Computer Network

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A Computer Network is a connection of multiple devices which can be wired or wireless that provides communication between various devices that is connected to the network. The network can within an organization or home or across a geography. “Computer” denotes here any Compute System that has a CPU, ALU, Memory and Storage. Thus, a Network connects compute devices like desktop, laptop, mobile, IoT, smart devices etc.

Public Network is the network that is open and anyone can connect. Multiple public networks combine to form the Internet. Public network is an unprotected network. Public IP addresses are used by devices that are connected to the Internet. The Public IP address subnet ranges are given below:

Class A – 1.0.0.0 to 126.255.255.255
Class B – 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255
Class C – 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255

Private Network is the network that is closed and used within an organization or home. Private Network is protected from the Public Network. Private IP addresses are used for Private network. The Private IP address subnet ranges are given below:

Class A – 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
Class B – 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
Class C – 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255

Deployment Types

LAN (Local Areas Network) is the network that is used within an organization or home which uses private IP address. A switch or hub is a device that connects multiple devices and forms the LAN. The following are various LAN technologies:

  • Ethernet
  • Token Ring
  • FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) 
  • WIFI

WAN (Wide Area Network) is the network that connect different LANs which can be across buildings or cities or country. WAN can connect Private Network and Public Network or Private Network and Private Network or Public Network and Public Network. WAN connects multiple LANs through a Layer 3 device like routers or firewalls. The following are various WAN technologies:

  • MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)
  • ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)
  • Frame Relay
  • SONET (Synchronous Optical Network)
  • DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
  • Cable Modem