The Basics of Computer Networking

Introduction 

As per computer networks basics, a computer network is a group of computers that share resources located on or provided by network nodes. Computers use common protocols to communicate with each other through digital connections. These linkages are made up of telecommunication network technologies that are based on physically wired, optical, and wireless radio-frequency techniques and may be configured in a number of network topologies. 

What is a computer network?

As per computer networks basics, a computer network is a gathering of at least two interconnected computer frameworks. You can set up a network utilising either link or remote media. Each computer includes equipment and programming that connects tools and computers.

Basic components of computer network

Here are some basic components of a computer network with respect to a computer networks basics,

1. Network Interface Card (NIC)

For the most part, NIC gives the actual connection point among PC and cabling. NIC sends the information and controls the progression of information. It can interpret the information into bytes for the CPU to understand.

2. Hub

Hubs are those devices utilised to interface a small number of computers together. Hubs repeat one bit on one port and duplicate it to different ports afterwards.

3. Switch

Switches are essentially the traffic police of a basic local area network. Switching determines the trajectory of frames as data units and how data goes from one part of a network to another. Switches function as controllers, connecting computers, printers, and other hardware devices to a network on campus or in a building.

It enables network devices to connect with other networks. It aids in the sharing of resources and the reduction of an organisation’s costs. In networking, a switch is a high-speed device that takes incoming data packets and routes them to their destination on a local area network (LAN)

A LAN switch works at the OSI(Open Systems Interconnection) Model’s data link layer (Layer 2) or network layer, and as such, it may handle all forms of packet protocols. The layer two switches, often known as a bridge, is responsible for sending frames containing data packets across network nodes or segments.

4. Repeater

At the physical layer of the OSI model, repeaters are network devices that amplify or regenerate an incoming signal before retransmitting it. They are used in networks to extend their coverage. Another term for them is signal enhancers.

5. Router

Routers are networking devices that operate at the OSI model’s layer three or network layer. They are responsible for receiving, analysing, and forwarding data packets across computer networks. When a data packet arrives, the router inspects the destination address, checks its routing tables to determine the best route, and forwards the packet along that path.

6. Modem

The modem is a device that mainly permits a computer or other devices like a switch or router to connect to the internet. A modem is a short form of modulator-demodulator. A modem works as a digital translator, taking an information signal from the cable, fibre, or phone lines and converting it to a format that your computer can understand.

7. Server

A server is a system or computer that distributes resources, data, services, or applications to other computers known as clients over a network. The server serves information to different gadgets or PCs over a network. Servers are found in various forms like virtual servers, intermediary servers, application servers, web servers, data set servers, record servers, and many more.

8. Bridge

It is one more significant part of computer networks. The bridge is a layer-2 device. A bridge is primarily used to associate at least two LANs. The bridge is used for moving the data packets fast over the network.

Conclusion

A basic computer network connects more than one computer or device like printers, storage devices, etc. Computer networks basic interview questions are mainly asked from topics like the different components of a network, the characteristics of a computer network and advantages of a computer network.