Network Fundamentals

Network Fundamentals

• A computer network is a collection of interconnected devices that communicate with each other to share resources and exchange data.
• Networks can be classified into three types:
  1. LAN (Local Area Network): connects devices in a limited geographical area, such as a home, office building, or campus.
  2. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): spans a larger geographical area, such as a city or town.
  3. WAN (Wide Area Network): covers a large geographical area, such as a country or continent.

Network Topologies

• Physical Topology: The physical arrangement of devices in a network, including:
  • Bus: a single cable connects all devices.
  • Star: devices connected to a central hub or switch.
  • Ring: devices connected in a circular configuration.
  • Mesh: each device connected to every other device.
• Logical Topology: The way data flows through the network, including:
  • Peer-to-Peer: devices act as both clients and servers.
  • Client-Server: devices act as either clients or servers.

Network Protocols

• TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): the most widely used protocol suite, consisting of:
  • TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): ensures reliable, error-checked data transfer.
  • IP (Internet Protocol): provides logical addressing and routing.
• HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): a protocol for transferring data over the internet.
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol): a protocol for transferring files over a network.

Network Devices

• Hub: a simple network device that connects multiple devices together.
• Switch: an intelligent device that connects multiple devices and filters traffic.
• Router: a device that connects multiple networks and routes traffic between them.
• Gateway: a device that connects multiple networks and routes traffic between them, often used to connect to the internet.

Network Security

• Firewall: a system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules.
• Encryption: the process of converting data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access.
• Authentication: the process of verifying the identity of devices or users on a network.

Network Fundamentals

• A computer network is a collection of interconnected devices that communicate with each other to share resources and exchange data.
• Networks can be classified into three types: LAN, MAN, and WAN.
• LAN connects devices in a limited geographical area, such as a home, office building, or campus.
• MAN spans a larger geographical area, such as a city or town.
• WAN covers a large geographical area, such as a country or continent.

Network Topologies

Physical Topology

• The physical arrangement of devices in a network, including:
  • Bus topology: a single cable connects all devices.
  • Star topology: devices connected to a central hub or switch.
  • Ring topology: devices connected in a circular configuration.
  • Mesh topology: each device connected to every other device.

Logical Topology

• The way data flows through the network, including:
  • Peer-to-Peer topology: devices act as both clients and servers.
  • Client-Server topology: devices act as either clients or servers.

Network Protocols

• TCP/IP is the most widely used protocol suite, consisting of:
  • TCP: ensures reliable, error-checked data transfer.
  • IP: provides logical addressing and routing.
• HTTP is a protocol for transferring data over the internet.
• FTP is a protocol for transferring files over a network.

Network Devices

• Hub: a simple network device that connects multiple devices together.
• Switch: an intelligent device that connects multiple devices and filters traffic.
• Router: a device that connects multiple networks and routes traffic between them.
• Gateway: a device that connects multiple networks and routes traffic between them, often used to connect to the internet.

Network Security

• Firewall: a system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules.
• Encryption: the process of converting data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access.
• Authentication: the process of verifying the identity of devices or users on a network.