A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a fundamental concept in TCP/IP computer networks and every professional in this field must have a deep understanding of this technology. In networking, VLANs are implemented and configured on Ethernet Switches and they work at OSI Layer 2. They are a method to logically separate Layer 2 Ethernet […]
Comparison of Static vs Dynamic Routing in TCP/IP Networks
“Packet Routing” is the primary operation in TCP/IP networks that establishes communication from a source device located on one network to a destination device located on another network. Image Credit Within the OSI model, routing is a Layer 3 process which groups Internet Protocol (IP) data into Packets that are put inside of Frames (Layer […]
Comparison of “peer-to-peer” vs “client-server” Network Models
A computer network is made up of software and hardware components that allow one device to communicate with another. Hardware provides the set of instructions that utilizes the networking equipment for data transmission, whereas software specifies the sequence of commands (communication protocol) that uses the hardware equipment for data transmission. A basic data transfer is […]
12 Types of Network Devices Found in Modern Enterprise Networks
I’ve been working with small and large networks for almost two decades. I can say that I have pretty much seen it all. There are so many different types of network devices that you can write a whole book about. In this article I will describe briefly the most common network device types that you […]
Comparison and Differences Between MAC vs IP Address
Every host or device that is connected to a TCP/IP network must have two addresses in order to send and receive traffic on the network. These are MAC and IP addresses. Knowing the details and functionality of these two address types is essential for anyone working in networking or in I.T in general. In this […]
Comparison of VLAN vs Subnet in TCP/IP Computer Networks
A few decades ago, flat networks were the norm. I remember in my very first job as a network engineer, most of our clients’ networks consisted of a single broadcast domain (VLAN) and a huge single flat Layer 3 network (usually in the 10.0.0.0 range). As time passed by and networks started to become bigger […]
Comparison of FTP and HTTP Network Communication Protocols
FTP and HTTP are two of the oldest network protocols in existence. Although they made their appearance in the nineteen-eighties, they are still among the most popular network protocols used in Information Technology and Internet in general. HTTP is an acronym for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. FTP is an acronym short for File Transfer Protocol. Both […]
8 Different Types of Servers in Computer Networks
If you’re reading this article right now, you’ve already utilized the client-server model without even realizing it. You (as the client) have requested a resource (i.e this webpage) which was served to you by a webserver. This is the prevailing architecture for modern communications whereby digital data is offered by servers to clients. The alternate […]
10 Different Types of IP Addresses Used in Computer Networks
An Internet Protocol (IP) Address is a term that you will hear a lot if you are into any field of Information Technology. Especially people in TCP/IP networking have to deal with IP addresses in their every-day professional life. Just like any house or building in the world has a unique postal mail address in […]
Difference Between Routers and Switches in TCP/IP Networks
The key difference between routers and switches in TCP/IP networks is that Switches primarily function to provide Layer 2 connectivity and Routers provide Layer 3 connectivity (as described in the OSI layer model). What exactly does this mean? From a high level view it means that switches allow hosts to communicate as long as they […]
10 Best Computer Networking Jobs with High Salaries in USA
In these days of uncertainty around employment, IT remains a solid option for those who either have the qualifications or those who are seriously thinking about a career change. In this article I’ll discuss the best-paying jobs, both in the core networking field and in network security as well. There are many roles and job […]
Collision Domains and Broadcast Domains Explained (with Diagrams and Examples)
In this blog I usually share practical configuration examples and how-to guides about Cisco networking devices and technologies (routers, switches, ASA firewalls etc). However, there are a lot of people out there interested in more generic and fundamental networking topics because they either just starting out in this field or are learning the basic concepts […]
10 Best Network Troubleshooting Software Tools (Free&Paid)
As a network engineer, you will be spending almost half of your time in troubleshooting issues arising in the network or solving problems related to IT and network conditions. Although there are several Windows or Linux commands that you can use on host computers to check for various connectivity issues, a professional should have a […]