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Internet & Networking 101

Duration: 1.5 hours | Foundation Track

Learning Objectives​

  • Understand how computers communicate with each other
  • Explain IP addresses in simple terms
  • Identify the role of routers, switches, and firewalls
  • Describe how the internet works for businesses

How Do Computers Talk to Each Other?​

Imagine computers are like houses in a neighborhood, and they need to send mail to each other. Just like houses need addresses, computers need addresses too!

IP Addresses - Computer Addresses​

Simple Explanation: An IP address is like a postal address for computers. Just like your house has an address like "123 Main Street," every computer has an address like "192.168.1.100."

IP Address Format​

192.168.1.100
│  │   │  │
│  │   │  └── Specific computer (like apartment number)
│  │   └───── Network section (like street)
│  └────────── Network type (like neighborhood)
└──────────── Network category (like city)

Common IP Address Types​

  • 192.168.x.x - Home and office networks (like residential streets)
  • 10.x.x.x - Large company networks (like business districts)
  • 8.8.8.8 - Google's public DNS server (like a famous landmark)

Local Networks vs The Internet​

Local Network (LAN - Local Area Network)​

  • Like all the houses on your street
  • Computers in the same building or office
  • Fast communication between devices
  • Example: Your home WiFi network

The Internet (WAN - Wide Area Network)​

  • Like the entire postal system connecting all streets
  • Connects local networks around the world
  • Slower than local networks
  • Example: Connecting from your home to Google

Network Hardware - The Traffic Directors​

Router - The Smart Post Office​

What it does: Decides where to send internet traffic
Simple analogy: Like a post office that sorts mail and knows which truck to put it on

Home Router Tasks:

  • Connects your devices to the internet
  • Gives each device an IP address
  • Protects your network from outside threats
  • Manages WiFi connections

Switch - The Distribution Hub​

What it does: Connects multiple devices in the same network
Simple analogy: Like a power strip that gives more outlets, but for network connections

When you need switches:

  • Office with many computers
  • More wired connections than router provides
  • Separate network sections

Access Point - WiFi Broadcaster​

What it does: Provides wireless access to wired networks
Simple analogy: Like a radio station broadcasting to multiple radios

How the Internet Works​

Your Computer Reaches Google​

Your Computer → Home Router → Internet Provider → Google's Servers
     │               │              │                    │
   (WiFi)      (Fiber/Cable)    (Internet)         (Data Center)

Domain Names vs IP Addresses​

  • Domain Name: www.google.com (easy for humans to remember)
  • IP Address: 172.217.14.206 (what computers actually use)

DNS (Domain Name System)​

  • Like a phone book that converts names to numbers
  • Turns "google.com" into "172.217.14.206"
  • Your computer asks DNS: "What's Google's address?"
  • DNS responds: "It's 172.217.14.206"

Basic Network Security​

Why Networks Need Protection​

Just like you lock your house, networks need protection from:

  • Hackers - People trying to break in
  • Viruses - Software that causes damage
  • Data theft - Stealing important information

Firewall - Your Digital Security Guard​

What it does: Blocks dangerous internet traffic while allowing safe traffic
Simple analogy: Like a security guard who checks IDs before letting people into a building

Basic Firewall Rules​

  • Allow: Employees accessing company email
  • Block: Unknown computers trying to access company files
  • Allow: Customers visiting company website
  • Block: Known malicious websites

Business Network Examples​

Small Office Network​

Internet Connection
       ↓
    Router/Firewall
       ↓
    Network Switch
    ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓
   PC  PC  PC  Printer  WiFi Access Point
                           ↓
                    Laptops & Mobile Devices

Larger Business Network​

Internet Connection (with backup)
       ↓
    Firewall (advanced security)
       ↓
    Core Switch
    ↓        ↓        ↓
Floor 1   Floor 2   Server Room
Switch    Switch    Switch
  ↓         ↓         ↓
Computers Computers Servers & Storage

Hands-on Activity: Network Discovery​

Time: 25 minutes

Objective​

Understand your own network setup

Tools Needed​

Windows computer or Mac, internet access

Part A: Find Your IP Address (5 minutes)​

  1. Windows: Open Command Prompt, type: ipconfig
  2. Mac: Open Terminal, type: ifconfig
  3. Find your local IP address (starts with 192.168 or 10.x)
  4. Record your findings: Write down your IP address

Part B: Trace Your Internet Path (10 minutes)​

  1. Open Command Prompt/Terminal
  2. Type: tracert google.com (Windows) or traceroute google.com (Mac)
  3. Watch the path your internet traffic takes to reach Google
  4. Count the hops: How many stops does your data make?

Part C: DNS Lookup (10 minutes)​

  1. Type: nslookup google.com
  2. See Google's IP address
  3. Try other websites: facebook.com, microsoft.com
  4. Compare results: Do they have different IP addresses?

Discussion Questions​

  • How many "hops" did it take to reach Google?
  • What does this tell you about how the internet works?
  • Why do you think some websites have multiple IP addresses?

Knowledge Check​

5 questions, 8 minutes

  1. Sarah can't access the company website from her office computer, but it works on her phone. What might be the problem?

    • a) The website is down
    • b) Her office network has connection issues
    • c) Her phone is broken
    • d) The internet doesn't exist

  2. If your home IP address is 192.168.1.50, which device is likely your router?

    • a) 192.168.1.1
    • b) 192.168.2.1
    • c) 8.8.8.8
    • d) 127.0.0.1

  3. What does DNS do?

    • a) Provides internet speed
    • b) Converts website names to IP addresses
    • c) Protects against viruses
    • d) Sends email

  4. A company wants to protect their network from hackers. What should they use?

    • a) More computers
    • b) Faster internet
    • c) A firewall
    • d) Louder speakers

  5. Why do businesses use local networks (LANs)?

    • a) They're more expensive
    • b) Fast communication between office devices
    • c) They work without electricity
    • d) They don't need maintenance

Answers​

  1. b) Her office network has connection issues
  2. a) 192.168.1.1
  3. b) Converts website names to IP addresses
  4. c) A firewall
  5. b) Fast communication between office devices

Key Takeaways​

What You Learned​

✅ IP addresses are like postal addresses for computers
✅ Routers, switches, and access points manage network traffic
✅ DNS converts website names to IP addresses
✅ Firewalls protect networks from security threats
✅ Local networks provide fast communication within offices

Business Applications​

  • Network Planning: Designing office networks for optimal performance
  • Security: Protecting business data with proper firewall configuration
  • Troubleshooting: Understanding network flow to diagnose problems
  • Scalability: Planning network growth as businesses expand

Real-World Skills​

  • Identify network components in business environments
  • Troubleshoot basic connectivity issues
  • Understand the path data takes from office to internet
  • Communicate network concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Next Steps​

In the next section, we'll explore cloud computing in detail and learn how businesses can leverage cloud services for better efficiency and cost savings.