Network technologies

and network types.

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer

networks that use the TCP/IP protocol to communicate. It allows
people around the world to access and share information,
services, and resources instantly.

What is TCP/IP?
TCP/IP is the fundamental communication protocol suite for the
internet. It defines how data is packaged, addressed, transmitted,
routed, and received between devices on a network.
Developed in the 1970s by Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn.
Adopted by ARPANET in 1983—marking the birth of the modern
internet.
What is TCP/IP?
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol.
It’s the core communication language or protocol suite of the internet
and most modern networks.
Basically, it’s how data travels from one computer to another across the
internet or local networks.
Two Main Parts:
1. IP (Internet Protocol):
Responsible for addressing and routing packets of data so they can
travel across networks.
Think of it like a postal service—it figures out the best route to deliver
your data to the right address.
Uses IP addresses (like 192.168.1.1) to identify devices.

2. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol):

Ensures reliable communication between devices.
Breaks data into smaller packets, sends them, and makes sure they
arrive correctly and in order.
It’s like a delivery tracker—if anything’s missing, it resends it.
How it Works (In a Nutshell):
Let’s say you open a website:
1.Your computer uses DNS to find the IP address of the website.

2. It sends a request using TCP/IP.

3. The data (like the website's text and images) is split into
packets.

4. Each packet is routed via IP and reassembled at your device

using TCP.

5 You see the full website once all packets arrive and are
organized.
 The OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection Model) — it's like the universal
language for network communication. It helps us understand how data flows
from one device to another across a network.
Layer Name Function Example

Interface for the user & apps to Web browser, email client
7 Application
communicate over the network (Gmail, Chrome)

Formats data (encryption,

6 Presentation JPEG, MP3, SSL (encryption)
compression, translation)

Manages sessions and connections Logging into a website or

5 Session
between applications Zoom call

Ensures reliable data transfer with TCP/UDP, breaking data into

4 Transport
error checking & flow control segments

Handles routing, addressing, and IP address, routers, packet

3 Network
delivery between networks delivery

Manages data frames between

Ethernet, Wi-Fi (MAC address,
2 Data Link devices on the same network (MAC
switches)
addresses)

Transfers raw bits over physical Cables, Wi-Fi signals, network

1 Physical
medium (cables, radio waves, etc.) cards
Easy Analogy: Sending a Letter
Application: You write a message (email or request)
Presentation: You write it in a language your friend understands
(maybe encrypt it)
Session: You start a conversation with your friend
Transport: You break it into parts if it's long and make sure it all
gets there
Network: You write your friend's address (IP) and the mail goes
through postal routing
Data Link: The mail carrier on your street handles final delivery
Physical: The truck, plane, or postman physically delivers the
envelope
Key Points to Remember
The OSI model is conceptual—we don’t use it directly in
real networking, but it helps us understand what’s
happening.
In real life, we use the TCP/IP model, but OSI gives more
detail with its 7 layers.
Each layer serves the one above it and is served by the
one below it.
As of 2024, over 5.4 billion people use the internet globally—more than
two-thirds of the world’s population!

How Does the Internet Work?

1.Devices (e.g., phones, laptops) connect to the internet via:

Wi-Fi
Ethernet cables
Mobile networks (4G/5G)
2. Data travels in packets using the TCP/IP protocol suite.
3. Routers direct these packets across networks to their
destination.
4. DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-friendly
website names (like google com) into IP addresses
In the TCP/IP stack, there are three main types of addresses used to
ensure that data is delivered correctly from the source to the destination
across different layers.
 3 Types of Addresses in the TCP/IP Stack

1. MAC Address (Physical Address)

Data Link Layer (Network Access Layer)
Purpose: Identifies a specific device on a local network (LAN).
Format: 48-bit hexadecimal (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E)
Set by: Hardware manufacturer (built into network interface card -
NIC)
Scope: Local; does not change as the device moves between
networks.
2. IP Address (Logical Address)
Used at: Network Layer (Internet Layer)
Purpose: Identifies a device on the internet or across networks.
Format:
IPv4: 32-bit (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
IPv6: 128-bit (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334)
Assigned by: Network or ISP; can be static or dynamic
Scope: Global; allows routing across different networks.
3. Port Number
Used at: Transport Layer
Purpose: Identifies a specific application or service on a device.
Format: Integer from 0 to 65535
Common examples:
HTTP = port 80
HTTPS = port 443
FTP = port 21
Scope: Local to the device; helps the OS deliver data to the correct
app.
 Summary Table

Address Type Layer Purpose Example

Identify device on
MAC Address Data Link 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
LAN

