An IP address is like a digital address given to each device on a network. It identifies the device and helps data find its way to the correct destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example of an IPv4 address: 192.168.1.10<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the IP address alone isn\u2019t enough. We also need a subnet mask<\/strong>, which helps separate the network part<\/strong> of the IP from the host part<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means 192.168.1 represents the network part, and 10 identifies the individual device within that network. So, two devices like 192.168.1.10 and 192.168.1.20 are part of the same network if they share the same subnet mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is a Subnet Mask?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A subnet mask is a 32-bit number used with an IP address to define which portion is for the network and which is for the host.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can think of it as a divider: it tells the system where the network ID ends and the host ID begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why is it needed?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s say you have the IP address 192.168.1.10. How does your system know which part refers to the network and which part refers to the host?<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s where the mask helps. Wherever the mask has a 1 in binary, those bits belong to the network portion. The remaining bits are for the host.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example in Binary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So the network part is 192.168.1, and the host is 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This tells us that all devices with IPs from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 are part of the same network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few key points:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Real-world use:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When a device wants to send data:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Network Stack \u2013 OSI Model and TCP\/IP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To understand how data travels across networks, we use reference models that break down communication into layers. The TCP\/IP Model<\/strong>, also known as the Internet Protocol Suite<\/strong>, is a simpler 4-layer model that is actually used in real-world networks like the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clarifying the Terminology: Internet Layer and Link Layer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When learning about the TCP\/IP model, especially from different books, courses, or tutorials, you might come across multiple names<\/strong> used for the same layer. Here\u2019s a quick clarification:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd39 Internet Layer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This layer is responsible for logical addressing and routing of packets between networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common alternative names<\/strong> you might see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n RFC 1122<\/strong> officially refers to this as the Internet Layer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd39 Link Layer (Bottom Layer)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the lowest layer in the TCP\/IP model, handling physical transmission and framing of data between directly connected devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other names you may encounter:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In RFC 1122<\/strong>, it is referred to as the Link Layer<\/strong>, which is the preferred and official term<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Interfaces and Ports<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An interface is where a device connects to the network. This could be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The word \u201cport\u201d is also used in software\u2014these are logical ports<\/strong> used by applications to communicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So depending on the context, port<\/em> may refer to either hardware or a software communication endpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Packet and Frame<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When data travels over a network, it is broken into smaller pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In simple terms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Switch vs Router \u2013 What\u2019s the Difference?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s first understand what a network<\/strong> is. A network is a group of devices that share the same IP range, based on the subnet mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Switch:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Router:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So, switches are used for communication within the same network, while routers enable communication between different networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Summary Table<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Understanding how computer networks work starts with learning a few essential terms. This post introduces some of the core networking concepts in a simple and practical way. If you\u2019re just getting started with networking or brushing up on the basics, this will give you a solid foundation to build on. 1. IP Address and Mask […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"wp-custom-template-post-with-sidebar2","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[330],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-networking-fundamentals"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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The OSI Model<\/strong> is a 7-layer theoretical framework used to explain how different network functions work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"OSI](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/OSI-vs-TCP-IP-1.png?resize=1024%2C927&ssl=1\")
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\u2192 All devices with IPs starting with 192.168.1. are in the same network.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nTerm<\/strong><\/td> What It Means<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead> IP Address<\/td> Unique address for a device on a network<\/td><\/tr> Subnet Mask<\/td> Defines the network and host portions of the IP<\/td><\/tr> OSI Model<\/td> 7-layer theoretical model for network communication<\/td><\/tr> TCP\/IP Model<\/td> Real-world 4-layer model used on the internet<\/td><\/tr> Interface<\/td> Network connection point (physical or virtual)<\/td><\/tr> Port<\/td> Communication endpoint (hardware or software)<\/td><\/tr> Packet<\/td> Network layer unit with IP info<\/td><\/tr> Frame<\/td> Data link layer unit with MAC info<\/td><\/tr> Switch<\/td> Connects devices in the same network<\/td><\/tr> Router<\/td> Connects devices across different networks<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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