Understanding Computer Networks and the Internet

Lutfi

Understanding Computer Networks and the Internet

Rancakmedia.com – In this article we will provide information for understanding the meaning of computer networks, including the internet, see the details in the following article, happy reading.

The internet is a technology that can encourage human growth and prosperity throughout the world. Through connectivity between devices, we can communicate quickly, exchange and obtain the latest information without being hindered by distance, and even engage and collaborate without having to meet face to face.

Actually, the internet is nothing but a computer network. Any collection of interconnected electronic equipment, such as a computer, constitutes a computer network. However, the area of ​​the computer network on the internet is quite large. is very broad to cover almost all countries in the world.

Therefore, computers and computer networks are very important for technological progress and everyone's quality of life. Connecting multiple devices is possible, but how precisely do you do it? What kind of computer network can be set up to provide connectivity?

What is required to access or manage a computer network? We've put together a group of presentations to help us figure out how to solve this problem.

Understanding Computer Networks

As previously explained, computer network is a series of computer devices connected to each other. A computer network is a network consisting of many computers and other electronic devices that are connected to each other to carry out data processing, dissemination of information and exchange of data (Chandra & Kosdiana, 2018).

The connection of multiple devices implies that devices on the network can exchange data and information with each other, whether in the form of text, photos, or documents, as well as direct interactions such as chatting or sharing the use of programs and hardware such as printers and scanners.

There are times when the computer device we use is not connected anywhere and we can only access various types of data and information stored on computer storage media. In addition, we can link to other computers through special peripherals on computer equipment.

The peripheral is then connected via a network cable to another computer so that the two computers can be connected to each other (peer to peer).

As technology improves, connectivity between devices continues to expand from just a link between two devices to multiple devices. A “server computer” is a computer created to ensure that all other computers are connected properly.

The Internet can be considered one of the pinnacles of computer networking growth. Small-scale computer networks, on the other hand, continue to be frequently used. Especially if the computer network contains sensitive material that should not be accessed by the public, such as company data and information that should not be disclosed to the public.

The Internet has emerged as a different entity from traditional computer networks, as it has become a unique entity unto itself.

Various Types of Computer Networks

From the description above, we can conclude that there are many types of computer networks that have varying network coverage or sizes.

Different types of computer networks also have different roles and purposes. The following is an explanation of the various types of computer networks.

Local Network (Local Area Network/LAN)

A local network is a wired or wireless (wireless) computer network that connects computers with other devices in limited areas such as households, schools, laboratories, university campuses, or business buildings (Team Kemdikbud, 2021).

In essence, local networks or local area networks have very narrow coverage or scope. The LAN type of network is used by all devices on the network to connect to the network's central hub, which usually holds all the data and information used by the network (Rahman, 2018).

For example, information that only children at school need or information that only workers in the office can access.

Devices or computers on a local network can only be accessed by other devices on the same network. Each device or computer connected to a local network will have a unique identification (ID) that is different from each other.

Unique identification on a network is referred to as an IP address. For example, the computer's IP address is 192.168.1.1. Other computers with the same IP address, such as 192.168.1.2, will not be able to establish a connection.

That's because IP addresses act as addresses for sending data from one device to another. Through IP addresses, all computers can identify the addresses of other computers so they can transfer data to the target computer.

In LAN implementation, at least two different types of devices are needed. One device is called a "server", namely a particular computer to serve and manage all network connections between computers on the network.

Other devices are referred to as clients, which are computers connected to each other through services and server computer organizations.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A MAN network is a computer network that connects computers with other devices in a very wide area that includes a city (metropolitan). A MAN network is a mixture of many local networks.

Simply put, office A's local network is connected to B's local network, which may be close or quite far from each other. The coverage area covered by this network extends from 10 to 50 km.

The use of a MAN network consists of many sites that are not too far apart, for example university networks, office areas and integrated government locations. Even if a factory, agency, or other building is far away, the company office may still be connected to it through a network of other buildings (Anand et al., 2019).

