Of course.
Here is a comprehensive page of class notes on core
networking concepts, formatted for easy studying.
Networking Fundamentals - Class Notes
Course: CS 101 - Introduction to Networking
Instructor: Prof. Davis
Date: October 26, 2023
1. The OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection)
A conceptual framework used to understand and standardize how
different networking protocols communicate. Divided into 7 layers.
Layer # Layer Name Function & Purpose Protocol Examples
PDU (Protocol Data Unit)
7 Application Interface for user applications. Provides network
services directly to end-users. HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, DNSData
6 Presentation Translates, encrypts, and compresses data.
Ensures data from the application layer is readable by the receiving
system. SSL/TLS, JPEG, MPEG, ASCII Data
5 Session Establishes, manages, and terminates connections
between applications. NetBIOS, RPC, PAP Data
4 Transport Provides end-to-end communication control, error
recovery, and flow control. Segments data. TCP (Connection-oriented),
UDP (Connectionless) Segment (TCP) / Datagram (UDP)
3 Network Logical addressing and path determination (routing).
Moves packets between different networks. IP (IPv4, IPv6), ICMP, ARP,
Routers Packet
2 Data Link Physical addressing (MAC addresses). Error detection
and framing. Communicates within the same local network. Ethernet, PPP,
Switch, Bridge, MAC Frame
1 Physical Transmits raw bit stream over the physical medium.
Defines electrical, mechanical, and functional specifications. Cat5/6
cable, RJ45, Hubs, Repeaters,无线电波 Bit
Mnemonic: All People Seem To Need Data Processing (Layer 7 to 1)
2. The TCP/IP Model (Internet Protocol Suite)
A more practical, 4-layer model that the modern internet is built upon.
TCP/IP Layer OSI Layer Equivalents Core Protocols Function
Application Application, Presentation, Session HTTP, FTP, DNS, SMTP
Handles high-level protocols and representation.
Transport Transport TCP, UDP Provides end-to-end communication
and data flow.
Internet Network IP, ICMP, ARP Responsible for logical
addressing and routing across networks.
Network Access Data Link, Physical Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11)Controls
the hardware devices and media that make up the network.
3. Key Protocols Deep Dive
IP (Internet Protocol)
Purpose: Logical addressing and routing.
Addressing: IPv4 (32-bit, e.g., 192.168.1.1) and IPv6 (128-bit,
hexadecimal).
Characteristic: Connectionless and unreliable (does not guarantee
delivery).
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
Connection-oriented: Establishes a connection (3-way handshake: SYN,
SYN-ACK, ACK) before data transfer.
Reliable: Uses acknowledgements and retransmissions to ensure data
arrives.
Flow Control: Manages data rate to avoid overwhelming the receiver.
Use Cases: Web browsing (HTTP), email (SMTP), file transfer (FTP).
UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
Connectionless: No connection setup; just sends data.
Unreliable: No guarantees of delivery, ordering, or duplicate protection.
Faster & Lower Overhead: No connection management or reliability
features.
Use Cases: Video streaming, VoIP, DNS lookups, online games.
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol)
Purpose: Used for diagnostics and error reporting (e.g., ping, traceroute).
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
Purpose: Resolves an IP address to a MAC address on a local network.
4. IP Addressing & Subnetting Basics
Private IP Ranges (Not routable on public internet):
Class A: 10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255
Class B: 172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255
Class C: 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255
Subnet Mask: A 32-bit number that masks an IP address and divides it into
network and host parts (e.g., 255.255.255.0 or /24 in CIDR notation).
Default Gateway: The IP address of the router on your local network that
traffic is sent to when the destination is not on the same local subnet.
DNS (Domain Name System): The "phonebook of the internet." Translates
human-readable domain names (e.g., google.com) to machine-readable IP
addresses.
5. Common Network Devices
Hub (Layer 1): Dumb device; broadcasts data to all ports. Creates a single
collision domain.
Switch (Layer 2): Intelligent device; forwards data only to the specific
device based on MAC address. Creates a separate collision domain for
each port.
Router (Layer 3): Connects different networks together. Forwards data
packets based on IP addresses. Uses routing tables.
Access Point (AP): Allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network
(often connects to a switch).
6. Key Terms & Concepts
LAN (Local Area Network): A network covering a small geographic area
(e.g., home, office, building).
WAN (Wide Area Network): A network that covers a broad area (e.g., the
internet, connecting corporate offices).
Packet Switching: Method of grouping data into packets that are
transmitted over a network independently.
Firewall: A security system that monitors and controls incoming and
outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): Automatically assigns IP
addresses to devices on a network.
NAT (Network Address Translation): Allows multiple devices on a private
network to share a single public IP address.
Next Class: Deep dive into Subnetting and CIDR notation. Quiz on the
OSI/TCP/IP layers.
