Module 1 Lesson 1 Basic Network Theory and Terminology
Network: An interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system. In general terms, a network refers to a group or system of interconnected things or people that are able to communicate and exchange information with each other. This can include physical objects such as roads or transportation systems, social networks of people, or even ecological systems in nature.
Computer Network: Two or more computers that are connected with one another for the purpose of communicating data electronically and sharing resources such as files, printers, and internet connections.
Components of a Network: A computer network consists of several components, including hardware devices such as computers, routers, switches, and servers, as well as software applications and protocols that enable communication and data transfer between these devices. Other important components include network cables, wireless access points, firewalls, and network security measures.
Some of the main components of a computer network include:
Devices: Computer, Printers, Switches, Routers
Media: Physical connection such as copper wires or fiber optic cables; Wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or Radio/Cellular frequency.
Network Adapter: translator between components(devices) over the media in which the data is sent.
Network Operating System: it tells the network how to work together in order to perform as efficiently as possible over the adapter, over the media and with each of the devices.
Node: A node in a computer network is any device that is connected to the network and is capable of sending, receiving, or forwarding data. Examples of nodes include computers, servers, routers, switches, and printers.
Endpoint Nodes: An endpoint node is a device or a computer that is located at the end of a network and is used to initiate or terminate communication. On the other hand, a redistribution node is a device that connects two or more networks and is responsible for forwarding data between them. The main difference between an endpoint node and a redistribution node is that the former is used to initiate or terminate communication, while the latter is used to forward data between networks.
Redistribution Node: A redistribution node is a device in a computer network that helps to distribute data traffic between different networks. It acts as a middleman between different endpoints, helping to ensure that data is sent to the correct destination. An endpoint node, on the other hand, is a device that is connected to the network and is responsible for sending and receiving data. The main difference between the two is that a redistribution node helps to manage the flow of data between different networks, while an endpoint node is responsible for sending and receiving data within a single network.
Server: A network server is like a central hub that connects all the computers and devices in a network. It stores and manages data, files, and applications that can be accessed by all the devices connected to the network. It also controls access to the network and ensures that all devices communicate with each other efficiently. Think of it as the conductor of an orchestra, making sure that all the instruments play in harmony.
The Network Backbone: Responsible for carrying most of the network traffic at a high speed. The network backbone is like the main highway that connects all the smaller roads in a city. It's the central pathway that carries all the data traffic between different parts of a network. Just like how a highway needs to be wider and more robust than smaller roads to handle more traffic, the network backbone is designed to handle large amounts of data and connect different parts of a network together.
Types of Network Backbones: Serial, Hierarchical/Distributed, Collapsed, Parallel.
Serial Network Backbone: One backbone cable, multiple switches connected. A serial network backbone is a communication pathway that connects multiple devices in a linear fashion, where data is transmitted one bit at a time. It's like a highway where cars (data) travel in a single file.
Hierarchical/Distributed Network Backbone: Easy management, typical for LANs. Easily scalable. Responsible for the traffic on the nodes of each branch. A hierarchical/distributed network is a type of computer network where multiple computers are connected to each other in a way that forms a tree-like structure. This type of network is commonly used in organizations where there is a need for centralized control and management of the network.
Collapsed Network Backbone: A collapsed network backbone uses a single router to connect all network segments.
Parallel Network Backbone: Like collapsed but uses multiple cable connections. Great for redundancy. A parallel network backbone is a system of multiple high-speed connections that work together to provide faster and more reliable network performance. It's like having multiple highways instead of just one to handle traffic.
Terminal: Network hardware device used for entering data into it and displaying data from another computer of computing system. Needs a Terminal Emulator to display data from server that supplies its data. It allows users to access and interact with a computer system remotely. It typically consists of a keyboard and a display screen.
Client: A client in computer networks is a device or software that requests services or resources from other nodes/servers/clients. It can be a computer, smartphone, or any other device that connects to a network.
Peer: A peer in computer networks refers to any device or computer that shares and receives data with other devices or computers on the network. Both a server and a client.
