What is a computer network?
The basic explanation for this question is that it is a collection of interconnected devices and computers that can communicate with each other and exchange data. In simple terms, it just means that computers are connected together.
What is the Internet?
Internet simply means a collection of these computer networks. The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and servers that allows people to communicate, share information, and access services and resources anywhere.
The World Wide Web
The worldwide web (www) is commonly known as the web.
It is an information system where documents and other web resources are identified by URLs, which may be interlinked by hyperlinks and are accessible over the internet.
Client-Server Architecture
When we type google.com from our computer or laptop we are sending a request to the main server of Google which is present on another computer by saying hey google I need these many resources please give me. Then Google says okay then it requests the server then the server which is present far away from us gives us a response in the form of web pages.
What is a Protocol?
The rules that have been set by people on how particular details are sent are known as protocols.
Examples: TCP, IP, UDP
TCP - Transmission Control Protocol
- It will ensure that the data will reach its destination and not get corrupted on the way.
UDP - User Datagram Protocol
- When you don't care whether 100% of the data is reaching your destination.
For Example - Video Conferencing
HTTP - Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
This is being used by web browsers.
The data that is being transferred between clients and servers.
Basic Network Terminologies
LAN - Local Area Network
Connects computers within a limited area or small area such as a residence, school, university, etc.
These computers can be connected using ethernet cables, WIFI, etc.
MAN - Metropolitan Area Network. This network stretches across cities covering even a larger area than LAN.
WAN - Wide Area Network. This network connects a large geographic area.
These computers can be connected using optical fiber cables.
SONET - Synchronous Optical Networking
Frame Relay - A wave for connecting the local area network to a wide area.
Modem - Modulation demodulation
Used to convert digital to analog and vice versa.
Router - A device that forwards data packets between computer networks.
ISP - Internet Service Providers are companies that provide us access to the internet
Example:- Tier 1 - TATA
Topologies
- Bus Topologies
They are connected to a single backbone.
If one part gets broken entire system will fail.
Only one person at a time sends the information.
- Ring Topologies
Every system communicates with one another.
If one of the cables is broken you won't be able to send data.
A lot of unnecessary calls are made.
- Star Topologies
There will be one central device that will be connected to all computers. If the central device goes down then the entire connection fails.
- Tree Topologies
It is a combination of bus and star topology. All the computers are connected point-to-point with the hub. And the hub is connected to the cable.
- Mesh Topologies
Here, every computer is connected point-to-point to every single computer.
It is expensive as too many wires are used.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! I hope you found the information about computer networking protocols and topologies valuable and insightful. Your interest and support mean a lot to me. If you have any further questions or topics you'd like me to cover in the future, please feel free to reach out. Stay connected and stay curious!
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