TCP/IP Protocol Suite
A good portion of the knowledge required to be a network technician relates to the TCP/IP protocol suite. This article describes the most important protocols in the TCP/IP protocol suite. Many other less frequently used protocols exist. More ...
Session Border Controllers - More Than Just a Voice Firewall
The migration from Time-Division Multiplexing to the more flexible IP based SIP networks brought an unexpected security challenge. Session Border Controllers focused primarily on SIP and H.323 session security. More ...
What is PPP, PPPoA and PPPoE?
PPP was designed to provide a connection between two devices. PPP comes with options including encryption, authentication and data compression. PPPoA is the standard for connection over an ADSL network. PPPoE is the standard for connection over an Ethernet network. More ...
NTP Server Systems - The Network Time Protocol
The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is utilized by NTP Server systems to distribute accurate time information to network time clients. The NTP protocol is widely used throughout the Internet to provide synchronization of computers and processes. This article discusses how NTP server systems utilize the Network Time Protocol to provide networks with an accurate reference of time. More ...
IPv6 Anycast Addresses
An IPv6 anycast address can be assigned to more than one interface. In other words, multiple devices can have the same anycast address. A packet sent to an anycast address is routed to the nearest interface having that address, according to the routers routing table. More ...
X.25 and Frame Relay Overview
Frame Relay originated as an extension of integrated services digital network (ISDN). Its designers aimed to enable a packet-switched network to transport over circuit-switched technology. The technology has become a stand-alone and cost-effective means of creating a WAN. More ...
RIP (Routing Information Protocol)
RIP is an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) that uses hop count as a metric. RIP comes in versions 1, 2, and RIPng (RIP next generation) an extension of RIPv2 for support of IPv6. More ...
The OSI Application Layer
This layer provides the interface between applications and the Network Operating System (NOS). The Application layer provides network services and applications such as HTTP, FTP, TELNET and SMP. More ...
14 Common Network Ports You Should Know
Ports are virtual software-based and are managed by a computer's operating system. Different types of data flow to and from a computer over the same network connection. The use of ports informs computers what to do with the data they receive. Each port is assigned a number, and each is associated with a specific process or service. Port numbers are standardized, most reserved for certain protocols, for example, all HTTP messages go to port 80. More ...
IPv6 Multicast Addresses
An IPv6 multicast address defines a group of devices known as a multicast group. Unlike IPv4, there is no broadcast address in IPv6. Instead, IPv6 uses multicast. A packet sent to a multicast group always has a unicast source address. More ...
Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs)
A Virtual LAN (VLAN) is a subgroup within a local network. VLANs make it easy for network administrators to separate a single switched network into subnetworks to match the functional and security requirements of their network without having to make major changes in the existing network infrastructure. More ...
Network Cabling and Components
Although the power and sophistication of networking protocols and software is impressive, a network could not operate without physical cable and components. Even a wireless network needs physical components such as access points. More ...
T-Carrier
T-carrier is a time-division multiplexed (TDM) digital signal that has been used by the telephone companies for many decades. 24 8-bit signals are time-division multiplexed into a 1.544 Mbps t-carrier signal. More ...
Free eBook: Introduction to 802.11 Wireless
The growth of wireless mobile devices is incredible. If you're an IT professional you'll need to understand wireless technology. This free ebook by Aaron Balchunas explains everything from radio frequency to wireless authentication protocols. More ...
Video Streaming Protocols
Video surveillance systems currently are undergoing a transition where more and more traditional analog solutions are being replaced by digital solutions. Here, some of the network protocols used in video streaming are described. More ...
