Introduction to Networking

COURSE BY SAFIA SKA

### Module 1: **Introduction to Networking**

1. **Week 1**: What is a Network?
- Definition and importance
- Real-world examples of networks
2. **Week 2**: Network Components
- Basic components (routers, switches, hubs, NICs)
- Functions and differences

### Module 2: **Types of Networks**

1. **Week 3**: Local Area Network (LAN)
- Definition, examples, and use cases
- Advantages and limitations
2. **Week 4**: Wide Area Network (WAN) and Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- Definitions, examples, and use cases
- Comparison with LAN
3. **Week 5**: Personal Area Network (PAN) and Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Definitions, examples, and use cases
- Importance of VPNs in security and remote access

### Module 3: **Network Topologies**

1. **Week 6**: Common Network Topologies
- Star, bus, ring, mesh
- Advantages and disadvantages
2. **Week 7**: Choosing the Right Topology
- Factors influencing topology choice
- Practical examples and case studies

### Module 4: **Network Protocols**

1. **Week 8**: Introduction to Protocols
- Definition and importance
- Overview of common protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, SMTP)
2. **Week 9**: The OSI Model
- Introduction to the OSI model layers
- Functions of each layer
3. **Week 10**: TCP/IP Protocol Suite
- Comparison with OSI model
- Key protocols within the suite (IP, TCP, UDP)

### Module 5: **IP Addressing and Subnetting**

1. **Week 11**: Understanding IP Addresses
- IPv4 vs. IPv6
- Structure and classes of IP addresses
2. **Week 12**: Subnetting
- Basics of subnetting
- Practical examples and exercises

### Module 6: **Network Layer**

1. **Week 13**: Network Layer Functions
- Role of the network layer in data transmission
- Routing and forwarding
2. **Week 14**: Routing Protocols
- Introduction to routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, BGP)
- Basic configuration and use cases

### Module 7: **Transport Layer**

1. **Week 15**: Transport Layer Functions
- Role of the transport layer
- End-to-end communication
2. **Week 16**: TCP and UDP
- Differences between TCP and UDP
- Use cases for each protocol

### Module 8: **Application Layer**

1. **Week 17**: Common Application Layer Protocols
- HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, DNS
- How these protocols enable web services
2. **Week 18**: Network Services and Applications
- Overview of web servers, email servers, and DNS servers
- Practical applications and examples

### Module 9: **Network Security Basics**

1. **Week 19**: Introduction to Network Security
- Common threats (viruses, malware, phishing)
- Importance of network security
2. **Week 20**: Basic Security Practices
- Firewalls, antivirus software, and encryption
- Best practices for securing a network

### Module 10: **Practical Networking Skills**

1. **Week 21**: Setting Up a Simple LAN
- Step-by-step guide to setting up a LAN
- Required hardware and configuration
2. **Week 22**: Configuring a Router and Switch
- Basic configuration settings
- Common issues and troubleshooting
3. **Week 23**: Troubleshooting Common Network Issues
- Identifying and resolving common problems
- Practical troubleshooting techniques

### Module 11: **Future Trends in Networking**

1. **Week 24**: Cloud Computing and Virtualization
- Basics of cloud computing
- Benefits and challenges
2. **Week 25**: Internet of Things (IoT)
- Introduction to IoT
- Practical applications and security considerations
3. **Week 26**: 5G and Future Network Technologies
- Overview of 5G technology
- Future trends and their potential impact

### Summary and Review

1. **Week 27**: Course Review and Q&A
- Recap of key concepts
- Open Q&A session
2. **Week 28**: Final Assessment and Project Presentation
- Final assessment covering all modules
- Presentation of a networking project
Module 1: Introduction to Networking
1. Week 1: What is a Network?
- Definition
A computer network is a system that connects two or more computing devices for transmitting and sharing
information. Computing devices include everything from a mobile phone to a server. These devices are connected
using physical wires such as fiber optics, but they can also be wireless

The first working network, called ARPANET, was created in the late 1960s and was funded by the U.S. Department of
Defense. Government researchers used to share information at a time when computers were large and difficult to move

Real-world examples of networks

Description: A home network is a private network created in a residential setting. It connects devices like computers,
smartphones, tablets, printers, and smart home devices (e.g., smart lights, thermostats).

In a typical home network, a router connects to an internet service provider (ISP) via a modem. Devices such as
laptops and smart TVs connect to the router via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cables, allowing them to access the internet and
communicate with each other.

