Computer Network Tutorial
Last Updated :
17 Mar, 2025
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A Computer Network is a system where two or more devices are linked together to share data, resources, and information. These networks can range from simple setups, like connecting two devices in your home, to massive global systems, like the Internet. Below are the main components of a computer network.
- Node : Any device which can share or receive data. Examples of devices are laptop, mobile, printer, earbuds and server.
- Transmission Media : The medium through which devices communicate It can be a wired media like Optical Fiber and Ethernet Cables. It can also be a wireless media like WiFi, Bluetooth and Infrared.
- Protocol : The set of rules that devices use to communicate. There are many different protocols for different types of communications. Examples are HTTP (For web browsing) and SMTP (For emails).
- Networking Devices : The devices with main purpose of providing network facilities. Examples are Router, Switch, Access Point and Hub.
- Networking Applications : Software that provide an interface to communicate and share. Examples are browser, email clients, and file sharing applications
Computer networks are an important part of our daily lives. They allow devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets to connect and communicate with each other. Whether you’re browsing the internet, sending an email, or streaming a video, it all happens because of computer networks.
Fundamentals of Computer Network
- Basics of Computer Networks
- Characteristics of Computer Network
- Types of Network
- Internet, Intranet & Extranet
- Types of Network Architecture
- Types of Network Devices
Network Models
Physical Layer
Data Link Layer
- Data Link Layer
- Switching Techniques
- Virtual LAN
- Link Aggregation
- Framing
- Error Detection
- Error Correction
- Error Control
- Flow Control
- Stop and wait ARQ
- Sliding Window Protocol- Go Back N
- Sliding Window Protocol- Selective Repeat
- Piggybacking
- Data Link Layer Protocols
Network Layer
- Network Layer
- Classful Network Addressing
- Classless Network Addressing
- What is an IP address?
- IPv4 Header Format
- IPv4 vs IPv6
- Private vs Public IP addresses
Subnetting
- Subnetting basics
- Subnet masks
- Calculate network, broadcast, and host addresses
- Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM)
- Advanced VLSM
- Supernetting
Routing
- What is Routing?
- Static vs Dynamic Routing
- Link State Routing
- Distance Vector Routing
- Network Address Translation(NAT)
Network Layer Protocols
- Address Resolution Protocol(ARP)
- Reverse Address Resolution Protocol(RARP)
- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol(DHCP)
- Internet Control Message Protocol(ICMP)
- Internet Group Management Protocol(IGMP)
- Routing Information Protocol(RIP)
- Open Shortest Path First(OSPF)
- Intermediate System to Intermediate System(IS-IS)
- Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol(EIGRP)
- Border Gateway Protocol(BGP)
- Multiprotocol Label Switching(MPLS)
- Internet Protocol(IP)
- Generic Routing Encapsulation(GRE)
Transport Layer
- Transport Layer
- TCP Protocol
- TCP 3-Way Handshake Process
- Services and Segment structure in TCP
- TCP Connection Establishment
- TCP Termination
- Congestion Control in TCP
- UDP Protocol
- TCP vs UDP Protocol
- Stream Control Transmission Protocol(SCTP)
- Datagram Congestion Control Protocol(DCCP)
- Reliable User Datagram Protocol(RUDP)
- Quick UDP Internet Connections(QUIC)
Session and Presentation Layer
- Session Layer
- Functions of Session Layer
- Presentation Layer
- Services Provided by Presentation Layer
- Application Filing Protocol(AFP)
- NetWare Core Protocol (NCP)
- Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
- Remote Procedure Call(RPC)
- Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol(PPTP)
- Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions(MIME)
Application Layer
Application Layer Protocols
- Domain Name System (DNS)
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
- HyperText Transfer Protocol(HTTP)
- HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure(HTTPS)
- Post Office Protocol v3(POP3)
- Internet Message Access Protocol(IMAP)
- Lightweight Directory Access Protocol(LDAP)
- Network Time Protocol(NTP)
- Trivial File Transfer Protocol(TFTP)
- Network News Transfer Protocol(NNTP)
- Message Queuing Telemetry Transport(MQTT)
- Session Initiation Protocol(SIP)
- Server Message Block(SMB)
Methods of Network Security
QoS (Quality of Service)
- What is QoS and Multimedia?
- Techniques for achieving QoS
- Congestion Control in Computer Networks
- Token Bucket
- Leaky Bucket
Wireless and Mobile Networking
Cloud Networking
Emerging Networking Trends
Quickly review our Last Minute Notes on Computer Networks and test your knowledge with our practice quiz.
