BASICS OF NETWORKING

What is (Computer) Networking?

Networking is the practice of linking computing devices together with hardware and software that supports data communications across these devices. In order words, connecting two or more computers together to share the same resources eg. Hard Disk, Printer etc.

Operating Systems and Computer Networks

Computers use low-level software called an operating system to help people build and run their own programs. Operating system software runs not just on laptop computers but also on cell phones, network routers and other gadgets. An O/S normally provides basic networking support for Ethernet, Wi-Fi and sometimes Bluetooth and other wireless protocols.

Basic Network Topologies

One way to classify computer networks is by their topology. Common network topologies include the bus, star, and ring.

Network topology 

is the layout pattern of interconnections of the various elements (links, nodes, etc.) of a computer or biological network. Network topologies ...

Bus Network Topology

. A bus topology such as 10Base-2 or 10Base-5 Ethernet uses a single communication backbone for all devices.

Ring Network Topology

This diagram illustrates the ring network topology. A ring topology such as FDDI or SONET sends messages clockwise or counterclockwise through the shared link.

Star Network Topology

. A star topology typically uses a network hub or switch and is common in home networks.

Mesh Network Topology

A mesh topology provides redundant communication paths between some or all devices (partial or full mesh).

Tree Network Topology

A tree topology integrates the star and bus topologies in a hybrid approach to improve network scalability.