Getting started with Networking!

What is a Network?

A computer network can be described as a system of interconnected devices that can communicate with each other using some common standards called the Internet protocol suite or TCP/IP. These devices communicate to exchange network resources, such as files and printers, and network services.

Here is an example of a computer network consisting of two computers connected together:

The example above shows that the two computers are directly connected using a cable. This small network can exchange data between just these two computers.

What if we want to expand our network? Then we can use network devices, such as routers, switches, or hubs, to connect two or more computers together:

With the network topology above, all of the devices on the network can communicate with each other. That’s how computer networking works.

Protocol

A defined set of standards that computers must follow in order to communicate appropriately.

In simple terms, protocol in networking can be referred to as the language required for communicating.