#1 INTERNET AND LOCAL NETWORKS: THE NETWORKING SERIES
Are you online? Of course you are! And that’s how you are reading this blog right now. Would you like to know how this is possible? This series is all about what it takes to be online and access internet!
Hey peeps, through a series of blogs named “THE NETWORKING SERIES”, I would like to share my knowledge about networking. So don’t wait, you have an awesome learning ahead in this “THE NETWORKING SERIES”.
Networking is very important in the field of IT. Networking allows you to send and receive information between computers/devices. Hence, it is the right time to get started with networking.
The Internet
Whenever we hear something about “network”, the first thing that comes to our mind is the “Internet”, because everyone is aware of it and everyone uses it. What is internet?
Internet is a network of network of computers.
Internet is not owned by someone or any group. You may notice that the words “network of” is repeated. Let me explain, that is because internet is comprised of many number of networks that are connected together. In other words, internet is a collection of interconnected networks. Internet users can transmit the data in many forms through telephone wires, wireless transmission, fiber-optic cables and satellite links. Everything that you access on the internet is located somewhere on the globe.
Local Networks
Local networks mostly come in small sizes. The local networks can range from a simple network consists of two computers to a network consists of thousands of computers. The network that we have in our homes, small offices and home offices are referred to Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) Networks. These network allows us to share resources like printers, documents, files between a few local users.
- Small home networks: This connects a few computers to each other and to the internet.
- Small Office and Home Office networks: SOHO network. This allows computers in home office or a remote office to connect to a corporate network, or access centralized, resource shared.
- Medium to Large networks: This can have hundreds to thousands of interconnected hosts in various locations.
- World Wide networks: The internet is a network of networks, connecting millions of computers world-wide.
The internet, not only connects to computers and laptops. It also connects to other devices that we interact on our daily basis. Those devices includes mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches and smartglasses.
Home devices connected to internet
Many household devices also be connected to internet to monitor and configure it remotely. For example:
- Security system: Many of the items like security systems, lighting can be connected to internet and can be accessed via mobile phones.
- Game consoles: These are connected to internet to download games and play with our friends.
- Appliances: Our household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, ovens can be connected to internet and can be accessed through mobile phones to monitor the status of the appliance. Smart TV, which can be connected to internet to browse the web, play movies, songs etc. It can operate without TV service provider equipment.
Other connected devices
There are many other devices that are outside our home also connected to internet that useful, convenient, informative
- Smart cars: These are automobiles that are connected to internet to access maps, audio etc. They can even send messages if someone attempts to steal it or any accident occurs. It can also connected to mobile phones to provide information about engine status, provide maintenance alerts etc.
- Medical devices: Some medical devices such as pacemakers, insulin pumps are also connected to the internet to provide information or alerts to medical professionals or users.
- RFID tags: The RFID tags which are known as Radio Frequency Identification(RFID). These tags are placed on an object which is to be tracked. RFID tag along with embedded GPS will provide GPS location coordinates.
- Sensors and actuators: There are many sensors connected to internet to send information to actuators to carry out a specific task.
Hope you have enjoyed this first part of “THE NETWORKING SERIES”. I’ll catch you up in the next blog.
Stay connected!!
