Fundamentals of Computer Networks

Personal Area Network (PAN)

Personal Area Network (PAN)

connects devices within an individual's immediate environment, typically within a range of a few meters

Local Area Network (LAN)

spans a relatively small area, such as an office building, school, or home. LANs connect computers, printers, servers, and other devices to share resources like files, applications, and internet access

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

covers a larger geographic area than a LAN, typically spanning a city or a large campus like a university. MANs interconnect multiple LANs within a metropolitan area, enabling organizations and institutions to share resources and information over a wider area

Wide Area Network (WAN)

extends over a broad geographical area, connecting multiple LANs and MANs across cities, countries, or even continents. WANs utilize public and private telecommunication infrastructure, including leased lines, satellites, and internet services, to enable long-distance communication and data exchange

Wireless Networks

 enable connectivity without physical cables, providing flexibility and mobility for devices and users

Internet

is a global network of networks that connects millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks worldwide. It operates on a global scale, using standardized protocols (such as TCP/IP) to facilitate data transmission and communication across diverse devices and platforms

Intranet

 is a private network within an organization that uses internet technologies to securely share information, resources, and collaborative tools among employees

Extranet

extends the concept of an intranet to include external entities such as partners, suppliers, and customers who need access to specific resources or services

OSI Model

is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven distinct layers

TCP/IP Model

is a simpler, four-layer conceptual framework that was developed for the early Internet

HTTP

 is a protocol used for transmitting hypermedia documents, such as HTML. It is the foundation of data communication on the World Wide Web

HTTPS

is the secure version of HTTP, using SSL/TLS protocols to encrypt data transmitted over the network

FTP

is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server on a computer network

SMTP

is a protocol used for sending and routing email messages between email servers. It operates on the Application layer and uses TCP port 25 by default

TCP/IP

is a suite of protocols that provides end-to-end data communication specifying how data should be packetized, addressed, transmitted, routed, and received over networks

Routers

Forward data packets between computer networks

Switches

Connect devices within a network and manage data traffic

Hubs

Basic networking devices that connect multiple Ethernet devices

Viruses

are malicious programs that replicate themselves and infect other files or systems, often causing damage or stealing data

Worms

are self-replicating malware that spread across networks without user intervention, exploiting vulnerabilities to propagate

Malware

is a broad term encompassing malicious software designed to harm or gain unauthorized access to systems

Phishing

involves fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or financial details, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications

Spoofing

involves falsifying data to mimic a legitimate source, such as IP spoofing (faking an IP address) or email spoofing (forging sender addresses), to deceive users or gain unauthorized access

Firewalls

are network security devices that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules

Anti-virus software

detects, prevents, and removes malware infections from computers and networks