Basics of Computer Networking

Computer networking is a cornerstone of modern technology, enabling the interconnected

systems that power the Internet, business communications, and everyday digital interactions.
Understanding the fundamentals of computer networking is essential for anyone involved in
technology, from enthusiasts to professionals. This article will explore the basics of computer
networking, including network types, components, protocols, and essential services like the
Domain Name System (DNS).

Computer Networking

What is a Computer Network?

A computer network is a collection of interconnected devices that share resources and
information. These devices can include computers, servers, printers, and other hardware.
Networks allow for the efficient exchange of data, enabling various applications such as email,
file sharing, and internet browsing.
How Does a Computer Network Work?
Basics building blocks of a Computer network are Nodes and Links. A Network Node can be
illustrated as Equipment for Data Communication like a Modem, Router, etc., or Equipment of a
Data Terminal like connecting two computers or more. Link in Computer Networks can be
defined as wires or cables or free space of wireless networks.

The working of Computer Networks can be simply defined as rules or protocols which help in
sending and receiving data via the links which allow Computer networks to communicate. Each
device has an IP Address, that helps in identifying a device.

Basic Terminologies of Computer Networks

 Network: A network is a collection of computers and devices that are connected together
to enable communication and data exchange.

 Nodes: Nodes are devices that are connected to a network. These can include computers,
Servers, Printers, Routers, Switches, and other devices.

 Protocol: A protocol is a set of rules and standards that govern how data is transmitted
over a network. Examples of protocols include TCP/IP, HTTP, and FTP.

 Topology: Network topology refers to the physical and logical arrangement of nodes on
a network. The common network topologies include bus, star, ring, mesh, and tree.

 Service Provider Networks: These types of Networks give permission to take Network
Capacity and Functionality on lease from the Provider. Service Provider Networks
include Wireless Communications, Data Carriers, etc.

 IP Address: An IP address is a unique numerical identifier that is assigned to every

device on a network. IP addresses are used to identify devices and enable communication
between them.

 DNS: The Domain Name System (DNS) is a protocol that is used to translate human-
readable domain names (such as www.google.com) into IP addresses that computers can
understand.

 Firewall: A firewall is a security device that is used to monitor and control incoming and
outgoing network traffic. Firewalls are used to protect networks from unauthorized access
and other security threats.

Types of Enterprise Computer Networks

  LAN: A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that covers a small area, such as an
office or a home. LANs are typically used to connect computers and other devices within
a building or a campus.

 WAN: A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that covers a large geographic area,
such as a city, country, or even the entire world. WANs are used to connect LANs
together and are typically used for long-distance communication.

 Cloud Networks: Cloud Networks can be visualized with a Wide Area Network (WAN)
as they can be hosted on public or private cloud service providers and cloud networks are
available if there is a demand. Cloud Networks consist of Virtual Routers, Firewalls, etc.

These are just a few basic concepts of computer networking. Networking is a vast and complex
field, and there are many more concepts and technologies involved in building and maintaining
networks. Now we are going to discuss some more concepts on Computer Networking.

 Open system: A system that is connected to the network and is ready for
communication.

 Closed system: A system that is not connected to the network and can’t be
communicated with.

Types of Computer Network Architecture

Computer Network falls under these broad Categories:

 Client-Server Architecture: Client-Server Architecture is a type of Computer Network

Architecture in which Nodes can be Servers or Clients. Here, the server node can manage
the Client Node Behaviour.

 Peer-to-Peer Architecture: In P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Architecture, there is not any concept

of a Central Server. Each device is free for working as either client or server.

Network Devices
An interconnection of multiple devices, also known as hosts, that are connected using multiple
paths for the purpose of sending/receiving data or media. Computer networks can also include
multiple devices/mediums which help in the communication between two different devices;
these are known as Network devices and include things such as routers, switches, hubs, and
bridges.
Network Devices

Network Topology
The Network Topology is the layout arrangement of the different devices in a network. Common
examples include Bus, Star, Mesh, Ring, and Daisy chain.

