1. What Is Computer Networking?

Definition
A computer network is a group of devices connected so they can communicate and share information.
Devices can include computers, phones, servers, printers, cameras, and IoT devices.

Why networks are needed

Networks allow people and computers to share files, access websites, use online applications,
communicate, and share resources such as printers and internet connections.

Simple example
When your phone connects to home Wi-Fi and opens YouTube, your phone communicates through the
Wi-Fi router, your Internet Service Provider, and several other networks before reaching the required
server.

Important terms
A device on a network is often called a host. Data sent across a network is broken into smaller units
called packets. Rules that control communication are called protocols.

Beginner-friendly • 10 pages • Networking fundamentals

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 1

2. Types of Networks

PAN
Personal Area Network covers a very small area around a person. Bluetooth connections between a
phone and earbuds are a common example.

LAN
Local Area Network connects devices in a limited area such as a home, classroom, office, or computer
lab.

WLAN
Wireless LAN is a LAN that uses wireless communication, usually Wi-Fi, instead of physical Ethernet
cables.

MAN
Metropolitan Area Network can connect networks across a larger area such as a city or metropolitan
region.

WAN
Wide Area Network connects networks over large geographic distances. The Internet is the world's
largest interconnected network.

Internet vs intranet
The Internet is a global public network. An intranet is a private network used within an organization.

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 2

3. Network Devices

Router
A router connects different networks and forwards packets toward their destination. Your home router
commonly connects your local network to the Internet.

Switch
A switch connects devices within a local network and forwards Ethernet frames to the appropriate device.

Access Point
A wireless access point allows Wi-Fi devices to connect to a wired network.

Modem
A modem provides the connection between a local network and an Internet service delivered by an ISP.
Modern home equipment often combines modem, router, switch, and Wi-Fi functions.

Firewall
A firewall controls network traffic according to security rules. It can allow legitimate traffic and block
unwanted traffic.

Server and client

A server provides a service or resource. A client requests or uses that service. A web browser is a client,
while a web server provides web content.

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 3

4. IP Addresses

What is an IP address?
An IP address is a logical address used to identify a network interface and help deliver packets to the
correct destination.

IPv4
IPv4 uses 32 bits and is commonly written as four decimal numbers separated by dots, such as
[Link].

IPv6
IPv6 uses 128 bits and was designed to provide a much larger address space. An example is
2001:db8::1.

Private IP addresses
Private IPv4 ranges are commonly used inside local networks. Examples include addresses beginning
with 10., 172.16–172.31, and 192.168.

Public IP address
A public IP address is used for communication across the public Internet and is normally assigned by an
ISP or another network provider.

Static vs dynamic
A static address is deliberately kept fixed. A dynamic address is assigned automatically and may change.

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 4

5. MAC Address, DHCP and DNS

MAC address
A MAC address is a hardware or link-layer identifier associated with a network interface. It is used for
communication on local network technologies such as Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol automatically provides network configuration such as an IP
address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server information.

DNS
Domain Name System translates domain names into IP addresses. Instead of remembering an IP
address, you can type a name such as [Link].

DNS example
When you enter a website name, your device may ask a DNS resolver for the corresponding IP address.
The result can then be used to connect to the web server.

Why DNS matters

DNS makes the Internet easier to use and is also an important part of network troubleshooting and
security.

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 5

6. TCP/IP Model

What is a protocol?
A protocol is a set of agreed rules that devices follow when communicating.

Application layer
This layer contains protocols used by applications, such as HTTP/HTTPS for the web, DNS for name
resolution, and SMTP for email.

Transport layer
TCP and UDP operate at the transport layer. They provide different ways of delivering data between
applications.

Internet layer
IP is responsible for logical addressing and routing packets between networks.

Link layer
Ethernet and Wi-Fi operate around the link layer and handle communication over a particular local
network medium.

Why layers help

Layering makes networking easier to design and troubleshoot because each layer has a specific role.

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 6

7. TCP, UDP and Ports

TCP
Transmission Control Protocol provides reliable, ordered communication. It uses mechanisms such as
acknowledgements and retransmission to help deliver data correctly.

UDP
User Datagram Protocol is simpler and does not provide TCP-style reliability. It can be useful when
speed and low overhead are more important.

Ports
Port numbers help identify which application or service should receive network traffic on a device. They
work together with IP addresses.

Common ports
HTTP commonly uses 80, HTTPS 443, DNS commonly uses 53, SSH commonly uses 22, and FTP
commonly uses 21. Actual deployments can use different ports.

Sockets
A network connection can be understood using an IP address and port on each side. This helps the
operating system deliver traffic to the correct application.

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 7

8. HTTP, HTTPS and Web Communication

HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol is used for communication between web clients and servers. A browser
sends requests and a server sends responses.

HTTPS
HTTPS is HTTP protected using TLS. It helps provide encryption, integrity, and authentication for the
connection.

Request and response

A browser may send a GET request for a page. The server responds with a status code and content such
as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, or JSON.

Status codes
2xx generally indicates success, 3xx redirection, 4xx client-side errors, and 5xx server-side errors. For
example, 404 means the requested resource was not found.

Cookies
Websites can use cookies to store information in a browser, including session-related information.
Cookies should be handled securely.

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 8

9. Subnetting and Routing Basics

Subnet mask
A subnet mask helps determine which part of an IPv4 address represents the network and which part
represents the host.

Example
In a simple network such as [Link]/24, the /24 indicates that the first 24 bits represent the network
portion. This commonly allows addresses from [Link] through [Link] for hosts, with special
addresses reserved for network and broadcast use.

Default gateway
The default gateway is normally the router a device uses when it needs to send traffic outside its local
network.

Routing
Routing is the process of deciding where packets should be forwarded so they can reach another
network.

Traceroute
Tools such as traceroute or tracert can show the path, or hops, packets take toward a destination and
can help troubleshoot connectivity.

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 9

10. Networking Commands & Beginner Roadmap

ipconfig / ifconfig
On Windows, ipconfig displays network configuration. On Linux, ip addr is commonly used to inspect
network interfaces and addresses.

ping
Ping tests whether a destination can be reached using ICMP and can provide an indication of network
delay.

nslookup / dig
These commands can query DNS information and are useful when troubleshooting domain-name
resolution.

traceroute / tracert
These commands help identify network hops between your device and a destination.

netstat / ss
These tools can show network connections and listening services. Linux commonly uses ss.

Beginner roadmap
Start with devices and LANs, then learn IP addresses and subnetting, DNS and DHCP, TCP/UDP and
ports, HTTP/HTTPS, routing, firewalls, and finally packet analysis with Wireshark.

Security connection
Networking is the foundation of cybersecurity. Understanding how packets, ports, protocols, and services
work makes security concepts much easier to understand.

Practice safely
Use your own computer, home lab, virtual machines, or authorized training environments when
experimenting with networking and security tools.

Networking Basics Introduction • Page 10