Computer Science Notes | Computer Networks
CS NOTES
Computer Networks
Comprehensive Study Guide
2026
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Computer Science Notes | Computer Networks
Table of Contents
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1. Network Fundamentals....................................................................................................................3
2. OSI Model........................................................................................................................................5
3. IP Addressing...................................................................................................................................7
4. Transport Layer Protocols.................................................................................................................9
5. Network Devices............................................................................................................................11
6. Application Layer Protocols............................................................................................................13
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1. Network Fundamentals
Computer networks enable communication and resource sharing between connected devices.
Network Types by Scale
• PAN (Personal Area Network): Very short range, personal devices.
• LAN (Local Area Network): Limited geographic area, like an office.
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): City-wide coverage.
• WAN (Wide Area Network): Spans countries or continents (Internet).
Network Topologies
• Bus: All devices connected to single cable.
• Star: All devices connected to central hub/switch.
• Ring: Devices connected in circular fashion.
Mesh: Multiple connections between devices for redundancy.
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2. OSI Model
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model standardizes network communication in seven layers.
Seven Layers of OSI
• 7. Application: User interface and application services (HTTP, FTP, SMTP).
• 6. Presentation: Data translation, encryption, compression.
• 5. Session: Session establishment, management, termination.
• 4. Transport: End-to-end communication, reliability (TCP, UDP).
• 3. Network: Logical addressing and routing (IP, ICMP).
• 2. Data Link: Physical addressing, MAC, error detection.
• 1. Physical: Raw bit transmission over physical medium.
TCP/IP Model
• Simplified 4-layer model: Application, Transport, Internet, Network Access.
More practical and widely implemented than OSI.
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3. IP Addressing
IP addresses uniquely identify devices on a network for communication purposes.
IPv4
• 32-bit address, typically written as four octets (e.g., [Link]).
• Classes: A (1-126), B (128-191), C (192-223), D (multicast), E (reserved).
• Private ranges: [Link]/8, [Link]/12, [Link]/16.
IPv6
• 128-bit address, written in hexadecimal groups.
• Example: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
• Provides vastly larger address space than IPv4.
Subnetting
• Dividing a network into smaller subnetworks.
• CIDR notation: IP address followed by /prefix length.
Subnet mask determines network and host portions.
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4. Transport Layer Protocols
Transport layer protocols provide end-to-end communication services.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
• Connection-oriented, reliable delivery.
• Three-way handshake: SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK.
• Flow control and congestion control mechanisms.
• Used for: HTTP, FTP, SMTP, SSH.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
• Connectionless, unreliable delivery.
• Lower overhead, faster transmission.
• No guarantee of delivery, order, or duplication protection.
Used for: DNS, streaming, gaming, VoIP.
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5. Network Devices
Network devices connect, protect, and manage network traffic.
Layer 1 Devices
• Hub: Broadcasts data to all connected devices.
• Repeater: Amplifies and regenerates signals.
Layer 2 Devices
• Switch: Forwards data based on MAC addresses.
• Bridge: Connects two network segments.
Layer 3 Devices
• Router: Forwards data based on IP addresses.
• Connects different networks, determines best path.
Other Devices
• Firewall: Filters traffic based on security rules.
• Load Balancer: Distributes traffic across multiple servers.
Modem: Converts digital to analog signals for transmission.
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6. Application Layer Protocols
Application layer protocols enable specific network services for end users.
HTTP/HTTPS
• HyperText Transfer Protocol for web communication.
• HTTPS adds SSL/TLS encryption for security.
• Methods: GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.
DNS
• Domain Name System translates domain names to IP addresses.
• Hierarchical distributed database.
• Record types: A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, NS, TXT.
Email Protocols
• SMTP: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol for sending email.
• POP3: Post Office Protocol for retrieving email.
IMAP: Internet Message Access Protocol for email management.
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