1. Computer Network Fundamentals

The chapter explores the fundaments of a computer network by focusing on the three components of a computer network consisting of entities—the users—a stable communication medium, and the rules of communication—the protocols. Communicating entities are usually smart devices forming a distributed system consisting of loosely coupled computers and other devices. Any two of these devices can communicate with each other through a communication medium. In order for these connected devices to be considered a communicating network, there must be a set of communicating rules or protocols each device in the network must follow to communicate with another device in the network. The resulting combination consisting of hardware and software is a computer communication network or computer network.