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Computer Networks

Computer Networks

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Contents:

1. What is a Private IP Address?

A private IP address is an IP address reserved for internal use within a network (such as a home, office, or enterprise) that is not routable on the global internet. These addresses are used to identify devices within a private network and are translated to public IP addresses when communicating outside the network (via technologies like NAT, Network Address Translation).

Private IP Range for Class C Networks

In Class C networks, the range of private IP addresses is:

  • 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255

This gives a total of 256 Class C networks, with each network having 256 addresses (from 192.168.0.0/24 to 192.168.255.255/24).

Breakdown of Class C Private IP Range:

  • Starting Address: 192.168.0.0
  • Ending Address: 192.168.255.255
  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

The first IP (192.168.x.0) is typically reserved as the network address, and the last IP (192.168.x.255) is usually reserved as the broadcast address.

Examples:

  • Network: 192.168.1.0/24
    • Usable IP range: 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254
  • Network: 192.168.100.0/24
    • Usable IP range: 192.168.100.1 to 192.168.100.254

Other Private IP Ranges (for reference):

  • Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
  • Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
  • Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255

These IP ranges are reserved for internal network use and will not be routed on the public internet, ensuring that devices in these ranges cannot directly access or be accessed from the global internet without proper configuration (e.g., using NAT).

2. What is Public IP address

A public IP address is an IP address that is accessible over the internet. It is assigned to a network device, like a router, by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and allows devices on that network to communicate with devices outside of it. This IP address is globally unique, meaning that no two devices connected directly to the internet will have the same public IP address at the same time.

Key Points

  • Uniqueness: Each public IP is unique and can be traced to the region, ISP, or sometimes the specific organization that owns it.
  • Uses: Public IPs are necessary for hosting web servers, allowing users to access online resources, and enabling remote access to a device on a network.
  • Types: Public IPs can be static (permanently assigned to a device) or dynamic (changes periodically).

Most devices connected to the internet via a home network have a private IP address within the network, which is then mapped to the public IP of the router or modem when accessing the internet.

3. GigabitEthernet0/0

GigabitEthernet0/0 refers to a specific network interface on a Cisco router or switch. Let’s break down the term in parts:

1. GigabitEthernet:

  • GigabitEthernet refers to the interface type and its speed capability.
  • It supports gigabit speeds (1 Gbps or 1000 Mbps) for data transmission.
  • GigabitEthernet interfaces are commonly used in modern networking devices for faster data transfer compared to FastEthernet (100 Mbps).

2. 0/0:

  • The numbers 0/0 represent the slot/port number:
    • 0/0 means the interface is in slot 0, port 0.
    • Cisco routers and switches often have multiple slots and ports where interfaces (Ethernet, Serial, etc.) are located.

    Here’s what it means:

    • The first 0 refers to the slot number. Many Cisco devices have modular slots where different types of network modules can be installed.
    • The second 0 refers to the port number within that slot. Port 0 is typically the first physical interface on that module.

Example:

On a router with GigabitEthernet0/0, it refers to:

  • GigabitEthernet: The interface type supporting speeds of 1 Gbps.
  • 0/0: The first port (port 0) in the first slot (slot 0).

Usage of GigabitEthernet0/0

When configuring a Cisco router, you often interact with this interface to assign IP addresses, enable or disable the interface, and define routing settings.

Example Command:

R1(config)# interface gigabitEthernet 0/0
R1(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
R1(config-if)# no shutdown

In this example:

  • You access the GigabitEthernet0/0 interface on the router.
  • Assign the IP address 192.168.1.1 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.
  • Use no shutdown to enable the interface.

Common Features of GigabitEthernet Interfaces:

  • Speed: 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps).
  • Duplex: Full-duplex communication, meaning data can be sent and received simultaneously.
  • Usage: Often used for backbone connections or high-speed LAN segments.
  • Physical Interface: Uses RJ-45 connectors or fiber connectors depending on the type of GigabitEthernet port (copper or fiber).

4. Ports in networking

Each port is associated with a specific process or service, allowing computers to differentiate between different types of traffic. For example, emails use a different port than webpages, even though both reach a computer over the same internet connection

** 192.168.1.0/24**

The IP address 192.168.1.0/24 represents a subnet in the world of IP addressing.

Let’s break it down:

Components of 192.168.1.0/24:

  1. 192.168.1.0 (Network Address):
    • This is the base IP address of the subnet.
    • It’s a private IP address reserved for internal use within local networks (it won’t be routed on the public internet).
    • 192.168.x.x is a common range for home and small business networks.
  2. /24 (Subnet Mask):
    • This is CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) notation that represents the subnet mask.
    • /24 means that the first 24 bits of the IP address are reserved for the network portion, and the remaining 8 bits are used for the host portion (devices within the network).
    • In dotted decimal format, the subnet mask for /24 is 255.255.255.0, which is equivalent to 24 network bits.

