Mon Sep 09 2024
~ 4 mins
We use the internet on a daily basis whether we're browsing the internet or sending memes to our friends, but have you ever stopped and questioned how any of these things work behind the scenes?
The answer to that question is networking.
In the early days of computing, computers were isolated machines. They processed data, performed calculations, and ran programs, but they couldn’t share information or communicate with each other.
If you wanted to transfer data from one computer to another, you had to use physical media like floppy disks or tapes. This inability to connect with each other limited the potential of computers and made collaboration between different systems difficult.
As the need for sharing information grew, we needed to find better ways to communicate.
This led to the creation of networks — a system that connects computers and other devices, enabling them to exchange data and resources efficiently.
In computing, a network is just the name we give to a group of connected devices that can communicate with each other.
These devices could be computers, servers, smartphones, printers, etc.
The main purpose of a network is to share resources, such as files, internet connections, and printers, and to facilitate communication between devices.
A network can be as simple as two computers connected together or as complex as the global internet, which connects millions of devices worldwide.
Networks can be classified based on their size and scope, with common types including Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), and the internet.
One of the most basic forms of a network is a Local Area Network (LAN).
A LAN connects devices within a relatively small area, such as a home, office, or school. The primary tool used to create a LAN is a device called a switch.
A switch is a piece of hardware that connects multiple devices to create a network.
It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward data to the correct destination.
Here’s how it works:
Using a switch, you can connect multiple computers and devices within a local network to communicate with each other, share files, and use shared resources like printers.
However, a switch by itself only let's you talk to computers inside of that local network. If you want to connect your LAN to other networks, you need a router.
While a switch connects devices within a single network, a router is responsible for connecting different networks together.
Routers operate at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model and use IP addresses to send data to different networks.
A router acts as a bridge between your local network (LAN) and other networks, such as the internet. Here’s a simplified overview of how a router functions:
By using a router, devices on your local network can communicate with devices on other networks, enabling access to the internet and other external resources.
This is essential for modern computing, where most networks are interconnected through the global internet.
Now that we’ve covered switches and routers, let’s see how they work together to form a LAN that’s connected to the internet.
Switches Connect Local Devices:
Router Connects the LAN to the Internet:
In a typical home network, your computer might be connected to a switch (which is often built into your router).
The router then connects your home network to your ISP’s network, which provides access to the internet.
This setup allows all devices in your home to share the internet connection and communicate with each other.
In summary, a network in computing is the system that allows computers and devices to communicate with each other.
Understanding the basics of networking gives you insight into how our world is connected together.
With this knowledge you can better understand how the world we live in functions, and forms the foundation for exploring more advanced networking concepts....(like hacking 😈)
