“Computer Networking: The Backbone of the Internet”

Hello again! I hope you’re all doing well. In my first blog, we explored how the Internet works. Now, we’ll turn our attention to computer networking — the critical foundation beneath the Internet.

Let's get back to the next topic.

Today, we’re going to dive into computer networking — without networking, the Internet as we know it simply wouldn’t exist.

    # What is Computer Networking? #

In simple terms, computer networking is the process of linking devices (computers, servers, smartphones) so they can exchange data and make communication and resource sharing smoother and more efficient.

[ In Technical terms, Computer networking is the practice of connecting devices—such as computers, smartphones, and servers ].

In practice, whether you’re sending an email, streaming a video, or accessing a cloud service, networking is what makes that data travel between devices.

# Why do we need Computer Networking #

[ In Technical terms, Computer networking is essential because it allows computers and other digital devices to connect and share information, resources, and services seamlessly, supporting communication, collaboration, and productivity. ]

e.g., “For example, when you print a document from your laptop to a network printer, that’s networking in action

     # What is a Protocol? #

In Simple terms, Protocols are a set of rules that work for the completion of Computer connectivity.

[ In Technical terms, A computer network is a group of devices linked together that can exchange data and share resources, like printers and files, using established rules called protocols.]

• Without protocols, devices wouldn’t ‘speak the same language’ and communication would fail *

    # How does Networking work? #
  

Each device on a network has a unique address (for example, an IP address). Devices use shared rules (protocols) to talk to each other. Data is broken into packets and sent from the requester to the provider, and then the responses travel back similarly, all governed by the networking protocols.

• “A packet is a small chunk of data that includes the content being sent plus information about where it’s going and how it should be handled." *

    # Types of Network #
  

1. LAN (Local Area Network):- Covers a small area, i.e office or home
2. WAN (Wide Area Network):- Connects multiple LANs expanding over a large distance, i.e. Internet

3. PAN & MAN(Personal Area Network & Metropolitan Area Network):- Serve smaller (personal gadgets) or larger areas.

     # Key Components of Networking # 
   

Nodes:- Any device on a network, such as a computer, phone,

Links:- The medium connecting nodes, including cables or wireless signals.

Network Interface Cards (NICs):- Hardware in each device that lets it connect to the network.

Networking Devices:- Equipment such as routers, hubs, Modems, firewalls, etc..

  # Protocols & OSI (Open System Interconnection) Model #

Protocols are kept in layers to protect & manage the complexities of Computer networking. The OSI model explains these 7 layers: Layer 1 to Layer 7.
{ E.g.: Common Protocols include TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)/IP, HTTP, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) & Wi-Fi standards}.

    # OSI Model and TCP/IP Protocol Suite #

The OSI Model is a conceptual framework that divides networking functions into 7 different layers - from physical connections to applications.

Layer 1 - Physical ( Cables, links)
Layer 2 - Data Link ( MAC addresses)
Layer 3 - Network ( IP address & routing)
Layer 4 - Transport ( TCP for data transfer)
Layer 5 - Session ( Managing connections)
Layer 6 - Presentation (data formatting)
Layer 7 - Application

Diagram for a clearer picture of the OSI model & TCP/IP suites.

• In practice, the more widely used suite is the TCP/IP model (4 layers), and the OSI model is a conceptual tool *

  What is IP (Internet Protocol) & Subnetting?

An IP address is like the home address of your device on a network.
It helps packets reach the correct device.

There are two types of IP addresses:

IPv4 – 32-bit address (e.g., 192.168.1.1)

IPv6 – 128-bit address (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334)

• What is a Subnet? *

A subnet is a smaller network inside a larger network.
It’s like dividing a city into smaller neighbourhoods to manage traffic better.

Subnetting helps:

Improve network performance
Increase security &
Efficiently utilise IP addresses

IPv4 has limited addresses, so subnetting became a powerful technique to manage networks before IPv6 fully took over.

🛑 Wrapping Up

That’s all for Blog #2!

You now understand:

What computer networking is, how networks operate, why protocols matter, and OSI layers, Types of networks, IP addressing & subnets

In upcoming blogs, we’ll dive deeper into:

IPv6, Routing (OSPF, BGP), DNS, NAT & Firewalls. Also, Practical networking using AWS (VPC, Subnets, Route Tables)

I’m still learning too — and I’m glad to have you on this journey with me.
See you soon in Blog #3!

“Feel free to drop questions or topics you’d like me to cover next in the comments.”

Ta-Ta..! 😊