When learning computer networks, one must consider the main elements that will compromise the computer network. The main elements that must be determined will be presented below:
1. Message: the message is a generic term that scribes the data to be transmitted. It can be email, webpage, user call, instant message, or any other forms. The message is generated by the end user that needs to make the transmission. This message will be fed to the network later.
Generally, the message is generated using software installed on computer. For example, if the message is email, it will be generated by email programs such as outlook. Also if the message is a web page request, it will be generated by a browser such as internet explorer. It can also be generated by a chatting program is it represents a call by the user.
2. Medium: the medium is the transmission path over which the data will be transmitted. Is is used to associate the end user with the network expedient or to associate the network devices with each other.
Many types exist for the medium. Mainly it can be wired or wireless medium. The wired medium can be copper or optic fibers. The copper is subdivided into coaxial cables and twisted pairs. The copper wires carry data as electrical pulses while the optic fiber carry data as light pulses. The wireless medium carries data as electromagnetic waves. Each of the above mediums has its own specifications and used according to the application.
3. Devices: there are two basic types of devices in the network: end user devices and network devices. The end user expedient is determined to be the source of the message. It can be a client computer or an Ip phone. The function of the end user expedient is to send the data to the network.
On the other hand, the network devices are used along with the medium to send the data generated by the end user device. They are located in in the middle of the end user devices and linked in the middle of them straight through the cables.
The main function of the computer network devices is to send the data to the exact destination based on the address that is send along with the data. The two main devices that accomplish this are the routers and the switches. The router forwards the data according to the Ip address while the switch forwards the data according to the Mac address inside the data frame.
4. Rules: the rules are the protocols that used in the middle of the end user devices that originate the communication. The two favorite protocols are the Ip protocol and the Tcp protocol. When the end user needs to send the data, it runs a conversation first with the other expedient according to a set of rules that prepares for the transmission. Each network uses its own protocols set up by the administrator of the network to conduct the operations inside the network. Note that this element is a software element and is set up by software programs
Computer Networking - Elements and Components
