Network Fundamentals: Hosts and Client-Server Model

Hosts

• A host is any device that sends or receives traffic, such as computers, laptops, phones, printers, servers, and IoT devices.
• Cloud resources, such as cloud servers, are also considered hosts.
• Smart devices in the home, like smart TVs and thermostats, are hosts as they send and receive traffic.

Clients and Servers

• Hosts can be categorized as clients or servers.
• Clients initiate requests, while servers respond to requests.
• The terms client and server are relative to a specific communication and can change depending on the context.

Servers

• A server is a computer with software installed that knows how to respond to specific requests.
• Any device can be turned into a server by installing the proper software.
• Examples of servers include web servers, file servers, and update servers.

IP Addresses

• IP addresses are the identity of each host and are required for communication on the internet.
• IP addresses are used to identify the source and destination of packets sent over a network.
• Each IP address is a unique 32-bit binary number, which is typically broken down into four octets and represented in decimal format.

IP Address Hierarchy

• IP addresses are typically assigned in a hierarchical manner, with each organization or entity having a range of IP addresses.
• Sub-organizations or departments within an organization may have their own subset of IP addresses.
• This hierarchy helps to organize and route traffic on a network.

Networks

• A network is a logical grouping of hosts that require similar connectivity.
• Networks can be small, such as a home Wi-Fi network, or large, such as a school or company network.
• Networks can contain other networks, which are referred to as sub-networks or subnets.
• The internet is a collection of interconnected networks.

Hosts

• A host is any device that sends or receives traffic, including computers, laptops, phones, printers, servers, and IoT devices.
• Cloud resources, such as cloud servers, are also considered hosts.
• Smart devices in the home, like smart TVs and thermostats, are hosts as they send and receive traffic.

Clients and Servers

• Hosts can be categorized as clients or servers.
• Clients initiate requests, while servers respond to requests.
• The terms client and server are relative to a specific communication and can change depending on the context.

Servers

• A server is a computer with software installed that knows how to respond to specific requests.
• Any device can be turned into a server by installing the proper software.
• Examples of servers include web servers, file servers, and update servers.

IP Addresses

• IP addresses are the identity of each host and are required for communication on the internet.
• IP addresses are used to identify the source and destination of packets sent over a network.
• Each IP address is a unique 32-bit binary number, which is typically broken down into four octets and represented in decimal format.

IP Address Hierarchy

• IP addresses are typically assigned in a hierarchical manner, with each organization or entity having a range of IP addresses.
• Sub-organizations or departments within an organization may have their own subset of IP addresses.
• This hierarchy helps to organize and route traffic on a network.

Networks

• A network is a logical grouping of hosts that require similar connectivity.
• Networks can be small, such as a home Wi-Fi network, or large, such as a school or company network.
• Networks can contain other networks, which are referred to as sub-networks or subnets.
• The internet is a collection of interconnected networks.