Appendix C. Decimal-Binary Conversion

Summary

This appendix discussed fundamental networking concepts that form a solid foundation for understanding the design and technology sections in the rest of this book. The following topics were explored:

• An introduction to networks

• A discussion of networking protocols and the OSI model, a key component of networking and the basis of modern protocol suites

• LANs and WANs

• Network devices, including hubs, switches, and routers

• An introduction to the TCP/IP suite and a discussion of the IP, TCP, and UDP protocols

• Routing, including an introduction to routing protocols

• Addressing, including MAC and IP addresses

• A comprehensive example, illustrating the encapsulation and decapsulation processes