Computer networking may be considered a branch of computer science, computer engineering, and telecommunications. Computer networking was influenced by a wide array of technology developments and historical milestones.
- Practical TLS: 1,2,3 / 57
- Introduction to Networking: 13 / 28
The modern internet is a complex system that relies on a variety of technologies and protocols to enable communication and data exchange between devices worldwide. Here's a simplified overview of how the modern internet works:
1. Devices and Endpoints:
- Client Devices: These are the devices used by end-users, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices.
- Servers: These are powerful computers that store and deliver content or services. Servers can host websites, applications, and other resources.
2. Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
- ISPs provide internet access to users. They connect users to the global internet infrastructure through wired or wireless networks.
- ISPs use various technologies, including fiber optics, cable, DSL, and wireless connections, to transmit data between users and the broader internet.
3. Protocols:
- TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): The fundamental suite of protocols that enables communication on the internet. It breaks down data into packets for transmission and ensures reliable delivery.
- DNS (Domain Name System): Converts human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that machines use to identify each other on the network.
- HTTP/HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol/Secure): Defines how web browsers and servers communicate. HTTPS adds a layer of security through encryption.
4. Data Transmission:
- Data Packets: Information is divided into small packets for efficient transmission. Each packet includes the destination address, source address, and a portion of the data.
- Routing: Routers direct data packets along the most efficient paths through the network to reach their destination. The internet is a vast network of interconnected routers.
5. Internet Backbone:
- The internet backbone consists of high-capacity, long-distance data transmission links provided by major telecommunication companies. These links connect different regions and continents.
6. Peering Points:
- At peering points, different networks and ISPs connect to exchange traffic directly. Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) facilitate these connections, improving the efficiency of data exchange.
7. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs):
- CDNs distribute content across multiple servers globally, reducing latency and improving the speed of content delivery. This is crucial for delivering web pages, videos, and other digital content.
8. Security Measures:
- Firewalls and Security Protocols: Protect networks from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
- SSL/TLS Encryption: Secures data transmitted over the internet, ensuring privacy and integrity.
9. Cloud Computing:
- Cloud services allow organizations and individuals to access computing resources, storage, and applications over the internet. This has transformed how computing power is delivered and utilized.
10. IPv6 Adoption:
- IPv6 has been introduced to address the limitation of IPv4 addresses, allowing for a more extensive range of unique IP addresses to accommodate the growing number of devices connected to the internet.
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Remote Procedure Call (RPC, aka function call or a subroutine call) is a software communication protocol that one program can use to request a service from a program located in another computer on a network without having to understand the network's details.
RPC uses the client-server model. The requesting program is a client, and the service-providing program is the server. Like a local procedure call, an RPC is a synchronous operation requiring the requesting program to be suspended until the results of the remote procedure are returned. However, the use of lightweight processes or threads that share the same address space enables multiple RPCs to be performed concurrently.
An interface description language or interface definition language (IDL), is a generic term for a language that lets a program or object written in one language communicate with another program written in an unknown language. IDLs describe an interface in a language-independent way, enabling communication between software components that do not share one language, for example, between those written in C++ and those written in Java.
IDLs are commonly used in remote procedure call software. In these cases the machines at either end of the link may be using different operating systems and computer languages. IDLs offer a bridge between the two different systems.