Wide Area Network(WAN)

Large Territory Network is a computer network that has a very wide connection range, generally even covering the territory of a nation. Networks have the capacity to facilitate the development of communication connections between several distant devices.

It joins several small networks that serve as access providers for various network equipment, including computers and other devices, to the final destination, just as a MAN does. Voronin and Davydov (2017)

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

Using wired internet connections to devices is becoming less common, or at least less reliable. This is related to the increasingly common use of WiFi, which connects our gadgets via wireless or wireless networks.

Networks use wireless technology or use signals as a connection provider so that computers can connect to each other, which is called wireless local area network or WLAN. WLAN uses radio waves as a transmission channel for data transfer and dissemination (Kusriyanto & Putra, 2017).

Computer Network Hardware

In the previous article, it was explained that computer devices cannot connect to a network unless they have certain peripherals.

Unique peripheral hardware for computer networks is computer network hardware which can be exemplified as follows.

Ethernet/LAN Card

A LAN card, or network card, is a peripheral that allows devices to connect to a computer network. Most of these cards are easy to access and install in various electronic devices, such as PC motherboards. These devices, often called Ethernets, come in both wired and wireless forms.

Router

In the networking world, a router is a piece of network infrastructure that connects two networks together. For example, a router is used to connect a wired network with a wireless network so that other devices can access it without requiring cables.

Network cable

As the name suggests, a network cable is a connection that can connect several computer devices. The fastest and most reliable connections still use wired connections, despite the widespread adoption of wireless connections in recent years.

UTP, STP, and fiber optic connections are just a few examples of the many types of network cables available today. The cable that is widely used in local networks is RG-45 cable.

Hub

According to Sofana (2013, p. 68), a hub is a device that can replicate data frames originating from one computer to all ports on the hub so that all ports connected to the hub port will get data too. You can connect multiple computers to the hub at the same time, making it a very useful device.

Server Computer

Server computers are computers that are more powerful and durable than standard desktop computers. This is because the server computer will run non-stop for 24 hours to provide services to the computer.

Because of this, server computers are often kept in separate rooms with cooling systems built specifically for them.

Computer Network Software

Apart from having hardware, computer networks also require certain software to be able to communicate properly. This is the server operating system being used. For example, there are versions of Windows that are made specifically for running servers.

Other Linux distributions to consider include Ubuntu, Centos, and more. File, printer, and email services, as well as network security, are all managed by the network server.

Ideally, a separate server on a dedicated network is used, which is then connected to the client computer indirectly. However, separate servers are not essential for small networks.

Understanding Internet Networks

In contrast to local networks which only connect devices with limited coverage in certain areas, internet networks have connections with a wider range that can connect devices throughout the world.

The term “Internet” means “interconnection-network,” and it is a worldwide computer network that connects many devices.

The internet network allows packet data exchange (packet switching communication protocol) to serve billions of users throughout the world. The internet network can also be connected to a wide area network (WAN).

The internet began with the ARPA (Advanced Research Project Agency Network) research project supported by the United States Department of Defense in 1969 (Kemendikbud Team, 2021, p. 94). (Kemendikbud Team, 2021, p. 94). ARPANET was the name given to this project.

In the 1980s, with the help of several public agencies and commercial companies, the research finally became public infrastructure.

To access the internet network, our devices must be connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) via the specified internet connection method. When a wired or wireless ISP connection connects LAN devices to the internet, local network devices can use the internet.

For example, if the local network is connected to the Indie Home ISP, then we can connect our smartphone or cell phone to the network via Wifi so that our smartphone device can access the internet.

Just like a local network, each device on an internet network must also have a separate IP address. Because this IP address is widely used (worldwide), this IP address is referred to as a public IP.

Because not all local devices connected to the internet have a public IP, because usually the public IP is only used on the main device that is connected directly to the internet network, in this case there is a modem device connected to the ISP.

Internet Connectivity

Connections to the internet are often made via internet cables, which can be coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, or twisted pair cables. However, as we all know, we can also connect to the internet without needing a cable (wireless connection).

