Network and Communication Layer (Abstract)

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Luis Carbajal Mellisa Hart Raihan H. Dear Networking & Communication Layers A network is an interconnected collection of computers, computer-related equipment, and communication devices. This collection includes desktop, laptop, tablet, printer, telephone, fax machine, camera etc. A network can be built using two computers in one room or as large as thousand computers, computers equipment and communication devices spread across the entire globe. The purpose of a network is to share data and information. Some examples of data are text files, spreadsheets, database information, images, video, music etc. The computers and the computer-related devices on a network may be linked through cables, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams to allow communication and data exchange between systems, software applications and users. A network has advantages and disadvantages. Easy file sharing, remote access, inexpensive setup, wide storage capacity etc. are the some of the advantages of network. On the other hand, security concerns such as viruses and malwares, lack of independence are the disadvantages of network. Networks are classified into three major categories. Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN). The physical topology of a network refers to the configuration of cables, computers and other peripherals. In other words, a network topology is the skeleton of a network. The topology used determines how data flows from one point to another within said network, and provides a path for troubleshooting and maintenance to the network administrator in case of network failure. Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) is an effort to standardize computer networking that was started in 1977 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). There are 7 layers of OSI. 1. Application (Layer 7) 2.

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