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What Is a Computer Network?
A network connects devices so they can communicate and share data and resources.
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AiTechWorlds
AiTechWorlds
Computer networking connects devices so they can share data and resources. This visual guide explains how the internet works, IP addresses, DNS, TCP vs UDP, the OSI model, routers, switches, ports, and how data travels across the web.
A network connects devices so they can communicate and share data and resources.
The internet is a global network of networks that routes data between billions of devices.
An IP address is a unique number that identifies a device on a network.
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (limited); IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (vastly more).
DNS translates human-readable domain names into numeric IP addresses.
TCP is reliable and ordered; UDP is faster but does not guarantee delivery.
The OSI model splits networking into seven layers from physical signals to applications.
HTTP transfers web data; HTTPS adds encryption for security.
A router forwards data packets between networks and directs them to their destination.
A switch connects devices within a local network and forwards data to the right one.
A LAN covers a small area like a home; a WAN spans large distances like the internet.
A MAC address is a hardware identifier unique to each network interface.
Ports are numbered endpoints that let one device run many network services at once.
A subnet divides a network into smaller segments for organization and security.
NAT lets many devices share one public IP address by translating addresses.
DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses to devices joining a network.
Bandwidth is how much data can flow; latency is the delay before it arrives.
Data is broken into packets that travel independently and reassemble at the destination.
Firewalls filter traffic to block unauthorized access to a network.
Your request is split into packets, routed across many networks, and reassembled at the server.
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