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.
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
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.
What do Computer Networks do?
Computer networks first developed in 1950 for military and defense purpose. At that time
they are mainly used to send data through telephone lines and had limited use in business
or science.
Today computer networks are essential for businesses also. Modern networks offer more
than just connecting devices. They play a key role in helping businesses adapt to the digital
world and succeed. These networks have become more flexible, automated, and secure,
making them even more important in today’s business environment.
Modern computer networks can:
 Work Virtually: The physical network can be divided into smaller virtual networks. In
these virtual networks, devices are connected and can send data through multiple
physical routes. For example, many business networks use the internet this way.
 Connect on a Large Scale: Modern networks link many smaller, spread-out networks
into one big, powerful system. Automation and monitoring tools help manage and
adjust the network as needed, allowing it to grow or shrink based on demand.
 Adapt Quickly: Many networks are controlled by software, so changes can be made
quickly through a digital dashboard. This allows traffic to be managed easily.
 Keep Data Secure: Built-in security features like encryption and access control
protect data. Additional protections like antivirus software, firewalls, and malware
protection can be added to strengthen network security.
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.
Some types of network topologies are:
 Bus Topology: In bus topology all devices are connected to a single central cable
called a bus. Data is sent along this cable and all devices share the same connection.
Simple and cheap to set up but if the main cable fails the whole network goes down.
 Star Topology: In star topology all devices are connected to a central node called
hub or switch. The hub controls the flow of data between devices. If one device fails
the rest of the network is unaffected. But, if the central hub fails the whole network
stops working.
 Ring Topology: In ring topology devices are connected in a circular loop with each
device connected to two others. Data travels in one direction (or sometimes both)
passing through each device until it reaches its destination. A failure in one device
can affect the whole network.
 Mesh Topology: In mesh topology every device is connected to every other device in
the network. It provides multiple paths for data so if one path fails another can take
over.
 Tree Topology: Tree topology is the combination of star and bus topology. Tree
topology is good for organizing large networks and allows for easy expansion.
 Hybrid Topology: Hybrid topology is the combination of two or more different
topologies (like star and mesh). It is flexible and can be customized based on the
network’s specific needs.
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): TCP/IP is the
foundational protocol suite of the internet, enabling reliable communication. TCP
Ensures data is delivered reliably and in order and IP routes data packets to their
destination based on IP addresses.
  Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and HTTPS: HTTP and HTTPS protocols used for
transmitting web pages. In HTTP communication is unsecured and in HTTPS secured
communication using SSL/TLS encryption.
 Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP): SMTP protocol used to send
email. SMTP protocol works with other protocols like POP3 and IMAP for email
retrieval.
 File Transfer Protocol (FTP): FTP protocol used for transferring files between
computers. Includes commands for uploading, downloading, and managing files on a
remote server.
 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): DHCP protocol automatically assigns
IP addresses to devices on a network. Reduces manual configuration and IP address
conflicts.
 Domain Name System (DNS): DNS Translates human-friendly domain names into IP
addresses. 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 216 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?
DNS works efficiently, translating user-friendly domain names into IP addresses, allowing
seamless navigation on the internet. Below step by step working of DNS:
 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.
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.
Why Use Computer Networks?
Computer network play a important role in modern life. Here are some key benefits of
computer networks:
 Fast and Easy Communication: Networks enable all types of digital communication,
like emails, messaging, file sharing, video calls, and streaming.
 More Storage Space: Suppose if we don’t have a cloud storage then we have to
store data in physical files that will consume a physical space so computer network
provide a storage for storing data.
 Easier Sharing of Information: Networks make it simpler for users and teams to
share resources and information. Teams can collaborate more easily, and users get
faster response from network devices.
 Better Security: Well designed networks are more reliable and give businesses more
options for keeping data safe. They come with built-in security features
like encryption and access controls to protect sensitive information from cyber
threats.
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.