MODEM VS ROUTER

A modem and a router are two distinct devices that serve different functions in a network. Here's a detailed
comparison to clarify their roles and differences:

Modem

Function:

 A modem (modulator-demodulator) converts digital data from a computer into an analog signal suitable for
transmission over phone lines or cable systems and vice versa. It allows your computer to connect to your
Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Key Points:

 Interface with ISP: Modems connect directly to your ISP through various types of connections, such as
telephone lines (DSL), coaxial cables (cable modem), or fiber optics (fiber modem).
 Single Device: A modem typically connects to one device. If you want to connect multiple devices, you would
need a router.
  IP Address: The modem gets the public IP address from the ISP, which is used to identify your network on the
interne

Router

Function:

 A router is a device that routes data between multiple devices in a local network (LAN) and manages traffic
within the network. It directs data packets to their appropriate destinations within the network or to and from
the modem for internet access.

Key Points:

 Network Creation: Routers create and manage a local network, allowing multiple devices (computers,
smartphones, tablets, printers, etc.) to connect and communicate with each other.
 Multiple Devices: Routers allow multiple devices to share a single internet connection provided by the
modem.
 Private IP Addresses: Routers assign private IP addresses to devices within the local network and use Network
Address Translation (NAT) to map these to the public IP address provided by the modem.
 Wi-Fi: Many modern routers include wireless capabilities, enabling Wi-Fi connectivity for devices within the
local network.

Combined Modem-Router

Function:

 A combined modem-router device integrates both functions into a single unit, simplifying setup and reducing
the number of devices needed.

Key Points:

 Single Device: Acts as both the modem (connecting to the ISP) and the router (creating a local network and
managing traffic).
 Convenience: Easier setup and reduced space requirement, often provided by ISPs to consumers for home
internet services.
 Example: A device provided by an ISP that plugs into the cable or phone line and provides both internet
connectivity and local network management, including Wi-Fi.

2. **Week 2**: Network Components

Basic components (routers, switches, hubs, NICs)
To make the network components easy to understand and remember, we can group them based on their functionality
and role in the network. Here are the criteria and the corresponding groups:
1. Networking Devices
2. Transmission Media
3. Network Interface Components (NICard)
4. Network Security Devices
5. Network Management and Control Devices
6. End Devices
 1. Networking Devices

These are the essential components that build and manage the network infrastructure;

Modem
Definition: A modem (modulator-demodulator) is a device that converts digital data from a computer into an
analog signal for transmission over phone lines or cable systems and vice versa.
Functionality:
 Modulation: Converts digital signals from a computer to analog signals for transmission over traditional
telephone or cable lines.
 Demodulation: Converts incoming analog signals back into digital data that the computer can process.
 Interface with ISP: Connects to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide internet access

Router

Definition: A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks, typically
connecting LANs to WANs
Functionality:
 Data Packet Forwarding: Routes data from one network to another, choosing the best path for data
transmission.
 IP Address Management: Assigns IP addresses to devices on the network and manages the traffic between
them.
 Network Segmentation: Creates and manages different network segments to improve efficiency and
security.
 Security Functions: Often includes firewalls and VPN support to secure data transmission.

Switch
Definition: A switch is a networking device that connects devices within a single network (typically a LAN) and uses
packet switching to forward data to the destination device.

Functionality:

 Packet Switching: Switches receive incoming data packets and forward them to the specific device on the
network intended to receive that data.
 MAC Address Learning: Keeps a table of MAC addresses and the corresponding ports, allowing it to efficiently
direct traffic only to the destination device.
 Full-Duplex Communication: Enables simultaneous sending and receiving of data, improving network
efficiency.
 VLAN Support: Many switches support Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) to segment network traffic for
security and efficiency.
 

Hub

Definition:
A network hub is a basic networking device that connects multiple devices in a network, typically within a LAN, and
broadcasts data to all connected devices.

Functionality:

Broadcasting: Sends incoming data to all ports, regardless of the destination address. This can lead to network
inefficiencies and collisions.
Simple Connectivity: Provides a simple and inexpensive way to connect multiple devices within a network.
Half-Duplex Communication: Only one device can send or receive data at a time, leading to potential collisions and
network congestion.

Access Point (AP)

Definition:
An access point is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi or related
standards.
Functionality:
Wireless Connectivity: Extends the coverage of a wired network by providing wireless connectivity to mobile devices.

SSID Broadcasting: Advertises the network's Service Set Identifier (SSID) so devices can discover and connect to the
network.
Security: Supports various security protocols (WEP, WPA, WPA2) to protect wireless communications.
Roaming Support: Enables seamless movement of devices within the network's coverage area without losing
connection.

