Important terms and concepts
The following are some common terms to know when discussing computer networking:
- IP address:
An IP address is a unique number assigned to every device connected to a
network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Each IP address
identifies the device’s host network and the location of the device
on the host network. When one device sends data to another, the data
includes a ‘header’ that includes the IP address of the sending
device and the IP address of the destination device.
- Nodes:
A node is a connection point inside a network that can receive, send,
create, or store data. Each node requires you to provide some form of
identification to receive access, like an IP address. A few examples of
nodes include computers, printers, modems, bridges, and switches. A node
is essentially any network device that can recognize, process, and
transmit information to any other network node.
- Routers:
A router is a physical or virtual device that sends information that is
contained in data packets between networks. Routers analyze data within
the packets to determine the best way for the information to reach its
ultimate destination. Routers forward data packets until they reach their
destination node.
- Switches: A switch is a device that connects other devices and manages node-to-node communication within a network, ensuring that data packets reach their ultimate destination. While a router sends information between networks, a switch sends information between nodes in a single network. When discussing computer networks, ‘switching’ refers to how data is transferred between devices in a network. The three main types of switching are as follows:
- Circuit switching,
which establishes a dedicated communication path between nodes in a
network. This dedicated path assures the full bandwidth is available
during the transmission, meaning that no other traffic can travel along
that path.
- Packet switching
involves breaking down data into independent components that are called
packets, which because of their small size, make fewer demands on the
network. The packets travel through the network to their end destination.
- Message switching
sends a message in its entirety from the source node, traveling from
switch to switch until it reaches its destination node.
- Ports:
A port identifies a specific connection between network devices. Each port
is identified by a number. If you think of an IP address as comparable to
the address of a hotel, then ports are the suites or room numbers within
that hotel. Computers use port numbers to determine which application,
service, or process should receive specific messages.
- Network cable types: The most common network cable types are Ethernet twisted pair, coaxial, and fiber optic. The choice of cable type depends on the size of the network, the arrangement of network elements, and the physical distance between devices.
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