This post gives a brief overview of Switched WAN networks and their theory of operation.
Computer Networking Overview
Gives an overview of computer networking with definitions and basic terminologies
Different types of node to node communications used in Computer Networks
This post gives an overview of the different types of node to node communication used in Computer Networking. Specifically it describes Unicasting, Multicasting, Broadcasting and Anycasting.
Overview of different types of addressing used in Networking
This post gives a brief overview of the different types of addressing used in Computer Networking. Specifically, it covers MAC addresses, IP addresses and port numbers.
Overview of basic types of Network Devices
Some thumb rules for basic computer networking operation
Lists out some basic attributes of computer networking including similarity to postal networks, packet switching, next-hop routing, layering and types of services.
Main types of services offered by computer networks to applications
Layering similarities between computer and postal networks
Layer processing at End and Intermediate nodes
What is Encapsulation in computer networking?
What is the Hybrid layering model?
What is TCP/IP layering model?
What is OSI layering model?
What are communication protocols?
Describes the meaning of the term communication protocol and gives examples
What is layering in computer networks?
Similarities between Computer Networks and Postal Networks
Comparison of Computer Networks with Telephone Networks
Computer Networks – Basic theory of operation
What is a Mesh Topology Network?
What is a Tree Topology Network?
What is a Star Topology Network?
What is a Ring Topology Network?
What is a Bus Topology Network?
What is a Network Topology?
What are Public and Private networks?
Explains the concept of Public and Private networks
What is Internet?
What is an Extranet
What is an Intranet
What is a peer-peer network
What is a Client-Server Network?
What is an Enterprise Network?
What is a WAN?
What is a Metropolitan Area Network?
What is a Campus Area Network?
A Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) Network Topology
A typical Home Network Topology
What is a LAN?
What is a Personal Area Network?
Types of Distance based Networks
Describes different types of distance based networks like PAN, LAN, CAN, MAN, WAN
Methods of Classification of Networks
Describes the different methods of classification of Networks like distance based classification, service based classification and administrative domain based classification.
Aside
- Computer or any embedded system with Network Hardware and Software.
- Hardware typically consists of add-on-cards called Network Interface cards (NICs). The NICs implement some of the communication protocols in hardware, so as not overburden the main CPU. The NICs also interfaces to the telecommunication links, that connect the end nodes to the network.
- While certain lower layer protocols are implemented in hardware, lots of higher layer protocols like TCP, IP, FTP, HTTP etc. are implemented in software.
- Actual communication of meaningful data happens between a sending computer and a receiving computer.
- Data is split into smaller units called packets by the sending computer and then handed over to the data exchange devices, to be carried over to the receiving computer
- These are special purpose computers/embedded systems used only for data transfer between end nodes
- These devices are part of the data exchange and are used to route data packets between the sending and receiving computers.
- E.g.: Packet Switches (Routers/Switches), Hubs, Repeaters, Modems, Satellites etc.
- Consists of Wired and wireless medium that actually carries the electrical/optical/electromagnetic signals.
- Just like vehicles need roads to move, computers require wired/wireless telecommunication links to carry the signals between them.
- Includes cables (e.g. twisted pair copper, coaxial etc.) and connectors (e.g. RJ-11, RJ-45 etc.) for wired media
- Includes different types of antennae for wireless media
- Wide range of protocols developed specifically for computer communication (E.g. IP, TCP, UDP etc.)
- A protocol is a set of rules developed for a very specific purpose
- Consists of core communication protocols (like IP, TCP, UDP etc.) and also application specific protocols (like HTTP, FTP, SMTP etc.)
- Includes device drivers written for specific hardware (E.g. Ethernet device drivers)