NAME: FROLIDA NICAS MAYALLA
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY(NIT)
BACHELOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
1. Network Devices are physical or virtual hardware components used in computer
networks to connect devices, facilitate communication, and manage data flow. They
play a crucial role in transmitting, routing, and securing data across networks. These
includes;
i. Router
Connects different networks together (e.g., your home network to the internet).
Routes data from one network to another and manages IP addressing.
ii. Switch
Connects devices within a local area network (LAN). Uses MAC addresses to
forward data only to the intended device.
iii. Hub
Connects multiple devices in a network and broadcasts data to all. Simple device
with no data filtering; replaced by switches in modern networks.
iv. Access Point (AP)
Enables wireless devices to connect to a wired LAN.
v. Modem
Converts digital data to analog for transmission over phone lines (and vice versa).
vi. Firewall
Monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic and protects the
network by enforcing security rules.
vii. Network Interface Card (NIC)
Allows a device (computer, printer, etc.) to connect to a network.
viii. Repeater
Amplifies and regenerates signals in a network to extend the range. Used in long-
distance transmissions to reduce signal loss.
ix. Bridge
Connects two or more network segments and filters traffic based on MAC
addresses
2. Network Protocol is a set of rules and standards that define how data is transmitted,
received, and interpreted across a computer network. These protocols ensure that
devices can communicate effectively, even if they are from different manufacturers.
Common Types of Network Protocols
i. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol)
Main protocol of the internet, it breaks data into packets and ensures they are
delivered correctly.
TCP handles connection and reliability and IP handles addressing and routing.
The OSI model, short for Open Systems Interconnection model, is a
conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a
telecommunication or computing system into seven layers. It was developed
by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This layered
approach helps in understanding, designing, and troubleshooting network
communication by breaking down complex processes into smaller,
manageable parts.
The breakdown of the seven layers includes;
Physical Layer: Deals with the physical connection and transmission of
raw bitstream over a physical medium.
Data Link Layer: Responsible for reliable transmission of data frames
between two directly connected nodes.
Network Layer: Handles routing of data packets across networks.
Transport Layer: Provides reliable and transparent data transfer between
end systems.
Session Layer: Manages connections between applications.
Presentation Layer: Deals with data formatting, encryption, and
compression.
Application Layer: Provides the interface for applications to access
network services.
ii. HTTP/HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol / Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
Used to access web pages whereas HTTP is for standard web communication
on TCP port 80 and HTTPS adds encryption for security (e.g., when banking or
shopping online) on TCP port 443.
iii. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
Used for uploading/downloading files on websites or servers. Uses TCP port 21
for control commands and TCP port 20 for data transfer.
iv. SMTP/POP3/IMAP
Used in email communication. SMTP for sending emails on TCP port 25, POP3
for downloading emails (deletes from server) on TCP port 110 and IMAP for
managing emails directly from the server on TCP port 143 .
v. DNS (Domain Name System)
Translates domain names (like [Link]) into IP addresses server on
TCP port 53.
vi. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Automatically assigns IP addresses to devices in a network. UDP Port 67 used by
the DHCP server to receive messages from clients. UDP Port 68 used by the
DHCP client to receive replies from the server.
vii. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
Monitors and manages network devices (like routers and switches) SNMP
agents communicate on UDP port 161, and SNMP traps are sent to UDP port 162.
3. Network Terminology
Network terminology refers to common technical words used in networking.
i. IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique number assigned to
each device connected to a network.
ii. MAC Address (Media Access Control Address) is a permanent hardware
identifier given to a network interface card (NIC)..
iii. LAN (Local Area Network) is a network that connects devices within a
small area like a home, office, or school.
iv. WAN (Wide Area Network) covers a large geographical area and connects
multiple LANs. The internet is the largest example of a WAN.
v. Bandwith refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transferred
over a network in a specific time.
vi. Latency - the delay between sending and receiving data over a network. It
is measured in milliseconds (ms).
vii. Packet - A packet is a small unit of data sent over a network
4. Network command is an instruction used in a computer to test, monitor, or manage a
network.
i. ping – checks if another device is reachable
ii. ipconfig / ifconfig – shows your device’s IP address
iii. tracert /traceroute – traces the path data takes to a destination
iv. nslookup - queries Internet domain name servers. Primarily used to diagnose
DNS name resolution issues.
v. dig - A more advanced and flexible tool for querying DNS name servers.
6. Hardware refers to the physical, tangible components you can touch, like the
monitor, keyboard, and the internal parts like the CPU and hard drive. Software is
the set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do, such as the operating
system and applications. The hardware provides the physical structure, while
software provides the instructions and functionality.
Hardware
Physical Components:
Hardware encompasses all the physical parts of a computer system, including
internal components and external peripherals.
Examples:
Monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU, hard drive, motherboard, RAM.
Function:
Hardware provides the physical structure and resources for the computer to
operate, enabling input, processing, storage, and output.
Interconnection:
Hardware components are interconnected and work together to perform specific
tasks.
Software
Instructions and Code:
Software consists of programs, applications, and data that instruct the hardware
what to do.
Types:
Software is broadly divided into system software (like the operating system) and
application software (like web browsers and word processors).
Function:
Software enables the hardware to perform specific tasks, such as processing
data, running applications, and providing a user interface.
Interdependence:
Hardware and software are interdependent; hardware needs software to be
instructed, and software relies on hardware to execute instructions.