Network layering
In networking, In networking, the concept of breaking up communication into separate components or activities. means to break up the sending of messages into separate components and activities. Each component handles a different part of the communication. This can be referred to as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol - TCP/IP - model.
There are four layers to be considered:
- A networking layer which encodes or decodes a message in a form that is understood by the sender and the recipient. - A software program that allows a user to perform a specific task. such as web browsers and email programs operate at this layer. A set of rules for how messages are turned into data packets and sent across networks. such as HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, IMAP and FTP operate at this layer.
- A networking layer which determines how a message is transmitted over a network. - this breaks down the message into small chunks (packets). Each A message is split into smaller packets of data which can then be transmitted and received in a network. is given a packet number and the total number of packets. This layer sets up the communication between hosts, using protocols such as TCP and UDP.
- Addresses and packages data, ready for transmission. It then routes the packets across the network. - this adds the sender’s and recipient’s A unique address for each computer device on a network. to the packet, and packages the Units of information. In computing there can be different data types, including integers, characters and Boolean. Data is often acted on by instructions. to make it ready for transmission. The internet layer also routes the packets across the A group of interconnected computers/devices..
- A networking layer which facilities the transmission of a message across a network. - the A circuit board that is installed in a computer so it can be connected to a network. and operating system drivers are at this layer.
Layering allows An agreed way of doing things. to be developed, but also to be adapted to new The physical parts of a computer system, eg a graphics card, hard disk drive or CD drive. and The programs, applications and data in a computer system. Any parts of a computer system that aren't physical. over time. For example, different software packages - applications - may use the same transport, network and link layers but have their own application layer. The way the program encodes the message changes - the rest of the communication method remains the same.