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Isaac Tonyloi - SWE
Isaac Tonyloi - SWE

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Networking Fundamentals: Understanding Network Types, Data Transmission, and Bandwidth

Here are some quick notes from my CCNA course on core networking concepts:


Network Types

  • LAN (Local Area Network): Connects devices within a small area (e.g., home, office).
  • WAN (Wide Area Network): Spans large geographic areas, connects multiple LANs (e.g., the internet).
  • MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Covers a city or campus, bigger than LAN, smaller than WAN.

Data Transmission

  • Packet Switching: Breaks data into packets, each traveling independently. More efficient, used in networks like the internet.
  • Circuit Switching: Establishes a dedicated path for the entire data transfer (e.g., old telephone systems).
  • Protocols: Rules for data transmission (e.g., TCP/IP ensures data reaches the correct destination in the correct order).

Bandwidth and Throughput

  • Bandwidth: Maximum data capacity a network can handle, measured in Mbps or Gbps.
  • Throughput: Actual data successfully transmitted. It’s usually lower than bandwidth due to network conditions like congestion or interference.

Why It Matters

  • These concepts are essential for understanding how networks work and for troubleshooting performance issues.
  • Knowing the difference between bandwidth and throughput helps optimize network efficiency.

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