Chapter 13 - Internet: A Network Of Networks

• Introduction • Network Technologies Are Incompatible • Coping With Incompatibility

– It is impractical, and may be economically infeasible, to require all computers in an enterprise to use the same network technology.

• Two Fundamental Concepts – A Connection to a Network can be Extended (dial-up

modem connection, dedicated modem connection, digital connection)

– A Computer Can Have Multiple Connections (multiple NICs)

Chapter 13 - Internet: A Network Of Networks

• Using A Computer To Interconnect Networks– Computers that interconnect networks are dedicated to the

interconnection task. Although they use conventional hardware, they run special-purpose software that starts automatically when the system is powered on and remains operating at all times.

• Interconnecting Computers Pass Packets • Interconnecting Computers Are Called Routers

(Gateways) • Routers Are The Building Blocks Of The Internet

– The Internet is not a conventional computer network. It consists of thousands of computer networks interconnected by dedicated special-purpose compters called routers.

Chapter 13 - Internet: A Network Of Networks

• Routers Accommodate Multiple Types Of Networks • Routers Can Interconnect WANs and LANs

• Interconnecting Networks Was Revolutionary • Terms

– fiber

– network of networks

– route

– router

– routing