Subnetting

Networking Essentials: From Local Networks to the Internet Networks connect our daily devices, from smartphones to smart TVs, and they carry data across rooms and cities. A simple home network becomes a bridge between your devices and the wider internet. Learning a few basics can make setup smoother and problems easier to fix. Local networks (LAN) sit inside your home or office. Each device gets an address, usually from a router that acts as the gateway. Most homes use DHCP to assign temporary IP addresses like 192.168.1.x. A small switch can extend wired connections, while Wi‑Fi handles wireless links. Keeping firmware up to date and using strong passwords helps protect the LAN from intruders. If you have several devices, a clean subnet and sensible DHCP lease times keep things organized. ...

Networking Essentials: From Packets to Protocols Networks move data in small units called packets. Each device uses rules, or protocols, to format, address, and deliver those packets. The result is a world where emails travel, webpages load, and apps talk to each other across continents. To organize work, many people learn the OSI model with seven layers. In real life, engineers rely on the TCP/IP family, which groups functions into four layers: link, internet, transport, and application. This setup keeps things simple while staying flexible for different networks. ...