The Internet can be accessed in several ways, including through the use of cables or wireless. Our gadgets can connect to the internet using the following types of internet connection:

Internet Connectivity on Wired Networks

Telephone and television cable networks connected to Internet Service Providers are the most common cable connectivity networks. Following are some examples of wired network connectivity.

Dial-Up PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)

This internet connectivity was most often used when the internet had just arrived in Indonesia. A cable called PSTN is used in dial-up to connect to the landline telephone network (Public Switched Telephone Network).

The three must-have items for this connection are a computer, modem, and landline telephone. Speeds for dial-up Internet connections range from 12 to 20 kbps, with a top speed of 56 kbps.

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)

Dial-Up and ADSL both use modem technology to connect to the internet. The modem used operates at frequencies from 34 kHz to 1104 kHz. Apart from these changes, ADSL internet is almost the same as dial-up. The only difference is the modem and connection speed.

LAN

We can access the internet by joining a local network (LAN) which is connected to an Internet Service Provider via telephone cable or antenna through an Internet Service Provider.

Internet Connectivity on Wireless Networks

Internet connectivity via a wireless network is an internet network that does not require cables to connect one device to another. The following are some examples of internet connectivity available through wireless networks.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

This form of GPRS internet connection uses radio waves for data and voice transmission. When used with a cell phone, GPRS can send and receive data and voice.

In recent years, 3G, 4G, and even 5G have taken the place of GPRS, and the basic concepts are comparable but not identical.

Wi-Fi

Wireless fidelity (abbreviated as “Wifi”) is a common method of connecting to the internet without using cables. One type of wireless connectivity that is often used is Wifi, because of its practical benefits and reliability. However, the weakness of a WiFi connection is its limited range.

Satellite Access

Satellites are used to provide high access speeds for this form of internet connection. Internet access via satellite is not cheap, especially in Indonesia. Because satellites are so far away in space, these connections are also known to have long time lags.

Data Communication with Cell Phones

Previously we discussed internet connectivity via wireless, which can be done using GPRS. GPRS is the network that cell phones use to connect to other cell phones and devices.

But as technology has changed, these kinds of connections have been replaced by others that are much faster and more reliable.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

This is an internet network for mobile phones that provides speeds between 35 and 171 Kpbs. This speed is usually sufficient to send messages that are not too long.

EDGE (Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution)

This is an internet network that offers greater speed than GPRS as it provides speeds between 120 and 384 Kbps.

3G

The United Mobile Telecommunication Technology (UMTT) data transmission protocol is used on the GPRS version 3 internet network, producing speeds of 384 Kbps–2 Mbps.

HSPA (3.5G)

Speeds range from 600 kbps to 10 Mbps, making it 3G+, the next step up from 3G. HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access), also known as H+, on our smartphone screen offers a constant speed in the region of 7,2 Mbps.

4G/LTE (Long Term Evolution)

This is the fourth generation GPRS, which provides speeds up to 100 Mbps. 4G/LTE technology can be used by almost all networks on the market today.

Data Protection While Surfing the Internet

Is the information we enter when accessing websites and logging in using usernames and passwords safe from prying eyes? To achieve this, we must learn how to distinguish whether a site is safe or inaccessible.

To quickly determine whether a website is secure, look for the HTTPS address in the address bar. When HTTPS is enabled, a lock-like symbol appears next to the website address in the address bar.

Why? Understanding the difference between HTTP and HTTPS is essential if we want to know why. HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is a protocol that regulates communication between clients (user computers) and servers (computers that store data that can be accessed through websites).

In general, the communication mechanism between the client and server is that the client makes a request to the server, then the server provides a response to the website. The answer to the question may be a file that will be displayed in the browser.

The HTTP protocol regulates each of these actions in some way. Unfortunately, HTTP does not guarantee data security; therefore, it is possible that the data was modified. As a more secure alternative to HTTP, HTTPS ensures the integrity of the data sent.

HTTPS is more secure because it uses encryption (data coding) called SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer. SSL is a worldwide standard security technology that enables encrypted communications between web browsers and web servers.