Identify device on
IP Address Network 192.168.0.1
network/internet

Identify specific 80 (HTTP), 443

Port Number Transport
application/service (HTTPS)
A computer network (from English "Computer Network," where "net"
means network and "work" means operation) is a system of computers
connected by communication channels and switching devices for the
exchange of messages and user access to software, technical,
informational, and organizational resources of the network

A computer network is represented as a set of nodes (computers and

network equipment) and the branches (communication channels) that
connect them. A branch of the network is the path that connects two
adjacent nodes. Nodes are classified as endpoint nodes (located at the
end of a single branch), intermediate nodes (located at the ends of
more than one branch), and adjacent nodes (those connected by at
least one path that does not contain any other nodes).
 Purpose of Computer Networks

Computer networks are designed to connect devices and enable

communication and resource sharing. They make data exchange fast,
efficient, and secure across various distances.

1. Resource Sharing ✅ 2. Communication

Printers, scanners, files, and Enables email, chat, voice/video
software can be shared among calls, and messaging between
multiple devices. users.
Saves cost (no need for a printer Real-time communication
regardless of location.
🖨
for every user).
Example: One printer shared 📞 Example: Teams collaborating
by all computers in an office. via Zoom or Slack.
✅ 3. Data Sharing & Access
Users can access and exchange ✅ 4. Centralized Data Management
files quickly. All important data can be stored
Supports collaboration in real- and managed in a central server.
time (e.g., Google Docs). Makes backups, security, and
📁 updates more efficient.
💾
Example: Students accessing
shared notes from a school Example: Hospital records
server. stored in a secure central
database.

✅ 5. Remote Access
Users can connect to a network from
anywhere using VPNs or remote desktop
tools.
Supports remote work, learning, and server
management.
🌍 Example: An IT admin managing company
servers from home.
✅ 6. Scalability and Flexibility
Easy to add more users or devices to
a network.
Networks can grow with organizational
needs.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑
Example: Expanding a business with
more employees connecting to the
same network.

✅ 7. Improved Security and Monitoring

Networks allow better control over data
access, firewalls, user permissions, and
monitoring activity.
Helps detect and prevent cyber threats.
🔒 Example: Banking networks using
encrypted connections to protect customer
info.
 🌍 Network Classification by Geographic
Spread

1.
🏢 LAN – Local Area Network
🏠 PAN – Personal Area Network 2. Coverage: Small area like a single
Coverage: A few meters (typically
building or campus (up to a few
within a room).
kilometers).
Purpose: Connects personal
Purpose: Connects computers and
devices.
devices within a limited area.
Examples: Bluetooth between
Examples: Home Wi-Fi, school or
phone and earbuds, smartwatch
office network.
sync.
Speed: High (usually faster than
other types).
3. 🏙 MAN – Metropolitan Area Network
Coverage: Covers a city or large campus.
Purpose: Connects multiple LANs within a city.
Examples: University campus network, city-wide ISP
networks.
4. 🌎 WAN – Wide Area Network
Coverage: Global or long-distance.
Purpose: Connects LANs and
MANs across cities, countries, or
continents.
Examples: The Internet,
multinational corporate networks.

5. 🏛 CAN – Campus Area Network

Coverage: A few buildings within a
campus or large organization.
Purpose: Connects departments or
buildings (e.g., business parks,
universities).
Example: Company HQ with several
buildings connected to one central
network.
6. 💽 SAN – Storage Area Network
Coverage: Internal network focused on storage.
Purpose: High-speed connection between data
storage devices and servers.
Used by: Data centers, enterprises with large storage
needs.

7. 🌐 VPN – Virtual Private Network

Coverage: Logical, not physical.
Purpose: Creates a secure private
connection over the internet (WAN).
Example: Remote workers securely
accessing office resources.
 Comparison Table

Network Type Full Form Coverage Area Common Use

Personal Area Wearables, phone
PAN A few meters
Network accessories
Home, school,
LAN Local Area Network Room/building
office
Campus Area University,
CAN Campus/buildings
Network corporate campus
Metropolitan Area University
MAN City/town
Network networks, cable TV
WAN Wide Area Network Country/world The Internet
Storage Area
SAN Internal Data centers
Network
Virtual Private Secure remote
VPN Global (virtual)
Network access
 Network Classification Based on Server
Presence

Computer networks can be classified into two main types based on

whether or not a dedicated server exists in the network:

1. 🔁 Peer-to-Peer Network (P2P)

✅ Definition:
A decentralized network model where each computer (peer) acts as
both a client and a server.
🔧 Characteristics:
No dedicated server.
All computers can share files and resources with each other
directly.
Easy to set up and low-cost.
Best for small networks (home, small office).