understanding networking principles from "summary" of Computer Networking by Russell Scott
Computer networking refers to the field of technology that enables multiple computers to communicate with each other, allowing information to be shared. It is the foundation of the modern world, allowing us to connect in ways that were never before possible. Understanding the principles behind computer networking is key to taking full advantage of this technology.- Learning networking principles can be a rewarding yet challenging journey. You need to have fundamental knowledge on how computers interact with each other and the environment around them in order to comprehend basic structures, protocols and services that make networks functional.
- Data transmission over networks requires a relationship between addresses, hosts, routers and switches. Having an understanding of packet delivery will help you grasp the concept of encapsulation and how messages are divided into data fragments.
- Networking concepts should be examined from two perspectives - topology and protocol hierarchy. Topology is about the physical layout of hardware components like cabling, modems and nodes. Protocol hierarchy examines logical layer elements (e.g. application layer, transport layer, etc.) which permit communication between nodes.
- To get a full picture of how networks work, its important to analyse how process flow and resource sharing take place among sender, receiver and intermediate points. Analyzing network performance, for example, would require knowledge of principles related to areas such as latency and bandwidth management.
- Getting acquainted with technologies such as Ethernet, Fast-Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet or even newer ones like Fiber Channel could be daunting but worth exploring, especially when it comes to designing large scale networks.
- Ultimately the goal is to understand how devices across different network segments communicate. Understanding packet switching techniques such as circuit and datagrams is critical to realizing this objective.
- Familiarizing yourself with security protocols like IP Security, Secure Shell, Kerberos and Virtual Private Networks is also important to protect against malicious attacks such as viruses, denial of service, eavesdropping and so on.
