Top 20 Networking Jargons Every Developer Should Know About.

Networking is the heart of the computer world, connecting us all across the digital landscape. From the Internet to local networks, it's the backbone that enables communication and sharing of information.

Here are the 20 most widely used Jargons in the field of networking as follows:

1. IP Address: It is a numerical identifier assigned to each device on a network.IP addresses are written in dotted decimal notation, in which each of the 4 bytes is written in decimal, from 0 to 255. You can also think of an IP address like your Colony(IP address) in your City(a Network of different devices with IP addresses).

   For Example 192.168.1.1

   

2. Protocol: These are the set of rules which governs the communication between devices over the network. Suppose you are in your school then you will follow your school's rules and regulations, and when you are at Water Park then you will follow different protocols.

For Example :

1. Firewall: A firewall is a security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules. It helps organizations protect their data, assets, and resources from unauthorized access and cyber threats. A firewall is the same as a Security Guard of the House.

Just as a security guard stands at the entrance of a house and allows only authorized individuals to enter while preventing unauthorized or suspicious individuals from gaining access, a firewall serves as a security barrier between an internal network (like a house) and the outside world (external networks like the internet). Its role is to inspect incoming and outgoing network traffic and enforce a set of rules that determine which data packets are allowed to pass through and which ones are blocked.

Some key points about Firewall that can bring your curiosity up are as follows:

• Traffic Filtering: Firewalls inspect packets of data passing through them and determine whether to allow or block the traffic based on specific rules.

• Network Security Layers: Firewalls are often used as a first line of defense in a layered security approach. They work alongside other security measures such as intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), antivirus software, and access control mechanisms to create a robust security posture.

• Access Control: Firewalls enable organizations to control which services are accessible from the internet and which services are restricted. By blocking unnecessary or insecure services, firewalls reduce the attack surface of the network.

  1. DNS: Domain Name Server or DNS is a system of translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses. Every Website that you want to access have an IP address but as Human, we cannot memorize the IP address of each of the website present on the Internet and that's why we need a system like Domain Name Server which maps the Domain Name of the website with it's respective IP address.

• On your Mobile, You have lots of contacts, and what if the next day the mobile company removes the feature of naming a person's contact then it would be harder for you to remember the number of each of them

  1. DHCP: DHCP stands for "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol." It's a technology used in computer networks to automatically assign unique IP addresses to devices that join the network. IP addresses are like special names given to each device on the network, so they can find and talk to each other.

Real-Life Benefits of DHCP:

1. Automatic IP Address Assignment: DHCP makes it easy for devices to join a network without needing to manually configure their IP addresses. It's like getting a name tag automatically when you come to a party, so you can start playing right away!

2. Efficient Network Management: DHCP helps network administrators manage a large number of devices on a network easily. They don't have to assign individual IP addresses to each device, saving time and effort.

3. IP Address Reuse: When a device leaves the network, DHCP can reassign its IP address to another device that joins later. It's like giving an empty seat to a new friend when someone else goes home from the party.

4. Reduces Conflicts: DHCP ensures that no two devices have the same IP address on the network. Just like making sure your friends don't have the same name tag at the party!

   1. Bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the maximum data transfer rate or capacity of a network communication channel. It is a measure of how much data can be transmitted over a network in a given amount of time. Bandwidth is typically expressed in bits per second (bps) or a multiple of bps, such as kilobits per second (Kbps), megabits per second (Mbps), or gigabits per second (Gbps).

• In simple terms, bandwidth represents the "width" or capacity of the communication channel, much like a highway with multiple lanes can handle more traffic than a narrow road. A higher bandwidth allows more data to flow through the network, resulting in faster data transfer rates and smoother communication.

  1. Latency: Latency refers to the time delay between the initiation of a network communication request and the actual response received. It is the time taken for data to travel from the source to the destination in a network.

Latency is typically measured in milliseconds (ms) and is a critical factor in determining the responsiveness and real-time performance of networked applications.

Suppose you are playing an online multiplayer game then if you have a high latency network you will feel a lag in the actual game.

1. Port Forwarding: Port forwarding is a networking technique that allows you to redirect incoming network traffic from one port on a router or firewall to a specific port on a device or server on the local network.

