what is computer network and its components?

Client-server architecture

On larger networks, such as corporate networks, the server is usually the central computer. This computer is used solely to run special server software and services, not for regular programs and applications. The server must run continuously, and other computers (clients) can be turned off.

 

The server and client on this server network communicate as follows: The client first sends a request to the server. The server evaluates the request and then submits a response. In this model, the client always connects to the server, never the other way around.

 

Network protocols

Network protocols ensure seamless communication between different network components. They monitor the exchange of data and determine how communication is established and terminated and what data is transmitted. There are usually several network protocols, each of which performs a specific subtask and is hierarchically organized in a layer.

what is computer network and its components

Network addresses

You also need to make sure that the transmitter and receiver can be correctly identified. Network addresses are used for this purpose. In computer networks, each computer typically has an IP address similar to a telephone number that uniquely identifies the computer. This internal IP address is used only for communication between participants in the local network. External IP addresses are automatically assigned by the ISP to communicate over the Internet.

 

It also distinguishes between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. IPv4 addresses were standard, but in total only about 4.3 billion of these addresses could be allocated before they ran out. Due to the mass spread of the Internet, additional IP addresses were urgently needed. Therefore, a new IPv6 standard has been developed that allows up to 3.4 x 1038 (340 sextillion) addresses. That should be enough for the future.