Demystifying Computer Networks: A Comprehensive Exploration of Types and Functions.
Published: 2023-12-01 07:41:44

## Basics of Computer Networking

The Internet is the world's largest computer network. Let's break that down:

A computer network is any group of interconnected computing devices capable of sending or receiving data. A computing device isn't just a computer—it's any device that can run a program, such as a tablet, phone, or smart sensor.

we are going to discuss the basics which everyone must know before going deep into Computer Networking.

## How Does a Computer Network Work?

Basics building blocks of a Computer network are Nodes and Links. A Network Node can be illustrated as Equipment for Data Communication like a Modem, Router, etc., or Equipment of a Data Terminal like connecting two computers or more. Link in Computer Networks can be defined as wires or cables or free space of wireless networks.

The working of Computer Networks can be simply defined as rules or protocols which help in sending and receiving data via the links which allow Computer networks to communicate. Each device has an IP Address, that helps in identifying a device.


## Basic Terminologies of Computer Networks

Network: A network is a collection of computers and devices that are connected together to enable communication and data exchange.

Nodes: Nodes are devices that are connected to a network. These can include computers, Servers, Printers, Routers, Switches, and other devices.

Protocol: A protocol is a set of rules and standards that govern how data is transmitted over a network. Examples of protocols include TCP/IP, HTTP, and FTP.

Topology: Network topology refers to the physical and logical arrangement of nodes on a network. The common network topologies include bus, star, ring, mesh, and tree.

Service Provider Networks: These types of Networks give permission to take Network Capacity and Functionality on lease from the Provider. Service Provider Networks include Wireless Communications, Data Carriers, etc.

IP Address: An IP address is a unique numerical identifier that is assigned to every device on a network. IP addresses are used to identify devices and enable communication between them.

DNS: The Domain Name System (DNS) is a protocol that is used to translate human-readable domain names (such as www.google.com) into IP addresses that computers can understand.

Firewall: A firewall is a security device that is used to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic. Firewalls are used to protect networks from unauthorized access and other security threats.

## Types of networks


LAN: A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that covers a small area, such as an office or a home. LANs are typically used to connect computers and other devices within a building or a campus.

![LAN](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pu5ry8uqwn86m429kllt.jpeg)

WAN: A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that covers a large geographic area, such as a city, country, or even the entire world. WANs are used to connect LANs together and are typically used for long-distance communication.


![WAN](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/zwp8id6xa98bpth2qg1p.png)

## Network Devices

An interconnection of multiple devices, also known as hosts, that are connected using multiple paths for the purpose of sending/receiving data or media. Computer networks can also include multiple devices/mediums which help in the communication between two different devices; these are known as Network devices and include things such as routers, switches, hubs, and bridges. 

## Network Topology

The Network Topology is the layout arrangement of the different devices in a network. Common examples include Bus, Star, Mesh, Ring, and Daisy chain. 


![Network Topology](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/e6uo6kqnr42jmj2m3kr7.png)

## Networking protocols

Whenever computing devices are connected together in a network, they need protocols to communicate with each other.
If the devices want to communicate over the Internet, they must use the Internet networking protocols. There are many networks that aren't connected to the Internet that also use the Internet protocols, due to how well designed they are for networking.

However, there are networks that use other protocols that are more suited for their task. Data center networks often opt to use networking protocols that take advantage of the incredibly closely knit architecture of the data center. That enables data centers to more efficiently run intensive algorithms, such as training a deep learning network.

As we go forward in this unit, we will focus specifically on the Internet protocols that power the majority of computer networks. In the future, networks might be using protocols that haven't even been invented yet. Fortunately, the concepts underlying the Internet protocols are relevant to all networked systems.