Real-Life Benefits of Port Forwarding:

• Hosting Personal Services: Port forwarding allows you to host services like websites, gaming servers, or media servers at home, making them accessible from outside your local network.

• Remote Access: You can use port forwarding to access devices on your home network remotely. For example, remotely accessing a home security camera system or a home automation server.

• Gaming: Port forwarding is often required for online gaming, where specific ports need to be opened to enable communication between gaming clients and servers.

  1. Packets: A packet is a small unit of data that is used to carry information across a network from a source to a destination. It serves as a container that holds data along with necessary control information, such as source and destination addresses, error-checking codes, and sequencing information.

Real-Life Benefits of Packets:

1. Efficient Data Transfer: Breaking data into smaller packets allows for more efficient data transfer over the internet. If a packet is lost or delayed, only that specific packet needs to be resent, rather than the entire email.

2. Reliable Delivery: The use of sequence numbers in packet headers ensures that packets are reassembled in the correct order, ensuring the complete and accurate delivery of data.

3. Network Congestion Management: Packet switching enables routers to manage network congestion by prioritizing and routing packets through less congested paths.

4. Multi-Path Routing: Packets can take different routes to reach the destination, allowing for better load balancing and increased network efficiency.

5. Scalability: Packet-based communication allows for the efficient exchange of data between different types of devices and networks, making it scalable for large-scale Internet communication.

Imagine you have a big picture that you want to send to your friend who lives far away. But the picture is too big to fit into one envelope, so you decide to cut it into smaller pieces, like puzzle pieces. Each small piece is called a "packet."

Now, you put each packet into its envelope and write on it where it needs to go, like your friend's address. You also number the envelopes, so your friend knows the right order to put the puzzle pieces back together.

Then, you give all the envelopes to the mailman, who takes them to your friend's house. When your friend gets the envelopes, they can look at the numbers and put the puzzle pieces in the correct order to make the whole big picture again.

1. Cookies: In the context of the internet, cookies are small pieces of data stored on your computer or device by websites you visit. They are sent by a website's server to your web browser and are stored in a special folder on your computer. Cookies help websites remember information about you and your visit, making your online experience more convenient and personalized.

Real-World Benefits of Cookies:

1. Personalization: Cookies enable websites to remember your preferences, such as your language, preferred layout, and items in your shopping cart. This personalization makes it easier and more enjoyable to use the website.

2. User Authentication: Cookies help with user authentication, allowing you to stay logged in to websites without needing to re-enter your username and password each time you visit.

3. Tracking: Cookies can track your activities on a website, like the pages you visit and the links you click. This information helps website owners understand how people use their sites and make improvements.

4. Session Management: Cookies can create temporary sessions, allowing websites to remember information about your visit while you navigate from one page to another.

   Imagine you have a magical cookie jar at home. When you visit different places, you carry this special cookie jar with you. Whenever you go to a new place, the people there give you a special cookie and put it inside your cookie jar.

   Now, the next time you visit the same place, the people remember you because of the special cookie in your jar. They know what you like and can offer you things you enjoy, like your favourite toys or games. These special cookies help you have a fun and personalized experience wherever you go.

   1. Server: In the world of computers and the internet, a server is a powerful computer that stores and manages information and services for other computers, devices, or users. It's like a giant library that holds lots of books (data and programs) and lets people borrow them whenever they need them.

Real-World Benefits of Server:

1. Data Storage: Servers have a lot of storage space, allowing them to keep vast amounts of data like websites, videos, photos, and documents. When you want to see a website or watch a video, your computer asks the server for the information, and the server sends it to you.

2. Website Hosting: When you visit a website, the web pages and all the content come from a server. Servers make sure the website appears correctly on your screen and handles all the interactions when you click buttons or links.

3. Email and Messaging: Servers help deliver emails and messages from one person to another. They make sure your messages reach the right person's inbox quickly.

4. Online Games: When you play games with friends online, the game data comes from a server. The server manages the game and keeps track of the scores and progress of all players.

5. Cloud Services: Servers power cloud services, where you can store your files and access them from anywhere. It's like having a magical box that stores your toys and lets you play with them wherever you go!

6. Business Applications: In companies, servers help manage important business data, like sales records, customer information, and employee details. They keep everything organized and secure.

