From a broader perspective, a computer network is built with two basic building blocks: network nodes or devices, and links.
Links connect two or more nodes to each other. Communication protocols define the way in which these links carry information; the endpoints of communication, that is, the source and destination devices, which are often called ports.
Basic Components Of Computer Networks
1. Network Devices
To illustrate Network devices or nodes are computing devices that need to be linked to the network. Some network devices include:
- Computers, mobiles, and other consumer devices: These are end devices that users access directly and frequently.
- For example, an email originates from the mail application on a laptop or mobile phone.
- Servers – These are application or storage servers where the main computation and data storage is done. All requests for specific tasks or data come to the servers.
- Routers or “ routers”: Routing is the process of selecting the network path through which data packets traverse. Hence, Routers are devices that forward these packets between networks to finally reach the destination, adding efficiency to large networks.
- Gateways or “gateways”: Gateways are hardware devices that act as “gates” between two different networks. They can be firewalls, routers, or servers.
Similarly, we also find the switches or “ switches”. To understand them, we are going to explain some points:
- Repeaters are to networks what transformers are to electrical networks—they are electronic devices that receive signals from the network and clean or strengthen them.
- Hubs are repeaters with multiple ports on them. And also, transmit the data to whatever port is available.
- Bridges are smarter hubs that only pass data to the destination port.
Therefore, a switch or “ switch ” is a multiport bridge. Multiple data cables can be connected to the switches to enable communication with multiple network devices.
2. Links
The links are the means of transmission, which can be of two types:
- Cabling – Examples of wired technologies used in networks include coaxial cables, telephone lines, twisted-pair cabling, and optical fibers. Optical fibers carry pulses of light to represent data.
- Wireless – Network connections can also be established via radio or other electromagnetic signals. This type of transmission is called “wireless”. The most common examples of wireless links are communication satellites, cellular networks, and spread spectrum radio and technology.
3. Communication Protocols
In Brief, the communication protocol is a set of rules followed by all the nodes involved in the transfer of information. Some common protocols include the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP), IEEE 802, Ethernet, wireless LAN, and cellular standards.
TCP/IP is a conceptual model that standardizes communication in a modern network. He suggests four functional layers of these communication links:
- Network Access Layer – Defines how data is physically transferred. It includes how the hardware sends bits of data over physical cables or fibers.
- Internet Layer: It is responsible for packing data into understandable packets and allowing it to be sent and received.
- Transport Layer – Allows devices to carry on a conversation by ensuring that the connection is valid and stable.
- Application Layer – Determines how high-level applications can access the network to initiate data transfer.
Most of the modern structure of the Internet is based on the TCP/IP model, although there are still strong influences from the similar but seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. IEEE802 is a family of IEEE standards dealing with local area networks (LANs) and metropolitan area networks (MANs).
Wireless LAN is the best-known member of the IEEE 802 family and is better known as WLAN or Wi-Fi. Four.
4. Network Defense
While nodes, links, and protocols form the foundation of a network, no modern computer network can exist without its defenses.
Moreover, Cybersecurity is critical when unprecedented amounts of data are generated, moved, and processed across networks.
For example, the network defense tools includes the following such as:
- Firewalls.
- Intrusion detection systems or “ Intrusion Prevention Systems ” (IDS).
- Intrusion Prevention Systems or “ Intrusion Prevention Systems ” (IPS).
- Network Access Control or “ Network Access Control ” (NAC).
- Content filters.
- Proxy servers.
- Anti-DDoS devices.
- Load balancers.
Best Practices For Managing Computer Networks
Computer network administration is the process of configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting everything related to a network, whether it be hardware, software, or connections.
The five functional areas of network management are:
- Fault management.
- Configuration management.
- Performance management.
- Security management.
- Accounting management (of users).
However, Computer networks can quickly become rogue giants if they are not designed and maintained from the start. For this reason, professionals in this area must implement these good practices for the proper management of a computer network:
1. Choose The Right Topology
In short, Network topology is the pattern or hierarchy in which nodes are connected to each other; it can speed up, slow down, or even break the network depending on the infrastructure and business requirements. Before setting up a network from scratch, network architects need to choose the right one.
There are some common topologies such as:
- Bus Network – Each node is linked to only one other node.
- Ring network: each node is linked to two other nodes, thus forming a ring.
- Mesh Network – Each node must strive to be connected to every other node in the system.
- Star Network – A central node server is linked to many other nodes, which is faster because the data does not have to travel through each node.
- Tree Network – Here, the nodes are arranged in hierarchies.
2. Document And Constantly Update The Network
Network documentation is vital as it is the backbone of operations. Documentation must include:
- Technical specifications of the equipment, including wires, cables, and connectors.
- Hardware.
- Software is used to enable hardware and secure, smooth data flow.
- Firmware.
- A formal record of policies and procedures regarding network operators and users.
In the mean time, everything should be audited at scheduled intervals or during reconditioning. This not only makes network administration easier but also allows for more seamless compliance audits.
3. Use The Right Tools
Network topology is only the first step in building a strong network. On that note, to manage a highly available and reliable computer network, the right tools need to be placed in the right locations.
Among the most important programs, we find:
Network Monitoring Solutions
A network monitoring solution provides complete network visibility. These visual maps help measure network performance.
And also, we will be able to trace packets, provide a granular view of network traffic and help detect anomalies.
Additionally, newer monitoring systems leverage artificial intelligence to predict escalation requirements and cyber threats using real-time and historical data.
Configuration Management Tools
A computational network contains many components that interact with each other, resulting in a large number of configuration parameters to keep track of.
To sum up, Configuration management tools address this issue by providing configuration solutions that span the entire network.
While they also allow administrators to ensure that all compliance requirements meet the required levels.
IP Address Managers
Larger networks should have an IP Address Manager (IPAM) to plan, track, and manage the information associated with a network’s IP addresses.
Security Solutions
To illustrate, Firewalls, content filtering systems, intrusion detection, and prevention systems; are all tools that protect networks carrying increasingly sensitive cargo.
No network is complete without them. However, the simple acquisition of these tools is not enough, they must also be well used, taking into account these points:
- A firewall must be placed at each network crossing.
- Anti-DDoS devices should be placed at network perimeters.
- Load balancers should be placed in strategic locations based on infrastructure, such as before a pool of database servers.
4. Establish A Referral Network And Abnormal Behavior
A reference allows administrators to know how the network normally behaves in terms of traffic and user access, for example.
Further, with a well-established foundation, alerts can be set up in the appropriate places to signal anomalies immediately. The normal range of behavior should be documented at both the user and organization levels.
The data required for baseline can be acquired from dedicated routers, switches, firewalls, wireless access points, trackers, and collectors.
5. Don't Forget Insider Threats
Firewalls and intrusion prevention systems ensure that bad actors stay out of the network.
However, insider threats also need to be addressed, particularly with cybercriminals targeting those with network access using various social engineering tactics.
One of the ways to do this is to operate on the least privilege model for administration and access control.
In addition to this, use stronger authentication mechanisms, such as single sign-on (SSO) and two-factor authentication (2FA).
Accordingly, employees should ideally receive regular training to deal with security threats. Proper escalation processes should be documented and widely disseminated.
Conclusion
As a result, a successful computer network improves productivity, security, and innovation with the lowest overall costs. This comes only with robust design and implementation and a clear picture of business needs.
While the creation of computer networks may seem like a purely technical endeavor, it requires commercial input, especially in the initial stages.
To conclude, Network management also involves evolving workflows and growing and transforming with evolving technologies.
