Indian Cyber Security

Computer networking basics encompass the fundamental concepts, protocols, and technologies that underpin the communication and data exchange between computers and other networked devices. Here's an overview of key components of computer networking basics:

1. Introduction to Networks:

   • Definition of a network: A network is a collection of interconnected devices, such as computers, servers, routers, switches, and peripherals, that can communicate and share resources.
   • Types of networks: Networks can be classified based on their geographical scope (LAN, WAN, MAN), architecture (peer-to-peer, client-server), and connectivity (wired, wireless).

2. Networking Devices:

   
   
   
   
   • Routers: Devices that forward data packets between different computer networks, facilitating communication between devices on different IP networks.
   • Switches: Devices that connect multiple devices within a local area network (LAN) and forward data packets to the appropriate destination based on MAC addresses.
   • Hubs: Devices that pass data along the network without examining it, operating at the physical layer of the OSI model.
   • Modems: Devices that modulate and demodulate digital signals to enable communication between digital devices and analog transmission media (e.g., telephone lines, cable lines).

3. Networking Protocols:

   
   
   
   
   • TCP/IP protocol suite: The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is the foundational protocol suite of the Internet, comprising a set of protocols for data transmission, addressing, and routing.
   • Ethernet: A widely used networking technology that defines the physical and data link layers of the OSI model, providing the basis for wired LAN communication.
   • Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11): A family of wireless networking standards that enable devices to communicate over wireless local area networks (WLANs).
   • HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP: Application layer protocols used for web browsing, secure web browsing, file transfer, and email communication, respectively.

4. Networking Models:

   
   
   
   
   • OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model: A conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven distinct layers, including physical, data link, network, transport, session, presentation, and application layers.
   • TCP/IP model: A simplified model that maps to the OSI model but is widely used in modern networking, comprising four layers: network interface, internet, transport, and application layers.

5. IP Addressing and Subnetting:

   
   
   
   
   • IP addresses: Unique numerical identifiers assigned to devices on a network, enabling them to communicate with each other using the Internet Protocol (IP).
   • IPv4 vs. IPv6: IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses and is the most widely used version of the IP protocol, while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses and provides a larger address space to accommodate the growing number of devices on the Internet.
   • Subnetting: Dividing a large IP network into smaller subnetworks (subnets) to improve network efficiency, security, and management.

6. Network Topologies:

   
   
   
   
   • Bus, star, ring, mesh, and hybrid topologies: Different arrangements of devices and connections within a network, each with its advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, scalability, and fault tolerance.

7. Network Security Basics:

   • Authentication: Verifying the identity of users or devices attempting to access a network or its resources.
   • Encryption: Securing data transmission by encoding information in such a way that only authorized parties can decrypt and interpret it.
   • Firewalls: Network security devices that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules.

Understanding computer networking basics provides a foundation for designing, implementing, and managing computer networks, as well as troubleshooting network issues and optimizing network performance.