7. Faster Responses: Servers are designed to handle many requests at once, so you can get the information you need quickly, just like your friend who quickly finds toys for everyone to play with.

   Imagine you have a big box of toys at home, and all your friends come over to play with you. Now, the toys are so popular that your friends keep asking you for different toys to play with. It becomes challenging to handle all the requests and find the toys quickly.

   So, you decide to have a special helper friend called "Server." This server friend helps you keep all the toys organized and makes sure that whenever your friends ask for a specific toy, it finds the toy quickly and gives it to them. Your server friend is super fast and can handle many requests at the same time, making playtime fun and easy for everyone!

   1. Nodes: In computer networks, a node is a connection point that allows devices (like computers, smartphones, or printers) to communicate with each other and share information. Nodes can be physical devices or software-based components that facilitate data exchange within a network.

Real-World Benefits of Nodes:

1. Communication: Nodes enable devices to communicate with each other over a network. For example, when you send a message to a friend on your smartphone, the nodes in the network help deliver the message to your friend's phone.

2. Sharing Information: Nodes help devices share information and resources. For instance, if you want to print a picture from your computer, the node connecting your computer and the printer helps send the picture for printing.

3. Internet Access: Each device connected to the internet, like a computer or smartphone, is a node. These nodes allow us to browse websites, watch videos, and access information from servers around the world.

   Imagine you have a big play area with lots of toys and games. Now, you want to invite all your friends to play with you, but it's not easy for all your friends to come to your play area at once. So, you decide to make some special spots in different places around your house, where your friends can gather and play.

   These special spots are called "nodes." Each node is like a magical meeting point where your friends can come together and have fun. They can play games, share toys, and talk to each other at these nodes. Nodes help make it easier for everyone to play together, even if they can't all be in one place at the same time

   1. VPN: VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network." It's a secure and private way to use the internet. When you connect to a VPN, it's like having a secret tunnel between your device (like a computer or smartphone) and another computer on the internet, called a VPN server. The tunnel keeps your online activities private and protected from others who might want to see what you're doing.

Real-World Benefits of VPN:

1. Online Privacy: A VPN keeps your internet activities private by encrypting your data. It's like writing your messages in a secret code that only you and your friend can understand.

2. Secure Connections: When you use public Wi-Fi at places like a coffee shop or airport, a VPN can protect you from hackers who might try to steal your information.

3. Access Blocked Content: Sometimes, certain websites or videos might be blocked in your country. With a VPN, you can pretend to be in another country where those things are not blocked and access them freely.

   Imagine you have a secret tunnel that connects your home to your friend's house. When you want to play with your friend, you both go inside the tunnel, and it's like you are playing together in the same room, even though you are in different houses. The tunnel keeps your playtime a big secret, and nobody else can see what you're doing. That's a VPN - a special secret tunnel for you and your friend to play and talk without anyone else knowing.

   1. Topology: In the world of computer networks, topology is the way devices are connected in a network. It describes the arrangement of computers, printers, servers, and other devices and how they communicate and share information.

Different Network Topologies:

1. Bus Topology:

   • In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single central cable (the "bus").

   • Each device can send data to all other devices on the network through the central cable.

   • If one device wants to send data, it broadcasts the data to all other devices on the bus.

   • Benefits: Simple and easy to set up, suitable for small networks.

2. Star Topology:

   • In a star topology, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch.

   • Each device has its own dedicated connection to the central hub.

   • Data sent by one device is directed to the central hub and then forwarded to the intended recipient device.

   • Benefits: Easy to add or remove devices, if one connection fails, it doesn't affect other devices.

3. Ring Topology:

   • In a ring topology, devices are connected in a closed loop or ring.

   • Each device is connected to exactly two other devices, forming a continuous loop.

   • Data travels around the ring in one direction until it reaches the intended recipient.

   • Benefits: Simple and straightforward, efficient data transmission with no collisions.

4. Mesh Topology:

   • In a mesh topology, each device is directly connected to every other device in the network.

   • There are full mesh and partial mesh topologies depending on the number of direct connections.

   • Benefits: High redundancy and reliability, data can take multiple paths to reach the destination.

5. Tree (Hierarchical) Topology:

   • A tree topology combines multiple star topologies connected to a central bus.

