Types and Components of Networks

A network is a collection of interconnected devices that communicate and share resources.

Local Area Network (LAN)
- Covers a small geographic area (e.g., home, office).
- High speed, low latency.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Covers large geographic areas (e.g., cities, countries).
- Lower speeds, higher latency compared to LAN.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- Spans a city or a large campus.
- Connects multiple LANs within the area.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
- Small network for personal devices (e.g., Bluetooth connections).
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Secure connection over a public network.
- Used for secure data transmission and privacy.

Nodes
- Devices connected to the network (computers, printers, servers).
Network Interface Card (NIC)
- Hardware that allows devices to connect to the network.
Router
- Routes data between different networks.
Switch
- Connects devices within the same network and filters traffic.
Access Point
- Allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network.
Cabling
- Physical medium (e.g., Ethernet cables) used for wired connections.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
- Fundamental communication protocol for the Internet.
HTTP/HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol/Secure)
- Protocol for transferring web pages.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
- Protocol for transferring files between devices.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
- Protocol used for sending emails.

Firewall
- A network security system that monitors incoming and outgoing traffic.
Encryption
- Protects data by converting it into a secure format.
Authentication
- Verifying the identity of users and devices before granting access.
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
- Tools for monitoring network traffic for suspicious activities.

Star
- All nodes connected to a central hub.
Bus
- All devices share a single communication line.
Ring
- Each device connects to two others, forming a ring.
Mesh
- Every device connects to every other device, providing multiple pathways.
Hybrid
- Combination of different topologies.

Bandwidth
- Amount of data that can be transmitted in a given time.
Latency
- Time taken for a data packet to travel from source to destination.
Throughput
- Actual rate of successful data transfer, often lower than bandwidth due to various factors.

Modem
- Modulates and demodulates signals for Internet connectivity.
Repeater
- Strengthens signals over long distances to extend network reach.
Bridge
- Connects different network segments, filtering traffic to reduce collisions.

5G Technology
- Provides faster data speeds and lower latency for mobile and IoT devices.
Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
- Allows network administrators to manage network services through abstraction.
Network Function Virtualization (NFV)
- Virtualizes network services traditionally run on hardware.
IoT (Internet of Things)
- Increasing interconnectivity of everyday devices.

A network is a group of interconnected devices that communicate and share resources.

Local Area Network (LAN): Covers a small area (e.g., home, office), offers high speed and low latency.
Wide Area Network (WAN): Spans large geographic areas (e.g., cities, countries), slower speeds and higher latency than LANs.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): Connects multiple LANs within a city or large campus.
Personal Area Network (PAN): A small network for personal devices (e.g., Bluetooth connections).
Virtual Private Network (VPN): Creates a secure connection over a public network for secure data transmission and privacy.

Nodes: Devices connected to the network (e.g., computers, printers, servers).
Network Interface Card (NIC): Hardware that allows devices to connect to a network.
Router: Routes data between different networks.
Switch: Connects devices within the same network and filters traffic.
Access Point: Allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network.
Cabling: Physical medium (e.g., Ethernet cables) for wired connections.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): The fundamental communication protocol for the internet.
HTTP/HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol/Secure): Used for transferring web pages.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Transfers files between devices.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): Protocol for sending emails.

Firewall: Monitors incoming and outgoing traffic to protect networks.
Encryption: Protects data by converting it into a secure format.
Authentication: Verifies the identity of users and devices before granting access.
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Detect suspicious activities on the network.

Bandwidth: The amount of data transmitted over a given period.
Latency: The time taken for a data packet to travel from its source to its destination.
Throughput: The actual rate of successful data transfer, often lower than bandwidth.

5G Technology: Provides faster data speeds and lower latency for mobile and IoT devices.
Software-Defined Networking (SDN): Allows network administrators to manage network services through abstraction.
Network Function Virtualization (NFV): Virtualizes network services traditionally run on hardware.
Internet of Things (IoT): Increasing interconnectivity of everyday devices.