Addressing and Protocols

Addressing and Protocols

1. IP Addressing

   • Internet Protocol: Protocol is a set of rules for doing something. This is used to uniquley identify every computer on the network
   • E.g. 238.234.101.004
     • Each group seperated by the dots sub-divides the network the computer is connected to. the end group (004) is the actual computer.

2. MAC Addressing

   • Media Access Control Address: unique identifier assigned to network cards or wi-fi adapters. It identifies the card and the maker. 48 bit binary number on the card.
     • Good for Wi-Fi as can program to only allow devices with a certian MAC address to connect.
   • E.g. 0A-14-FF-32-12-23-97. It is in hex for readability

3. Protocols: Describes a set of rules that determine how a task is carried out.

   • Should be able to:
     • How to set-up and stop a connection
     • How to start and end a message
     • How to deal with corrupted data
     • How to format data
   • Hardware manufacturers can ensure their products use a specified protocol

4. Data is carried in packets. Designers decide how big a packet should be.

   • Packets travel along the network and are re-assembled in the receiving computer
     • Each packet contains: the IP of the receiving computer, the data and some control and error codes
       • Splitting data into packets makes transmission very reliable. If part of the network is broken, the packets will be sent around the problem with routers on the network. If a packet is missing, then it will be re-sent.