   • Devices are organized in levels, with a central hub connecting lower-level star networks.

   • Benefits: Scalable for larger networks, easy to manage and troubleshoot.

6. Hybrid Topology:

   • A hybrid topology is a combination of two or more basic topologies.

   • Organizations often use a mix of topologies to meet specific networking requirements.

   • Benefits: Can take advantage of the strengths of different topologies, and offers flexibility.

Real-World Benefits of Topologies:

1. Efficient Communication: Different types of topology help devices communicate with each other quickly and easily. It's like having a clear path to talk to your friends without any confusion.

2. Redundancy: Some topologies have backup connections, just like having extra friends to play with if some of your friends are busy. This redundancy helps keep the network running smoothly, even if some parts have problems.

3. Scalability: Topologies can be designed to grow with the network, like adding more friends to your playgroup when new friends come to the playground.

4. Flexibility: There are many types of topology, like a star, bus, or ring, and each one can suit different situations. It's like choosing different games to play depending on what everyone likes best.

5. Easy Troubleshooting: When there's a problem in a network, the topology can help find where it is, just like knowing which group of friends might need help when they can't find a lost toy.

   Imagine you have a big playground with many friends, and you all want to hold hands and play together. But you can't all hold hands in one big line because the playground is too big! So, you decide to form smaller groups, like circles or squares, where each friend holds hands with the ones closest to them.

   These groups you make are called "topology." It's a fun way for all of you to play together in smaller groups, and it helps you stay organized while having a great time!

   1. Router: A router is a device that helps connect different computer networks together and allows data to travel between them. It's like a traffic director for the internet. To send the data from one source to the destination it follows an efficient route using different routing algorithms.

Real-World Benefits of Router:

1. Data Routing: Routers help send data, like emails, pictures, and videos, from your device to your friend's device, even if they are far away.

2. Internet Connection: When you use the internet at home, a router connects all your devices (like phones, tablets, and computers) to the internet, so you can access websites, play games, and watch videos.

3. Wireless Connectivity: Many routers also provide Wi-Fi, like a magical internet signal that allows your devices to connect to the internet without any cables.

   Imagine you have a magical mailman in your neighborhood who delivers letters and packages to everyone's houses. But instead of just knowing one street, this mailman knows all the streets in the whole world! When you want to send a drawing to your friend who lives far away, you give it to this special mailman. He looks at the address on the drawing and decides the fastest way to get it to your friend's house. Then he sends it on a magical road that goes straight to your friend's house, no matter how far away it is. This special mailman is called a "router."

   1. Subnet: In computer networking, a subnet is a way to divide a large network into smaller, more manageable parts. It helps group together devices (like computers, printers, or smartphones) based on their IP addresses. IP addresses are like unique names given to each device on the network, just like how you have your own name.

Real-World Benefits of Subnet:

1. Efficient Data Communication: Subnets help reduce the amount of network traffic by organizing devices into smaller groups. It's like having separate paths for each color of crayon in your box, making it easier to find the right color when you need it.

2. Better Security: Subnets can isolate certain devices from others, like keeping your special toys separate from your friends' toys, so everyone can play with their things without messing up others' play areas.

3. Network Management: Large networks can become complicated, but subnets help network administrators manage and troubleshoot different parts of the network more effectively.

   Imagine you have a big box of crayons, and you want to organize them into groups based on colors. All the red crayons go in one group, all the blue crayons go in another, and so on. Each group is like a "subnet," a special part of your crayon box for specific colors.

   Now, when you want to draw something with red crayons, you know exactly where to find them in the red subnet. It's much easier to find the right crayons and draw your picture beautifully. Subnets help keep things organized and make it simpler for you to find what you need when you want to create your colorful masterpieces.

   1. SSH: SSH stands for "Secure Shell." It's a secure way to connect to and communicate with remote computers over an unsecured network (like the internet). SSH provides encryption and authentication to ensure that the data sent between the computers remains private and secure.

Real-World Benefits of SSH:

1. Secure Communication: SSH encrypts data, making it unreadable to anyone who tries to intercept it while travelling over the internet. It's like putting your messages in a secret code that only you and your friend can read.