SSL is widely used to reduce the chances of hackers and identity thieves stealing or destroying important information (such as credit card numbers, usernames, passwords, emails, etc.).

Any encryption security standards that SLL implements must be validated by a third party authority. SSL certificates help validate a website's identity to assure visitors that the website is not a fake website and encrypt the data that is being transferred.

FAQ

Below we have provided information regarding questions that are often asked by all of you, see the information in the following article:

What is the Difference Between a Computer Network and the Internet?

Computer networks and internet networks are basically two separate things. Although there is a meeting place between the two. So, what differentiates the two? First, let's first understand what a network is.

A network is a system consisting of a number of network devices that work together to achieve certain goals. So, a computer network is a system consisting of a number of computers and related gadgets that work together to achieve certain goals, especially sharing resources.

In addition to data and information, these resources can include physical devices such as printers and CPUs. In a computer network, a computer can be connected to another computer using cable or wireless media.

People in the general public often refer to computer networks as “local area networks” (LANs) or “local computer networks.” As a result, computer network is a broad term, while the internet is more specific.-network or inter-network.

In addition, it can also sometimes be considered that computer networks connect computers with other computers and their devices for shared use to save equipment and costs. People all over the world can connect with each other through the internet network.

Is the Internet a Computer Network?

As far as we know, the Internet is the world's largest computer network that we have ever built. The reach of the internet extends to almost every corner of the world.

A wide variety of computer devices, including PCs, cell phones, laptops, tablets, and televisions, enable anyone to access a variety of information sources.

A computer network is a group of interconnected computers, whether in schools, businesses, or in public places such as internet cafes. There are several types of computer networks that are characterized by certain criteria.

One of them is based on geographic coverage, especially LAN, MAN and WAN. Starting from the first with local coverage, then cities, and then regions, or even continents.

LAN is a computer network with the smallest or narrowest range, while WAN is a computer network with the largest range.

Several forms of data transmission media used in wired and wireless computer networks have also been listed as subcategories. That is what is meant by computer networks.

If this is the case, what is the internet network actually for? The Internet network can truly be described as a part of a computer network. WAN, or wide area network, is one way to classify the Internet.

It is possible to connect computers and people from all over the world through computer networks. Connecting computers and people around the world is done through the internet's use of various network components and software.

However, it is not as visible to the human eye as it is on a computer network. For example, computer networks in companies, schools or internet cafes. We might see it as a network whose devices are visible to the eye.

Where Do Internet Networks Come From?

ARPANET (Advanced Research Project Agency Network) is a network built by the ARPA agency in 1969 to showcase the capabilities of UNIX-based computer hardware and software. This later became the Internet.

The initial purpose of the development project was for military reasons. The Department of Defense built a distributed computer network system by connecting computers in critical places to overcome difficulties in the event of a nuclear attack and prevent information from being centralized, which could easily be destroyed in the event of conflict.

Arpanet originally merged with the Stanford Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, and University of Utah in 1969, forming an integrated network and launched in October 1972. ARPANET was initially limited to just four locations.

Not long after this initiative spread to all regions, all institutions in the country wanted to join, making it impossible for ARPANET to handle it. Therefore, ARPANET was split into two, namely "MILNET" for military purposes and the new, smaller "ARPANET" (Advanced Research Project Agency Network) for non-military applications such as universities.

The merger of the two networks eventually became known as "DARPA Internet", which was later shortened to Internet.

Conclusion

A computer network is a collection of interconnected electronic equipment, such as computers. Connecting multiple devices is possible, but how precisely do you do it?

The Internet can be considered one of the pinnacles of computer networking growth. Small-scale computer networks, on the other hand, continue to be frequently used. Different types of computer networks have different roles and purposes. That is the information we can convey, hopefully this article can be useful for everyone, that's all and thank you.

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Lutfi

Hi, let me introduce myself, Lutfi Hulasoh, I am a writer and techno blogger. I started creating a personal blog writing informative articles about the latest trends and developments in technology. My writing covers a wide range of topics, from mobile applications to artificial intelligence, and I can also provide easy-to-understand explanations to help readers understand complex concepts.