Networking Basics

"Computer Networks",You probably hear that sound.Before begin to do the networking stuff let's learn

What is Networking?

In its most basic form, a network is a communication system. Computer networks are systems made up of devices, their connections to one another, and the technologies used for information transfer.

Computer networks also known as information networks, play an integral role in today’s economy and society. A reliable connection to the internet, the world’s largest information network, is vital to governments, many businesses, organizations, and individuals. Learning how these connections occur and the requirements for connecting to the internet is the first step to understand information networks.

The meaning of the “Network” word can simply describe as; A group of devices that can communicate with each other. Share the resources (such as hard disk. Files and folders) and access remote devices or other networks.

So if we haven't network such as we use today in our day to day life we won't be abled to contact our friends even, meaning the networks are essential. The following picture will simply illustrate it.

When we are going to learn about networking we have to make a foundation to understand the concepts of networking properly. Understanding the networking basics may be really boring because it is theoretical, anyway we have to follow that properly otherwise we will not understand them properly.

So as a first step to build that foundation this article will describe about Basic Components of Network.

Such as,

• Transmission Media
• Connectors
• NIC (Network Interface Card)
• Protocols
• Address
• Hub/Switch
• Modem
• Router

So from now onwards let’s get in to create little picture about what are those, because it will help us to understand concepts of networking properly.

Transmission Media

On any network , the various entities must communicate through some form of media. Just as humans can communicate through telephone wires or sound waves in the air, Computers can communicate through cables, light and radio waves. Transmission media enable computers to send and receive messages but do not guarantee that the messages will be understood.

The most common type of media is copper cable. The most common types of copper cabling aretwisted-pair and coaxial. Twisted-pair cabling used in LAN is similar to the cabling used to connect your telephone to wall outlet. Network coaxial cabling, on the other hand, is similar to the cable used to connect your television set to the cable TV outlet.

Another type of  LAN connection media quickly gaining popularity is fiber-optic cable. Consisting of a number of glass or high grade plastic optical strands surrounded by a tough cloth and plastic wrap,  fibre-optic cables resemble coaxial cables from the outside.

Wireless media, which is , in a sense, no media at all,  is also gaining popularity. Wireless transmissions use radio waves or infrared light to transmit data. Many major network vendors now offer wireless network adapters.

But when we consider about whole networking system we have to consider about the Transmission frequencies.

As an example let’s consider about following point to get an idea about that

• Radio frequency waves often are used for LAN signaling. Radio frequencies can be transmitted across electrical cables(twisted pair or coaxial) or by using radio broadcast transmission.
• Microwaves are used to communicate between  Earth Stations and satellites.
• Low power micro waves will be used for cellular phones.

When we examine about different types of transmission media, someone may think that why this much of media/cable types?   Why can’t we use same type for all?

I think above explanation may gave you an idea, why we really need to use different types of connectors. If I explain it further. Let’s consider about a scenario like below, then you probably will understand that for sure.

Some large networks use combinations of media. When you mix and match different types of media, difficulties can arise, largely because mixed media require a greater level of expertise and training on the part of the network support staff. As the number of media type increases, your own responsibilities increase- when problem arises on the LAN, the number of areas you must investigate increases when you mixed transmission media involved.

I think from this article you have understood what are the networks and why we use it and when to use. So with or without knowingly we use networking in our day to day life, meaning without networking we cannot do anything. So from next article I’ll introduce you bit more foundation knowledge of networking concepts, because without having basic idea about networking we cannot learn it and if we do it by hard working it will be a really boring stuff.