IPv4

Networking Fundamentals for a Connected World Networks connect devices to share information. At home, in schools, or in offices, you rely on cables, wireless signals, and shared rules to move data from one device to another. A simple goal remains: when you tap a link, a request travels, the server answers, and your screen refreshes. Understanding the basics Think in layers. Each device has a role, and each data packet follows a path from source to destination. In practice, people often use two models to picture this work: the OSI model with seven layers, and the simpler TCP/IP model with four layers. The idea is not to memorize every detail, but to see how ideas fit together: physical links, addresses, transport, and application data. ...

Practical Networking: IPs, Subnets, and Routing Demystified Networking can feel intimidating, but the core ideas are simple: IP addresses identify devices, subnets group addresses for efficient routing, and routing moves packets from one network to another. This short guide uses clear examples you can reuse at home or in a small office. What is an IP address? An IP address acts like a postal address for a device on a network. It can be IPv4, written as four numbers separated by dots, or IPv6, a longer hex format. In practice, you see both kinds, but most home networks still rely on IPv4 for everyday tasks. ...