Repeater
Definition: A repeater is a network device used to regenerate or replicate a signal to extend the distance over which
data can be transmitted.
Functionality:
 Signal Amplification: Boosts weak signals to extend the range of a network.
 Noise Reduction: Filters out noise and amplifies the original signal to improve data transmission quality.
 Connectivity Extension: Often used in wireless networks to extend coverage area or in wired networks to
extend cable lengths.
Bridge
Definition: A bridge is a network device that connects two or more network segments, improving network
efficiency by filtering traffic and reducing collisions.
Functionality:
 Traffic Filtering: Analyzes incoming data and determines whether to forward or block it, based on the
destination MAC address.
 Collision Reduction: Segments a network to reduce the number of collisions by creating separate collision
domains.
 Interconnecting Networks: Connects different network segments that use the same protocol.

Gateway
Definition: A gateway is a network device that serves as an entry point between two networks, often with different
protocols.
Functionality:
 Protocol Conversion: Translates data from one protocol to another, enabling communication between
networks that use different protocols.
 Network Access: Acts as a gatekeeper for network access, ensuring that only authorized traffic can pass
between networks.
 Traffic Management: Manages traffic between internal and external networks, often providing firewall and
security functions.
 2. Transmission Media
Look to you note book

3. Network Interface Components (NICard)

What is a NIC?
Definition:
A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware component that enables a computer or other device to connect to a
network. It provides the physical interface for networking, allowing data to be sent and received over a network.

Types of NICs
Wired NIC:
Ethernet NIC: The most common type, used for wired connections. It typically uses an RJ45 port to connect to
an Ethernet cable.
Optical NIC: Used for fiber optic connections, providing high-speed network access over optical fiber.
Wireless NIC:
Wi-Fi NIC: Allows devices to connect to wireless networks using Wi-Fi standards (e.g., 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax).
Cellular NIC: Enables devices to connect to mobile networks using cellular standards (e.g., 4G LTE, 5G)

Functionality of NICs
1- Data Transmission and Reception:
Sending Data: NICs take data from the computer’s CPU, encapsulate it into frames suitable for the network medium
(e.g., Ethernet cable or wireless signals), and transmits it over the network
Receiving Data: NICs receive data frames from the network medium, decode them, and checks them for errors, and
forwards them to the computer for processing.
2- MAC Address:
Unique Identifier: Each NIC has a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address, a hardware identifier used for
network communication.
Frame Forwarding: The MAC address helps in forwarding frames to the correct device within a local network.
3- Interface with OS:
Link Layer Functionality: Operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, handling the MAC addressing
and frame transmission.
Drivers: NICs require software drivers to communicate with the operating system (OS). These drivers enable the OS
to send and receive data through the NIC.
Configuration: NIC settings, such as IP address, subnet mask, and gateway, can be configured via the OS to enable
proper network communication.
4- Speed and Duplex Settings:
Speed: NICs support various speeds (e.g., 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps) depending on the network standard
and hardware capabilities.
Duplex: NICs can operate in half-duplex (either sending or receiving at one time) or full-duplex (sending and
receiving simultaneously) modes.

OSI Model Overview

The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework used to understand and standardize the
functions of a networking system. It divides network communication into seven layers, each with specific functions:
Physical Layer: Handles the physical connection between devices and the transmission of raw data bits over a
medium.
Data Link Layer: Manages the data frames, error detection, and MAC addressing.
Network Layer: Handles logical addressing and routing (e.g., IP addresses).
Transport Layer: Manages end-to-end communication, error correction, and flow control (e.g., TCP, UDP).
Session Layer: Manages sessions or connections between applications.
Presentation Layer: Translates data formats between applications and the network.
Application Layer: Provides network services to applications (e.g., HTTP, FTP).

Data Link Layer (Layer 2)

The Data Link Layer is responsible for reliable data transfer across the physical network link. It provides mechanisms
for data encapsulation, addressing, and frame transmission. Here's how NICs operate within this layer:
MAC Addressing
MAC (Media Access Control) Address: A MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to each NIC. It is a 48-bit
address, typically represented as six pairs of hexadecimal digits (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E).
The MAC address ensures that data frames are delivered to the correct physical device on a local network.
Frame Structure:
Header: Contains control information such as the source and destination MAC addresses.
Payload: The actual data being transmitted.
Trailer: Contains error-checking information, such as the Frame Check Sequence (FCS).
Frame Transmission
Encapsulation:
When data is sent from a device, the NIC encapsulates it into frames. This involves adding a header and trailer to the
data payload.
The header includes the destination MAC address (where the frame is going) and the source MAC address (where the
frame is coming from).
The NIC transmits the frames over the physical medium (e.g., Ethernet cable for wired networks, radio waves for
wireless networks).
The frames are broadcast to all devices on the local network segment. However, only the device with the matching
destination MAC address processes the frame.
Decapsulation:
When a frame is received, the NIC checks the destination MAC address.
If the address matches its own, the NIC decapsulates the frame, extracting the data payload.
The NIC then passes the data to the higher layers of the OSI model for further processing.
Error Detection and Handling
Error Detection:
NICs use mechanisms like the Frame Check Sequence (FCS) to detect errors in transmitted frames.
The FCS is a value calculated based on the frame’s content. It is included in the trailer of the frame.
Error Handling:
When a frame is received, the NIC recalculates the FCS and compares it with the value in the trailer.
If the values match, the frame is considered error-free. If they don't match, the frame is discarded, and an error is
logged

