Basic Networking Cheat Sheet

1. Types of Networks

• LAN (Local Area Network): Small, local network (e.g., home, office).

• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Covers a city (e.g., ISP networks).

• WAN (Wide Area Network): Large-scale network (e.g., Internet).

• PAN (Personal Area Network): Close-range network (e.g., Bluetooth).

2. Network Topologies

• Star: Central device connects all others.

• Bus: Devices share a single communication line.

• Ring: Data travels in a circular path.

• Mesh: Every device connects directly to others.

3. OSI Model (7 Layers)

1. Physical: Transmission of raw data (cables, signals).

2. Data Link: MAC addresses, error detection.

3. Network: IP addressing, routing.

4. Transport: Data flow control (TCP, UDP).

5. Session: Manages connections between devices.

6. Presentation: Formats data for applications (encryption).

7. Application: Interface for end-users (HTTP, FTP).

4. Transmission Modes

• Simplex: One-way communication.

• Half-Duplex: Two-way, but only one at a time.

• Full-Duplex: Both directions simultaneously.

5. Transmission Media
 • Guided (Wired): Twisted-pair, coaxial, optical fiber.

• Unguided (Wireless): Radio waves, infrared, microwaves.

6. Error Detection Techniques

• Parity Bit: Adds an extra bit for checking errors.

• Checksum: Verifies integrity of transmitted data.

• CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check): More advanced error detection.

7. Common Protocols

• TCP/IP: Internet communication.

• HTTP/HTTPS: Web browsing.

• FTP: File transfer.

• SMTP: Email communication.

• ARP: Resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses.

8. IP Addressing

• IPv4: 32-bit, written as 192.168.1.1.

• Subnetting: Divides large networks into smaller subnets for better management.

9. Routing Algorithms

• Dijkstra: Finds the shortest path.

• Distance Vector: Routes based on distance calculation.

10. MAC Layer Basics

• CSMA/CD: Used in Ethernet to avoid collisions.

• Switch: Directs data efficiently within a LAN.

1. LAN vs WAN

Feature LAN (Local Area Network) WAN (Wide Area Network)

Coverage Small area (e.g., home, office) Large area (e.g., Internet, global network)

Speed High speed Lower speed due to long-distance communication

Cost Low setup cost Expensive due to large-scale infrastructure

Example Office Wi-Fi Internet service provider networks

2. IPv4 vs IPv6

Feature IPv4 IPv6

Address Length 32-bit 128-bit

Format Decimal (e.g., 192.168.1.1) Hexadecimal (e.g., 2001:db8::1)

Available Addresses Limited (~4 billion) Extremely large

Security Less built-in security More secure

3. TCP vs UDP

Feature TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

Connection Type Connection-oriented Connectionless

Reliability Reliable (ensures data delivery) Unreliable (faster but no guarantee of delivery)

Use Case Web browsing, email Online gaming, video streaming

4. Guided vs Unguided Transmission Media

Feature Guided (Wired) Unguided (Wireless)

Medium Uses physical cables No physical medium, uses air/waves

Feature Guided (Wired) Unguided (Wireless)

Examples Twisted pair, coaxial, fiber optics Wi-Fi, satellite, radio waves

Speed Higher speed Lower speed due to interference

Reliability More stable Can be affected by external factors

5. Hub vs Switch vs Router

Feature Hub Switch Router

Broadcasts data to all Sends data to the correct

Function Connects different networks
devices device

Routes data between

Intelligence No filtering Learns MAC addresses
networks

Security Less secure More secure Highly secure

6. OSI vs TCP/IP Model

Feature OSI Model TCP/IP Model

Layers 7 layers 4 layers

Approach Theoretical model Practical implementation

Flexibility More detailed & structured More adaptable for real-world use

Example Protocols FTP, HTTP, SMTP TCP, IP, ARP, ICMP

7. Simplex vs Half-Duplex vs Full-Duplex

Feature Simplex Half-Duplex Full-Duplex

Data Direction One-way only Two-way, but one at a time Two-way, simultaneously
Feature Simplex Half-Duplex Full-Duplex

Example TV Broadcast Walkie-Talkie Telephone Call

8. Static vs Dynamic IP Address

Feature Static IP Dynamic IP

Assignment Manually configured Automatically assigned by DHCP

Changes Over Time? No Yes

Common Usage Servers, websites Home internet, mobile devices

9. Ethernet vs Wi-Fi

Feature Ethernet (Wired) Wi-Fi (Wireless)

Speed Faster Slower due to interference

Reliability More stable Can suffer from signal loss

Mobility Limited (requires cables) High (wireless access)

10. Router vs Modem

Feature Router Modem

Connects to Internet Service Provider

Function Connects multiple networks
(ISP)

Directs traffic between home

Example Usage Converts signals from ISP
devices

Does it provide IP
Yes No
addresses?

11. Public IP vs Private IP

Feature Public IP Private IP

Visibility Can be accessed over the internet Used within local networks only

Security Less secure More secure

Example Address 203.0.113.5 192.168.1.1

12. Unicast vs Broadcast vs Multicast

Feature Unicast Broadcast Multicast

Data Sent
Single recipient All devices in a network Group of selected devices
To

Efficiency Highly efficient Can overload network Balanced

Sending an email to one Router sending an update to all Online streaming to a specific
Example
person devices audience

13. Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption

Feature Symmetric Encryption Asymmetric Encryption

Keys Used One key for encryption & decryption Two keys (Public & Private)

Security Level Less secure More secure

Example AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)

14. Wired vs Wireless Networks

Feature Wired Network Wireless Network

Connection Type Uses cables Uses radio waves

Speed Faster & stable Slower due to interference

Feature Wired Network Wireless Network

Mobility Limited Highly flexible

Security More secure Less secure

15. Firewall vs Antivirus

Feature Firewall Antivirus

Purpose Blocks unauthorized access Detects & removes malware

Protection Type Network security System security

Example Protects LAN from external threats Scans files for viruses

16. HTTP vs HTTPS

Feature HTTP HTTPS

Security No encryption Uses SSL/TLS encryption

Usage Websites with basic security Secure websites (banking, payments)

Example URL http://example.com https://example.com

17. Peer-to-Peer vs Client-Server Model

Feature Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Client-Server Model

Structure All devices share resources equally Centralized control

Security Less secure More secure

Example File sharing (BitTorrent) Websites, cloud servers

18. ICMP vs ARP Protocol

Feature ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)

Purpose Sends error & control messages Resolves IP to MAC addresses

Common Usage Ping command Mapping network addresses

19. Switch vs Hub

Feature Switch Hub

Data Handling Sends data only to the required device Sends data to all connected devices

Speed Faster Slower due to unnecessary traffic

Security More secure Less secure

20. FTP vs SFTP

Feature FTP (File Transfer Protocol) SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

Security No encryption Encrypts data

Speed Faster Slower due to encryption overhead

Usage General file transfer Secure file transfer (banking, confidential data)