Internetworking is the fundamental technology that connects different computer networks together, allowing them to have unified communication among themselves and with other networks worldwide. This technology involves various protocols, architectures, and hardware, which facilitate the flow of data, voice, video, and other forms of multimedia content over the internet.
In this article, we’ll explore the basics of internetworking and the associated technologies.
Networking Basics
All computer networks require connection devices to link devices together, through a physical medium or wireless communication, such as twisted-pair cables, fiber optics, or wireless signals. A computer network comprises two or more devices, including servers, routers, switches, personal computers, or printers, connected via these communication devices.
Network protocols, on the other hand, serve as a set of rules that facilitate interaction among network devices. They help establish a standard way of transmitting data and messages and enable two devices to communicate effectively.
Internetworking
Internetworking combines two or more networks to create a single entity that can transmit information between itself and other networks, irrespective of their underlying technology or geographic location. The internet is an example of a global internetwork of interconnected networks.
To enable this, internetworking employs different protocols that allow devices using different technologies, to communicate with each other. Some common internetworking protocols include:
· IP (Internet Protocol): This protocol helps identify devices on a network
· TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): This protocol helps transfer data packets across networks
· IPX/SPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange): These protocols are used in Novell Netware networks for internal communication
· SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): Used for sending email messages from one network to another
An internetworking setup includes different interconnected devices such as routers, switches, gateways, and hubs. Routers, in particular, are the backbone of an internetworking system, providing connectivity between multiple networks.
Routers
Routers help identify the next hop for data packets that traverse multiple networks to reach their destination. They use routing tables to determine the best path for data transmission, based on the IP address of the receiving device.
Switches
Switches, on the other hand, serve as intelligent devices that direct traffic within a network. They enable different devices on a network to communicate with each other by sending and receiving data packets.
Gateways
Gateways, lastly, enable communication between two or more disparate networks, providing translation services between protocols and technologies, so that networks can communicate with each other.
Conclusion
Internetworking involves combining multiple networks into a single entity that enables global communication among devices on these networks. Achieving this requires the use of different protocols, including IP, TCP, and SMTP, as well as devices such as routers, switches, and gateways. Understanding these fundamentals of internetworking technology is crucial in today’s digital age, where organizations and individuals require seamless communication and access to information, regardless of their location.