Example in Practice
Imagine you are sending a file from your computer to a printer over a wired Ethernet network. Here’s how the NICs
on both devices handle this at the Data Link Layer:
Sending Data:
Your computer's application generates data to be sent (the file).
The data is passed down the OSI layers, reaching the NIC at the Data Link Layer.
The NIC encapsulates the data into frames, adding headers with the source MAC address (computer’s NIC) and
destination MAC address (printer’s NIC).
The NIC transmits the frames over the Ethernet cable.
Receiving Data:
The printer’s NIC receives the frames.
It checks the destination MAC address in each frame header.
If the destination MAC address matches the printer’s MAC address, the NIC decapsulates the frame, extracting the
data payload.
The data is then passed up the OSI layers to the printer’s application, which processes the file for printing.

Conclusion
NICs operate at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, handling key functions like MAC addressing, frame
encapsulation, transmission, decapsulation, and error detection. By managing these processes, NICs ensure that data is
reliably transmitted between devices on a local network, facilitating efficient and accurate communication.

The OSI model

The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework used to understand and
implement network protocols in seven layers. Each layer has specific functions and interacts with the layers
directly above and below it. Here's a detailed explanation of each layer:
 1. Physical Layer

- Responsibilities: The Physical Layer deals with the physical connection between devices and the
transmission and reception of raw bit streams over a physical medium.
- Functions:
- Bit Transmission: Transmits individual bits over a physical medium.
- Physical Characteristics: Defines the characteristics of interfaces and media (e.g., cables, connectors,
voltage levels).
- Line Configuration: Determines the way devices are connected (e.g., point-to-point, multipoint).
- Data Rate: Establishes the rate of data transmission (e.g., bits per second).
- Synchronization: Ensures that the sender and receiver are synchronized.
- Transmission Mode: Defines the direction of signal transmission (e.g., simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex).
2. Data Link Layer

- Responsibilities: The Data Link Layer provides node-to-node data transfer, error detection and correction,
and flow control.
- Functions:
 - Framing: Packages raw bits into frames.
- Physical Addressing: Uses MAC addresses to identify devices on the same network.
- Error Control: Detects and corrects errors that occur in the Physical Layer.
- Flow Control: Manages the pacing of data to prevent overwhelming the receiver.
- Access Control: Regulates which device can transmit data at any given time.
3. Network Layer

- Responsibilities: The Network Layer handles the delivery of packets from the source host to the destination
host across multiple networks.
- Functions:
- Logical Addressing: Uses IP addresses to identify devices across different networks.
- Routing: Determines the best path for data to travel from source to destination.
- Packet Forwarding: Moves packets across network routers.
4. Transport Layer

- Responsibilities: The Transport Layer ensures reliable data transfer between end systems.
- Functions:
- Segmentation and Reassembly: Breaks down large messages into smaller segments and reassembles them
at the destination.
- Service Point Addressing: Identifies specific processes or applications on a host (e.g., using port
numbers).
- Flow Control: Manages data flow to prevent network congestion.
- Error Control: Provides error detection and recovery mechanisms.
 - Connection Control: Establishes, maintains, and terminates connections between devices.
5. Session Layer

- Responsibilities: The Session Layer manages sessions between applications.

- Functions:
- Dialog Control: Manages the dialog between two devices, ensuring data is properly synchronized.
- Synchronization: Provides checkpoints within data streams to recover data if the session fails.

6-Presentation Layer

- Responsibilities: The Presentation Layer translates data between the application layer and the network
format.
- Functions:
- Translation: Converts data formats between the application and network (e.g., encoding and decoding).
- Encryption:Encrypts data for secure transmission.
- Compression: Compresses data to reduce size for efficient transmission.

7. Application Layer
- Responsibilities: The Application Layer provides network services directly to end-user applications.
- Functions:
- File Transfer, Access, and Management: Allows users to transfer files between systems.
- Network Virtual Terminal: Allows a user to log on to a remote host.
- Directory Services: Provides distributed database sources and access for global information.
- Mail Services: Manages email communication.

Each layer in the OSI model serves a specific function and works together with the other layers to ensure
smooth and efficient network communication. This model provides a universal set of standards to facilitate
interoperability between different network technologies and protocols.