Basics of Networking

Wait for a minute and think about the definition of network! Many you will be thinking:
“Communication between two computers”
“Transferring data from one computer to other computer”
“Connecting two Computers or devices”

All of these are WRONG! Repeat the above mentioned definitions and then concentrate on words. Give 3 seconds to every word and then tell me one thing!
“Is network really means communication between two COMPUTERS? ONLY Communication gives the complete definition of Networking?”

Now I am going to write a definition of Network then compare it with the above mentioned definitions and think about the differences in the definitions.

“Network means Connectivity of
two or more devices so that
they can communicate with each other.”

For two devices to communicate, connectivity is the only thing which is required. First devices should be connected via cable or wireless, then communication can be started between two devices. The word DEVICE is also important because, network doesn’t mean communication between two COMPUTERS only. Communication between computer and printer is also networking. Communication between two routers or two switches is also networking. Shaking a hand with your friend or talking to your friend is also an example of networking. The medium of connectivity in case of talking to your friend is air. And in case of shaking hand and talking, the medium of connectivity is hands.

Connectivity between two devices can be created by using hardware. For example, for connecting PC and a router you need router, PC and LAN wire or wireless connection. All these are types of hardware that are required for connecting. For starting a communication between two devices, you need softwares. For example, skype is the best example of software required for communicating with your friend or relative. Another example is that, for making router capable of communicate, you need to configure it and a router is configured by softwares installed in it.

So we can say that Network is the combination of hardware and software. Both hardware and softwares are required for creating a network.

This is a perfect diagram for giving an overview about how network is created and how data is transferred.  Telecommunication companies provide us the service for communicating with others. Topology is the keyword used for the network design. Topology is basically the way in which consistent parts are interrelated or arranged. Every Network has some topology on which it works and communication among devices is done on that pattern.

First, I will discuss Types of networks and then after that, I will explain what topology is and what are few types of topologies.

Types of Networks:

There are many types of networks, but i will discuss few of then here.

PAN(Personal Area Network):
This is the most smallest and basic type of network. Network which revolves around one person in a building is called as Personal Area network. For example, connection and communication between Personal computer and Personal Printer is PAN. These types of networks are typically find in small offices and homes.

LAN(Local Area Network):
These are the most frequently used networks in our offices, universities and schools. LAN connects groups of Computers and low voltage devices together across short distances to share information and resources. Every Enterprise has its own Local Area Network which people use to share the information within a building/office or acroos two-three buildings.

WLAN(Wireless Local Area Network):
This type of network is similar to Local Area Network discussed above. The only difference is that, in LAN wires are used for connectivity and communication but in WLAN, Wireless devices like wireless routers are used for connecting and communicating. WiFi available with in a building is an example of WLAN. WLAN do not require any kind of physical cable for connecting and communicating.

MAN(Metropolitan Area Network):
These types of networks are larger than LANs but smaller than WANs. These type of networks are used within a town or colony. MANs span whole geographical area. These kind of networks are handled and configured by a group of people called as Network Engineers mostly. This type of network doesn’t exist anymore. Metro Ethernet is used instead of MAN in industry.

WAN(Wide Area Network):
Slightly more complex than a LAN, a WAN connects computers together across longer physical distances according to standards. This allows computers and low-voltage devices to be remotely connected to each other over one large network to communicate even when they’re miles apart.

VPN(Virtual Private Network):
By extending a private network across the Internet, a VPN lets its users send and receive data as if their devices were connected to the private network – even if they’re not. Through a virtual point-to-point connection, users can access a private network remotely.

Network Topology:

Network topology is the arrangement of the various elements (links, nodes, etc.) of a communication network. Network topology is the topological structure of a network and may be depicted physically or logically. Physical topology is the placement of the various components of a network, including device location and cable installation, while logical topology illustrates how data flows within a network. Distances between nodes, physical interconnections, transmission rates, or signal types may differ between two networks, yet their topologies may be identical.

Types of Network Topology:

There are many types of network topology, few of them are as follows:

Point-to-Point Topology:
The connection between only two devices is known as point-to-point topology. This is basically a dedicated link between two devices.  A child’s tin can telephone is one example of a physical dedicated channel known as point-to-point communication.

Line/Bus Topology:
This the most cheapest and easiest way of connecting and communicating devices. In local area networks where bus topology is used, each node is connected to a single cable, by the help of interface connectors. This central cable is the backbone of the network and is known as the bus (thus the name). If the bus cable fails then the whole network will fail. Performance of the network in Bus Topology slows down rapidly with more nodes or heavy network traffic.
Ring Topology:
A ring topology is a bus topology in a closed loop. Data travels around the ring in one direction. When one node sends data to another, the data passes through each intermediate node on the ring until it reaches its destination. The intermediate nodes repeat (re transmit) the data to keep the signal strong. Every node is a peer; there is no hierarchical relationship of clients and servers. If one node is unable to re transmit data, it severs communication between the nodes before and after it in the bus.

Star Topology:
In local area networks with a star topology, each network host is connected to a central hub with a point-to-point connection. So it can be said that every computer is indirectly connected to every other node with the help of the hub. In Star topology, every node (computer workstation or any other peripheral) is connected to a central node called hub, router or switch. All traffic that traverses the network passes through the central hub. The hub acts as a signal repeater. The star topology is considered the easiest topology to design and implement. An advantage of the star topology is the simplicity of adding additional nodes.
Mesh Topology:
A network setup where each computer and network device is interconnected with one another, allowing for most transmissions to be distributed, even if one of the connections go down. It is a topology commonly used for wireless networks. A mesh topology can be a full mesh topology or a partially connected mesh topology.

In a full mesh topology, every computer in the network has a connection to each of the other computers in that network.

In a partially connected mesh topology, at least two of the computers in the network have connections to multiple other computers in that network. It is an inexpensive way to implement redundancy in a network. In the event that one of the primary computers or connections in the network fails, the rest of the network continues to operate normally.

These are few basics of Networking! I hope, this will be helpful for you! I will keep posting every detail related to Networking. Stay connected for more information!

Please comment, if I missed anything or misstated anything.

Thanks!