What is networking?
A network is a group of connected devices. The devices on a network can communicate with each other over network cables or wireless connections. Devices need to find each other on a network to establish communications. These devices will use unique addresses, or identifiers, to locate each other. The addresses will ensure that communication happens with the right device. These are called the IP and MAC addresses. Devices can communicate on two types of networks: a local area network, also known as a LAN, and a wide area network, also known as a WAN.
Understanding Networks and Communication:
A network is a collection of devices connected to each other, allowing them to communicate and share information. These connections can be established using network cables or wireless signals, depending on the type of network in place. To communicate effectively, each device needs to find and connect to other devices on the network. This is done through unique addresses known as IP (Internet Protocol) and MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.
The IP address acts like a mailing address, helping data to reach the correct destination by identifying devices on the network. The MAC address, on the other hand, is a permanent identifier assigned to each device’s network hardware, ensuring that communication happens with the exact device intended.
Devices on a network can communicate through two main types of networks: Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs). A LAN is typically used for a smaller, more localized group of devices, such as those in a home or office. These networks cover a limited geographical area and are often faster and more secure because they don’t rely on external connections.
In other hand, a WAN covers a much larger area and connects devices across cities, countries, or even continents. It is often made up of several interconnected LANs and uses public networks, such as the internet, to facilitate communication. While WANs allow for long-distance communication, they may be slower and more susceptible to security risks compared to LANs.
In summary, networks enable devices to communicate using IP and MAC addresses, and they can be classified as either LANs for local connections or WANs for broader, long-distance communication.
Networking Tools:
Hub
Switch
Router
Modem
Firewall
Client and Server
Wireless Access Point
Virtualization
Network tools such as hubs, switches, routers, and modems are physical devices.
Hub:
A hub is a network device that broadcasts information to every device on the network. It repeats all information out to all ports. Hubs are more commonly used for a limited network setup like a home office. A hub like a radio tower that broadcasts a signal to any radio tuned to the correct frequency. Hubs are not secure. its vulnerable to intrusion.
Switch:
A switch makes connections between specific devices on a network by sending and receiving data between them. A switch is smarter than a hub. It only passes data to the intended destination. This makes switches more secure than hubs and enables them to control the flow of traffic and improve network performance.
A switch is a device that helps send data between devices connected to it. When data is sent, the switch looks at the destination address and sends it to the correct device. Switches use a MAC address table, which stores the MAC addresses of devices and matches them to specific ports on the switch. This allows the switch to forward data to the right place. Switches work at the data link layer of the TCP/IP model. They improve both the speed and security of the network.
Router:
A router is a network device that connects multiple networks together. Routers connect different networks and help direct data based on the destination’s IP address. They allow devices on separate networks to communicate. In the TCP/IP model, routers work at the network layer. The IP address of the destination is found in the packet’s IP header. The router reads this information and forwards the packet to the next router, repeating this until it reaches the destination. Some routers also have firewalls that can block or allow traffic, preventing harmful data from reaching the private network and causing damage.
For example, if a computer in one network wants to send information to a laptop on another network, then the information will be transferred like this: First, the information travels from the computer to the router. Then, the router reads the destination address and forwards the data to the intended network’s router. Finally, the receiving router transfers that information to the laptop.
Modem:
A modem is a device that connects your router to the internet and brings internet access to the LAN. Modems usually connect your home or office to the internet through an internet service provider (ISP). ISPs give you internet access using telephone lines or cables. The modem takes digital signals from the internet and changes them into analog signals that can travel through the connection from your ISP. Modems often connect to a router, which sends the internet signals to your local network.For large businesses, enterprise networks use other technologies instead of modems to manage a lot of traffic.
For example, if a computer from one network wants to send information to a device on a network in a different geographic location, it would be transferred as follows: The computer would send information to the router, and the router would then transfer the information through the modem to the internet. The intended recipient’s modem receives the information and transfers it to the router. Finally, the recipient’s router forwards that information to the destination device.
Firewall:
A firewall is a security tool that watches and controls traffic going in or out of your network. It acts as your first line of defense. Firewalls can block or allow certain types of traffic based on rules set by the organization. They are usually placed between a safe internal network and the less trusted outside network, like the internet. However, firewalls are just one part of a bigger cybersecurity plan.
Clients and Server:
Servers give information and services to devices like computers, smart home devices, and smartphones on a network. The devices that connect to the server are called clients. This setup is known as the client-server model. In this model, clients ask the server for information or services, and the server provides what the clients need. Examples include DNS servers that help find website addresses, file servers that store and retrieve files, and mail servers that manage emails for a company.
Wireless Access Point:
A wireless access point sends and receives signals through radio waves to create a wireless network. Devices with wireless adapters, like phones or laptops, connect to it using Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is a set of rules that allow devices to talk to each other without wires. The wireless access point and the connected devices use Wi-Fi to send data through radio waves, which are then passed to routers and switches to reach their final destination.
Modems connect your home to the internet through cables, convert digital signals from the internet into analog signals that can travel through telephone lines or coaxial cables. while wireless access points create a Wi-Fi network so devices can connect without wires. Send and receive digital signals over radio waves, enabling devices like laptops and smartphones to connect via Wi-Fi.
Network devices keep track of information and services for users on a network. They connect using wired or wireless methods. Once connected, these devices send data packets, which contain information about where the data is coming from and where it’s going. This is how data is shared between different devices on the network.
The network itself is the system that lets devices talk to each other. Special devices like routers and switches manage the flow of data, while other devices like computers and phones connect to the network through these network devices.
Virtualization:
Network tools like hubs, switches, routers, and modems are physical devices. But many of the tasks these devices do can also be handled by virtualization tools, which are software programs. Virtualization tools can do the same jobs as hubs, switches, routers, and modems, and they are provided by cloud services. Using these tools can save money and help the network grow more easily.
A cloud network is a collection of servers or computers that stores resources and data in remote data centers that can be accessed via the internet.
