Computer Networks: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction Computer networks are the backbone of modern computing. Every time you browse a website, send an email, or stream a video, you rely on a complex stack of protocols, algorithms, and hardware working together. This post is a comprehensive guide to how computer networks work — from the physical transmission of bits to the application-layer protocols you use daily. We will walk through the layered network models (OSI and TCP/IP), dive into each layer’s responsibilities, explore routing and addressing, examine transport-layer reliability, and cover essential application-layer protocols. We will also touch on security, cloud computing, peer-to-peer systems, and distributed architectures like blockchain. ...