Characteristics of Networks

Characteristics of computer networks include:

1. Interoperability
2. Capacity
3. Security

Interoperability

1. The extent to which a system is able to exchange information regardless of technology.
2. In the context of networks, it refers to the set of standards and protocols that allow networks to communicate regardless of different implementations.

Standards and protocols

1. There are two main protocols used in modern networks:
   1. Transmission control protocol (TCP): Defines the origin and recipient of the data and breaks data into packets that must all be delivered for safe data transmission.
   2. User datagram protocol (UDP): Connectionless protocol that delivers data without safety checks to ensure faster delivery.
2. In data transmission over the internet, protocols commonly use IP addresses and DNS servers.
   1. IP (internet protocol) address: Unique numeric address that is assigned to every device connected to the internet to identify it.
   2. Domain name server (DNS): A system that translates human-readable domain names into numeric IP addresses.

Capacity

1. Two main components of network capacity are:
   1. Bandwidth: The maximum rate of data that can be sent in one second (measured in hertz - one per second).
   2. Speed: The amount of time taken to transfer a specific amount of data (measured in megabits per second).
2. To improve the transmission speed, compression is commonly used.
3. Equal access to all data for everyone on the internet is known as net neutrality.

Security

There are three main methods to improve network security:

1. Authentication
   1. The process of requesting credentials to gain access to specific data.
   2. Multi-factor authentication: The process of including multiple steps or methods of authentication to enhance security.
2. Firewalls
   1. Device or software designed to monitor and control incoming network traffic.
   2. Firewalls block unauthorized and unsafe traffic.
3. Proxy servers
   1. Intermediate device between the client and the internet.
   2. Redirects data between the client and internet to add an extra layer of security.