2. Remote Access: SSH allows users to access and control a computer or server from a distance. It's like being able to play games on your friend's computer from your own house!

3. Data Protection: When you use SSH to transfer files between computers, it ensures that the files remain safe and protected from unauthorized access.

   Imagine you have a special secret code that only you and your best friend understand. When you want to send messages or drawings to your friend, you write them in this secret code. Then, you send them through a magical tunnel that only you and your friend can access. Nobody else can read your messages or see your drawings because they don't know the secret code or have the magic tunnel key.

   1. Proxy Server: A Proxy Server is like a middleman between your computer and the websites you want to visit on the internet. Instead of directly connecting to a website, your computer first connects to the Proxy Server, and then the Proxy Server connects to the website on your behalf. It acts as a "proxy" or substitute for you, so the website doesn't know your real identity.

Real-World Benefits of Proxy Server:

1. Anonymity: The Proxy Server hides your real IP address and identity, making it difficult for websites to track your online activities. It's like having a secret disguise that keeps you anonymous.

2. Improved Security: Proxy Servers can act as a barrier, protecting your computer from malicious websites and potential cyber threats.

3. Access Control: Some Proxy Servers help control access to certain websites, making sure kids only visit safe websites with parental controls.

4. Faster Access: Proxy Servers can store copies of websites, making future visits faster by loading pages from its storage, like a super-speedy robot friend.

   Imagine you have a friendly robot friend that goes to the store for you whenever you need something. But this robot friend doesn't just get things for you; it also hides your name and face while shopping. When you want a toy from the store, you tell your robot friend what toy you want, and it goes to the store, buys it for you, and brings it back. But nobody at the store knows it was you who wanted the toy because your robot friend kept your name and face a secret! That's a "Proxy Server" - a helpful robot friend that keeps your identity a secret while getting things for you from the store.

   1. Fragments: In computer networking, fragments are small pieces of data that result from breaking larger packets into smaller parts. When data is sent over the internet, it is divided into packets to be transmitted efficiently. Sometimes, if the data is too large to fit into a single packet, it gets divided into fragments.

Real-World Benefits of Fragments:

1. Efficient Data Transmission: Fragments allow large data to be sent over a network in smaller pieces, which makes data transmission more efficient and faster.

2. Handling Network Constraints: Some networks have size limitations on the maximum packet size they can handle. Fragments help overcome these constraints by breaking data into smaller, manageable pieces.

3. Reducing Data Loss: If a large packet gets lost during transmission, only a small fragment needs to be retransmitted, reducing the amount of data that needs to be resent.

   Imagine you have a big yummy chocolate bar, but it's so big that you can't eat it all in one bite. So, you decide to break it into smaller pieces. Each small piece is called a "chocolate fragment."

   Now, you and your friends each get a chocolate fragment to eat. You can enjoy your chocolate together, even if you can't eat the whole big bar at once. Once everyone finishes their fragment, you can imagine that you're all eating the same delicious chocolate bar together.

   1. Load Balancer: A load balancer is a special device or software that evenly distributes incoming requests and data traffic across multiple servers. It helps ensure that each server gets a fair share of the workload, preventing any server from becoming overwhelmed while keeping the overall system running smoothly.

Real-World Benefits of Load Balancer:

1. Even Work Distribution: Load balancers distribute incoming requests, like website visitors or online game players, across multiple servers. This prevents one server from getting too many requests while others remain idle.

2. Improved Performance: By spreading the workload, the load balancer ensures that each server can handle its fair share of traffic, leading to faster response times for users.

3. High Availability: If one server goes down or has a problem, the load balancer can redirect requests to other healthy servers. This helps ensure that services remain available even if some servers encounter issues.

4. Scalability: As more users or traffic come in, additional servers can be added to the system, and the load balancer will distribute the workload accordingly.

Imagine you have a big plate of yummy cookies, and you want to share them with all your friends at once. But you have so many friends, and it's hard to give everyone a cookie quickly. So, you ask your magical helper to help you! This magical helper is like a "load balancer."

The load balancer takes all the cookies and divides them evenly among your friends. It makes sure each friend gets a fair share of cookies, so everyone is happy and can enjoy the delicious treats together. With the load balancer's help, you can share your cookies with all your friends easily and make everyone smile.