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A Short Guide on Networking Fundamentals
Learn the basics of how your home network works
By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 25, 2021 Reviewed by Chris Selph Reviewed by Chris Selph Chris Selph is a CompTIA-certified technology and vocational IT teacher. He also serves as network & server administrator and performs computer maintenance and repair for numerous clients. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Working From Home The Ultimate Guide to Shopping Online The Ultimate Guide to Online Learning at Home The Ultimate Guide to Skype In the world of computers, networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data. Networks are built with a combination of computer hardware and computer software. Some explanations of networking found in books and tutorials are highly technical, designed for students and professionals, while others are geared more to home and business uses of computer networks. Here's a quick, simplified look at the fundamental concepts of networking. Types of Computer Networks
Getty Images Networks can be categorized in several different ways. One method defines the type of a network according to the geographic area it spans. Alternatively, networks can also be classified based on topology or on the types of protocols they support. Types of Network Equipment The Hardware
deepblue4you/Getty Images The building blocks of a home computer network include adapters, routers, and/or access points. Wired (and hybrid wired/wireless) networking also involves cables of varying types. Finally, large-scale enterprise networks, in particular, often employ other advanced equipment for specialized communication purposes. Ethernet
CCO Ethernet is a physical and data link layer technology for local area networks. Homes, schools, and offices around the world all commonly use Ethernet-standard cables and adapters to network personal computers. Wireless Local Area Networking WLAN
Todor Tsevetkov/E+/Getty Images Wi-Fi is the most popular wireless communication protocol for local area networks. Private home and business networks and public hotspots use Wi-Fi to connect computers and other wireless devices to each other and the Internet. Bluetooth is another wireless protocol commonly used in cellular phones and computer peripherals for short-range network communication. Internet Service
Getty Images The technologies used to connect to the internet are different than those used for connecting devices on local area networks. Digital subscriber lines (DSL), cable modems, and fiber provide fixed broadband internet service, while WiMax and LTE additionally support mobile connectivity. In geographic areas where these high-speed options are unavailable, subscribers are forced to use older cellular services, satellite, or even dial-up internet instead. TCP IP and Other Internet Protocols
Getty Images TCP/IP is the primary network protocol of the internet. The acronym refers to Transmission Control Protocol and the Internet Protocol, the two frameworks on which the model is based. A related family of protocols built on top of TCP/IP allows web browsers, email, and many other applications to communicate across networks globally. Applications and computers using TCP/IP identify each other with assigned IP addresses, which are a series of numbers that typically looks like ###.##.###.### (i.e., 192.168.0.51). Network Routing Switching and Bridging
Grassetto/Getty Images Most computer networks direct messages from source to destination devices using any of three techniques: routing, switching, and bridging. Routers use certain network address information contained inside messages to send them ahead to their destination (often via other routers). Switches use much of the same technology as routers but typically support local area networks only. Bridging allows messages to flow between two different types of physical networks. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Ethernet Cables, How They Work and How to Choose the Right One How Web Browsers and Web Servers Communicate What Is Computer Networking? What Is a Network? How to Change DNS Servers in Windows 127.0.0.1 IP Address Explained LANs, WANs, and Other Area Networks Explained Types of Network Connections How to Use an IP Address to Find a MAC Address Wired vs. Wireless Networking The Fundamentals of an Ethernet LAN, Explained How to Set Up Networks for Digital Devices What Is a Network Gateway? SOHO Routers and Networks Explained What Is a LAN (Local Area Network)? What Is an Uplink Port in Computer Networking? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies