Lets understand Networking

“The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity.” — Keith Ferrazzi

Computer Network:

An interconnection of multiple devices, also known as hosts, that are connected using multiple paths for the purpose of sending/receiving data or media. Computer networks can also include multiple devices/mediums which help in the communication between two different devices; these are known as Network devices and include things such as routers, switches, hubs, and bridges.

IP Address (Internet Protocol address):

Also known as the Logical Address, the IP Address is the network address of the system across the network.
To identify each device in the world-wide-web, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) assigns an IPV4 (Version 4) address as a unique identifier to each device on the Internet.
The length of an IPv4 address is 32-bits, hence, we have 232 IP addresses available. The length of an IPv6 address is 128-bits.
Type “ipconfig” in the command prompt and press ‘Enter’, this gives us the IP address of the device.

MAC Address (Media Access Control address):

Also known as physical address, the MAC Address is the unique identifier of each host and is associated with its NIC (Network Interface Card).
A MAC address is assigned to the NIC at the time of manufacturing.
The length of the MAC address is : 12-nibble/ 6 bytes/ 48 bits
Type “ipconfig/all” in the command prompt and press ‘Enter’, this gives us the MAC address.

Network infrastructures can vary greatly in terms of

• Size of the area covered
• Number of users connected
• Number and types of services available

For this reason, networks are often classified into various types based on a number of characteristics.

Types of Networks:

• Local-area network (LAN): A network infrastructure that provides access to users and end devices in a small geographical area.
• Wide-area network (WAN): A network infrastructure that provides access to other networks over a wide geographical area.

Other types of networks include

• Metropolitan-area network (MAN): A network infrastructure that spans a physical area larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN (for example, a city). MANs are typically operated by a single entity such as a large organization.
• Wireless LAN (WLAN): Similar to a LAN but wirelessly interconnects users and endpoints in a small geographical area.
• Storage-area network (SAN): A network infrastructure designed to support file servers and provide data storage, retrieval, and replication. It involves high-end servers, multiple disk arrays, and Fibre Channel interconnection technology.

Local-Area Networks (LAN):

Local-area networks (LAN) are a network infrastructure that spans a small geographical area. Specific features of LANs include

• LANs interconnect end devices in a limited area such as a home, school, office building, or campus.
• A LAN is usually administered by a single organization or individual. The administrative control that governs the security and access control policies are enforced on the network level.
• LANs provide high-speed bandwidth to internal end devices and intermediary devices.

Wide-Area Networks (WAN):

Wide-area networks (WAN) are a network infrastructure that spans a wide geographical area. WANs are typically managed by service providers (SP) or Internet service providers (ISP).

Specific features of WANs include

• WANs interconnect LANs over wide geographical areas such as between cities, states, provinces, countries, or continents.
• WANs are usually administered by multiple service providers.
• WANs typically provide slower-speed links between LANs.

Every LAN may or may not be connected with WAN, but Every WAN always requires a LAN connection.

According to this statement, LAN doesn’t requires a WAN connection to be used a device but every WAN requires a pre-set up LAN connection to work.

Examples:

• A printer used at an office of some random organisation. Here everyone is connected in local network and they have access too. Now, in this case employees there is no need to be in connection with WAN to access that printer. But for a person accessing the printer remotely, WAN connection is compulsory to access the printer.
• Let’s take example of a person, he has a mobile/ PC system, he may think you are connected with WAN directly but he is connected with LAN via WAN. Consider a router/Broad Band connection, every mobile/PC connected, they are in LAN but router is connected to WAN.

LAN’s and WAN’s are similar in many ways, but they also have some important differences.

If a business is located in a single building, then a LAN is probably all he may need. But if he has several locations spread out over different geographic locations, or many remote users are needed to be connected, he will also need a WAN if he wants to keep everything and everyone connected efficiently.

Thank You! Open for improvements :)