Network Fundamentals

A computer network is comprised of two or more computer systems that are connected and able to communicate and exchange data. There are two key terms in computer networks that play an important role:

Server
A computer system or a software application that provides a service to the other
computer systems connected to the same network. Many times this service will include providing
data needed by a client. You will be creating many parts of a server, called CIServer, in your
problem set for this unit.

Client
A computer system or a software application that requests a service from a server connected to the
same network.

There are a number of ways that we can connect computer systems to create a network. The most common is using a device that has a switch and a router within it.

Switch
Switches can identify which devices are connected to a port. When a device communicates that it
wants to send data to a specific port it will relay it through the switch and the switch will then
transmit it to the device connected at that port. For this problem set we will be using port 8000
on your local host.

Router
A router will connect networks together. The router you have at home connects your home network
to the internet. Router devices will be bundled with a switch as sold as a “wi-fi router”.