What is a Computer Network?
At its core, a computer network is simply two or more computers connected together so they can share information. When you load a website, your computer is talking to another computer (a server) somewhere else in the world.
The Models that Make it Work
Networking is often taught using two models: the OSI Model and the TCP/IP Model. Think of these models like the postal service. To send a letter, you need to write it, put it in an envelope, write the address, add a stamp, and hand it to the postman. Each of these steps is a “layer” in the networking model.
- TCP/IP is the actual language of the internet.
- OSI is a theoretical 7-layer model used to help people understand how data travels from a physical cable all the way up to the web browser.
Understanding these layers helps IT professionals figure out where a problem is happening when the internet “stops working.”
Knowledge Check
Question 1 of 1What is the primary purpose of the OSI and TCP/IP models?
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