Network Fundamentals

What is a Computer Network?

A computer network is when two or more devices (like computers, phones, or tablets) are connected

to share data and resources.

In simple words:

A network is like a group of friends passing notes (data) to each other.

Example:

Your laptop sends a photo to your phone using the same Wi-Fi. Thats a computer network!

What Can You Do with a Network?

Networks allow you to:

- Make video calls (Zoom, Google Meet)

- Share printers and devices

- Share files (photos, homework, music)

- Use shared apps (Google Docs)

- Manage computers from one place (like at school)

- Get tech help remotely

How the Internet Started

ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network)

- Built in 1969 in the USA

- Connected computers at universities and the military

- It was the first network that could send messages between computers

- ARPANET grew and became the Internet the worlds biggest network
Types of Networks (by size)

Type | Full Form | Area Covered | Example

PAN | Personal Area Network | A few meters | Bluetooth from phone to earbuds

LAN | Local Area Network | One building | School Wi-Fi

CAN | Campus Area Network | A few buildings | College campus

MAN | Metropolitan Area Network | A city | City-wide Wi-Fi

WAN | Wide Area Network | Country or world | The Internet

Network Topologies (How devices are connected)

Topology | Shape | Example

Ring | Devices form a circle | Like passing notes in one direction

Star | All connect to a central hub | Students reporting to a teacher

Mesh | All devices connect to each other | Group chat where everyone talks

Bus | All share one main cable | Homes on one power line

Point-to-Point | Two devices only | A direct phone call

Tree | Mix of Star and Bus | School departments with classes

OSI Model 7 Layers of Communication

OSI = Open Systems Interconnection

Created by ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

It explains how data travels through a network, step by step.

Layer | Name | What it Does | Example

7 | Application | App communication | WhatsApp, Gmail

6 | Presentation | Format data | JPEG, MP4

5 | Session | Start/end sessions | Logging in

4 | Transport | Reliable delivery | TCP

3 | Network | Routing | IP address, router

1 | Physical | Sends bits | Cables, Wi-Fi

Mnemonic: Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away

Network Devices

Device | OSI Layer | What It Does | Example

Switch | 2 (sometimes 3) | Sends data to the correct device | Used in offices

Router | 3 | Connects networks | Home router

Hub | 1 | Sends data to all devices | Older technology

Repeater | 1 | Boosts weak signals | Wi-Fi extenders

Bridge | 2 | Connects two LANs | For small networks

Modem | Mix of layers | Connects you to Internet | Home modem

Firewall | 4 | Protects network | Stops harmful traffic

Gateway | All layers | Translates between networks | Email to SMS bridge

TCP/IP Model 4-Layer Model (Used in Real Life)

TCP/IP = Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol

This is the real-world model used to send data across the Internet. It is simpler than OSI but covers

the same tasks.

TCP/IP Layer | Matches OSI Layers | What It Does

4. Application | OSI 57 | Supports apps (web, email, etc.)

3. Transport | OSI 4 | Ensures delivery (e.g., TCP, UDP)

2. Internet | OSI 3 | Handles IP addresses & routing

1. Network Access | OSI 12 | Sends raw data over cables/wireless

IP Addressing Digital Address for Devices

IP = Internet Protocol
An IP address is like your devices home address on a network.

Every device must have an IP address to send/receive data.

IPv4 vs IPv6

Version | Format | Example | Max Devices

IPv4 | 4 numbers (0255) | 192.168.1.1 | ~4.3 billion

IPv6 | 8 groups of hex | 2001:0db8::1 | Over 340 trillion trillion

IPv4 Address Classes

Class | Range Start | Network Size | Use

A | 1126 | Very large | Big companies

B | 128191 | Medium | Universities

C | 192223 | Small | Homes, offices

D | 224239 | N/A | Multicast (streaming)

E | 240255 | N/A | Research

Example: 192.168.1.1 Class C (used in homes)

Private IP Addresses (Not Seen on the Internet)

Range | Example

10.0.0.0 10.255.255.255 | 10.0.0.1

172.16.0.0 172.31.255.255 | 172.16.5.4

192.168.0.0 192.168.255.255 | 192.168.1.1

Localhost (Loopback)

127.0.0.1 = This computer

Used to test things on your own machine

Example:
A developer runs a website on their laptop and uses 127.0.0.1 to view it.

NAT Network Address Translation

NAT = Network Address Translation

It lets your private IP address be converted into a public one, so your device can access the

Internet.

Why?

- Saves public IP addresses

- Keeps your private IPs hidden (more secure)

Example:

Your device (192.168.1.5) Modem Modem changes IP to 203.0.113.1 Sends to Internet

The modem keeps track using a NAT table

Summary

- Networks connect devices to share data and resources

- The Internet started from ARPANET

- Types like LAN, WAN, PAN describe network sizes

- Topologies are how devices are connected (Star, Ring, Mesh)

- The OSI and TCP/IP models explain how data travels

- Devices like routers, switches, and modems make networking possible

- Every device uses an IP address (IPv4 or IPv6)

- NAT helps private devices connect to the public Internet safely