Network: An interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system. In general terms, a network refers to a group or system of interconnected things or people that are able to communicate and exchange information with each other. This can include physical objects such as roads or transportation systems, social networks of people, or even ecological systems in nature.
Computer Network: Two or more computers that are connected with one another for the purpose of communicating data electronically and sharing resources such as files, printers, and internet connections.
Components of a Network: A computer network consists of several components, including hardware devices such as computers, routers, switches, and servers, as well as software applications and protocols that enable communication and data transfer between these devices. Other important components include network cables, wireless access points, firewalls, and network security measures.
Some of the main components of a computer network include:
Devices: Computer, Printers, Switches, Routers
Media: Physical connection such as copper wires or fiber optic cables; Wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or Radio/Cellular frequency.
Network Adapter: translator between components(devices) over the media in which the data is sent.
Network Operating System: it tells the network how to work together in order to perform as efficiently as possible over the adapter, over the media and with each of the devices.
Node: A node in a computer network is any device that is connected to the network and is capable of sending, receiving, or forwarding data. Examples of nodes include computers, servers, routers, switches, and printers.
Endpoint Nodes: An endpoint node is a device or a computer that is located at the end of a network and is used to initiate or terminate communication. On the other hand, a redistribution node is a device that connects two or more networks and is responsible for forwarding data between them. The main difference between an endpoint node and a redistribution node is that the former is used to initiate or terminate communication, while the latter is used to forward data between networks.
Redistribution Node: A redistribution node is a device in a computer network that helps to distribute data traffic between different networks. It acts as a middleman between different endpoints, helping to ensure that data is sent to the correct destination. An endpoint node, on the other hand, is a device that is connected to the network and is responsible for sending and receiving data. The main difference between the two is that a redistribution node helps to manage the flow of data between different networks, while an endpoint node is responsible for sending and receiving data within a single network.
Server: A network server is like a central hub that connects all the computers and devices in a network. It stores and manages data, files, and applications that can be accessed by all the devices connected to the network. It also controls access to the network and ensures that all devices communicate with each other efficiently. Think of it as the conductor of an orchestra, making sure that all the instruments play in harmony.
The Network Backbone: Responsible for carrying most of the network traffic at a high speed. The network backbone is like the main highway that connects all the smaller roads in a city. It's the central pathway that carries all the data traffic between different parts of a network. Just like how a highway needs to be wider and more robust than smaller roads to handle more traffic, the network backbone is designed to handle large amounts of data and connect different parts of a network together.
Types of Network Backbones: Serial, Hierarchical/Distributed, Collapsed, Parallel.
Serial Network Backbone: One backbone cable, multiple switches connected. A serial network backbone is a communication pathway that connects multiple devices in a linear fashion, where data is transmitted one bit at a time. It's like a highway where cars (data) travel in a single file.
Hierarchical/Distributed Network Backbone: Easy management, typical for LANs. Easily scalable. Responsible for the traffic on the nodes of each branch. A hierarchical/distributed network is a type of computer network where multiple computers are connected to each other in a way that forms a tree-like structure. This type of network is commonly used in organizations where there is a need for centralized control and management of the network.
Collapsed Network Backbone: A collapsed network backbone uses a single router to connect all network segments.
Parallel Network Backbone: Like collapsed but uses multiple cable connections. Great for redundancy. A parallel network backbone is a system of multiple high-speed connections that work together to provide faster and more reliable network performance. It's like having multiple highways instead of just one to handle traffic.
Terminal: Network hardware device used for entering data into it and displaying data from another computer of computing system. Needs a Terminal Emulator to display data from server that supplies its data. It allows users to access and interact with a computer system remotely. It typically consists of a keyboard and a display screen.
Client: A client in computer networks is a device or software that requests services or resources from other nodes/servers/clients. It can be a computer, smartphone, or any other device that connects to a network.
Peer: A peer in computer networks refers to any device or computer that shares and receives data with other devices or computers on the network. Both a server and a client.
