Introduction To Computer Network
The term ‘Network’ means a group, chain or a collection of something that come together for the purpose of communication. In computer’s reference – the same definition holds value but there is a slight change which is –
A network is a group of related computers that exchange resources, files and possess some kind of communications within themselves. The communication word in this reference means ‘DATA’. Since these activities are going in between the computers they are called as Computer Networks.
Process Understanding
In the above section, we have studied some basic introduction of computer network so now we are going to learn the computer network process The network segment is very huge and has a greater need to work on its improvement. It allows computing devices to exchange data over wired or wireless networks. The Computer Network market covers the followings –
- Networking hardware
- Software and services
- Virtual Networks
- Servers
- Network management and Security
Let’s see an example of a Computer Network for overall understanding, this explanation will make readers understand how things work and behind the scene story. Get set GO……..
Within a network, there is a host (many hosts can be there) and within a host, there is a process (many processes can be there).
So the process is Mr. Ron wants to open www.google.com (domain name) on his web browser. He has to connect to the Google server to get the web page on his system. See the dotted lines that emerge from A and reaches to B (image description is available).
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Now with using only the domain name, we have to identify the network, the host and the process which is the entire thing we will see happening.
The domain name (i.e. www.google.com) must be converted to IP address so that it can be understood by the receiving host and networks.
So, IP address has 2 parts
- HOST ID
- NETWORK ID.
So using the network ID we can reach the target network and using the Host ID we can reach the Target host. After this, we need Port Number to reach the process. This is how the connection works for web services.
Types Of Computer Network
After learning the introduction of a computer network and it’s process now we are going to learn the types of a computer network.
1. LAN (Local Area Network)
This is designed for small areas or work units such as an office, group of buildings etc. These are preferred as they are easy to design and troubleshoot. Personal computers and workstations are generally preferred to have a LAN network. Under the LAN network distributions – we have a ring, bus, star and Tree topography. With LAN there are advantages of resource sharing, data centralization facility, data security, sharing connections. Some disadvantages that LAN networks have are high-cost setup, privacy violation, data security threat, limited area reach.
2. MAN (Metro political Area Network)
It is a bigger version of LAN and generally covers more area of operation. When it covers a very large topographical area it means it generally connects different LAN. MAN is extremely efficient for fast communication, but they need a huge setup cost with more wires and cables
3. WAN (Wide Area Network)
It is easy to understand with the name itself. It can be a private or public network. It has the potential to cover the entire country.
ISO/OSI Reference Model
After learning the introduction of a computer network now we are going to discuss the ISO/OSI Model.
- Physical – How to transmit the signals (mainly coding)
- Datalink – Two-party communication – Ethernet
- Network – Routing, Addressing IP
- Transport – End to end communications – TCP
- Session – Establish/Manage connections
- Presentation – ASCII conversion
- Application – Actual file transfer, emails, remote login
Below is the connection diagram for TCP/IP – Reference model. The 7 connection layers work as depicted below.
A brief understanding of OSI and TCP/IP models –
In OSI (Open System Interconnects) there are 7 layers. The OSI defines the networking framework to implement the protocols. Moving forward to the TCP/IP model is a four-layer reference model. All the protocols that belong to this model are located in the top three layers of this model.
IP Verison 4 and IP Verison 6
There are multiple LAN protocols below the IP layer. We can say that the internet is essentially an IP internet. Currently, the internet uses (mostly, but no longer) IP version 4, which is a 32-bit address size. Since some technical dependencies are there that pressurizes to move to new large blocks. With this, there is an increasing pressure to convert IPV4 to IPV6 with 128-bit address size. Both are universal routing and addressing protocol.
- IPv4 is a 32 bit and IPv6 is 128 bit
- IPv4 is numeric address separated by a dot (.) whereas IPv6 is an alphanumeric one separated by colon (:)
- IPv4 has 12 header fields whereas IPV6 has only 8. The length of header filed is 20 (for IPv4) and 40 (for IPv6).
Number System
There are two kinds of number system that are used in a computer network. They are – Unary and Binary, the unary number system has zeros (0) whereas the Binary has zeros and ones (0 and 1).
- 2 ^10 = 1024 and referred as K
- 2^20 = referred to as M(mega)
- 2^30 = referred to as G(Giga)
- 2^40 = referred to as T (tera)….and so on
Networking Devices
After learning the introduction of a computer network, it’s process and ISO/OSI model now we are going to learn the different types of networking devices
- HUB: It is used to connect multiple network hosts and even use for data transfer. A data transfer that takes place either via a wire or wireless is through medium called packets. Whenever the host sends a data packet to any network, the hub copies out the data packet information which is connected to it. But this makes HUB less in terms of security.
- SWITCH: It also works on LAN, but it proves to be smarter than the hub. Apart from data transmission, a switch is also responsible to filter and forward the details.
- MODEM: Stands for Modulator-Demodulator; this is helpful in modulating and demodulating the signal between digital data and analog signal.
- ROUTER: It is a device that helps in routing traffic from one to another network.
- BRIDGE: It connects two subnetworks being a part of the same network.
- REPEATER: It is an electronic device primarily designed to amplify the signals.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide on Introduction to Computer Network. Here we have discussed the basic introduction of a computer network like types of the networking device, ISO/OSI model, etc. You may also look at the following article to learn more –
