wirelessly in a limited geographical area.
• VPN (Virtual Private Network): connects devices securely over the internet as if they were on a private network.

Network Topologies

• Physical Topology: the physical arrangement of devices and connections in a network.
• Logical Topology: the way data flows through a network.
• Common Topologies:
  • Bus: a single cable connects all devices.
  • Star: devices connect to a central hub or switch.
  • Ring: devices connect in a circular configuration.
  • Mesh: each device connects to every other device.

Network Protocols

• TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): the most widely used protocol suite for networking.
• IP (Internet Protocol): responsible for addressing and routing data packets.
• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): ensures reliable data transfer.
• UDP (User Datagram Protocol): used for fast, but not guaranteed, data transfer.

Network Devices

• Hub: a simple device that connects multiple devices together.
• Switch: a device that connects multiple devices and filters traffic based on MAC addresses.
• Router: a device that connects multiple networks and routes traffic between them.
• Gateway: a device that connects a network to another network or the internet.

Network Security

• Firewall: a device or software that blocks unauthorized access to a network.
• Encryption: the process of converting data into a secure code to prevent unauthorized access.
• Authentication: the process of verifying the identity of devices or users on a network.
• Authorization: the process of determining what actions a device or user can perform on a network.

Network Fundamentals

• A network consists of interconnected devices that communicate to share resources and exchange data.
• Devices in a network can include computers, servers, printers, routers, switches, and other hardware and software components.

Network Types

• LAN (Local Area Network) connects devices in a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, or building.
• WAN (Wide Area Network) connects devices over a larger geographical area, such as a city or country.
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) connects devices in a metropolitan area, such as a city or town.
• WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) connects devices wirelessly in a limited geographical area.
• VPN (Virtual Private Network) connects devices securely over the internet as if they were on a private network.

Network Topologies

• Physical Topology refers to the physical arrangement of devices and connections in a network.
• Logical Topology refers to the way data flows through a network.
• Bus topology uses a single cable to connect all devices.
• Star topology connects devices to a central hub or switch.
• Ring topology connects devices in a circular configuration.
• Mesh topology connects each device to every other device.

Network Protocols

• TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the most widely used protocol suite for networking.
• IP (Internet Protocol) is responsible for addressing and routing data packets.
• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ensures reliable data transfer.
• UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is used for fast, but not guaranteed, data transfer.

Network Devices

• A Hub is a simple device that connects multiple devices together.
• A Switch is a device that connects multiple devices and filters traffic based on MAC addresses.
• A Router is a device that connects multiple networks and routes traffic between them.
• A Gateway is a device that connects a network to another network or the internet.

Network Security

• A Firewall is a device or software that blocks unauthorized access to a network.
• Encryption is the process of converting data into a secure code to prevent unauthorized access.
• Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of devices or users on a network.
• Authorization is the process of determining what actions a device or user can perform on a network.