What Does 192.168.1.0/24 Represent?

  • Network Address: 192.168.1.0 is the network identifier for the subnet. It is not assigned to any device.

  • Range of Usable IP Addresses:
    • The usable IP range in this subnet is from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254.
    • 192.168.1.1 would typically be assigned to a router or gateway.
    • You can assign IP addresses from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254 to devices within the network.
  • Broadcast Address: The broadcast address for this subnet is 192.168.1.255. This address is used to send messages to all devices on the network.

Structure of an IP Address

An IPv4 address is 32 bits, and in CIDR notation, we divide this into two parts:

  • Network portion (first 24 bits in this case): Identifies the network (e.g., 192.168.1.x).
  • Host portion (last 8 bits in this case): Identifies individual devices within the network (e.g., .1, .2, .3, … up to .254).

Example:

For the network 192.168.1.0/24:

  • Network address: 192.168.1.0
  • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
  • Usable IP range: 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254
  • Broadcast address: 192.168.1.255

This setup allows for 254 usable IP addresses (from .1 to .254) that can be assigned to hosts (e.g., computers, printers, phones) on the network.

Summary:

  • 192.168.1.0 is the network identifier, and the /24 means the first 24 bits are used for the network, leaving 8 bits for the hosts.
  • Subnet mask /24 allows for 254 devices on the network (usable IPs from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254).

This type of subnetting is typical in home and small office networks.

5. Difference Between Routers and Switches: Key Functions and Features

Routers and switches are essential networking devices, but they serve different purposes within a network:

5.1 Routers

  • Purpose: Routers connect different networks, such as a home network to the internet or multiple office networks to each other.
  • Functionality: They route data packets from one network to another, often directing traffic between local devices and the broader internet.
  • IP Addressing: Routers use IP addresses to determine the best path for data packets, allowing different networks to communicate.
  • Security: Routers often have built-in firewalls, which provide a security layer by filtering traffic.

5.2 Switches

  • Purpose: Switches connect multiple devices within a single local area network (LAN), like computers, printers, and servers in an office.
  • Functionality: Switches forward data packets within a network based on MAC addresses (not IP addresses) to ensure each device receives only the data intended for it.
  • Efficiency: They improve network efficiency by reducing data collisions and isolating data transfers to specific devices.
  • No Routing: Switches don’t connect to the internet directly; they only manage internal network communication.

Summary Table

Feature Router Switch
Primary Role Connects networks Connects devices within a LAN
Data Handling Routes data using IP addresses Forwards data using MAC addresses
Scope Operates across networks Operates within a network
Security Often has firewall capabilities Typically lacks security features

6. Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)

  • Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) technology logically divides a physical LAN into multiple broadcast domains, each of which is called a VLAN.[1]
  • Each VLAN functions as a separate broadcast domain, with devices in the same VLAN able to directly communicate with one another, while those in different VLANs cannot communicate with each other directly without the use of a router or a Layer 3 switch.

Key Features of VLANs:

  • Isolation and Segmentation: VLANs partition a network into separate broadcast domains, which helps in reducing broadcast traffic and improving network performance.[2]
  • Security: By isolating sensitive data and devices, VLANs enhance network security.[2]
  • Flexibility: VLANs allow network administrators to group devices based on function, department, or application, regardless of their physical location.[3]
  • Simplified Management: VLANs make it easier to manage network changes and expansions without needing to rewire physical connections.[4]

Key Terms

True/False (Mark T for True and F for False)

Answer Key (True/False):

Multiple Choice (Select the best answer)

  1. Which function would you use to determine the type of a variable in Python?
    • A) id()
    • B) type()
    • C) str()
    • D) isinstance()

Watch this video for the answer:

Answer key (Mutiple Choice):

Fill in the Blanks

Answer Key (Fill in the Blanks):

Exercises

  1. Skill Level Categories Define clear categories based on skill levels, such as:

Beginner: Basic concepts and syntax. Intermediate: More complex problems involving data structures and algorithms. Advanced: Challenging problems that require in-depth understanding and optimization.

Review Questions

References and Bibliography

[1] Z. Yue, “What Is Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)? - Huawei,” info.support.huawei.com, Jun. 29, 2021. https://info.support.huawei.com/info-finder/encyclopedia/en/VLAN.html [2] “VLAN,” Wikipedia, Jul. 21, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VLAN ‌[3] Techopedia, “What is a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)? - Definition from Techopedia,” Techopedia.com, 2019. https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4804/virtual-local-area-network-vlan ‌[4] “When Should I Use VLANs?,” Learning Center, Dec. 06, 2022. https://www.extnoc.com/learn/networking/what-is-virtual-lan ‌ ‌

For more details, see Appendix A.

Appendices

Appendix A: Data Tables

This section includes the data tables referred to in the text…