Network Topology

OSI Model
OSI stands for Open Systems Interconnection. It is a reference model that specifies standards for
communications protocols and also the functionalities of each layer. The OSI has been developed
by the International Organization For Standardization and it is 7 layer architecture. Each layer of
OSI has different functions and each layer has to follow different protocols. The 7 layers are as
follows:

 Physical Layer

 Data link Layer

 Network Layer

 Transport Layer

 Session Layer

 Presentation Layer

 Application Layer

Network Protocols
A protocol is a set of rules or algorithms which define the way how two entities can
communicate across the network and there exists a different protocol defined at each layer of the
OSI model. A few such protocols are TCP, IP, UDP, ARP, DHCP, FTP, and so on.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Function: The foundational protocol suite of the internet, enabling reliable communication.

Components:

TCP: Ensures data is delivered reliably and in order.

IP: Routes data packets to their destination based on IP addresses.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and HTTPS

Function: The protocols used for transmitting web pages.

HTTP: Unsecured communication.

HTTPS: Secured communication using SSL/TLS encryption.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)

Function: Protocol for sending email.

Components: Works with other protocols like POP3 and IMAP for email retrieval.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

Function: Protocol for transferring files between computers.

Components: Includes commands for uploading, downloading, and managing files on a remote
server.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

Function: Automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.

Components: Reduces manual configuration and IP address conflicts.

Domain Name System (DNS)

Function: Translates human-friendly domain names into IP addresses.

Components: Ensures seamless navigation on the internet.

Unique Identifiers of Network

Hostname: Each device in the network is associated with a unique device name known as
Hostname. Type “hostname” in the command prompt(Administrator Mode) and press ‘Enter’,
this displays the hostname of your machine.
HostName

IP Address (Internet Protocol address): Also known as the Logical Address, the IP Address is
the network address of the system across the network. To identify each device in the world-wide-
web, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) assigns an IPV4 (Version 4) address as a
unique identifier to each device on the Internet. The length of an IPv4 address is 32 bits, hence,
we have 232 IP addresses available. The length of an IPv6 address is 128 bits.

In Windows Type “ipconfig” in the command prompt and press ‘Enter’, this gives us the IP
address of the device. For Linux, Type “ifconfig” in the terminal and press ‘Enter’ this gives us
the IP address of the device.

MAC Address (Media Access Control address): Also known as physical address, the MAC
Address is the unique identifier of each host and is associated with its NIC (Network Interface
Card). A MAC address is assigned to the NIC at the time of manufacturing. The length of the
MAC address is: 12-nibble/ 6 bytes/ 48 bits Type “ipconfig/all” in the command prompt and
press ‘Enter’, this gives us the MAC address.

Port: A port can be referred to as a logical channel through which data can be sent/received to an
application. Any host may have multiple applications running, and each of these applications is
identified using the port number on which they are running.

A port number is a 16-bit integer, hence, we have 2 16 ports available which are categorized as
shown below:

Port Types Range

Well known Ports 0 – 1023
Registered Ports 1024 – 49151
Ephemeral Ports 49152 – 65535

Number of ports: 65,536

Range: 0 – 65535
Type “netstat -a” in the command prompt and press ‘Enter’, this lists all the ports being used.
List of Ports

Socket: The unique combination of IP address and Port number together is termed a Socket.

Other Related Concepts

DNS Server: DNS stands for Domain Name System. DNS is basically a server that translates
web addresses or URLs (ex: www.google.com) into their corresponding IP addresses. We don’t
have to remember all the IP addresses of each and every website. The command ‘nslookup’
gives you the IP address of the domain you are looking for. This also provides information on
our DNS Server. \
Domain IP Address

ARP: ARP stands for Address Resolution Protocol. It is used to convert an IP address to its
corresponding physical address(i.e., MAC Address). ARP is used by the Data Link Layer to
identify the MAC address of the Receiver’s machine.

