Introduction to Computer Networks for Business Professionals

Computers communicate with each other a lot like how humans do.

Take verbal communication as an example. Two people need to speak the same language and be able to hear each other to communicate effectively. If there are loud noises, one person might have to ask the other person to repeat themselves. If one person only somewhat understands an idea being explained to them, that person might ask for clarification. One person might address only one other person or they may be speaking to a group. And there's usually a greeting and a way to close the conversation.

The point is that humans follow a series of rules when they communicate.

And computers have to do the same. This defined set of standards that computers must follow in order to communicate properly is called a protocol.

Computer networking is the name we've given to the full scope of how computers communicate with each other. Networking involves ensuring that computers can hear each other, that they speak protocols other computers can understand, that they repeat messages not fully delivered, and a couple other things, just like how humans communicate.

There are lots of models used to describe the different layers at play with computer networking. But for this course, we've selected the TCPIP five-layer model. We'll also be touching on the other primary network model, the OSI Model, which has seven layers. If you don't know what these models are or how they work, don't worry. We'll be deep diving into these topics throughout this course.

It's super important to know these types of layered models to learn about computer networking because it's a really layered affair. The protocols at each layer carry the ones above them in order to get data from one place to the next. Think of the protocol used to get data from one end of a networking cable to the other. It's totally different from the protocol you use to get data from one side of the planet to the other.

But both of these protocols are required to work at the same time in order for things like the internet and business networks to work the way they do. Sometimes, there are problems when computers on the internet or on these business networks try to communicate with each other and often, it's up to an IT support specialist to fix these problems.

This is why understanding computer networking is so important. By the end of this course, you'll be able to explain all five layers of our model. Not only that. You'll be able to describe how computers determine where to send their messages and how network services like DNS and DHCP work.

Are you ready? Let's dive in.