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Introduction to Computer Networking
A computer network consists of the interconnected devices such as router, hub or switch and computers. There are different types of a computer networks and they are classified according to their scalability, architectures, protocols and topologies. The common types are LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN, CAN and GAN. A LAN covers the small geographical area as compared to the WAN, which is a network of remotely connected computers through the routers and other devices.
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The common networking components include NIC card, hub, switch, router, bridge, repeaters and modems. Internetworking is defined as a two or more network segments that are connected with each other through the devices such as routers and switches and they use the internet protocol (IP) for interconnectivity.
Networking allows various intelligent devices such as routers, switches, PDA, mobile phones and distributed applications such as databases to make the local and remote communication possible through physical wires or wirelessly. Also data and resources such as CD-Player, DVD-ROM, printer, scanner, hard disk and other devices can be shared among the users.
Basically, there are two types of the computer networking such as peer to peer and client server. In the peer to peer, there is not centralized server computer and all the computers acts as a server and clients at the same time. On the contrary, in the client/server architecture, there must a computer server who handles logon requests and manages security, backup, network monitoring, internet access, user management and resources allocation.
Some of the other characteristics of the network servers are to maintain the information and provide that information to the client computers and servers so that they can communicate with each other. Common server components are DHCP, DNS, WINS, SNMP, and SMTP etc.
Topology is defined as a way, design and layout in which computers and devices are connected with each other logically or physically. Some of the most common topologies are star, hub, tree, hybrid, mesh, and Ring. With the passage of time new technologies and standards have evolved in the data communication field. There are different communication mediums, protocols, devices, operating systems and topologies.
So there must be standard for all the computers so that they can communicate with each other. OSI provides standards in the data communication technology. The transmitted data is classified into the seven layers of the OSI model. These layers are Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data link and Physical.
Internet is the biggest public network in the world.
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