RARP: RARP stands for Reverse Address Resolution Protocol. As the name suggests, it
provides the IP address of the device given a physical address as input. But RARP has become
obsolete since the time DHCP has come into the picture.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a critical component of computer networking. It converts
easily recognizable domain names, such as www.example.com, into numerical IP addresses that
computers use to identify each other on the network.

How DNS Works?

User Input: When a user enters a domain name in a browser, the system needs to find its IP
address.

DNS Query: The user’s device sends a DNS query to the DNS resolver.

Resolver Request: The DNS resolver checks its cache for the IP address. If not found, it
forwards the request to the root DNS server.

Root DNS Server: The root DNS server provides the address of the TLD (Top-Level Domain)
server for the specific domain extension (e.g., .com).
TLD DNS Server: The TLD server directs the resolver to the authoritative DNS server for the
actual domain.

Authoritative DNS Server: The authoritative DNS server knows the IP address for the domain
and provides it to the resolver.

Response to User: The resolver stores the IP address in its cache and sends it to the user’s
device.

Access Website: With the IP address, the user’s device can access the desired website.

DNS works efficiently, translating user-friendly domain names into IP addresses, allowing
seamless navigation on the internet.

Network Security
Ensuring the security of a network is crucial to protect data and resources from unauthorized
access and attacks. Key aspects of network security include:

Firewalls: Devices or software that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic
based on security rules.

Encryption: The process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access. Commonly used in
VPNs, HTTPS, and secure email.

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Tools that monitor network traffic for suspicious activity
and potential threats.

Access Control: Mechanisms that restrict access to network resources based on user identity and
role.

Regular Updates and Patching: Keeping software and hardware up to date to protect against
vulnerabilities.

Conclusion
Understanding the basics of computer networking is essential in today’s interconnected world.
Networks enable the seamless exchange of information, support countless applications, and
underpin the functionality of the internet. From different types of networks and their components
to protocols and security measures, a solid grasp of these concepts is foundational for anyone
working in or with technology. As technology evolves, so too will the complexity and
capabilities of computer networks, making continuous learning and adaptation crucial.

Basics of Computer Networking – FAQs

What is an IP address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network. It

allows devices to locate and communicate with each other. There are two types of IP addresses:
IPv4 (e.g., 192.168.1.1) and IPv6 (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

What is a firewall?

A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and
outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted
internal network and untrusted external networks like the internet.

What is the difference between TCP and UDP?

 TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): A connection-oriented protocol that

ensures reliable and ordered delivery of data. It is used for applications where data
integrity is critical, like web browsing and email.

 UDP (User Datagram Protocol): A connectionless protocol that does not

guarantee delivery or order. It is used for applications where speed is more
important than reliability, like streaming and gaming.

What is a firewall?

A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and
outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted
internal network and untrusted external networks like the internet.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that translates human-readable domain names (like
www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network.

What is a subnet mask?

A subnet mask is used in IP addressing to divide the network into sub-networks, or subnets. It
helps determine which portion of an IP address is the network address and which part is the host
address.

What is NAT (Network Address Translation)?

NAT is a method used by routers to translate private IP addresses within a local network to a
public IP address before sending data over the internet. This helps to conserve IP addresses and
add a layer of security by hiding internal network addresses.
What is a MAC address?

A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface
card (NIC) for communication on a physical network segment. It is a hardware address that is
unique to each network device.

What is bandwidth?

Bandwidth refers to the maximum rate of data transfer across a network or internet connection in
a given amount of time. It is usually measured in bits per second (bps).

What is latency in networking?

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination across a network.
It is usually measured in milliseconds (ms) and can affect the performance of networked
applications.

What is VPN (Virtual Private Network)?

A VPN is a secure connection that allows users to access a private network over the public
internet. It encrypts the data traffic and helps maintain privacy and security.

What is a proxy server?

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between a user’s device and the internet. It can be used
for purposes such as improving security, filtering content, or bypassing geographical restrictions.